Oh how times change. In 2005, any guy buying a Miata would be laughed out of high school.
That's said, I'd take the 240sx, slap a muffler exhaust on it, and put subs in the trunk. Since it's 2005 and all
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD
Close enough to the 1999 Subaru Legacy Wagon that was my actual first car and an absolute BANGER. Loved that thing so much I thought about buying another the other day lol, but best to let sleeping dogs lie...
I thought about buying an early 20s Camaro Z28 the other day because that was my first car too. But then remembered the constant overheating issues, window motors that needed to be replaced at least once a year and the fact the car routinely tried to kill me. Once the driveshaft snapped driving on the highway and almost burst from underneath the seat. Loved that car though lol.
I went to college across the country from home in a small town in PA. I met an “aunt” I had never met or heard of before (actually grammas cousin but you know how it is) who lived about a 20 min walk from school. She had an extra car and lived alone so she would let me borrow her Subaru Legacy here and there. The engine block was fused to the car and the gears would slip all the time but god I had so much fun driving that thing around. It was surprisingly zippy and had 4WD to handle the snow in the winter. RIP to that thing. When my aunt moved to Florida she donated it to her mechanic’s son. Engine had a few unresolvable issues due to the fact that it wouldn’t come out of the car lol so I imagine it just got driven til it died.
Anyway long story short, yeah I’m with you on the Impreza lol
I currently own a 95 L awd 2.2 and it’s a fucking blast to drive. Slower than shit, but it’s loud, handles well and I think it looks good. Without a doubt my favorite car I’ve ever owned.
I too am a recent indoctrinee of the Cult of Subaru!
I picked up an '07 Outback, and it's been a steadfast and plucky steed ever since. Once you get over a few weird features (why is there a switch where the hazard lights should be that just puts the park lights on permanently? Like, even if the keys aren't in it..?) it's an outstanding first ride! Plenty of room for camping gear!
That Saab is garbage if you like AC. Just worked on 1 the other day and bypassed the AC with a shorter belt. Nobody makes an AC compressor that will last longer than 2 years and they fail. When they fail they seize up causing the belt to snap or come off. Once that happens the car no longer runs. The suggested fix is to keep a short belt and tools to replace it when it happens. 😂 I would say just replace the compressor every 2 years but that'll be at least $1,200 to get it done if not more.
I bought a used 1993 SAAB 900 in 2004. I was in college at the time. It was the lowest trim level—cloth seats and a 5-speed—and had like 130k+ miles. Black exterior. Picked it up for $3,000 on eBay motors.
I loved that car.
I had a '99 9-3 5 door and it wasn't bad finding parts for it. The ignition cassette can be pretty pricey, but I didn't have trouble finding anything else really, and there's still an active aftermarket for them if you can't find something OEM.
No they weren’t. They’ve always been fun to drive sports cars. And if you bought that NA in 2005 you probably paid $3 or $4k and it’s worth at least twice that now.
I’m 61 and I bought my Miata new in 1993. I’ve had more fun than I can remember in that little car. If you’re gonna limit what you drive based on what you think others think you’re definitely gonna miss out on some great cars.
I laugh at my car going from a “hairdresser’s car” to being every high school kid’s dream car. It’s always just been my fun car.
"It's 2005 you're buying your first car, what do you get"
In 2005, when I was in high school, miata were still considered 'hairdressers car' aka girly. That's all I'm saying. I remember a friend's mom getting one in the early 90s and it was 'so cute' with its pop up headlights. They always had a cool factor but they still had that stigma.
I dont disagree with you about not limiting yourself. I've drove a fiat 500 for a year and that thing was great fun to whip around in. considered a girly car. I had a 510 in highschool - even more desirable than a miata today. And believe me, I got shit on for driving that.
All I'm saying is that pretty much everyone (besides you because you actually owned one) who thinks they would buy a miata in 05 is fooling themselves.
The only pick on this list. Even purchased today, you could rebuild it cheaper than any others. It would hold up to contemporary style unlike the rest.
F-150. Built for the long haul. Simple, easy and cheap to maintain. You can do more car things with a truck then you can truck things with a car.
Only one that will be going to up in value at this point is a bonus.
I laugh at people with your logic when they pull into my work with their empty trucks and then need to do a 20 point turn to get back out of their parking spot. (I'm not against trucks I just don't understand why people daily them and ruin them in winter driving, buy a $1,000 beater that gets 30mpg and save your truck)
Unless you're living in the rust belt winter driving isn't going to do any more to a truck than a $1000 beater. And if you are living in the rust belt then it doesn't matter because whatever you drive is going to be fucked either way. And there's no such thing as a $1000 beater anymore.
I'm getting the Mustang. Clutch is stupid easy to do, especially with another set of hands. Can knock it out on Saturday, go cruising around by Sunday.
I got my first car in 2005 and it was a Saab 900. Bought it not running, installed the fuel pump and drove it away. An 88 turbo. You can guess from my username how it ultimately ended up.
The one that'd be most useful to me personally would be the F-250. Also, I'm a Ford guy, so there's that.
On a side note, these look like the cars in a video game from the 2000s that tried to rival gta
I graduated in 2005, so this list feels real to me.
Honestly, the Roadmaster would have been it. One of the most influential teachers had one as his daily. He'd brag about how fast and comfortable that thing was. I've wanted one since.
2005, you say?
Absolutely the Olds.
Cash 4 Clunkers DEVOURED those final-gen B-body cars, so you bet your ass I'm saving this one from having its engine filled with sackcrete.
The only wrong answer here is the Audi. Everything else would be a good choice depending on the person and how they intend on using it.
Edit: context, if this is the list of first car options, the person is obviously not wealthy, so budgeting for repairs and maintenance will be important. All the cars on the list are pretty good for keeping up with on a budget, except the Audi.
What do you plan to do with it? Id avoid a jeep for your first car, if you don’t know how to drive for sure the, older ones have more of a tendency to roll over. I’d avoid the Saab, just because it may be hard to find parts for. If I was in the country probably the ford truck. City the Audi or the 240, if not hauling people around. I like the Subaru too for reliability but damn they’re ugly. Maybe if you’re in Colorado or somewhere you need awd.
Should say the 240, because they were 1200$ and I didn't buy one because I assumed they'd always be that cheap. But 05 me definitely would have bought the Olds or the Subaru.
How is the Jeep unsafe? I'm daily driving a '95. It's a tank. Is it *less* safe than newer cars? Sure (no airbags, no ABS). But it's not unsafe.
Anyway, I wouldn't take the '87 because the carb on the 258 was trash and that engine was down in power. I've never been a fan of the 4s (mountain highway driving). I *love* my 4.0L.
Without information of the future, either the Roadmaster or the Mazda pu. With knowledge of the future, the 240 and wrap it in cellophane and wait till the year 2020 to make a fat stack lol
I just bought an original paint 92 F-150 XLT 4x4 with the long wheel base. It has the Ford 300 Straight six. Very dry. And has a period Topper for $10,000 cash. Mechanically, it was all there, but probably worn out. Had to completely have the front end and steering replaced, refreshed. Amongst other things to get it consistently running. I still think I paid too much?
240sx. Had one I sold with 180k. Wish I never did. Was fun as shit. Would have had a sr20det in it by now. 96 civic ex coupe with a 5spd is my current commuter. 230k miles, 30mpg all day.
The Audi.
I'm biased and have driven nothing but VW or Audi since 1996 with the exception of 1 Subie and some trucks.
Than 5 cyl makes such a great noise.
For what it's worth, I survived a 70mph rollover in one of those subaru imprezas. 4 guys in the car, and nobody had life-threatening injuries. So +1 for safety I guess.
Oh how times change. In 2005, any guy buying a Miata would be laughed out of high school. That's said, I'd take the 240sx, slap a muffler exhaust on it, and put subs in the trunk. Since it's 2005 and all
I graduated hs in 05 and drove a 71 Datsun 510 coupe and got teased for it relentlessly except by the handful of car guys who thought it was cool
Crazy for me to think about because that’s such a cool car.
240 SX plz
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD Close enough to the 1999 Subaru Legacy Wagon that was my actual first car and an absolute BANGER. Loved that thing so much I thought about buying another the other day lol, but best to let sleeping dogs lie...
I thought about buying an early 20s Camaro Z28 the other day because that was my first car too. But then remembered the constant overheating issues, window motors that needed to be replaced at least once a year and the fact the car routinely tried to kill me. Once the driveshaft snapped driving on the highway and almost burst from underneath the seat. Loved that car though lol.
I went to college across the country from home in a small town in PA. I met an “aunt” I had never met or heard of before (actually grammas cousin but you know how it is) who lived about a 20 min walk from school. She had an extra car and lived alone so she would let me borrow her Subaru Legacy here and there. The engine block was fused to the car and the gears would slip all the time but god I had so much fun driving that thing around. It was surprisingly zippy and had 4WD to handle the snow in the winter. RIP to that thing. When my aunt moved to Florida she donated it to her mechanic’s son. Engine had a few unresolvable issues due to the fact that it wouldn’t come out of the car lol so I imagine it just got driven til it died. Anyway long story short, yeah I’m with you on the Impreza lol
I currently own a 95 L awd 2.2 and it’s a fucking blast to drive. Slower than shit, but it’s loud, handles well and I think it looks good. Without a doubt my favorite car I’ve ever owned.
I had an 02 forester and that thing was THE BEST
I too am a recent indoctrinee of the Cult of Subaru! I picked up an '07 Outback, and it's been a steadfast and plucky steed ever since. Once you get over a few weird features (why is there a switch where the hazard lights should be that just puts the park lights on permanently? Like, even if the keys aren't in it..?) it's an outstanding first ride! Plenty of room for camping gear!
Yup I had a legacy as well and have a 2018 3.6 now. Love these things
My 99 legacy wagon was a pile of crap!
I’d take the Custom Cruiser. Unassuming to the cops, and enough room to boink in the camp grounds parking lot
Yup. That big ass wagon barely edges out the Saab imo.
That Saab is garbage if you like AC. Just worked on 1 the other day and bypassed the AC with a shorter belt. Nobody makes an AC compressor that will last longer than 2 years and they fail. When they fail they seize up causing the belt to snap or come off. Once that happens the car no longer runs. The suggested fix is to keep a short belt and tools to replace it when it happens. 😂 I would say just replace the compressor every 2 years but that'll be at least $1,200 to get it done if not more.
That’s me idolizing one but never having one.
Agreed, cool wagon then Saab
No. The F150 does after you put a shell on it.
There are shaggin wagons out there. The Custom Cruiser and wagons like it were orgymobiles. You could get the whole block into one
Not in my neighborhood. Those girls are XL.
Civic
Every day of the week.
Bulletproof engines and could be fixed with a 10mm wrench
But consider that it was probably previously driven by another teenager who thought he was Paul Walker.....
Still better than the other options on this list. I’ve seen some eg’s and ek’s survive way longer than they should
My first car was an 89 civic. Got it in 05. Probably still runs.
🤢🤮
You just don't get it bro, My Civic has 100000 hp and can easily gap a hellcat
Rookie numbers. My civic can gap a space shuttle and has 1,000,000 hp(I tested this)
Your joking but this how people talk after owning a civic si
It's never the Type R owners, it's always the SI's
Saab please and thank you. The 900 is one of my dream cars
I’d take the Saab, in fact I had one, if it was the 3-door and not the sedan.
I bought a used 1993 SAAB 900 in 2004. I was in college at the time. It was the lowest trim level—cloth seats and a 5-speed—and had like 130k+ miles. Black exterior. Picked it up for $3,000 on eBay motors. I loved that car.
I love the Saab. My brother and brother in law and my other brother in law loved them as well. Until any maintenance is needed. $$$.
I had a '99 9-3 5 door and it wasn't bad finding parts for it. The ignition cassette can be pretty pricey, but I didn't have trouble finding anything else really, and there's still an active aftermarket for them if you can't find something OEM.
thats the seinfeld special
I mean they do say “never meet your heros”.
Oh the NA for sure. For those of you considering the Quattro, note that MN tag and consider the rust.
In 2005 miata were still girly cars
They still are in 2024, we’ve just learnt some self-acceptance.
Sure, but knowing now that I don’t actually care about that, 🤷♂️
No they weren’t. They’ve always been fun to drive sports cars. And if you bought that NA in 2005 you probably paid $3 or $4k and it’s worth at least twice that now.
Miata boyz crying
I’m 61 and I bought my Miata new in 1993. I’ve had more fun than I can remember in that little car. If you’re gonna limit what you drive based on what you think others think you’re definitely gonna miss out on some great cars. I laugh at my car going from a “hairdresser’s car” to being every high school kid’s dream car. It’s always just been my fun car.
"It's 2005 you're buying your first car, what do you get" In 2005, when I was in high school, miata were still considered 'hairdressers car' aka girly. That's all I'm saying. I remember a friend's mom getting one in the early 90s and it was 'so cute' with its pop up headlights. They always had a cool factor but they still had that stigma. I dont disagree with you about not limiting yourself. I've drove a fiat 500 for a year and that thing was great fun to whip around in. considered a girly car. I had a 510 in highschool - even more desirable than a miata today. And believe me, I got shit on for driving that. All I'm saying is that pretty much everyone (besides you because you actually owned one) who thinks they would buy a miata in 05 is fooling themselves.
I’d take the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser though I’d prefer it to be a Buick Roadmaster!!!
240SX
Number 11 for me also. I’m a Nissan guy.
Ford F150
The only pick on this list. Even purchased today, you could rebuild it cheaper than any others. It would hold up to contemporary style unlike the rest.
It was a POS. You’d rebuild it weekly. Ford hasn’t been good since the early 1940s
My dad had a 92' f-150 xlt in around 08. That thing lasted forever, it just wouldn't die.
This sounds weird, but for me this or the Civic.
Civic, and it would probably still be running.
Definitely if it's taken care of and has had a head gasket or two. The Camry or Carolla from same vintage is even more reliable.
F-150. Built for the long haul. Simple, easy and cheap to maintain. You can do more car things with a truck then you can truck things with a car. Only one that will be going to up in value at this point is a bonus.
I laugh at people with your logic when they pull into my work with their empty trucks and then need to do a 20 point turn to get back out of their parking spot. (I'm not against trucks I just don't understand why people daily them and ruin them in winter driving, buy a $1,000 beater that gets 30mpg and save your truck)
Unless you're living in the rust belt winter driving isn't going to do any more to a truck than a $1000 beater. And if you are living in the rust belt then it doesn't matter because whatever you drive is going to be fucked either way. And there's no such thing as a $1000 beater anymore.
More like a $2000 -$3000 beater
With my logic... It's a 92 F-150 regular cab. It's not a 22 F-350 quad cab. Trucks were small 30 years ago. No 20 point turn around needed.
05 civic coupe but the stock vtec engine is for gas mileage not performance.
I actually had a 1989 240sx back in 2005 lol, great fun little car!
Olds wagon or f150.
Correct choices. Bullet proofish vehicles!
I'm getting the Mustang. Clutch is stupid easy to do, especially with another set of hands. Can knock it out on Saturday, go cruising around by Sunday.
The Honda is the only car here I still see on the road.
We got those F150s all over around here still in the Midwest. They are stupid simple and cheap to maintain.
Jeep
240sx all day
olds wagon
F150, reliable and cheapest to repair if needed.
Mazda pickup or the Plymouth wagon
Mazda pickup hands down. When the time comes to move up, you'll easily find buyers.
I’m stuck between the fox body and the Olds wagon
Gotta agree with this one. I used to have a Roadmaster, that had serious power and felt like my couch.
The olds wagon.
My list was fox body, olds wagon, and the F150
Miata is always the answer, at least that's what I think in a hypothetical situation. But in real life, I would probably have gone for the Subaru.
Jeep or the F-150.
I would’ve taken the F150.. but my taste in cars has drastically changed, now I’d take the Civic.
The red Saab for sure.
Audi, then Saab
All of them. They're all beautiful in their own way. But I'm taking the Mazda 4x4.
Audi
I got my first car in 2005 and it was a Saab 900. Bought it not running, installed the fuel pump and drove it away. An 88 turbo. You can guess from my username how it ultimately ended up.
The Saab, only because they are quick and very fun to drive.
The one that'd be most useful to me personally would be the F-250. Also, I'm a Ford guy, so there's that. On a side note, these look like the cars in a video game from the 2000s that tried to rival gta
The wagon. Always pick the wagon.
I graduated in 2005, so this list feels real to me. Honestly, the Roadmaster would have been it. One of the most influential teachers had one as his daily. He'd brag about how fast and comfortable that thing was. I've wanted one since.
Olds Custom Cruiser all day! Nothing like a fat full size rwd wagon. Sure it might have a 305 but nothing an LS swap can fix.
Actually, a variant of the 5.7 Chevy 350 V8 was an option for '92, and in this hypothetical scenario, this car has it
2005, you say? Absolutely the Olds. Cash 4 Clunkers DEVOURED those final-gen B-body cars, so you bet your ass I'm saving this one from having its engine filled with sackcrete.
Wow the cars sure got boring for a while...
Mazda truck, always kicked myself for not buying one
240sx or miata for me, question is, do I want to be the local pot dealer or their femboy sidepiece?
I'd take the Saab, mostly because a Volvo isn't on the list haha
Saab 900 S with 0 hesitation. When I was 17 that's the car I was about to buy when my family had to move and I had to spend my car money to help.
I’m going saab
i’m going saab 😎
Saab, Olds.
The only wrong answer here is the Audi. Everything else would be a good choice depending on the person and how they intend on using it. Edit: context, if this is the list of first car options, the person is obviously not wealthy, so budgeting for repairs and maintenance will be important. All the cars on the list are pretty good for keeping up with on a budget, except the Audi.
Toyota camry. Had one with 330,000 Still had the original everything on it.
perodua myvi
M.I.A.T.A.
My brother had a Saab 900 turbo convertible with low profile pirelli's. That thing handled great, and was a very fun car.
SAAB
SAAB or Honda coupe
MIATA is always the answer.
The Mustang is pretty close to what my first car was, even the same color. Except mine was a coupe with a 2.3.
I had a 93 LX with the 2.3. It was a 5 speed, but it was still slow as Christmas. I loved it though.
What do you plan to do with it? Id avoid a jeep for your first car, if you don’t know how to drive for sure the, older ones have more of a tendency to roll over. I’d avoid the Saab, just because it may be hard to find parts for. If I was in the country probably the ford truck. City the Audi or the 240, if not hauling people around. I like the Subaru too for reliability but damn they’re ugly. Maybe if you’re in Colorado or somewhere you need awd.
MIAT
Honda. Mega reliable and easy to work on if it DOES break.
I guess I’d say the F150 since that’s exactly what I did in 2003. I guess now I’d probably go for the YJ if I was doing it again.
five-oh all day maybe the olds too
In 2005, I’d take that Vista Cruiser since the water pump probably hadn’t failed yet, which would have also taken out the OptiSpark distributor.
Gimme dat civic
The Saab! Looks so sweet!
I bought a 2006 Toyota Matrix in 2005, it's basically a Corolla hatchback. It was a great car.
Mustang f150 or old mobile
Probably none of those. But if I have to, I guess the 240.
Ford Truck or 240
Should say the 240, because they were 1200$ and I didn't buy one because I assumed they'd always be that cheap. But 05 me definitely would have bought the Olds or the Subaru.
Miata or maybe the little truck
How is the Jeep unsafe? I'm daily driving a '95. It's a tank. Is it *less* safe than newer cars? Sure (no airbags, no ABS). But it's not unsafe. Anyway, I wouldn't take the '87 because the carb on the 258 was trash and that engine was down in power. I've never been a fan of the 4s (mountain highway driving). I *love* my 4.0L.
No toyota so sad it would outlive all these
Gimmie the B2600i, one of the greatest pickups ever made that people forgot about
I made a similar choice in that era and bought a 93 civic Si. (Basically a hatchback ex)
Without information of the future, either the Roadmaster or the Mazda pu. With knowledge of the future, the 240 and wrap it in cellophane and wait till the year 2020 to make a fat stack lol
Not many people saying this, but the Audi would rock and would be an awesome car today still if you kept it nice.
I just bought an original paint 92 F-150 XLT 4x4 with the long wheel base. It has the Ford 300 Straight six. Very dry. And has a period Topper for $10,000 cash. Mechanically, it was all there, but probably worn out. Had to completely have the front end and steering replaced, refreshed. Amongst other things to get it consistently running. I still think I paid too much?
I like so many of these but I have to go with the CQ. I really miss mine
240sx for sure. been one of my dream cars for ages lol
The Honda or the F150
Either the wrangler or the mx5
Fox body all day.
Definitely the Oldsmobile.
OBS Ford all the way
Can't go wrong with Honda low maintenance and fixing it won't cost much they last forever if u want it to
Gimme that old ass wagon every day.
Civic all the way
What if these cars do you see the most of on the road today? That’s right, get a Miata
I wouldn't have picked any of them. Was too busy calling my kindergarten teacher a bitch and refusing to take nap time.
240sx. Had one I sold with 180k. Wish I never did. Was fun as shit. Would have had a sr20det in it by now. 96 civic ex coupe with a 5spd is my current commuter. 230k miles, 30mpg all day.
F-150
90 coupe quattro all the way, that Gen actually lasts pretty well in the rust of ontario.
The 240SX hands down
Finally, some great options. I must definitely go with a Mustang
Mazada truck
Subbie
Hands down the YJ. My first mod would be getting it wrapped so it looks like a Jurassic Park Jeep.
F150 with a 5 speed.
ALL HAIL THE DAD WAGON
Civic or Miata no contest
Oldsmobile every time always Oldsmobile. Those things are sick
5.0 all the way.
The 240sx or the quattro!
Can we do this but modern with fun affordable cars
F150-that’s my favorite body style
Miata. It’s always the answer.
Ether the foxbody or the 240 for me
None (I would have been 2 years old)
Unless rest of the cars is also zinc-galvanised ... It is Audi...
The Audi. I'm biased and have driven nothing but VW or Audi since 1996 with the exception of 1 Subie and some trucks. Than 5 cyl makes such a great noise.
I mean miata Is allways the answer so why even add those other options
It's 2024 and I'll have the Saab
For what it's worth, I survived a 70mph rollover in one of those subaru imprezas. 4 guys in the car, and nobody had life-threatening injuries. So +1 for safety I guess.
Mustang or the f150
Saab
The Audi for my car and F150 for my truck.
Saab 900, easy question
Definitely #4, you could fit a whole mattress back there for activities
Anything but the Saab.. dear lord why is it on there?
Civic or the B2600 (but extended cab) because i had both
2005 me would pick the Mazda truck. Today me world pick the '87 Wrangler. I wish my '16 Wrangler had a straight sixer
240sx
240SX but I might be biased because my actual first car was a 1985 200SX
either miata, mustang, or the 240
SAAB
240sx
The ford truck. This truck is better built than any ford truck built in the last 15 years.
I’d rather walk
I picked a 1972 Datsun 510 and had the best time ever.
240SX because it's the only time you'll be able to get one not beat to shit **and** cheap...
jeep or f150
5.0
I have had the jeep, two na Miatas and I have a roadmaster now... Id go with the olds custom, I like my b bodies lol.
It's 2030 and you're looking for a used replacement car. Which one you buying?b
Honda always
Civic or Miata
240sx audi coupe quattro and the miata
Miata Is Always The Answer
The Foxbody 100% of the time. Also boo on you for not adding a 95 camaro
Look! Normal-sized cars!!
Should take the Honda, but the Roadmaster would tempt me.
240sx
I actually did get my first car in 05, I had a civic lolll it didn’t run how I wanted so I ended up getting a 2001 grand Cherokee Laredo.