My cousin wants to buy his first car and is bugging me about it.

[Mervyn]

He just turned 19 and saved up more than enough money to buy a used car [$6-7K in his pocket from what I remember]. The thing is that he cant decide wether to get a 91-93 Nissan 240sx Fastback or a 94-01 Acura Integra GS-R [plans on making a JDM front end conversion]. I just finished teaching him the basics of driving stick about a week ago [starting the car, 1st gear, stopping, driving up the hill, etc] so hes still a newbie at driving a stick. Next, we have a conversation about which car should fit him as his first stickshift car and he gave me some keypoint ideas:

- He doesnt want to pay too much for insurance
- Wants an "easy to fix" engine and other parts
- A stable handling car
- Gas saver
- Reliable car
- Plans on getting the other car at a later time
- Will use it for everyday commuting

I told him I'd think about it and tell him later, but my head says that he should start off with the Integ as his first stickshift car since he is still new to driving a stick and will probably crash it. Which car do you think he should start off first?

[ThatGuy]

- He doesnt want to pay too much for insurance
Tell him not to buy a car until he's 25 yrs old.
- Wants an "easy to fix" engine and other parts
Honda
- A stable handling car
DOn't let him turbo the Teg. Torque steer sucks.
- Gas saver
Either car unmodded can be good on gas
- Reliable car
Don't let him buy a junker to start
- Plans on getting the other car at a later time
Tell him just to concentrate on one for now
- Will use it for everyday commuting
Either car will do

[infinitexsound]

old school corolla beater thats rwd(not an ae86)
.... gotta love the old school ..http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/691000-691999/691623_2_full.jpg

[theicecreamdan]

s chassis isnt that hard to learn on.

[m072514]

dont let him be an H-brand guy! start him off right! S13 FTW!

[S14DB]

I would say the GSR for cheaper insurance. With the new SRS requirements in 1995. Insurance rates are lower cause they are safer.

[s13driver]

Honda... gas saver unmodded, reliable, especially good for commute...

[RiversideS13]

definately not 240sx or any rwd cars. he is young and new, the chance he spin out or attempt to "drift" is very high. If something happened to him, your whole family will blame you for rest of your life because you gave him the idea.

integra is a good choice, or maybe a 94-97 accord with h22a swap? Infiniti G20 would be a nice starter too.

[alexchanman]

tell him not to get the s13 cause if it crashes, thats one less for us to get our hands on.

my first car was 2000 honda civic si, did me well for 1 year and a half. good times with that thing.

[SochBAT]

Hozda! Its great how much gas they save.

[Mervyn]

Yeah I told he might spin out also. Well in conclusion, he decides to get a S13 fastback and I tried all sorts of ways to convince him to get the Integ [which gave me a 'wtf was the point of this conversation']. Will he spin out driving FAST or turning his steering wheel pretty hard?

[AdoriPimp]

Tell him to take the bus

[dannyboi]

Don't be discouraged from suggesting the 240.

I mean, yea he's a newb at stick plus the RWD may allow him to spinout...but its still a 140hp 240sx. It ain't a mustang.

Just get some good tires and tell him to take it easy until he gets the hang of it.

However, the "reliable" part you mention gets me. I've seen some of 240s for sale and there is always something wrong with one of them. Its tough finding a quality used one. Its easier to find a quality Honda.

[Phlip]

Here is what you do, get him to go ahead and get the 240, it is at this juncture that you position yourself to be preparing his meals EVERY day. Then you steadily lace his food with larger and larger amounts of lead to the point where he becomes cancerous, and becomes close to expiration as a result. He will likely be too bad off long before he shakes loose the mortal coil, and you will have the car before he dies, but you will be able to snag it off him on the dirt cheap. You can then decide whether to g'head and kill him off or let up and let him live once you have properly taken possession.

[aznpoopy]

i'm getting real tired of seized rusty bolts and cotter pins that have long since melded into the bolt.

240sx's are very easy to work on, but a '01 integra is just going to be soooo much less of a pain in the ass overall.

[ranisron]

Nissan altima, 1st Generation, U13. Good gas mileage, CHEAP, and fun to drive, and respond to mods pretty well. Plus, it's a nissan.

[S14DB]

Yeah I told he might spin out also. Well in conclusion, he decides to get a S13 fastback and I tried all sorts of ways to convince him to get the Integ [which gave me a 'wtf was the point of this conversation']. Will he spin out driving FAST or turning his steering wheel pretty hard?
any car you drive will spin if you suddenly turn your wheel hard.

Why do you care what he gets? Obviously an't listening to you.

[theicecreamdan]

an s13 is easier to understeer than spin out, integra will spin if you crank the wheel hard. Its fun

[ranisron]

Also, safety ratings (crash ratings) should be considered for your cousin's first car. He is young, and he will make bad decisions here and there, so it is better to have a safe car now to learn the basic fundamentals/dynamics of a stick shifting car.

[Romeyo07]

my 240 gets better gas milage than both of my old integras...240 ftw!

[Mervyn]

Don't be discouraged from suggesting the 240.

I mean, yea he's a newb at stick plus the RWD may allow him to spinout...but its still a 140hp 240sx. It ain't a mustang.

Just get some good tires and tell him to take it easy until he gets the hang of it.

However, the "reliable" part you mention gets me. I've seen some of 240s for sale and there is always something wrong with one of them. Its tough finding a quality used one. Its easier to find a quality Honda.

Well, what kind of tires would you recommend?

[S14DB]

BFG G Force Sport 205/55-15.

[kyoru]

toyota corolla, or a honda civic :P