Hello, right now I have a 2001 GMC Sonoma Highrider, (same as a ZR2 S10), and its for sale. I have had a few offers and someone is coming over tomorrow to look so I should be able to get the $7500 asking price. But just to be safe, lets say for $6,000, what would be a nice car that I could get that wouldn't be to terrifying to my Mom, (I'm 15), but would still be an easy car to work on once I start making a little more money. And FYI my Mom is okay with a Mustang GT, so that's not really too big of an issue, she just is afraid of anything made before 1995.

 

How about you stick with that GMC untill you get a few years of driving under your belt...

 

I love the truck but it started doing like this jerk when we are cruising at a constant speed. I bought this truck it with my own money for $4500 because I knew they had high resale value for just such an occasion. Like I said I like it and would like to keep it but I am afraid it might be getting ready to screw up big time.

P.S. Forgot to mention, I don't know very much about cars but could a problem with the Ignition coil be causing the jerk? If so how much to fix on a 4.3L Vortec?

 

Ignition coil on those trucks are go or no go... Could be the Lock up converter locking and unlocking.. What ever you do dont buy a sporty vehicle, get another pickup or a SUV till you learn to drive...

 

6000 will get you a really nice 4 door sedan or a really beat up and abused honda. Spend it wisely.

 

Get a car thats good on gas and something safeish so dont go out and buy a del sol or miata D: Not hating on them but from their size , they dont look so safe.

 

I am in no way a veteran driver but I have definitely been driving for about a year, only on back roads and stuff. But my family does have a 2001? Dodge Neon, I think maybe like a step above the basic package. I am curious about maybe taking it, and then later on upgrading it. How strong of a an engine could I squeeze out of the 2.0L for maybe 4,000? I would wanna save some money for my oil stocks.

 

Your missing the point, your 15 and dont have a license there for have not proper driving abilitys... You need to focus on a reliable car to get you around not a HP monster. You have a chance to get a nice first car and no need to get somthing to hack into as you stated yourself you have no mechanical ability.

 

My advice, do your homework, research all kinds of things before you try to reach for pie in the sky goals.

Stay away from cars like nissan 300zx's because they are a pain to work on for a novice.

But the reality of it is, if you don't know what you are doing, then every car is going to be a pain.

Get something popular, that way a lot of people can help you, and parts are more available for it.

I would suggesting starting at like auto trader and seeing what comes up for sale in that price range. Samething on craigslist. Hell, even in the forsale forums on here. That way you have an idea of what you are looking at. Pick a handful of options and start working out a pros and cons list of each one.
Things like, you'll probably be able to pick up a BMW for that price, but what is the insurance going to be like for a teenager with that car?
You could get a early 2000's Tahoe, but are you going to be able to handle the crap for gas mileage?

If your only looking for something cheap, easy to work on, good gas mileage, then find yourself a 5spd honda. Get an older one and save a few stacks of cash. Honda's can be taken apart with a 10mm, 12mm, and a 14mm. I would say they are one of the easiest cars to work on. You ought to be able to find a half way decent 4 door civic. insurance should be decent. and you should get 25+ mpg. With it being 5spd, it will force you to learn how to actually drive, not just push the pedals like most people on the road.
While you are doing all of that, you'll start to find what it is that you like and don't like about your car and other cars on the road, and you can put your money towards that.

 

My advice. Take the 6k if you're lucky to get it and....

Buy yourself a used Honda civic , Protege, Subaru, or something similar with a 4cyl motor. Something with great gas mileage and very reliable. Drive this for the next year or two. Let the economy simmer down a little. Gas prices are way too high right now. Buy something for around 2500 or less. Preferably $1400.00. Spend $600 of it on some new OE tires, tune up (Spark plugs, coil, distributor, Air filter, Fuel filter, Radiator flush, Transmission flush, Brakes, Re lube where needed, New battery, New wipers, New catalytic converter, New OEM Muffler if needed. Take the 4k put it in the bank and save it. Start saving little by little. After high school graduation or college get what you really want. Brand new car, A nice used car, or a down payment on a house.


Don't be an idiot and buy a $600 or $1200 or a 3k car and dump all your money into it and then more money and end up trying to sell it for a million dollars. You'll never get your money back and later on you will be sitting at home one day saying damn If I had all that money I wasted on that POS modifying it I could of had " _________ ".