I'm young, please don't slam me with hate

6172 Views 95 Replies 31 Participants Last post by Subie_Pb, Oct 17, 2013

clank

Discussion Starter · Oct 14, 2013

I'm currently 17 years old, and starting college in under a year. I'm not ready to live on campus, so i'd like to commute for a few years. Although I do have a car, a 1999 jeep wrangler, which gets just about 12-13 MPG, I wan't something that won't destroy me cash wise, and something more fun, I guess.

I'm not really a car guy, nor am I a hardcore "mud all day err day" kind of guy either. I'm more of one of those "white collared guys" as my parents would call me ha! Now the only car that i like, and highly attracted to (not in a weird way of course!) is unfortunately a STI.

I know i'm going to get slammed with hate comments since i'm so young, but i don't know why! Sure we are new drivers but some of us have above average skill level. I'm not saying i'm professional, but I'm better than most people. Motor vehicle skill runs in the family. Now i do live in Connecticut, the home of well, every single accident involving a STI, a teenager, and a death! They were probably under the influence too, and i've never seen a drug or tasted alcohol in my life. I'm a lame kid.

Heres my bad side: I got two tickets..For one offense.. The rule is, you can't drive another passenger until you've had your license for year, and yup, I got caught driving my girlfriend home. While kids my age are doing LSD, getting drunk, and killing themselves, speeding away down the interstate, I get fined for driving my girlfriend home. I mean seriously, what the ****! Anyways, police gave me a ticket, then the DMV gave me a ticket too. I know i'm going to get slammed with insurance anyways for even owning an STI, but now it would probably be worse, right?

Money isn't a problem in my home.

Sorry for the long post, but please don't slam me in hate comments for considering an STI to drive, i'd just like to know if it would be a good car to commute with. (40 min each way) and if anyone ever made the switch from a wrangler, to an STI. Well, sorry for the long post, let the comments begin i guess!

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MGO

· #2 · Oct 14, 2013

I am the father of 2 teenage boys and they both are car nuts. I am 55 years old and I respect your wanting a STi. I commute every day 65 miles round trip in snow, sleet and occasional sun. The STi is a great car if you like to hear the motor. I came from SUV's (Cayenne, GWagen) which is not that far from a Wrangler in some sense. I am happy that your parents instilled in you a fear/loathing of drugs. Stay far away. I am a little concerned about your judgement if you think that you got fined for driving your girlfriend home. You got a ticket for disobeying the law. Period. Own it.

Unfortunately, with two tickets (one was a moving violation, correct?) you are going to be paying through the nose for your insurance. So, if I were your father (and I know I am not) I would suggest that you look at the insurance cost for the next four years of college for an STi versus a WRX versus a CrossTrek or similar. I would insist that you pay for your insurance and your tickets. If you can afford a STi go for it. But remember the cost to insure it. And please do not compare yourself to other kids and their stupidity.....I am sure that your parents did not buy that either.

Good luck.

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crackermacker22

· #3 · Oct 14, 2013

If your concern is mpg, the STi may not be the car for you. Depending how you drive and although better than the jeep, you'll see roughtly 20-24mpg. Being as young as your are, with a ticket on your record, I'd imagine insurance will be quite hefty. I've had a wrangler in the past...but long before I purchased my STi. My STi is used for a DD as are many of the members here. The question for you would be: What do you consider a good car to commute with? If you're looking for comfort, in stock form, it's fairly comfortable. It'll be more comfortable than the Jeep as I remember mine being quite bouncy.

ThunderRobo

· #4 · Oct 14, 2013

Get a Focus ST or something...

KruxSTi

· #5 · Oct 14, 2013

I for one have a bunch of questions... No hate, but I can't understand your train of thought.

You want to commute and get something gets better mileage than your Wrangler. Totally understandable.

The gains in MPG with an STI would be negligible. Especially if you drive it even remotely spirited. What would make the STI worth the commute would be the fun factor but...

You're not a car guy or a "mud guy". So why buy a performance oriented car? For commuting? If you want something that looks good and gets mileage there are other options for sure.

mheyman

· #6 · Oct 14, 2013

There aren't many 17 yr olds that ought to drive a car like an STI.
Except for cost, a stock STIs are great DD.

clank

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 14, 2013

My jeep is on 33's and boy the thing rattles at 40 mph! I'm not too concerned about mpg, anything that's above 14 i'll be happy! Its just that if i'm going to be commuting to college and back for 8 years (psychiatry) then i wan't something fun to drive. I'm not a speed demon or anything, like i said before i'm a lame kid i would give myself an anxiety attack at anything about 70 ha!

and yes, I have two tickets. I'm not sure if both are on record, but I did get them, and i did have to pay for the first one. I knew the consequences of it and i still went along and did it anyway so it is completely my fault.

My father is okay with it, but my mother isn't, due to the fact she is an insurance agent and all these intoxicated kids getting killed with this car, she sees it all, which i respect since we are teens after all, we do stupid things, and i admit, sometimes i still do stupid things, but not the point where i get killed.

I'm extremely stubborn, good luck pressuring me into anything, it never works, so being pressured to do something such as street race, it won't happen.

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clank

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 14, 2013

KruxSTi said:
I for one have a bunch of questions... No hate, but I can't understand your train of thought.

You want to commute and get something gets better mileage than your Wrangler. Totally understandable.

The gains in MPG with an STI would be negligible. Especially if you drive it even remotely spirited. What would make the STI worth the commute would be the fun factor but...

You're not a car guy or a "mud guy". So why buy a performance oriented car? For commuting? If you want something that looks good and gets mileage there are other options for sure.

Basically i'm commuting for years, who knows how long, and if i'm going to commute back and forth, I wan't something fun. That's all. I'm don't really like much cars, but i've always wanted a subie since i drove a remote control one in the 5th grade :lol:

KruxSTi

· #9 · Oct 14, 2013

clank said:
Basically i'm commuting for years, who knows how long, and if i'm going to commute back and forth, I wan't something fun. That's all. I'm don't really like much cars, but i've always wanted a subie since i drove a remote control one in the 5th grade :lol:

Okay now the million dollar question.

What is fun? What does a performance car do that other cars don't that makes it fun?

Go fast. Often over the speed limit fast.

Fact of the matter is I DD'ed my STI for years and shifting the 6 speed a zillion times is not what I would define as fun. Stomping the gas and going fast as hell is what was fun.

That negates the whole "good guy safety" argument :/

06JcSTI

· #10 · Oct 14, 2013

Your gas mileage isn't going to be that much better with an STi maybe 17/24 or so depending how heavy your right fight is but your biggest concern is the insurance, if it's under your name be prepared to pay out the ass for insurance especially for a STi and being 17 I pay 448 every 6 months full coverage but it's under my dad's name and he has a clean record

My cousin just bought a SRT10 last week got it insured today and got charged 2200 for six months and his 21 with only a ticket or so

imprezv

· #11 · Oct 14, 2013

I had a 2004 jeep wrangler with 6" lift and 37s and it was great when i didnt have to drive it on the highway and when i was moving away from college i thought the same thing. not really because of mileage just because i was not about to deal with only being able to go 65 and the jeep not being the best car for long drives. I was 18 when i got my STi so about the same as you and I have not gotten any tickets and it works well for the commuting dont expect crazy good mileage but coming from a jeep where i got 10mpg it was quite the improvement. I got the hatchback for all of my outdoor activities and the moving i would have to do for college and im glad i did!

clank

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 14, 2013

KruxSTi said:
Okay now the million dollar question.

What is fun? What does a performance car do that other cars don't that makes it fun?

Go fast. Often over the speed limit fast.

Fact of the matter is I DD'ed my STI for years and shifting the 6 speed a zillion times is not what I would define as fun. Stomping the gas and going fast as hell is what was fun.

That negates the whole "good guy safety" argument :/

I drive stick as it is so its just a second nature thing. Sure i'll go fast, but will i go fast to the point will i'll harm myself? No, of course not. I never go over the speed limit, maybe 5 mph over but anything above that never. Will i speed all the time? No, but will i go fast once and awhile depending on the surroundings, yes, but that doesn't make me un-safe.

crackermacker22

· #13 · Oct 14, 2013

KruxSTi said:
Okay now the million dollar question.

What is fun? What does a performance car do that other cars don't that makes it fun?

Go fast. Often over the speed limit fast.

Fact of the matter is I DD'ed my STI for years and shifting the 6 speed a zillion times is not what I would define as fun. Stomping the gas and going fast as hell is what was fun.

That negates the whole "good guy safety" argument :/

:yeahthat:

Although it's great that you like the STi, in my humble opinion, a teenager driving an STi is just asking for trouble. New drivers really should focus on just driving, not something fun. I think your mom is right to disapprove, she's worried about you and knows you will drive the car fast and potentially hurt yourself or someone else.

Ultimately, it's up to you and your parents. Whatever the decision is, I hope it's for the best.

clank

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 14, 2013

imprezv said:
I had a 2004 jeep wrangler with 6" lift and 37s and it was great when i didnt have to drive it on the highway and when i was moving away from college i thought the same thing. not really because of mileage just because i was not about to deal with only being able to go 65 and the jeep not being the best car for long drives. I was 18 when i got my STi so about the same as you and I have not gotten any tickets and it works well for the commuting dont expect crazy good mileage but coming from a jeep where i got 10mpg it was quite the improvement. I got the hatchback for all of my outdoor activities and the moving i would have to do for college and im glad i did!

I'm glad you had a similar situation i'm in! I live about 30 minutes away from the college i wan't to attend, so the drive isn't too crazy, the roads are nice too. In your own opinion, do you feel safer in the STI than you did in your jeep? I don't feel safe at all, I wan't something where ill feel safe in, and i did tons of research and heard that STI's are very safe cars.

clank

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 14, 2013

crackermacker22 said:
:yeahthat:

Although it's great that you like the STi, in my humble opinion, a teenager driving an STi is just asking for trouble. New drivers really should focus on just driving, not something fun. I think your mom is right to disapprove, she's worried about you and knows you will drive the car fast and potentially hurt yourself or someone else.

Ultimately, it's up to you and your parents. Whatever the decision is, I hope it's for the best.

I was told if i was to get a performance car such as an STI, I should take lessons to learn to control the car better in certain situations. I've read a lot about those courses and to insure safety i would be willing to take those courses. Just in case, you know?

Dchee

· #16 · Oct 14, 2013

Get a 2.5rs.

Reactions: 1

clank

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 14, 2013

06JcSTI said:
Your gas mileage isn't going to be that much better with an STi maybe 17/24 or so depending how heavy your right fight is but your biggest concern is the insurance, if it's under your name be prepared to pay out the ass for insurance especially for a STi and being 17 I pay 448 every 6 months full coverage but it's under my dad's name and he has a clean record

My cousin just bought a SRT10 last week got it insured today and got charged 2200 for six months and his 21 with only a ticket or so

I don't really know much about insurance, but i'm slowly learning about everything, would it be best to insure it under my fathers name?

BlueScooby

· #18 · Oct 14, 2013

so heres the highlights on the STI for you:

-The car is expensive
-the upkeep is expensive
-the insurance is expensive (especially for you)

if the all that money isnt an issue for you then you are left with:

-the car is fast and you are young (an easy recipe for trouble, regardless of how "safe" you say you are)
-the car is stiff, but not uncomfortable IMO; but nobody buys this car for comfort. If you want a comfortable DD, you may want to consider something a little softer.

so all things considered, if you dont mind the car being stiffer/performance oriented for a commuter, money isnt an issue, and you know how to be responsible with a fast car, then GO FOR IT! (just make sure its blue with gold wheels)

but above all, be safe. I consider myself a good/safe driver, and its still very easy to get into trouble...

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ThunderRobo

· #19 · Oct 14, 2013

Since when was 300hp 'fast' by any measure? hahaha.

06JcSTI

· #20 · Oct 14, 2013

clank said:
I was told if i was to get a performance car such as an STI, I should take lessons to learn to control the car better in certain situations. I've read a lot about those courses and to insure safety i would be willing to take those courses. Just in case, you know?

That's what is more common with younger guys

In short YES

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