What car would you buy your 17 y/o self?
 

You're 17 again and you're at the ICBC driver licensing center. You're finishing up your road test. The examiner has you reverse into a parking space. You're a little over the line. Shit. You look in their face. Did you fail? Can't tell. They get out. You get out. No words are exchanged. Silent walk in. They gesture to Window 9: "wait there."

A long time goes by. They're back. "You passed."

Fk yeah.

You exit, shiny green N in hand. There, right outside the door, is someone standing in your way. You go "who the heck are you?"

"I'm you. 20 years later."

"You look terrible."

"Fuck you. Here's the keys." They toss you keys. "Drive safe. Don't get us killed."

"Keys to what?" They disappear.

You hit the key fob. It's the car right in front of you. Holy shit. You break out in a grin.

-> What did you buy your 17 y/o self?

---

Rules:

• You have $20,000* of today's dollars to spend, on a period-correct car you're going to buy today, then send it back in time.
• The car had to be available at the time. E.g. if it was 2002 when you were 17, then the car has to be a '03 model year, or older. We're not trying to fk up the timeline here.
• You get the remaining cash in the trunk to pay for operating expenses.
• Try BAT, for convenience.
• One car. You can't split it up into multiple cars.
• You can't just keep it for yourself, that's dickish.
• You can't just invest the money for them. No.
• If you already had a sweet ride back then, then screw you. But anyway, imagine you didn't.

*You got the money from a payout suing for slipping on hot coffee. Or something. Doesn't matter: didn't cost you anything.

2004 Mazda RX8 GT 6MT w/ LSD

• 232hp; 9000rpm redline: good enough to have fun, not enough to get killed
• 4 doors, 4 seats for roadtrippability
• Leather interior: treating myself to some early luxury

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...size=620%2C414

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...size=620%2C414

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...size=620%2C414

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content...size=620%2C413

Sorry, instructions unclear. Edited OP. :D

In that case I'd send myself a CRX SiR CyberTop

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/...334cb403_o.jpg

This one is so easy that I don't even need to think for more than a second:

EG Civic Si, in red, just like this:

https://wieck-honda-production.s3.am...ew-928x522.jpg

But... I'm not so sure whether this tin can car can do the job of not getting me killed...

Hmm...

^ That would be my second choice

easy! 2002 z3
imagine being 17 and having this

https://media.hagerty.com/media/wp-c...20171012192425

https://media.hagerty.com/media/wp-c...20171012192800

https://media.hagerty.com/media/wp-c...20171012192830

2003 Lexus GS300 with a 2JZ-GTE swap and fully built.

It would have been 2005. $20k ain't buying a new E46M3 though.

Though granted my driving skill back then, I would cease to exist with a E46M3. Probably wrap it around a tree somewhere a week after getting the car.

Realistically, probably a Matrix XRS.

Easy for me. Sc300 or 400 with a stick shift. 1uz or 2jz, rwd, luxurious and stylish. Would probably get the 20 year old me crap load of ass

Of course that’s in hindsight.

The actual car I wanted when I was 20 was the 1998 240sx. I sat in it so many times when my folks brought the Sentra in for service. Really really loved the looks of that coupe. Didn’t care it could drift / drive. It was that sleek coupe profile that had me entranced.

How come it's like every 1 in 5 of these has smashed inner tail lights? The little squircle pieces.

https://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.co...p_amount=false

Anyone else notice this or have I gone crazy?

Iirc the 300 you couldn't get in manual but you can the 400. But you can get both from Japan in manual.



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nah you can get it in manuel

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3vA...5-lexus-sc-300

BRZ only because you said key fob.

Otherwise, a $400 car like I had. Lol

I know the early model year RX8 are prone to the engine being flooded, and somehow I seem to think that the 2004 model year is still early enough to suffer from the problem. So maybe you don't want to setup your 17 yr old self to failure and repair bills? :badpokerface:

02 RSX Type S. Easy choice. VTEC, reliable, hatch.

(Because I don't fit properly in an NB Miata)

Even 17 year old you didn't fit??

You fit in the S2000 tho!!! Barely :D

I would have got myself a 1992 notchback 5.0 LX Mustang coupe... wanted one of those so bad with a Vortech Supercharger, 93 Cobra tail lights, Cobra R wheels and Borla exhaust on it... probably be dead now lol

I'd most likely go for an AE86, possibly a modified MR-S or FC RX7. Something light, RWD and impractical. Along with a set of really good snow tires so I'd be less likely to crash it lol.

I have no regrets getting my MK1 MR2SC because otherwise I never would have rubbed gooey white stuff on my t-tops with 69style.

S2000 was my dream car in highschool, e z 8k budget, blow the extra 12k on rims, rice, and subwoofers

DC2 GS-R

https://i.ibb.co/MP9ccyx/IMG-6533.png

Oh shit. Good lookin' out.

My '86 MR2 used to flood because the coil pack wires were bad and I had intermittent spark. Funny that I set myself up for the same failure again.

Ok, highschool-me knew best. He can have the Celica GTS he always wanted then :D.

https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbth...74-g-games.jpg

-would also buy an S2000.

-good specs for the car at that time as a 17 year old.

-reliable car.

-would have collector appeal now too given the small number of S2000s made.

I was a big fan of the NC Miata in my teenage years so I would've loved that at 17.

The excitement will quickly vaporize once I find out how expensive it is to stay on top of insurance, maintenance, and gas lol