I have been driving a lot for just having my permit. And I have been saving EVERY DIME for a camaro, more specifically a Z. A few people told me that, that car is too much of a car for me... Which I don't understand because I learned stick on my dads 01 Z06 and drove the prowler for while he had it (sad to see it go ). And I have driven several camaros, IROC-Z(85), Z28(97), RS(94), SS(01)<-years. So I know the power they have and the speeds capable. It basically all comes down to the $$. I have looked at 4 camaros to buy for my self, in all situations I have been screwed in one way or another. I know the hole thing on how Camaros and Mustangs and Vettes (all sport cars) are cop magnets and they pay rediculous amounts of $ for Cash and/or insurance.
So my question is ...

1.) How many people here had a V8 for their first car.

2.) How was your experience with it (got pulled over alot, never, was it worth it? That kinda stuff...)

Simply because I don't wanna screw myself...
Just some friendly input would be great.

 

Hey Mikitup28,

I know a few people who are driving Z28s and they pay incredible amoust For insurance. True the cops follow us around alot, but your not gonna get pulled over unless your doiing something stupid. What it comes down to is if you wanna pay the insurance to drive what you want. Theres a 94 Camaro here 4 sale. V6 Red in eXcellent condition for about 5,500$ if your interested. Not fast by any means but you wont pay alot for insurance if anything at all. Hope this helps.

Later,
-JOhn

 

1) My first car was a 76 Nova - Inline 6 cylinder.

2) My experience with the car was great - your first car always is. I was never pulled over in that car, but I did bang it up a bit. Backing out of the driveway I tapped the front bumper on a tree, snagged a curb with a tire, or just wrecked the car (in the end).

I don't think anyone's first car should be something worth writing home about. You're still learning how to drive and you're going to make mistakes. Buy a beater for a year or two and then get yourself a Z.

 

She summed it up
<---- first car, 91 merc topaz. I hit many things

 

My first car was a 70 Nova SS 396 4spd Bought it when I was 15 and paid for every penny of it with my own money, I worked my *** off as a kid to save for it. It was a great experience, I had lots of fun with that car and I've been hooked on performance cars ever since. I pretty much even learned to drive on it, which is a scary thought to me today. I had to replace the clutch in the first 3 months of driving I got pulled over a few times in it, mostly for "reckless driving" type violations i.e burnouts, stoplight racing. That was 15 years ago, insurance was dirt cheap on it luckily ($400/yr) since I registered it the same as any other base V8 70 Nova and no collision. Luckily I never wrecked it, came close a few times though. If you are a responsible kid and respect the power of a performance V8 I think you'll be ok. If I survived starting out driving a pretty lousy handling old big block Nova you should be ok with a newer fbody which handles light years better than any of the old muscle cars. Good luck

 

He whats up man i'm 17 n i saved every dime for 2 years 2 buy my first car whichwas a 98 z28 camaro. Could not be happier i love the car to death. I pay 2700 a yr for insurance, and 355 a month for the next five yrs bcause i financed the car. About ur ? with cops in Monmouth County the cops are ball breakers. In the summer I got pulled over once every two weeks and everytime they would say muscle cars have a reputation of speeding around we had 2 chek you out then let me go home. I got one ticket and it was complete bs cause the cop has a grudge against my family and told me i made a turn on two wheels going 35 mph Her exact words were ur front and bak passenger tires were in the air when you turned. Most of my uncles are cops in NYC and NJ and told me to fight it but stupid me i didn't cause my parents were in Jamica so i got hit wit a $80 2 point careless driving ticket. That sucked otherwise i love my f-body n when u drive when u hafta know people and cops r going to break ur *****

 

If you really want an f-body, buy yourself a clean V6 that is in good shape mechanically. More than likely, you will damage the body before your tenure as a "new driver" is over. Personally, I would look for something reliable with low insurance premiums.

When you are no longer an assigned risk, buy yourself the V8 you've always wanted. With the money you've saved on insurance, you can get the car you really want instead of settling for what is available on your current budget.

 

I've been debating a V6 camaro but there are two reasons why I don't get it. Here they are:

1.) Insurance for a V6 camaro is to close to a V8.
Ex. V6 = 2100 V8=3000 $$/yr
I'd rather pay the extra 900 bucks...

2.) When I think Camaro I think Big V8 ( not to affend and six shooters because I have driven them and they had good pick-up) What it basically comes down to is this....
A. Nice Camaro now -or- B. Get a garbage getter for a year and then buy a beautiful camaro with money left over to mod.

Obvisiously plan B makes more sense but my self control will seem to differ when I am standing 10 feet from the car I have wanted to call my own for 6 years...
Damn Decisions, can't they be easier!

 

I still have my permit right now and I just recently bought my Z in November. I shopped around for about a month trying to find a T56 but couldnt find one so I got the "WantAdPress" and there were a section of just camaros. I went and looked at one in parsippany with no intent to buy one. Well, when I saw it, I fell in love. It was so cherry for the miles. I bought it off a old guy who babied it his whole life since it was new. The pics are in my sig.

I ended up paying $5,000 for it and it came with a nice system. Right now, I am paying $675 a year for insurance on my fathers plan. I will be on that for a year and then get my own which will boost it up to Im guessing $2500-3000 a year. I work year round so thats not a problem. I worked out deals with my father so I work for him all summer and he will put me on his mobil account for gas (credit card) instead of paying me. I can always get a job at night for some extra $$$.

 

I have a white 94 v6 auto in NH that looks great and is reliable. Best of all, I am now asking $3900. The body is great and it has t-tops. This would be a great car to learn to drive on. I wish I had it back then, but instead I had a freaking 4cyl s10 with nothing for accesories.

I waited until I graduated college to buy this car a year ago! I waited too long. I since bought a Z28. Be prepared to spend at least an additional $3-4k for a comparable Z28. They are more desirable, hence much more expensive to buy than a 6cyl. Get it now and and get a hottie to cruise with. She won't know the difference anyways

I have looked at every freakin F-body I go by and I have never seen one in as good a condition as mine as cheap as I am asking. Do yourself a favor and keep yourself outta too much debt while your young. There will be plenty of time to work hard later in life.

 

My first car was an 85 Olds Cutlas Supreme, 4 dr and a 190hp 307 in it. It was a V8 but the car was a pig.

Here's my opinion. Looking back at the Teenage years and when I first started driving. I always wanted afast car, but I just couldnt afford it. I am really glad I didnt get one. I propably wouldnt be here today.

My personal opinion is that NO first time drivers... no matter how old they are... should have a muscle car to learn in. I know you think you have the skill and knowledge to handle a car like that. But I will tell you this, and I think most people who have been driving for 5+ years will agree. You need some experience under your belt first. A newer F-body(v8) has alot of power. Belive me when I say it can get waaay out of your control in a real hurry. Been there done that. If I had one when I was first starting to drive, I am positive I would have killed mayself, or someone else because I thought I could handle it.

They are nice, but I have to agree with the others. You really should buy something that is a little more forgiving. Save the money on ins and gas. I'm not saying you shouldnt have a nice car... by all means if you worked for it, you deserve a nice car. But 3 years from now you will thank yourself skipping the Z and buying a Grand Am or something.

BTW, I am in no way saying your a bad driver or anything like that. But statistics dont lie. First time drivers who have a muscle car, are 200 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash in the first 3 years than the people who didnt go that route. The choice is yours, and you obviously are aware cause you asked teh question.

I have to say, keep away from a Z or TA as your first car. I like the idea of a 6 cyl much better. Good luck.

 

I am 17
insurance is 3 grand a year for the 02 convertible TA WS6.

First Car = 306 Nova SS 1967.... runs a 10.9 in the quarter.. and is street legal. (Graduation Project)
Second car = 02 Convertible WS6 TA..... ran a 13.3...

I have grown up around cars just like u have.. and the V8 is not overwhelming to me. The only thing in the ta is... i love to show off ITs a wicked car and the girls love it!! I have gotten pulled over once for speeding, 40 in a 20.. got off with a warning.. and thats it. the v8 is worth every penny. (I pay monthly payments on the car)

 

Thanks for the great feedback everyone! Its been helpful...