M3 or, if you want to save some cash, a CTS-V

But seriously... get an M3.

 

Hard to beat the new C6 for that type of $$

 

Also, you need to take into account insurance, insurance on some of these cars for a 17 year old is going to be very very hefty.

 

Also a good point. But then again if a 17 year old kid has that kind of budget to get his first car with, I wouldn't think that the insurance would be much of an issue (hopefully).

 

true, it'll also be tough to find a company that actually will insure him

 

Mmmmm.... 17. My first ride, a 1975 Honda civic hatchback. Usually only 3 cylinders were functional. God, how I loved that car.

 

Didn't get my first car until I graduated college and it was a used pick-up.

I agree with the above guys that said 350zx. Great car for the money and still some cash left. If you want a Porsche, you might be able to get a 02 996 coupe for that money.

What a great position to be in.

 

I think we should start a 'first cars thread.'
I was in a VW bus at 17, after selling a Volvo 142.

 

If this kid's parents are buying a $55,000 car for him one year into his driving experience, he doesn't have to worry about college...

 

This car may not have the prestige of the Porsche, but then again it's sort of cool to have a car that's not so common. I sort of like the last body style Rx-7. With a few mods and about 1 bar of boost straight line performance is quite a bit better than the stock 996 turbo line. You'll be hanging in there in the turns as well. The nicer third generation Rx-7s are becoming few and far between, but I picked this one up a couple years ago with 16,000 miles for $23,000 and put a few thousand into it for adding HP and weight reduction.

 

C6 is trash - Look at the suspension.... the springs to be exact.

Any other questions? Just like in 1789.

 

The third-gen RX-7s are extremely sexy, but I have heard a number of complaints regarding reliability. Still, they are oh so tempting . . .

This is quite the misconception. He will obviously be listed under his parents' insurance and receive a huge discount. Additionally, his parents can list him as the 'primary driver' on a lesser-risk or older vehicle (SUV, sedan, etc.). Some insurance providers do not even require people to specify the vehicle driven by each family member.

 

I was thinking about the E46 M3, but are the modifications going to be costly?

No my price range is from 20k-55k.(The reason my parents are paying this much this is going to be a graduation gift)

Insurance I am going to go under my parents, but I live in manhattan it's still going to be a bit expensive.

I don't like the C6.

Can I really get a decent supercharger for 8k? :-/

 

My thoughts exactly


...but if it was up to me 01 or 02 M5

 

Okay champ, when you are trying to play something down, think about what you write. I got $250 for my graduation gift - saying that the reason your parents are paying that much is because it is a graduation gift is like saying apples are red because they fall from trees - entirely unrelated. You live in another world than 99.9999999% of the rest of the individuals on this earth, including many on this board who now live in a far different world than they did when they graduated high school. Feel very fortunate about that, but never take it for granted.

Now, back to the subject at hand [steps off soapbox], I'd point you to the Acura NSX. Fast, light, amazing handling, great shifter, unique eye-catching styling, and amazingly reliable - the ONLY sportscar with nary a spot of trouble.