First car for 16 year old (GT)

[0FSGVN]

Dude save you cash and just get a civic. Or civic r-type if you want to spend some more cash....

 

[twig2121]

On a personal note, if this is truly a 16yr old (and not their parents), they have good taste in niche vehicles and how/where to research more about them. I'm impressed and you'll have a fun car culture ahead of you

In response to the question and in context, however, I think there's much analogous evidence that suggests a highly capable car is NOT appropriate for a new driver. NASCAR drivers for example don't start racing in NASCAR, same with F1, etc. You have to start small, learn the basics and one would hope - appreciate the vehicles and what they can do as you grow. In that example, people start with go-carting or other racing venues that are less dangerous, usually slower and less expensive - just common sense. I knew folks with fast or overpriced cars in highschool and it was a bad idea in most cases - usually ended in crashes and I certainly don't want me or my family being on the receiving end of a crash because a kid was given a car they couldn't handle (which is pretty much a given with a 16yr old by nature). Yes there are mature 16yr olds, academically responsible (not equivalent to driving capabilities), etc., but any children of that age have much to learn both socially and driving. I would hope kids coming from money still learn the value of the dollar - nice to see the concept of splitting the cost as a start. I like the suggestion of a 2.0 Stinger and analogous to what I saw growing up - something that's capable enables them to learn driving skills without being overly dangerous. A friend had a 944 (nonturbo), but it had a rollcage so safety was in mind and they participated in amateur racing, so they knew and appreciated the car. Others I knew learned on ford escorts and drove the heck out of them...when they got older they found higher-powered cars and were much better situated to handle them since they pushed their low-powered cars to the limit.

I'm in favor of teaching kids how to enjoy cars, whether racing, enthusiast or otherwise, however, speaking as a parent and driver whom shares the road with everyone here I find it is dangerous and potentially reckless to enable someone to drive something they aren't ready for. Maybe when they turn 18 upgrade to a GT? They'll have a couple years under their belt, hopefully a clean history of driving responsibly. Maybe do some amateur racing if that's where interest exists

Good luck in your process and happy to see interest in the stinger.

Final thought on an alternatives - if a driver's car is what people want, a subaru BRZ is well-balanced at 50/50, affordable and low powered, but have skinny tires so it's amazing fun and helps teaches you how to drive well without as much danger with a larger more powerful car (IMO). Also an Alpha Gulia (4cyl) is unique, 50/50 weight distribution but less powerful than a v6 turbo.

 

[0FSGVN]

That alpha romeo giulia is an amazing car if you want something smaller. Lots of fun to drive, and definitely a prestigious feel. Not as powerful, though, and definitely not spacious.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

On a personal note, if this is truly a 16yr old (and not their parents), they have good taste in niche vehicles and how/where to research more about them. I'm impressed and you'll have a fun car culture ahead of you

In response to the question and in context, however, I think there's much analogous evidence that suggests a highly capable car is NOT appropriate for a new driver. NASCAR drivers for example don't start racing in NASCAR, same with F1, etc. You have to start small, learn the basics and one would hope - appreciate the vehicles and what they can do as you grow. In that example, people start with go-carting or other racing venues that are less dangerous, usually slower and less expensive - just common sense. I knew folks with fast or overpriced cars in highschool and it was a bad idea in most cases - usually ended in crashes and I certainly don't want me or my family being on the receiving end of a crash because a kid was given a car they couldn't handle (which is pretty much a given with a 16yr old by nature). Yes there are mature 16yr olds, academically responsible (not equivalent to driving capabilities), etc., but any children of that age have much to learn both socially and driving. I would hope kids coming from money still learn the value of the dollar - nice to see the concept of splitting the cost as a start. I like the suggestion of a 2.0 Stinger and analogous to what I saw growing up - something that's capable enables them to learn driving skills without being overly dangerous. A friend had a 944 (nonturbo), but it had a rollcage so safety was in mind and they participated in amateur racing, so they knew and appreciated the car. Others I knew learned on ford escorts and drove the heck out of them...when they got older they found higher-powered cars and were much better situated to handle them since they pushed their low-powered cars to the limit.

I'm in favor of teaching kids how to enjoy cars, whether racing, enthusiast or otherwise, however, speaking as a parent and driver whom shares the road with everyone here I find it is dangerous and potentially reckless to enable someone to drive something they aren't ready for. Maybe when they turn 18 upgrade to a GT? They'll have a couple years under their belt, hopefully a clean history of driving responsibly. Maybe do some amateur racing if that's where interest exists

Good luck in your process and happy to see interest in the stinger.

Final thought on an alternatives - if a driver's car is what people want, a subaru BRZ is well-balanced at 50/50, affordable and low powered, but have skinny tires so it's amazing fun and helps teaches you how to drive well without as much danger with a larger more powerful car (IMO). Also an Alpha Gulia (4cyl) is unique, 50/50 weight distribution but less powerful than a v6 turbo.

You took ALL those words right out of my mouth!Lol J/k, but I do second all your statements.

Nick, if you are going with the Stinger then I would suggest the 2.0L to start with and just work your way up. That way you get experience driving an amazing car and still have something even better to look forward to!

 

[oxide365]

at 16 i was driving this: lol

 

[Kosh]

Hey everyone! I’m 16 years old and was wanting to know if this would make a good first car. I am paying for half of it with my own money and I’m a responsible straight A student. I need to drive decently far every few days. Is the base Gt a good fit for someone my age?

Honestly the grades have nothing to do with it. My first car when I was 18 was a G37xS Sedan so wont go after your choice of car and power, but would say its probably better for you to go for a 2.0T with all the options including Drive Wise over a 3.3T GT. When your new to driving (Safety Features like Auto Emergency breaking could really help you, and give your parents and insurance company some piece of mind)

 

[gilthanis1]

I drove 3 VW bugs in high school (74, 73 Super Beetle, '64) all of which were definitely NOT stock and could run with most everything that any other kid had. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't start out with a top echelon vehicle. It made me learn to appreciate what I had and that I could make it just as fast/faster as people who spent 10x what I did. I spent less than $2k total on the actual purchase of all 3, but way much more tuning, tweaking, fixing, etc and had a ton more fun doing it.

My .02 would be to get something cheap/reliable and then build on it until your hearts content and you can learn a whole lot more that way. If you break something it'll be a $100 fix instead of $1000. Stuff the rest of your money in the bank for tuning, customizing, stereo, etc and enjoy the car culture. All those trust fund babies will never appreciate what they have, nor will they every experience what a truly 'fun' car is.

But no matter what anyone says, do what you feel is best for you. If you want the GT, then who the hell are we to tell you any different. I'll probably get a lot of flack for that, but at the end of the day its the truth. It's your money, your life, so live it how you best see fit. Just remember to be smart so you have plenty of it in front of you. The Stinger GT will get you in trouble VERY quickly if your not ready for it.

 

[Kamauxx]

Oh and if anyone gives you grief about getting a 50k car at 16 it's usually out of jealousy (heck at least I am). Good luck.

I sure am jealous! I spent the summer of 1998 working at the Salvation Army just to take home a broken 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood that someone had donated to them. Got the head gaskets repaired, bought a c.d. player, and 4 months later (the day after fuggin' Christmas!) it was stolen from my driveway.

Actually, I'm not jealous, I'm mad lmao.

 

[iclicku]

I sure am jealous! I spent the summer of 1998 working at the Salvation Army just to take home a broken 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood that someone had donated to them. Got the head gaskets repaired, bought a c.d. player, and 4 months later (the day after fuggin' Christmas!) it was stolen from my driveway.

Actually, I'm not jealous, I'm mad lmao.

Perfectly normal response...lol

 

[Weareblondi]

my first car, my 79 camaro, blew up. had no traction for a 0-60 time, but it did great burnouts. and, it was horrendous in the dry and dangerous when wet out.
as for if he/she is really 16, probably not. they haven't answered, so that is probably the answer.

 

[iclicku]

Maybe it was someone trying to troll and just got bored with the mature responses...

 

[Weareblondi]

whaaaaaat?????? mature????? here??????? duuuuuude, what are you smoking? hahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[iclicku]

whaaaaaat?????? mature????? here??????? duuuuuude, what are you smoking? hahahahahahahahahahaha

I was talking about this thread in particular.

The forum as a whole needs to be medicated.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

I was talking about this thread in particular.

The forum as a whole needs to be medicated.

Some of us already are, so what hope do we have....

 

[bluecatsup]

Honestly, the Stinger may be too big for a first-timer. Almost everyone starts out with a compact coupe or sedan, learns to get a good feel of it, then gradually adds on power and/or size as they gain more experience. As a first car for a 16-year old, I would suggest the civic si or the golf gti but even those may be too much for teenagers, no matter how "responsible" they are. Back in high school though, we bought cheap used cars and worked on them ourselves (others went with ricing of course), which gave us more pride in showing if off. Plus the insurance premiums would be really low, relatively speaking as even now insuring between 16-25 is crazy.

Also, get a manual. Then REALLY learn!

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

New cars are generally not a good idea for your first car. You can get something used, and high quality, for much less than a half-way decent new car. You'll be out a lot less in repairs if you have any issues. My first car was a 2006 Saab 9-3, which was a great car. Sadly, a drunk driver smashed into me at a stop sign, otherwise I'd still be driving it. I fell in love with driving, after getting the Saab (and turbos), and headed to the Nürburgring to race less than a year after getting my car. I disagree with the folks who say to get something slow. Get something fast, with excellent handling--that allows you to out maneuver others. That's your best defense. Make sure it has serious stopping power (upgrade the brakes). For those who said to get the 2.0L, that doesn't make sense. There are much better 4 cylinder cars out there. The Stinger is a Korean muscle car, and it's all about the V6. Something that can take a hit is also a good idea. Swedish cars tend to be the best for that. If you must get a new car, I'd get a Volvo. If you must get a Stinger, may as well get the V6. For some the 2.0L Stinger will check their boxes, which is cool, but if the other kids are driving much faster cars, tht's bringing a knife to a gunfight. The other posters suggestions of getting a classic aren't bad either...except for safety. You want a car that is safe to drive. It's more important to live to 17 than to get an unsafe car. Again, used cars make most sense for your first car.

 

[eflyguy]

A stated, there's no way for us to say whether it's a good first car for you, but my daughter received a Challenger for her 16th, three years later she's had no "incidents" of concern. She regularly takes it, along with a couple of much higher power vehicles we own, to the drag strip.

 

[Ucinn]

OMG.. I'm in love...much nicer than my Mustang..what's that thing run?

 

[SonomaGT]

A stated, there's no way for us to say whether it's a good first car for you, but my daughter received a Challenger for her 16th, three years later she's had no "incidents" of concern. She regularly takes it, along with a couple of much higher power vehicles we own, to the drag strip.

Love this....A '73 MachOne was my sister's first car - got about 7-11 mpg. Mine was a 66 Mustang with much better mpg. We had lots of Mustangs growing up.

 

[stinger4ever]

Hey everyone! I’m 16 years old and was wanting to know if this would make a good first car. I am paying for half of it with my own money and I’m a responsible straight A student. I need to drive decently far every few days. Is the base Gt a good fit for someone my age?

You can be the best 16 year old kid in the world the fact is your brain will not mature until you're 25. The next few years of your life will be full of stupid mistakes that hopefully won't injure you, kill you, land you in jail or worst kill or injure someone else. Enjoy these next few years, make the mistakes that will shape the men you gonna become and I hope you're as outstanding at 30 than you think you are at 16! I agree with some of the posts,the 2.0 make sense, a rookie driver mistake with the 3.3GT and you may not have a do over. Heck! I don't even trust myself to behave with the GT....and I'm old...LOL