Okay just cause all of these people are OLD, I figured you want some opinion coming from someone around your own age. I'm 16 and I own a 350Z. But that doesn't mean that the Z was my first car. The Z was my second or third car. My first car was a chevy. Drove it for about a year. (ever since I got my permit) Also a Toyota 4Runner which I considered to be my second car. And sometimes I get to drive my dad's MB S500. I drove my Chevy for about 5 months after I got my liense before I got my Z. I'm making monthly payments on my Z, which I feel is better. Having to work to pay for your OWN car I believe is better. It really makes Kids like us care for our car. So I say get an old car, maybe a 240sx and have some fun with it for a few months. Then move on to the Z when you feel your ready.

 

I wouldn't suggest something like a Z as a first car. First off, I think it is too much for someone your age. I'm still driving my first car, and in retrospect, even it was a little too much for someone my age. I always have viewed myself about the same as you view yourself, pretty level-headed, fairly responsible, but for some reason, alot of that responsibility seems to go away in a car. I think that happens to everyone, because I've seen some really responsible people do some really stupid things in cars.

Another thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned is, if you start off with a Z as your first car, where do you go from there? I mean, anything that is a decent upgrade from the Z is going to cost like twice as much as the Z...

I dunno, if I were a father (which I probably won't ever be) and I was in the same position as your father, I would be looking at a car that is nice, but reliable, and not so powerful or expensive that it is going to be a problem. I think that kind of takes the Z out of the running.

And FWIW, I'm not old. I'm only 21. I still remember turning 16 like it was yesterday, and I remember the kind of ****ty decisions I made at that time... It is a miracle that I've never had an accident and I've only gotten one speeding ticket, which I actually just got last month.

 

For the most part I agree with you. and Also this is to everyone I don't mean to offend anyone with my old comment. Sorry a little off topic I know.

 

no z for you. Insurance is cheaper for the tc

 

+1 Your insurance payments will be higher than your car payment...You'll have to pull double shifts at the Piggly Wiggly...that ain't cool, homie

 

does strangers telling you what to do really help you make decisions? If thats the case, give me some of your dad's money.

 

Get the TC man.
learn the roads with something you can handle then when your ready step up to the 350z. IMO the TC should hold some of it's value and still be a good trade in on a Z when you graduate. Not saying you can handle it (my first car i couldn't handle but i made it work for a year until i flipped it 5 times) but it soulds to me like a TC would be a better choice. just my .02

Cheers

Kevin

 

When I got my car, I did not go around asking people on the internet if it was a good idea or not. Nobody on here knows you or what you are capable of. Take the car for a drive. Know the characteristics of a RWD car (and the risks) combined with a powerful engine. Research the costs that will come with the car (insurance, gas, tires, etc). If you think that you can handle it and your dad is willing to buy it for you, best of luck to ya.

Personally, I think you should start with a lower powered RWD car to help get used to the driving dynamics of that platform. A V6 Mustang/Camaro/Firebird would be a good start. You can get a 2000+ model with low miles for @ $10,000. That would be a good place to start.

 

I say get neither

Start out with a 97 or 98 240sx drive it as is for a while get used to low power in a rwd form.

Then Swap out the motor for an sr20 which you'll love and then you'll have much more power.

Then when you are used to that car sell it and get a 350 if you still want one.

The 240 with motor swap will cost under 12 grand and you wont have to worry about hardly anything and its a beautiful car.

 

No,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,you Are To Young!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

yeah, cause we don't have any roads. all we have are trees, sand, and rocks. at night, all we do is sing and dance in front of fires for the spirits.

call me a hater, but i don't think any kid (with minimal experience) deserves a car like this. i don't care how much their parents make. when i was 16, i thought i was a great driver with incredible experience. now looking back, i don't know what i was thinking; i should be dead right now. this is not about money. there are too many factors and lives to consider. a car like this should be earned through experience and appreciation. honestly, how many here would appreciate their z as much if it were their very first car? growing up here in hawaii, i know too many rich kids that crashed their new cars, and then have a brand new one bought for them. it's rediculous. one more thing to consider; no matter what you do, learning comes from focking up. you fall then you get up. do you want to fock up badly in a z. i know there are some young responsible and lucky ones with z's, but look at the statistics of teenagers killed in accidents every year from drunk driving, racing, or just plain inexperience.

 

I was 17 when I got my 05 acura type s, it was my first car i really drove manual with, I mean i drove several times on a old car with stick but I love the car, glad I got it but at the same time wish I could of had a sucky car for a few months till I got more road experience and what not. You will no doubt someday get into an accident and you would hate to see your Z go to crap, I say make a deal with your dad to buy you say a 2,000 dollar civic or something you can resell with almost no depreciation and drive for 6 months then when you are more experienced go out and buy a NEW Z, save you headaches and by then your dad will feel more confident and agree. That being said, if you needed a car to get more girls in high school, i feel sorry for you. I also recommend doing this if you get manual, if you get auto I'd say the same thing but manual you definetly need more consideration, takes more time to get control and not to burn your clutch =) gl with whatever decision

 

i agree with most people here being older and hating on the young rich kid getting a nice car haha. but even through their jealousy they make good points, I just dont want you to wait 2 years to get the car of your dreams, seems you are responsible and have worked hard if your telling the truth. I know many kids and they should be whipped, I believe that you are among the few that do all you do and if you were my son I would get you a civic for 6 months then immediately buy you an m3 or porsche as long as you continued to do what you do , parents dont hate to reward they actually want to, its you who will allow them to or not, accidents happen live and learn but be catious

 

Um, get the 350z, then you won't have to drive your friends everywhere and you will probably have the hottest ride at school. Wait, if I remember correctly, teenagers can be real ****** and might key your car for having the nicest one there. Decisions, decisions...

 

Thank you guys for all of your opinions. I've decided that I'm gonna try and learn in a beater, and see where I go from there. I already knew I would learn in a beater, and I'm going to try and see if my grandma can give me her old car since shes probably getting a new Sentra or Altima finally. With that said, maybe my mind will change with more driving experience. Perhaps driving my dad's G35 a few more times will be beneficial as well...if he trusts me with it again that is. I'll probably drive it until I feel like I've gained enough responsibility, although I have no idea how long that will take.

Edit- I don't think anyone would key it, unless I did something to **** someone off. There was a MB and an Audi at my school last year that never got keyed.

 

why not an rsx type-s. its in the same price range, especially used. and the HP in that is better suited to someone your age. def once compared to the z.

 

Just one question about the RSX, how is the headroom? I'm about 6 feet, going to be growing a bit more, and the RSX looks so small...seems like I would be cramped in it.

 

now thats a more reasonable car for a 15-19 year old to be driving. btw, im 6'0 and i fit in an rsx just fine. it has plenty of room. there's alot of aftermarket products for the rsx too if you ever get bored of its 200hp 2 liter engine. its very fum, easy and safe to drive being FWD. Go with that or a TC. 350z is too much car for an inexperienced driver even if that driver is the most responsible kid in the world.

 

Dude, with all due respect, learning to drive in a Z is not a good idea. Get an SUV. With all that responsinble stuff you are doing, sooner or later you will rebel. Trust me, my moms is a psycologist. Rebellion in a 300 hp motored car is not good. Plus the Z is delicate, The suspension is all aluminum. The parts are expensive. The car spins easily when provoked and its dangerous in the rain because its RWD and torquey.

For you're first car, better pass for safety precautions.