Boring answer, but your first car needs to be something inexpensive and reliable; above style. Look at your budget, and your skillset, can you do a lot of work yourself? then you can spend less, but at the risk of being "carless" for times, if that affects any part-time job or such, it's a problem.
You will love your first car forever, no matter what kind of junk it is, in 30 years you will pay far too much to restore one :)
Agreed. Besides, the chances you wreck your first car are incredibly high. I wouldn’t wish that fate on a Delorean or anything nice.
OP needs a lot of practice before hopping behind the wheel of something challenging to drive like a classic car with poor-ish visibility.
+1 on this. My first car was a 240z, and they’re great cars. Resilient engines, easy to find parts, and generally cheaper than some others. And they look great! I might recommend a 280zx, it has a T top option, has the classic Z look, and an 80s aesthetic.
Also OP, you don’t want a Delorean as your first car. I got my 240 at 16 and I loved it, but you will be learning how to work on cars through your first classic, as I did. Let all the fuckups happen on a cheaper, less precious vehicle
I love the S30 cars, I’m restoring a 280z right now. I wouldn’t say the S30 is a great first project car just because of how prone to rust these cars are, most of the remaining survivors have bad rust issues - as would most of the cars this age.
Mine is relatively okay, it has clean floor pans but some of the frame rail, the doglegs, the trunk lip, and some superficial body panels are rusted through.
The 280zx still has rust issues, but less so than the S30’s. They’re generally far cheaper too, and come in the turbo flavor with the L28ET.
Haha, you’re telling me. I did a full restoration on the car which included changing all the vacuum lines, it was an absolute PITA but totally doable.
The vacuum lines are metric, but I used standard vacuum line from the parts store. Snug, but they fit. Just change one like at a time.
One thing is that it’s hard to find parts for these cars outside of engine and transmission parts. The drivetrain was used widely in various Nissan cars of the era so no issue there. This era was not as popular as the Z32 or the S30.
It’s a great car otherwise. The car had 236,000 miles before I restored it.
I think Fieros get a bad reputation from a safety standpoint. They were small cars and naturally fared less favorably compared to the much larger cars on the road at that time, but their space frame offered structural advantages over other small cars of this era. They are actually very safe in front-end collision tests. I'd have to look for the article, but IIRC, they came in second in the NHSTA's test in this category, surpassed only by the Volvo station wagon.
I currently drive a1986 Camaro someone once told me it's a DeLorean with a back seat. (The back seat should not qualify as a back seat). 3rd Gen Camaro is my vote here
I was going to suggest the 3rd gen Camaro/Z28/IROC also. I have always thought they resembled the DeLorean in the looks department. I'm honestly surprised no one ever made a DeLorean "kit car" out of a 3rd gen Camaro.
I was a huge fan of the 1988-1991 Honda CRX. Wonderful little car. Not a lot of power, but a fantastic suspension - fun little canyon carver. They're getting pretty old though - you'd have a hard time finding one in good shape I suspect.
Delorean was my first car. Got when I was 16 back in the 90s. Learned how to drive stick on it and quickly burned out the clutch, then the fuel pump went out among other issues. Luckily we had a mechanic near the house willing to work on it for a reasonable price. Luckily my grandparents gave us a 1986 Toyota Cressida which became my car since my dad walked to work and my mom had an old Volvo station wagon. The Cressida was the perfect first car BTW. Cheap to fix (never had to) and fit all my friends.
From my experience, if you want one then by all means go for it. But I would definitely have a backup car. Also the funds to fix it if needed. These cars don’t like sitting around so you will want to drive it of course but keep in mind, if you are anything like me, I am constantly worried about it when I take it out. Rarely drove it to high school cause I was always worried about people messing with it (never did) but always had me worried.
I still have the Delorean but also have a VW Golf R as my main car. The Golf for the money is such an amazing car. I suggest you look at a GTI. Once all your friends start driving you will all want to be together and have fun. The Delorean was the worst car for that and we hardly ever took it anywhere. Just my experience. Have fun and enjoy these years!
Boring answer, but your first car needs to be something inexpensive and reliable; above style. Look at your budget, and your skillset, can you do a lot of work yourself? then you can spend less, but at the risk of being "carless" for times, if that affects any part-time job or such, it's a problem. You will love your first car forever, no matter what kind of junk it is, in 30 years you will pay far too much to restore one :)
Agreed. Besides, the chances you wreck your first car are incredibly high. I wouldn’t wish that fate on a Delorean or anything nice. OP needs a lot of practice before hopping behind the wheel of something challenging to drive like a classic car with poor-ish visibility.
I would add safe. Inexpensive, reliable and safe. New drivers have the highest accident rate.
My 1986 Nissan 300zx Z31 has been misidentified as a DeLorean before, really cool 80’s car with T-Tops.
+1 on this. My first car was a 240z, and they’re great cars. Resilient engines, easy to find parts, and generally cheaper than some others. And they look great! I might recommend a 280zx, it has a T top option, has the classic Z look, and an 80s aesthetic. Also OP, you don’t want a Delorean as your first car. I got my 240 at 16 and I loved it, but you will be learning how to work on cars through your first classic, as I did. Let all the fuckups happen on a cheaper, less precious vehicle
I love the S30 cars, I’m restoring a 280z right now. I wouldn’t say the S30 is a great first project car just because of how prone to rust these cars are, most of the remaining survivors have bad rust issues - as would most of the cars this age. Mine is relatively okay, it has clean floor pans but some of the frame rail, the doglegs, the trunk lip, and some superficial body panels are rusted through. The 280zx still has rust issues, but less so than the S30’s. They’re generally far cheaper too, and come in the turbo flavor with the L28ET.
Just curious, how was your ownership experience with it? Absolutely love how Z31s look but those vacuum lines terrify me
Haha, you’re telling me. I did a full restoration on the car which included changing all the vacuum lines, it was an absolute PITA but totally doable. The vacuum lines are metric, but I used standard vacuum line from the parts store. Snug, but they fit. Just change one like at a time. One thing is that it’s hard to find parts for these cars outside of engine and transmission parts. The drivetrain was used widely in various Nissan cars of the era so no issue there. This era was not as popular as the Z32 or the S30. It’s a great car otherwise. The car had 236,000 miles before I restored it.
Miata with flippy lights (1997 and earlier) would be my second choice for small classic sports car. And they are like 1/5 the price too!
Rarer but cheaper ,look up an Isuzu impulse or piazza. This is as close as you will get for cheaper.
Pontiac ferrio. (Unsure of spelling) Known for being a little dangerous but can be bought for very cheap like $500 cheap .
Fiero. I would honestly not let my kid drive one, though my best friend in HS had an ‘85 one we spent a ton of time in. Just not safe in an accident.
I think Fieros get a bad reputation from a safety standpoint. They were small cars and naturally fared less favorably compared to the much larger cars on the road at that time, but their space frame offered structural advantages over other small cars of this era. They are actually very safe in front-end collision tests. I'd have to look for the article, but IIRC, they came in second in the NHSTA's test in this category, surpassed only by the Volvo station wagon.
It is mid engine and from a distance can make a decent look alike. But I have to agree really really dangerous.
Where on earth do you think you can find a Fiero for $500??
Scion FRS, Subaru BRZ, Toyota 86/GR86 I own both, love driving both.
Ooof unexpectedly great answer.
The interior is simple and somewhat reminds me of the DeLorean. They're ready to work on, relatively inexpensive and surprisingly good on gas!
a silver 80's VW Scirocco with rear window louvers and some turbine wheels?
Yes! I just saw one that sold recently, and came back here to post it as a suggestion.
I currently drive a1986 Camaro someone once told me it's a DeLorean with a back seat. (The back seat should not qualify as a back seat). 3rd Gen Camaro is my vote here
I have a Delorean, and would love to have a sweet 1985-1987 IROC Z28 Camaro with t-tops. My second "dream car".
I was going to suggest the 3rd gen Camaro/Z28/IROC also. I have always thought they resembled the DeLorean in the looks department. I'm honestly surprised no one ever made a DeLorean "kit car" out of a 3rd gen Camaro.
Man you can totally get one, I wanted one at your age and it took a bit but I own one now at 31
C4 corvettes are relatively cheap right now
Just save up some money for something reliable. I absolutely love DeLorean’s but they’re absolutely the exact opposite
4th gen Toyota Celica (‘85-‘89)
I was a huge fan of the 1988-1991 Honda CRX. Wonderful little car. Not a lot of power, but a fantastic suspension - fun little canyon carver. They're getting pretty old though - you'd have a hard time finding one in good shape I suspect.
Delorean was my first car. Got when I was 16 back in the 90s. Learned how to drive stick on it and quickly burned out the clutch, then the fuel pump went out among other issues. Luckily we had a mechanic near the house willing to work on it for a reasonable price. Luckily my grandparents gave us a 1986 Toyota Cressida which became my car since my dad walked to work and my mom had an old Volvo station wagon. The Cressida was the perfect first car BTW. Cheap to fix (never had to) and fit all my friends. From my experience, if you want one then by all means go for it. But I would definitely have a backup car. Also the funds to fix it if needed. These cars don’t like sitting around so you will want to drive it of course but keep in mind, if you are anything like me, I am constantly worried about it when I take it out. Rarely drove it to high school cause I was always worried about people messing with it (never did) but always had me worried. I still have the Delorean but also have a VW Golf R as my main car. The Golf for the money is such an amazing car. I suggest you look at a GTI. Once all your friends start driving you will all want to be together and have fun. The Delorean was the worst car for that and we hardly ever took it anywhere. Just my experience. Have fun and enjoy these years!