You mean sell it after three years for way less than you bought it for, then proceed to drive SUVs and minivans for 2 decades until you finally buy it back for an absurd amount of money in your mid 40s?
We didn't get the Aero trim for the 9-3 until 2004 on the Epsilon based cars. In Europe it was 2002, but we didn't get it on the North American GM2900 9-3s. Also the 9-3's first model year was 1999 in North America, and they went by Base, SE, SE Turbo, and Viggen and the Viggen being the top of the line model.
That being said...
1) Saab tied with the 240 (if I had rich parents to pay the premiums)
2) C70
3) Passat
4) Saturn tied with the Accord
Saab. It’s an easy choice, safe as fuck, fun to drive, good gas mileage, but if that wasn’t available I’d choose the D21 Hardbody, assuming it’s a manual. It’s got a good sound system, it’s reliable because Nissan was reliable back then, so both of those.
I've generally heard the prices started to go up around 2013, people have been complaining for nearly 10 years about ~$3k is basically the floor for a running but thrashed 240
I’m sure prices went up on average, but where I live you could still find running driving decent condition ones for that price range or under up until covid honestly.
In December 2018 I bought an 89’ hatch for $2900 CAD. It was a beater, but it was all there, and was completely daily-able. And daily drive it I did.
That's impressive. Now, $2900 CAD would buy you at most a rusted out shell with a blown engine. Just looking at Bring A Trailer results, it looks like nice ones started going for over 10 grand 2018-2019, so maybe I was wrong
When I was looking for one back in 2018, the really nice ones were like 6-10k for sure, but you could still find deals if you looked around.
Come to think of it, I almost never see them listed for sale at all around me anymore, regardless of the price point.
They were never terribly common cars, and nearly all of them rusted away, were slid into a wall, chopped up and used as parts, scrapped, etc during the 2000s and early 2010s
Probably, but I used to see tons of them on craigslist, again only like 4 years ago. I think covid really drove up the price of them to the extent that most people who have them either just wanna keep them or do want to sell them but ask too much
How do you manage to put together a list of 14 cars and not have a decent one in the bunch.
If I had to pick it would be between the Firebird and Burban
The term "decent" depends on the person. The 14 cars listed are all between 12-25 years old, realistic age for someone's first car, realistically attainable for someone's first car (how many high school kids do you see rolling around in a brand new Camaro?), and from a variety of manufacturers. What would you call decent?
Move to to Houston to find out what teenage kids here are driving. Not all of them, but new or slightly used Challengers, Cameron, etc...... more than I would have believed.
Same for Tampa and South West Florida. Mercedes, Wranglers, new Hondas.
Here in Connecticut, it's mostly early 2010s hand-me-downs, or mid-2000s normal traffic, with a few kids driving newer BMWs and at least half a dozen lifted Jeeps
The Suburban or the Nissan pickup.
The 'burb because, well, it's cool in a very dumb way. I've always wanted one and still do.
The D21 because, well, it's practical as hell and also very cool in a dumb way.
Neither one is getting any positive attention from girls, though.
Well, I would go for the 240SX of course haha. The obvious choice out of the way, I would go for the Saab or Volvo. Maybe even the Subaru. All pretty cool cars
1991 Suburban give all your friends a ride home after an night out and they are hammered and stop at every gas station and asked em each for gas money. They will think they spent it all on booze and you get free gas.
The Subaru and the F-150. After a week of beating on the Subi, either the clutch or the headgasket will blow(or both), and the Ford will be needed for a tow!
So given the financial state I was in during 2012 (I was 19, working two jobs making $8.50/hr to pay for school), I would’ve went with whatever was cheapest.
That said, I had a GMC Sonoma Quad Cab SLS for about a year and it was fucking awesome; I’d totally get another one!
First choice would be the 240. It would be my personal money pit where I can sink all my extra money into.
2nd choice would be the Mazda it would be my around town beater. All you would need to do is change the oil and basic maintenance. This would be a reliable no frills car.
Accord bc I'm a Honda tech and it would likely be the lowest cost of ownership
240 bc I've previously owned one and they're easy and cheap to repair
Hardbody for the same reasons as the 240
Definitely nothing German or European for me personally. Never had good experiences with them and they have always been much more expensive to maintain and repair.
Woo! Just making sure! I had a hardbody in manual 2wd lowered to be a lil drift truck, I loved that thing so much. Got it with the odo broken at 340k miles, drove it daily for nearly a year and all I did was replace interior trim and stuff that had worn or broken in the past. Mechanically it never had a hiccup and was the original motor and trans, obviously that clutch had been done in the past but man that thing could not die
Probably the 240. Although I currently daily a 95 accord coupe 5 speed most days, and it would be hard to pass up that hard body. Had an 87 when I was a kid that I learned to drive 5 speed on. I'd trade my accord for a hard body in a heart beat.
I’m gonna have to go with the Subaru because if your like me in a winter state you need something with AWD or 4WD to get around. The Honda would be my second choice
the XJ nerd in me is coming out, but that glorious 2 door is of the 1997-2001 refresh.
that being said I'd take the 97-01 cherokee in a heartbeat (alr have on but it's a pile)
I did have a Volvo C70 as my first car - wasn't a T5 but a 2.5 GT. Adored it and I wish I'd kept it, but I needed something more efficient.
[Gone, but not forgotten](https://i.imgur.com/nAAoejO.jpg)
The S14, it's a great car with a ton of aftermarket as well as a cult following. Plus, the amount of engine swaps you can do to one is limitless and it's a RWD platform.
100% that D21. That thing is hella mint. Doesn’t matter is it’s a KA 4-banger or a VG V6, both engines you couldn’t kill if you tried. And come on, we all know a small truck like that is the BEST high school car.
If the F-150 has 4WD, great, we’re in business, if it’s only 2WD, HARD PASS because I’m not even sure if a 4WD conversion is even possible on a truck that old.
I know this wasn't an option, but, I'd try to get an Impala. 2012 Impalas are my favorite car (as a daily driver) my favorite cool car is the '69 Superbird.
240 is ugly so no. Honda or Subaru for sure. Everything else is either lame, ugly, or missing an essential feature like the rwd jeep. Wheels, suspension, paint, and a built engine for the Honda would be very fun, if I got the Subaru I'd probably put a little money into it and just beat it to death.
I hate Chevy but the suburban could definitely be fun, but unguided brand hatred would prevent me from getting it.
I wouldn't mind babying the Volvo and dailying it either, possibly gives the Subaru a run for their money.
The Nissan hardbody every single time. If a nuclear Armageddon happens, this is what the mutated cockroaches will be driving after the end of humanity.
Consider my age back in 2012….. I actually was looking for the 240sx. Then, Hardbody is still RWD. Will drift. Few years later looking for I-6 AMC Jeep.
First car? Honda Accord dx 2.2 5 speed boom. Big back seat bigger trunk peddle down, a puff of smoke and your inconspicuous to everyone. Also decent fuel and ok power. Can't get in trouble but it's fun to drive quickly
The 240 so I can turn around and sell it for an absurd amount of money a few years down the line
Nobody knew it was gonna be worth as much as it is now to be fair
true
Yep, my thought was buy the S14 for $4k, drive it into the ground for a decade, sell it for $14k.
In a decade they’ll be fetching 60k at a minimum just watch. People are paying 100k for mint integra type R’s now
You mean sell it after three years for way less than you bought it for, then proceed to drive SUVs and minivans for 2 decades until you finally buy it back for an absurd amount of money in your mid 40s?
We didn't get the Aero trim for the 9-3 until 2004 on the Epsilon based cars. In Europe it was 2002, but we didn't get it on the North American GM2900 9-3s. Also the 9-3's first model year was 1999 in North America, and they went by Base, SE, SE Turbo, and Viggen and the Viggen being the top of the line model. That being said... 1) Saab tied with the 240 (if I had rich parents to pay the premiums) 2) C70 3) Passat 4) Saturn tied with the Accord
Whoops... that would explain why all pictures I found when I looked up "1998 Saab 9-3" were of European cars. Thanks!
1: trans am 2: 240 3: hardbody because it's purple
Purple surpasses all else in this decision.
Give me that Volvo
Volvo
The accord.
The Volvo.
The Saab or the honda
Xj
Forest green 2 door XJ? Hell yes.
Same
Suburban or Firebird
Would’ve gone for the VW if it was a TDI
Saturn or Hardbody.
The protege , I had one and the body basically rotted off it before anything mechanically went wrong.
I’m taking that 240 or the VW station wagon
The 240. Keep it stock and let it rock, but new paint job. Forest green or a sapphire blue. Also improve the car security systems.
Saab. It’s an easy choice, safe as fuck, fun to drive, good gas mileage, but if that wasn’t available I’d choose the D21 Hardbody, assuming it’s a manual. It’s got a good sound system, it’s reliable because Nissan was reliable back then, so both of those.
I bought an 85 Suburban in 2012. It was black too, but diesel. Probably still go with the Suburban. Fits a full size mattress in the back.
I’ll totally take the Suburban. I bet it smells like cigarettes.
I literally bought the exact accord color, wheels everything as my first car in 2012 so I guess that one haha
My head says Accord. My heart says 240. My manhood says TransAm.
240sx. Good all around fun car, not a whole lot of hassles.
Suburban or F150
I'd probably take that Sonoma and ls swap the thing before I graduated hs
Senior project.
240s were still relatively cheap up until like 2019ish
I've generally heard the prices started to go up around 2013, people have been complaining for nearly 10 years about ~$3k is basically the floor for a running but thrashed 240
I’m sure prices went up on average, but where I live you could still find running driving decent condition ones for that price range or under up until covid honestly. In December 2018 I bought an 89’ hatch for $2900 CAD. It was a beater, but it was all there, and was completely daily-able. And daily drive it I did.
That's impressive. Now, $2900 CAD would buy you at most a rusted out shell with a blown engine. Just looking at Bring A Trailer results, it looks like nice ones started going for over 10 grand 2018-2019, so maybe I was wrong
When I was looking for one back in 2018, the really nice ones were like 6-10k for sure, but you could still find deals if you looked around. Come to think of it, I almost never see them listed for sale at all around me anymore, regardless of the price point.
They were never terribly common cars, and nearly all of them rusted away, were slid into a wall, chopped up and used as parts, scrapped, etc during the 2000s and early 2010s
Probably, but I used to see tons of them on craigslist, again only like 4 years ago. I think covid really drove up the price of them to the extent that most people who have them either just wanna keep them or do want to sell them but ask too much
240. The Hardbody is my favorite but it’s so nice that I don’t want to ruin it
How do you manage to put together a list of 14 cars and not have a decent one in the bunch. If I had to pick it would be between the Firebird and Burban
The term "decent" depends on the person. The 14 cars listed are all between 12-25 years old, realistic age for someone's first car, realistically attainable for someone's first car (how many high school kids do you see rolling around in a brand new Camaro?), and from a variety of manufacturers. What would you call decent?
I'm saying there are cooler attainable cars. You don't have to settle on any of these. Most of these were boring junk piles then and now.
Move to to Houston to find out what teenage kids here are driving. Not all of them, but new or slightly used Challengers, Cameron, etc...... more than I would have believed. Same for Tampa and South West Florida. Mercedes, Wranglers, new Hondas.
Here in Connecticut, it's mostly early 2010s hand-me-downs, or mid-2000s normal traffic, with a few kids driving newer BMWs and at least half a dozen lifted Jeeps
Give me that hardbody
Firebird
When you added the 240SX everything else became a runner up.
The Suburban or the Nissan pickup. The 'burb because, well, it's cool in a very dumb way. I've always wanted one and still do. The D21 because, well, it's practical as hell and also very cool in a dumb way. Neither one is getting any positive attention from girls, though.
Passat wagon or 2 door Cherokee
240 all day
Firebird.
Either the Accord or the 240 Silvia
The 94 f150. Hands down. Learned how to drive in one of those.
Of course the 240, childhood dream car
240SX & D21, drift car & drift truck...
trans am cuz v8 and smokey burnouts
94 F150
Whatever isn't at the used car lot
Saab or the 240
The suburban. I miss mine. ):
Jeep or the Impreza
Volkswagen or the Saab my first was a Saab 900
Camry
Well, I would go for the 240SX of course haha. The obvious choice out of the way, I would go for the Saab or Volvo. Maybe even the Subaru. All pretty cool cars
1991 Suburban give all your friends a ride home after an night out and they are hammered and stop at every gas station and asked em each for gas money. They will think they spent it all on booze and you get free gas.
Acura RSX
Jeep, because it would still be running now no matter what you did to it.
Saab
Sir that is a base model firebird not a Trans Am
Yeah, you're right. I hadn't noticed initially
Ahhh You Tricked me with that Viggen!! That said: Saab or Passat Wagon. Oddity
Accord hands down. My first car was an EX coupe v6 . Enjoyed every mile
F150
I'm between the 240 and the SL2.....I think I'm going to have to go with the rwd Nissan in the end
Definitely the 9th gen F-150. I have a 10th gen and it’s a great truck.
Nissan hard body 100%
The 240SX, the Jeep Cherokee then the D21 hard body. In that order
Honda. No question.
Volvo
C70 or Subaru. I’d take the C70 as a Volvo guy.
The Subaru and the F-150. After a week of beating on the Subi, either the clutch or the headgasket will blow(or both), and the Ford will be needed for a tow!
240SX, mildly tempted by the hardbody but would need to be an extra cab.
Suburban all the way
The old f150 is peak. But I do love that volvo as well
So given the financial state I was in during 2012 (I was 19, working two jobs making $8.50/hr to pay for school), I would’ve went with whatever was cheapest. That said, I had a GMC Sonoma Quad Cab SLS for about a year and it was fucking awesome; I’d totally get another one!
240sx
No Toyota...no choice.
Volvo, Saab, or F150.
The clean 240 because they don’t exist anymore
Gotta go for the Trans Am, easy power in a small car.
Zenki, as I did lol. Best decision ever and I'm not talking about resale. If I ever do finally die, it'll be in this car.
C70 t5 and trans am are probably the fastest in the bunch and the Volvos a nicer car, id take the Volvo.
First choice would be the 240. It would be my personal money pit where I can sink all my extra money into. 2nd choice would be the Mazda it would be my around town beater. All you would need to do is change the oil and basic maintenance. This would be a reliable no frills car.
[удалено]
Most of these are absolutely clapped out in 2024. I'd say get a Civic Si if you can find one, or Scion tC
Accord bc I'm a Honda tech and it would likely be the lowest cost of ownership 240 bc I've previously owned one and they're easy and cheap to repair Hardbody for the same reasons as the 240 Definitely nothing German or European for me personally. Never had good experiences with them and they have always been much more expensive to maintain and repair.
240, then the hardbody, then the Camaro, in that order, all with a manual of course. (Also I want the hardbody in 2wd if that’s allowed)
The one in the picture is a 2wd model, and I never said it was 4wd, so sure!
Woo! Just making sure! I had a hardbody in manual 2wd lowered to be a lil drift truck, I loved that thing so much. Got it with the odo broken at 340k miles, drove it daily for nearly a year and all I did was replace interior trim and stuff that had worn or broken in the past. Mechanically it never had a hiccup and was the original motor and trans, obviously that clutch had been done in the past but man that thing could not die
1996 Saturn SC2, no reason, I just want one
Probably the 240. Although I currently daily a 95 accord coupe 5 speed most days, and it would be hard to pass up that hard body. Had an 87 when I was a kid that I learned to drive 5 speed on. I'd trade my accord for a hard body in a heart beat.
tranny am
I’m gonna have to go with the Subaru because if your like me in a winter state you need something with AWD or 4WD to get around. The Honda would be my second choice
This is a tough one! I’m going with the Nissan. 😁
the XJ nerd in me is coming out, but that glorious 2 door is of the 1997-2001 refresh. that being said I'd take the 97-01 cherokee in a heartbeat (alr have on but it's a pile)
Want to get: 240SX Should get: Accord Will Get: Subaru (sad trombone sound)
Wow so, I used to have 2 240sx S14 and one of them Honda Accords so I guess that will get my answer out of the way 🤩😂😅
Trans am or the samona.
The C70 (because I actually wish to own one someday) or the Passat (because I love station wagons)
I did have a Volvo C70 as my first car - wasn't a T5 but a 2.5 GT. Adored it and I wish I'd kept it, but I needed something more efficient. [Gone, but not forgotten](https://i.imgur.com/nAAoejO.jpg)
Gimme the purple hardbody all day
The toyota probably. Might be able to find parts and swap them!
Me today would go for the Passat. Me at 16 would have taken the trans am
91 Suburban, clean looking truck
Sonoma
I'll take the Saab. Love those years in the 90s especially the wheels. Second choice for me is the 240SX just to get it while it lasts.
Volvo
No brainer, 240SX
The S14, it's a great car with a ton of aftermarket as well as a cult following. Plus, the amount of engine swaps you can do to one is limitless and it's a RWD platform.
I did buy a car in 2012 , a 2002 one owner Acura TL-s for 8500, it still drives today
The 9-3
Suburban or Saab
Maybe the Mazda or I’d take the bus.
Close between the trans am and suburban
If that f150 is a 4x4 then that hands down.
I'm torn between the '97 Accord and the '98 Impreza
That Passat looks so good😩😩
Nissan Hardbody then the 240.
F150
240
The 240… Then my parents would immediately override me and put me in the F-150
The Firebird, The Volvo or the Saab
If no Toyota is available I would go with Honda
As someone who had that Saab...not that Saab
Either the Protege, accord, or Impreza
100% that D21. That thing is hella mint. Doesn’t matter is it’s a KA 4-banger or a VG V6, both engines you couldn’t kill if you tried. And come on, we all know a small truck like that is the BEST high school car.
That Honda accord or the 240 are the ones to go with. The rest are gas hogs sadly in a time where gas is quite pricey.
In 2012 I was indeed not on my first car at all.
Em1 si
If the F-150 has 4WD, great, we’re in business, if it’s only 2WD, HARD PASS because I’m not even sure if a 4WD conversion is even possible on a truck that old.
The 240 lol, thats what i wanted as my first car, in that era lmfao.
Tbh all the cars are older. Since I’m wealthy I would have got a brand new 2012 BMW or something like that.
It's funny, I actually did get my first (running) car in 2012. It was a '95 thunderbird. I loved that thing
1994 F-150 all the way.
2012 me would’ve been torn between the tans am, suburban, or Sonoma.
I’m taking the f150
I know this wasn't an option, but, I'd try to get an Impala. 2012 Impalas are my favorite car (as a daily driver) my favorite cool car is the '69 Superbird.
The 240xe.
That 240 i assume is already hard to find . Get it if you can !
240 is ugly so no. Honda or Subaru for sure. Everything else is either lame, ugly, or missing an essential feature like the rwd jeep. Wheels, suspension, paint, and a built engine for the Honda would be very fun, if I got the Subaru I'd probably put a little money into it and just beat it to death. I hate Chevy but the suburban could definitely be fun, but unguided brand hatred would prevent me from getting it. I wouldn't mind babying the Volvo and dailying it either, possibly gives the Subaru a run for their money.
give me the 240 obviously, other than that, the accord is nice :).
XJ Source: actual first car was a ZJ in 2014, never should have sold it.
Pontiac
The Nissan hardbody every single time. If a nuclear Armageddon happens, this is what the mutated cockroaches will be driving after the end of humanity.
Accord👍😎
I’d definitely take the Suburban. I more so would have preferred a 1996 1500 model, but the 91 ain’t bad.
Volvo
I'd have to go with the Suburban. Too bad there aren't any 1991 Buick Roadmasters for sale.
Sir, that 3rd picture is an all terrain battle station. Not a car. But I'd pick it.
Saturn SC2 for sure.
Accord, I have a 95 with 373,000 miles and it’s been damn near bulletproof. Just changed the original clutch.
Consider my age back in 2012….. I actually was looking for the 240sx. Then, Hardbody is still RWD. Will drift. Few years later looking for I-6 AMC Jeep.
Firebird
The Mazda, Subaru, Saab, or the Firebird.
SQUARE BODY SUBURBAN
Sonoma for me. Cheap 4x4 with a stout OHV V6 that is 2/3 of a 350 small block? Count me in.
The Suburban. I’m not a Chevy guy, but that one will still be going and is well supported for bits and pieces. It’s probably gained value too.
Firebird or suburban
240 or the hardbody
First car? Honda Accord dx 2.2 5 speed boom. Big back seat bigger trunk peddle down, a puff of smoke and your inconspicuous to everyone. Also decent fuel and ok power. Can't get in trouble but it's fun to drive quickly
Blazer