Will have license soon. Watch out.

Not buying anytime soon, but want to start becoming sure of what direction I want to lean. Was hoping some of you fine folks could help a brotha' out. Been saving a while, so wouldn't want to spend more than 5k, but I'd splurge if it was a craigslist special vs. a high quality used car.

Got a few ideas in mind, but I'm really not entirely sure. I'm kind of leaning Miata, but am also thinking about the Mk1 Rabbit, and (in my dreams) an Austin Mini. Heck I've even been thinking about old Volvo wagons.

Any other suggestions of vehicles I should pursue? Basic requirements:

• Must be available in manual
• Must be around $5k
• No more than 150k miles
• A few mods okay (i.e rollbar in a Miata)
• Light
• Not looking for something fast, but fun
• Cheap to insure/fix
• Great for learning car control in an empty parking lot
• Not a total POS; will start each morning
• Easy to work on
• Preferably from the 20th century
• I love oddball cars

If I were to do any mods, they'd consist of simple things such as simple wheel, tire, suspension, and brake upgrades. Maybe a spoiler lip and roll bar.

 

Consider insurance also man. Being 16 its going to be high, especially for a two door sports car. Out of the three, I'd have the Miata. Also couldn't go wrong with something Japanese.

 

Possibly consider a 944, that was my first car. Just make sure you get the timing belt changed like no other. Are you bias towards any make ? GTI is a nice choice though.

 

The Golf. It's cheap, insurance wouldn't be high and loads of aftermarket parts available easily if you decide to mod it (some modded ones look seriously hot).

 

Miata all day

 

+1 for the miata, hard as old nails and fun to drive

 

I voted Volvo, BUT

You should look into a 85-88 Toyota Truck or 4runner, they kick ass,

You should also look into a Civic, great everyday cars and you can take pride in keeping it nice. Id buy a blue 2000 Si

 

Let's think basics.
Miata RWD, easy to work on, Japanese will be much easier to work on than German. (I work on German shit) and you can throw the top down.
It'll be hard to be a fun to drive factor every time you get in.

 

That Volvo sure looks safe though... But I'd go with the Miata for that nice MT feel.

 

1976-1977 Datsun 260Z