Author Topic: Needing some car help.  (Read 707 times)

I've been car hunting all summer long, and haven't really been having too much luck. We've driven to a few dealers because I would find some nice ones online and we'd leave because they're closed or whatever but at least we'd get to see it. They'd seem nice but they'd be gone by the next weekend. The same issues have been happening even with for sale by owner cars; I'd find a nice one on the street, take down some numbers and it would be gone the next day. I'm really trying to kick it into high gear now that my sweet 16 is coming up and both my mom and dad (separate households) have agreed to help me pay for one and now that I have some work I can pay for gas or insurance and what not.

Thing is, I was looking just now, just loving raping Google, and I found a really nice 1998 Buick Regal Supercharged GS. It's definitely at the high end of my budget, pushing around $2000, but simply the nature of the car is what concerns me because being a Supercharged car - I'm sure the insurance company would love that stuff and charge me all of my limbs to keep it.

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1998_Buick_Regal_138423180_24

It looks very nice, it's within a driveable distance from where I live. There's tons of pros about it - it's got a sunroof, decent 19/29 gas mileage, it's black with an A/T transmission. I'd probably go as far as putting some black rims on it eventually, if it works in the long run. It's definitely got some miles accumulated on it, around 219k, but I guess that helps me and hurts me at the same time.

Anyway, for you car owners, what do you think insurance would be on this? I'm sure it won't be pretty, after all I'm not even sure I'd be able to get this one for two grand. It just looks nice. My dad hasn't had an accident or ticket in ages if that helps me at all, and I'm sure if I work hard enough we could find some sort of student discount for good grades. I'm just turning 16, though, I'm sure that definitely hurts...

Anyway, discuss.

I'm not sure. I haven't insured my car cause I have a lack of money.
However, insurance companies are asshats, and it's possibly not worth getting it insured at your age.
Top Gear did a challenge, they had to insure their cars acting as 17 year olds. each quote was more than the car was worth itself.

But anyway, why would they supercharge an automatic? It's like giving me a great computer but no keyboard.

EDIT: It is a 3.8L V6, so it'd guzzle, make sure you can pay for petrol, but it'd be a great first car man.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2011, 11:42:21 PM by Ethan »

It isn't against the law to have cars uninsured in the US?
Lucky bastards.

In said case, don't insure it unless you're a stuffty driver, or you want to be liable for an entire car accident, no matter who caused it.

I'm not sure. I haven't insured my car cause I have a lack of money. However, insurance companies are asshats, and it's possibly not worth getting it insured at your age. Top Gear did a challenge, they had to insure their cars acting as 17 year olds. each quote was more than the car was worth itself.

I don't think I'd be able to get anything too nice. My friend has a silver Cougar and I asked him how much he pays for insurance, he said upwards of $200 a month. That was total bullstuff lol. The more I think about this the more unrealistic it sounds, a teen getting a nice supercharged car for his first one.

It isn't against the law to have cars uninsured in the US? Lucky bastards.

In said case, don't insure it unless you're a stuffty driver, or you want to be liable for an entire car accident, no matter who caused it.

No, it's law.

I doubt just because a car is supercharged, it means a higher insurance bill.
My dad's ford is supercharged, and he pays same fees he does with his old '94 toyota, that has a regular engine.
(These are trucks though)

I don't think I'd be able to get anything too nice. My friend has a silver Cougar and I asked him how much he pays for insurance, he said upwards of $200 a month. That was total bullstuff lol. The more I think about this the more unrealistic it sounds, a teen getting a nice supercharged car for his first one.
But why not if you have the choice?
If I'd had the money, I would've gotten something amazing as a first car, but I only had 1 grand.

I doubt just because a car is supercharged, it means a higher insurance bill.
My dad's ford is supercharged, and he pays same fees he does with his old '94 toyota, that has a regular engine.
(These are trucks though)
Ever driven a car with a supercharger or a turbocharger (even 2 turbos)?
You'd understand why.

Trucks have lower range gearboxes, which cause them to max rev at lower speeds. My father has a Mitsubishi Pajero which is twin turbo'd, but it's got a low top speed and a low gear ratio.

I doubt just because a car is supercharged, it means a higher insurance bill.
My dad's ford is supercharged, and he pays same fees he does with his old '94 toyota, that has a regular engine.
(These are trucks though)

That's because that's your dad. He isn't a 16 year old looking for his first car. :U

But why not if you have the choice? If I'd had the money, I would've gotten something amazing as a first car, but I only had 1 grand.

I obviously would if I could afford it but I don't want to be paying out of my ass for it. I literally just got this job and quite frankly the conditions suck not only in the workplace but the hours aren't great either - like a max of ten a week for three months at $8 an hour. If this other place offers me a job I think I'm gone. :U

I'd get it but I don't want to pour money into it. I myself only have around $100 for it. I'm all for a cooler car.

The more I think about this the more unrealistic it sounds, a teen getting a nice supercharged car for his first one.

My friend has an Eclipse for his first car.

My friend has an Eclipse for his first car.

I guess it isn't uncommon, it just depends if you can handle keeping it which I don't know if I can even get it. :o


My friend has an Eclipse for his first car.
MIVEC engine?
It's stuff unless it has a MIVEC engine.

For example:
Eclipse with non-MIVEC 2L engine: 140hp (a little bit more than a standard little hatchback)
Eclipse with a MIVEC 2L engine: 210hp

I have a '93 Mitsubishi Mirage. Laugh all you like, but it's got a 1.6L MIVEC engine, which produces 172hp. The non-MIVEC version of the same engine only produces 112hp.
Also, if I want to turbocharge it, I can put up to 22 pounds boost on the engine, but if I had a non-MIVEC engine, I could only put 8.

It's amazing what Japanese goons can do to an engine.

I don't want to walk to school another year. :(

I don't want to walk to school another year. :(
Get it then?
Whinging isn't gonna solve it.

Get it then?
Whinging isn't gonna solve it.

I was asking for possible insurance rates which I haven't gotten. You guys have just suggested getting it but I don't want to leap into something like this. I know it looks nice, I'd be happy to get it but I wanted some more information insurance and cost wise.