Car best for insurance (minor driver)

[baseballlover1]

yea, you've got a really good point. I just realized that we did own an american car up until recently. The traction controll (or something) on our pt cruiser broke while my mom was going around a corner on the highway at 65mph and she totalled the car. I just couldn't see a reason why i would go with an american car when i could get a toyota or a honda just like another guys said, but ile ask around and do a little bit more research about the latest generation of american cars. How many of you guys own american cars? Do you like them? Also, my father is a real driver and he would never let me buy a car that he felt was fun to drive. He feels that all (or when he did his testing of them) american cars were not fun to drive. It may just be his preferances for a more sporty car that made him hate most of the american companies.

2 of my serios options here are also Mini cooper S and VW GTI mk5... Any opinions?

[Jek Hawkins]

Originally Posted by azenthusiast

I'm just curious, what has made you not "trust" American cars? Personal experience or your parents refused to buy one? I'm sorry to tell you, but American cars are now more reliable than German cars in most cases. If you honestly care about reliability and not having the car break down, then you'll end up in a Toyota or a Honda.

Honda/Acura. Toyota is dumb, lol, and nowhere near as reliable as it once was

Originally Posted by baseballlover1

yea, you've got a really good point. I just realized that we did own an american car up until recently. The traction controll (or something) on our pt cruiser broke while my mom was going around a corner on the highway at 65mph and she totalled the car. I just couldn't see a reason why i would go with an american car when i could get a toyota or a honda just like another guys said, but ile ask around and do a little bit more research about the latest generation of american cars. How many of you guys own american cars? Do you like them? Also, my father is a real driver and he would never let me buy a car that he felt was fun to drive. He feels that all (or when he did his testing of them) american cars were not fun to drive. It may just be his preferances for a more sporty car that made him hate most of the american companies.

2 of my serios options here are also Mini cooper S and VW GTI mk5... Any opinions?

I would have to take issue. Why exactly will your father NOT let you have a car that was fun to drive?! That doesn't seem very fair.

But here's an IMO for you. The Mini Cooper S is a wonderful little car, it's pretty quick and nimble around turns. I have a friend who has a DINAN S (OK, so it's not stock) but it's stylish and very fun to drive. It's also rather sporty, much lower than the high-rise GTI, and somewhat more reliable. The GTI is a remarkable vehicle, it's practical and enjoyable, reasonably quick but a little heavy, which makes it less of a curve-carver than the S. Another friend owns the GTI in white, and it's very cool. It actually sounds really nice, the exhaust is nice and raucous at high RPMs and decently quiet in normal conditions. In addition, the GTI's turbo isn't ashamed to proclaim itself, it's pretty easy to hear in normal driving. The GTI's direct-inject, however, does mean that it may consume a lot of oil in normal driving. Overall, I would say this:

GTI: more practical, more space altogether, sounds good
Cooper S: quicker, more sporty in capability and curve-carving, somewhat more reliable

remember this is IMO

American cars:

My family has owned American cars almost exclusively. My stepfather started with a Pontiac Grand Prix 400cid 4-barrel, moved on to a Neon, Jeep G-Cherokee, and now a Dodge Ram 1500, my mother started with a Ford Taurus, her current car is an Olds Aurora 4.0 V-8, my other stepfather owned a Mercury Marquis, Dodge Dart, and now a Dodge Daytona. The only foreign cars in our lineup were my stepfather's Toyota Corolla, which he had while he was stationed in Okinawa, and MY car, an Acura Integra. What am I trying to say by all this? In all our years with our cars, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ford Taurus were positively exceptional. The Marquis also was, but it's something of a relic now. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ran a solid 230,000 mi. with minimal problems, and the Ford Taurus has lasted 10 years with only the required maintenance, this car is now owned by my stepbrother, who is still driving the thing, and it still looks good and drives well. So: here ya go!

I would stay clear of GM, my mother's Aurora is just going absolutely nuts, problems here there and everywhere.
Dodges would be your choice if you care about how your car looks and how durable it is. Dodges have always been TANKS; if you treat them well, you can expect years upon years of repair-free driving. make sure u r informed if u buy a Dodge, some vehicles like the Ram and the PT Cruiser seem to be suffering from a problem in which the dashboard cracks
Fords are altogether well-executed, a guy down the street owns a Fusion, he says it's not a driver's car, but it's well-made and decently nimble. This probably has something to do with Mazda's influence on Ford and vice-versa.

Those are the BIG 3

If you are interested in cars that are utterly uninspired and boring as HECK to drive but made well and practical, Toyota is for you. Unless u can get ur hands on a Supra or an MR2 or something (and pay all that insurance), expect a car that will get u from point A to point B but not much else. This also applies to Lexus (with the exception of the IS300), and Scion (far far more show than go)

I drive a Honda and I will tell you that my little car is nothing short of impressive; it's not particularly quick until i leave you behind in a corner. Acura's cars are likewise wonderful to drive, especially because they get larger engines like the K motor, Hondas today even LOOK nice too, the Civic Si (don't ask about insurance, I don't know) is a bargain, it's pretty darn quick, it's practical (somewhat this is for the sedan Si, haha) it has a great sound stock, and it is just amazing to drive (WHAT'S that? 8000 RPM redline + VTEC?) Be warned, Acuras are targets for theft

Mazda will please you, most of their cars benefit from Ford's size. The Mazda6 and 3, for example, both benefit from Volvo chassis, they're very solid bc they're made for larger motors and more weight. A friend of mine has the Mazda3 with the 2.3 inline-4, pretty quick, VERY practical, the hatch is HUGE!

I'm a big believer in the German cars, really I am, Porsches are given, what of M-B and BMers? M-B is pretty hit-or-miss with reliability, or so i hear. CR says that the cars aren't very reliable, but I have two friends with M-B's and never have problems... They're more muscle than anything else, you get a M-B and you get the modern-day muscle car, they are generally hi-displacement cars that will rocket you from 0-60 in 6 seconds, and they're better than BM in interiors IMO

BM is more sporty, less muscle, so they're pretty fast, but they're better around corners. M-B will smoke in a straight line, BM will leave you in the corners. friend = BMW 328i, another, BMW M3, hot, very nice, unmistakeable styling.

And you already know about Audi, which is probably my personal favorite, the R8 and TT are just AMAZING cars, the 5 series is way cool too, the only criticisms that Audi gets is in handling prowess, bc their motors are hanging over the front axles. their QUATTRO system is just not enough to balance, IMO.

So before you go blind reading ALL the text above, I will recommend for you (taking into account price, insurance, driving enjoyment) Honda for best all-round, and Cooper S for out of two

[azenthusiast]

Originally Posted by baseballlover1

Also, my father is a real driver and he would never let me buy a car that he felt was fun to drive. He feels that all (or when he did his testing of them) american cars were not fun to drive.

As opposed to a fake driver? LOL.

Also, he's obviously never driven a Cummins, a Hemi, a Mustang, an SSR, a Corvette,or just about any vehicle that has a respectable motor. A Jeep is also extremely fun in an entirely different way.

In case you can't tell, I am slightly partial. My family has always owned American cars and loved them. Right now, I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty that is pushing 100K miles and still runs flawlessly.

[Joshua312]

This thread is getting dumb, to many close minded people with too many personal opinions they aren't ready to get shot down. Take a day off, do some research on American cars and the cars you are interested in...take a look at both sides and reviews. If your dad is picky and wants you to have a fun car to drive..then so be it...but if you are planning on getting a Mini Cooper S or GTI MKV the last thing it seems you need to worry about is insurance.

[Jek Hawkins]

Originally Posted by Joshua312

This thread is getting dumb, to many close minded people with too many personal opinions they aren't ready to get shot down. Take a day off, do some research on American cars and the cars you are interested in...take a look at both sides and reviews. If your dad is picky and wants you to have a fun car to drive..then so be it...but if you are planning on getting a Mini Cooper S or GTI MKV the last thing it seems you need to worry about is insurance.

I'm only basing my opinions on what I've seen personally and experienced, and remember, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. but i would agree on it would be the last thing to worry about if ur candidates are the Cooper S and GTI

[Joshua312]

Originally Posted by Jek Hawkins

I'm only basing my opinions on what I've seen personally and experienced, and remember, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. but i would agree on it would be the last thing to worry about if ur candidates are the Cooper S and GTI

Don't worry...My post wasn't meant for you And I agree everyone is entitled to their own opinion; I certainly have mine. But when someone asks for help and is obviously stuck in their own ways..then I guess I don't see the purpose of asking for further insight.

[BigJimZ28]

this is something that you need to do for yourself

start driving cars(when you are old enough)
drive a every thing you can and talk to people that have them
trucks, SUV's, imports & Domestic

and soon eough you will fine something that you like and can afford


If you don't like American car's that fine
but to not like them because of a P.O.S. rental....that is stupid

but most of all good luck and have some fun!

P.S. if it was me I would do an engine swap and restore that VW

[Jek Hawkins]

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

this is something that you need to do for yourself

start driving cars(when you are old enough)
drive a every thing you can and talk to people that have them
trucks, SUV's, imports & Domestic

and soon eough you will fine something that you like and can afford


If you don't like American car's that fine
but to not like them because of a P.O.S. rental....that is stupid

but most of all good luck and have some fun!

P.S. if it was me I would do an engine swap and restore that VW

roflcopter, i am definitely going to drive every car i can in my lifetime, provided that they're stick... i got so used to driving my stick that i had to back an auto out of our driveway and couldn't do it very well.........how in the world will i ever drive a Ferrari?!

and for rental, lol, i've experienced the EUDM VW Polo (mini-sized Golf / GTI) (rented) 5x, lol, and it was just the opposite of the stereotypical rental, it was fun and TOUGH as NAILS!
Stick & clutch was a little longer than my Teg's but, still...

[baseballlover1]

Originally Posted by Jek Hawkins

I would have to take issue. Why exactly will your father NOT let you have a car that was fun to drive?! That doesn't seem very fair.

Sorry i meant the complete opposite.

[baseballlover1]

Originally Posted by Joshua312

Don't worry...My post wasn't meant for you And I agree everyone is entitled to their own opinion; I certainly have mine. But when someone asks for help and is obviously stuck in their own ways..then I guess I don't see the purpose of asking for further insight.

llol it was meant for me. And please dont try to beat around the bush... just say its me right off the bat.

[baseballlover1]

Originally Posted by azenthusiast

As opposed to a fake driver? LOL.

Also, he's obviously never driven a Cummins, a Hemi, a Mustang, an SSR, a Corvette,or just about any vehicle that has a respectable motor. A Jeep is also extremely fun in an entirely different way.

In case you can't tell, I am slightly partial. My family has always owned American cars and loved them. Right now, I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty that is pushing 100K miles and still runs flawlessly.

Actually my dad has spent time in some cars that have bigger engines. Dads played with a carrera GT a little bit, a Porsche 911 GT3, Aston martin Vanquish, Vipers, 69 camero (converted into a donahue special). Along with driving those cars, we own a 911S, are any of those cars engines "respectable" enouph for you?

[baseballlover1]

Originally Posted by Jek Hawkins

Honda/Acura. Toyota is dumb, lol, and nowhere near as reliable as it once was



I would have to take issue. Why exactly will your father NOT let you have a car that was fun to drive?! That doesn't seem very fair.

But here's an IMO for you. The Mini Cooper S is a wonderful little car, it's pretty quick and nimble around turns. I have a friend who has a DINAN S (OK, so it's not stock) but it's stylish and very fun to drive. It's also rather sporty, much lower than the high-rise GTI, and somewhat more reliable. The GTI is a remarkable vehicle, it's practical and enjoyable, reasonably quick but a little heavy, which makes it less of a curve-carver than the S. Another friend owns the GTI in white, and it's very cool. It actually sounds really nice, the exhaust is nice and raucous at high RPMs and decently quiet in normal conditions. In addition, the GTI's turbo isn't ashamed to proclaim itself, it's pretty easy to hear in normal driving. The GTI's direct-inject, however, does mean that it may consume a lot of oil in normal driving. Overall, I would say this:

GTI: more practical, more space altogether, sounds good
Cooper S: quicker, more sporty in capability and curve-carving, somewhat more reliable

remember this is IMO

American cars:

My family has owned American cars almost exclusively. My stepfather started with a Pontiac Grand Prix 400cid 4-barrel, moved on to a Neon, Jeep G-Cherokee, and now a Dodge Ram 1500, my mother started with a Ford Taurus, her current car is an Olds Aurora 4.0 V-8, my other stepfather owned a Mercury Marquis, Dodge Dart, and now a Dodge Daytona. The only foreign cars in our lineup were my stepfather's Toyota Corolla, which he had while he was stationed in Okinawa, and MY car, an Acura Integra. What am I trying to say by all this? In all our years with our cars, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ford Taurus were positively exceptional. The Marquis also was, but it's something of a relic now. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ran a solid 230,000 mi. with minimal problems, and the Ford Taurus has lasted 10 years with only the required maintenance, this car is now owned by my stepbrother, who is still driving the thing, and it still looks good and drives well. So: here ya go!

I would stay clear of GM, my mother's Aurora is just going absolutely nuts, problems here there and everywhere.
Dodges would be your choice if you care about how your car looks and how durable it is. Dodges have always been TANKS; if you treat them well, you can expect years upon years of repair-free driving. make sure u r informed if u buy a Dodge, some vehicles like the Ram and the PT Cruiser seem to be suffering from a problem in which the dashboard cracks
Fords are altogether well-executed, a guy down the street owns a Fusion, he says it's not a driver's car, but it's well-made and decently nimble. This probably has something to do with Mazda's influence on Ford and vice-versa.

Those are the BIG 3

If you are interested in cars that are utterly uninspired and boring as HECK to drive but made well and practical, Toyota is for you. Unless u can get ur hands on a Supra or an MR2 or something (and pay all that insurance), expect a car that will get u from point A to point B but not much else. This also applies to Lexus (with the exception of the IS300), and Scion (far far more show than go)

I drive a Honda and I will tell you that my little car is nothing short of impressive; it's not particularly quick until i leave you behind in a corner. Acura's cars are likewise wonderful to drive, especially because they get larger engines like the K motor, Hondas today even LOOK nice too, the Civic Si (don't ask about insurance, I don't know) is a bargain, it's pretty darn quick, it's practical (somewhat this is for the sedan Si, haha) it has a great sound stock, and it is just amazing to drive (WHAT'S that? 8000 RPM redline + VTEC?) Be warned, Acuras are targets for theft

Mazda will please you, most of their cars benefit from Ford's size. The Mazda6 and 3, for example, both benefit from Volvo chassis, they're very solid bc they're made for larger motors and more weight. A friend of mine has the Mazda3 with the 2.3 inline-4, pretty quick, VERY practical, the hatch is HUGE!

I'm a big believer in the German cars, really I am, Porsches are given, what of M-B and BMers? M-B is pretty hit-or-miss with reliability, or so i hear. CR says that the cars aren't very reliable, but I have two friends with M-B's and never have problems... They're more muscle than anything else, you get a M-B and you get the modern-day muscle car, they are generally hi-displacement cars that will rocket you from 0-60 in 6 seconds, and they're better than BM in interiors IMO

BM is more sporty, less muscle, so they're pretty fast, but they're better around corners. M-B will smoke in a straight line, BM will leave you in the corners. friend = BMW 328i, another, BMW M3, hot, very nice, unmistakeable styling.

And you already know about Audi, which is probably my personal favorite, the R8 and TT are just AMAZING cars, the 5 series is way cool too, the only criticisms that Audi gets is in handling prowess, bc their motors are hanging over the front axles. their QUATTRO system is just not enough to balance, IMO.

So before you go blind reading ALL the text above, I will recommend for you (taking into account price, insurance, driving enjoyment) Honda for best all-round, and Cooper S for out of two

Actually i have to tell you a story about the neon. You know how on some of the neons that have the sport package or whatever they have those 2 stripes on them? Those stripes were measured and from my dads neon that he was racing at the time. But yea, neons are GREAT little cars and ours still has something like 7,000 miles on it. That is actually going to be my car for the 1st few months because it has a rowl cage in it. All we have to do to make it legal for the road is put air bags back in it.


BTW i heard somewhere that audi was going to do something about their front axels?