So what do you drive ?

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I'm getting a Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for my 16th birthday. With a little help from my finances, of course!

Insurance must be real cheap in the States!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I'm getting a Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for my 16th birthday. With a little help from my finances, of course!

16?! Jesus, I was in my late 20's before I could afford the insurance on a Scoob!

I bought this beast last month:



As the cost of using my Subaru as a daily driver was getting silly, plus I wanted to stop racking up the miles on it just sitting in traffic.

So I now have the diesel for chugging around to work in, and my Scoob...



...for the weekends. Perfect!

[garcon]

Originally Posted by Cryos

Sill have the jetta 220k Km on it now, have been looking at getting a new jetta but i dont want a small 1.6 TDI

You're right not to. Run a million miles from a VAG 1.6 TDI, especially if you want it to cover another couple of hundred k.

Not sure I even have a pic of my current car online at the moment. After a succession of more interesting Subarus, I now have a 2010 Legacy diesel estate. It's a very capable car, well spec'd, huge, comfortable and averages about 48mpg, so although it's not terribly exciting it was a sensible choice given I've now done over 30,000 miles in it in less than 18 months. It's lost a chunk of money in that time, but I try not to think about that.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by nicanary

Insurance must be real cheap in the States!

It is, but as a 16 year old with an STi, he'll still be paying out the ass for it, at least in our terms. At least $2500/yr due to all the young kids who think they're Sebastian Loeb once they get behind the wheel of something turbocharged and AWD and end up firing the car off into the scenery.

Anyway, picked this up as a daily driver for $800. 223k(that's miles, not your silly km which makes everything seem like it's more worn than it really is ;]) on the clock, 1,9l SOHC, automatic(was supposed to be my brothers car, with 100hp and the 'eco' gearing for the single slammer, its pig slow).


Gets like 34mpg, which is a hell of a lot more than my Volvo. With both cars on my policy I'm paying $150/month on insurance. 22, male, with no accidents or tickets on my record, if that puts it into perspective.

[garcon]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I'm getting a Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for my 16th birthday. With a little help from my finances, of course!

I know things seem to be a bit different in the States, but I can't help thinking you'd be better off learning to drive in something that won't kill you.

Like maybe a Beetle?

[mattt]

Originally Posted by Matt

It is, but as a 16 year old with an STi, he'll still be paying out the ass for it, at least in our terms. At least $2500/yr due to all the young kids who think they're Sebastian Loeb once they get behind the wheel of something turbocharged and AWD and end up firing the car off into the scenery.

...

$2500/yr is that it? my insurance as a 17 year old on a 5 yr old 1.2L 8V Fiat Punto was £1900/yr. So it is far cheaper in the US than it is over here. my insurance even now is just under under £500 after 4 years of driving experience and no claims.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by mattt

$2500/yr is that it? my insurance as a 17 year old on a 5 yr old 1.2L 8V Fiat Punto was £1900/yr. So it is far cheaper in the US than it is over here. my insurance even now is just under under £500 after 4 years of driving experience and no claims.

I also find it extraordinary. Especially with the US propensity for litigation. In view of the increases in insurance costs in the UK to cover the cost of "personal injury" claims, I'm surprised that American costs aren't twice the price.

Or does their system work differently?

[FAS33]

Heres mine, nothing special.


03 Ford Falcon (my first car)

[Matt]

Originally Posted by nicanary

I also find it extraordinary. Especially with the US propensity for litigation. In view of the increases in insurance costs in the UK to cover the cost of "personal injury" claims, I'm surprised that American costs aren't twice the price.

Or does their system work differently?

We have different levels of insurance.

That and you guys just get reamed up the butt with insurance, it's insane.

[garcon]

That's a vivid and accurate description of my experience, yes!

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by garcon

That's a vivid and accurate description of my experience, yes!

You've been reading that "Fifty Shades.." book I take it?

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by nicanary

I also find it extraordinary. Especially with the US propensity for litigation. In view of the increases in insurance costs in the UK to cover the cost of "personal injury" claims, I'm surprised that American costs aren't twice the price.

Or does their system work differently?

The insurance companies all end up suing each other so it evens out.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

The insurance companies all end up suing each other so it evens out.

Yep, but surely the driver pays in the end? think of all those lawyer's bills.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by nicanary

Yep, but surely the driver pays in the end? think of all those lawyer's bills.

Not really.

The insurance companies have the money for it.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by Matt

Not really.

The insurance companies have the money for it.

Yes of course. By charging you higher premiums. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I'm getting a Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for my 16th birthday. With a little help from my finances, of course!

Both of those cars are weapons and you shouldn't be driving them as a 16 year old unless you have plenty of driver training. They can get you in over your head extremely fast and you will not have the training or skills to pull yourself out.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by garcon

I know things seem to be a bit different in the States, but I can't help thinking you'd be better off learning to drive in something that won't kill you.

Like maybe a Beetle?

My local high school, which isn't that big, usually loses 1-3 students a year in car accidents. Failed off road recoveries is the biggest killer, besides alcohol. Drivers drop 2 wheels off the edge of the road because they are going too fast or not paying attention, panic, over correct and then it becomes a mess from there. Even with stability control, it can't fix everything.

I had either the fastest or one of the fastest cars in high school(at my high school there were probably around 500 student cars in the parking lot). In retrospect it wasn't the best thing to have. I was lucky not to have any incidents considering the driving I did at times and had enough sense to quickly learn if I wanted to drive fast I should look at motorsports instead. The car was so fast you could get in over your head extremely quickly.

Better to start off a bit slower, learn how to drive and then if you want to step up to a faster car later on, get some training.

If I ever am a parent, I will not be repeating the same mistake.

[Mike_Wooshy]

I am currently looking for a new everyday car as I have taken the decision to track day my Fiesta.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by nicanary

I also find it extraordinary. Especially with the US propensity for litigation. In view of the increases in insurance costs in the UK to cover the cost of "personal injury" claims, I'm surprised that American costs aren't twice the price.

Or does their system work differently?

Just about everything is cheaper here in the USA anyways.

A lot of it depends on the state as insurance laws tend to be a state by state thing. Living in the city or in certain areas with a larger than average accident rate tends to cost more to insure. Some states you have the option of cheaper insurance but you can only sue up to certain limits. Also despite the US's rep for litigation, 99% of the time cases are settled before going to trial.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

My local high school, which isn't that big, usually loses 1-3 students a year in car accidents. Failed off road recoveries is the biggest killer, besides alcohol. Drivers drop 2 wheels off the edge of the road because they are going too fast or not paying attention, panic, over correct and then it becomes a mess from there. Even with stability control, it can't fix everything.

I had either the fastest or one of the fastest cars in high school(at my high school there were probably around 500 student cars in the parking lot). In retrospect it wasn't the best thing to have. I was lucky not to have any incidents considering the driving I did at times and had enough sense to quickly learn if I wanted to drive fast I should look at motorsports instead. The car was so fast you could get in over your head extremely quickly.

Better to start off a bit slower, learn how to drive and then if you want to step up to a faster car later on, get some training.

If I ever am a parent, I will not be repeating the same mistake.

when my younger brother got his license, my mom was suggesting i let him use my other car. which is a midly modified turbo-4 RWD car, but still very easy to get yourself crossed up in.

she finally decided against it after i told her i was getting a restrictor plate made for the throttle body so it would have something like 80hp.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by nicanary

Yep, but surely the driver pays in the end? think of all those lawyer's bills.

Most states these days if you drive you have to have some sort of insurance. Some states are no fault states, so regardless of who is at fault in an accident, my insurance company pays my claims and the other parties insurance pays their claims.

If you have accidents or traffic tickets, your insurance goes up.

[garcon]

Sooo... I'm test driving a 330d M Sport coupe this afternoon. With 19" wheels.

Should I book a chiropractor?

[Matt]

why would you have to book a chiro?

[garcon]

You obviously haven't read all the scare stories about the ride of BMWs with M Sport suspension, 19" rims and run flat tyres. Turns out they're just that - scare stories. No chiropractor required.

Here's what I'll be driving from Saturday

...

[Matt]

I drive a car with pretty much zero suspension travel, I'm sure the ride on that would be glorious compared to mine haha.