25 Best First Cars For Less Than $3k! (For High School Car Guys)

[@markroden]

Hey guys! This is my new channel where I go over strictly gta online content: youtube.com/@giggity280 If you’re interested in gta online, please go check it out!!

[@00rxco]

hey I have a question, I’m 16 and gonna get a summer job and I seen a 1974 Porsche 911 and my dream car, on sale for like 3k, it’s a little bit of work and I don’t know if I should buy it, I’m trying to get into mechanics for college and think this would be good to learn from. If you don’t answer it’s fine

[@sezuawn3861]

​@@00rxco buy it bro, definitely worth it, huge aftermarket snd eady to work on

[@sezuawn3861]

​@@00rxco if you fix it up it will be worth like 30k-50k

[@markroden]

@@00rxco for only $3k it sounds a bit too good to be true. It might need more work than you’re ready for at that level and it might just cause unnecessary stress especially if you’re going into college.

[@EclipseGSX98]

@@markroden just to let you know the 2g eclipse did not have a GT trim it had the RS GS GS-T and GSX trim levels but I think you were thinking of the 3 rd and 4th gen eclipse because they had the GT trim

[@Victor_XIII]

1997-2001 Toyota Camry LE is CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED. My parents owned one and they said it was a really good choice to get as a first car. I was also pretty surprised at how much aftermarket support these cars got. Plus you can stand out in the car community cause there's bodykits for these cars I haven't seen anyone on the internet apply yet.

[@markroden]

I always forget about the corollas and Camrys bro

[@oklo0315]

how is its performance? what engine is unda the hood?

[@Victor_XIII]

@@oklo0315 stock 2.2L 4-cylinder engine delivering 133 HP, 23 city/30 highway. I heard you can put a V6 in the Camry. You can also put a 2JZ in it I heard but you gotta make the Camry RWD (to take pressure off the FWD drivetrain) Idk if you can K-Swap a Camry but I gotta do more research on Camry mods

[@okexotics]

I forget about the Camry and Corollas too.

[@chase276]

the 92-96 V6 camrys or lexus ES300s with the 3vz-fe have pretty solid engines for power too. base 185hp and a DOHC engine with an iron block. Problem is after 300-350hp it has issues not spinning the tires.

[@vbsbazooka4195]

I have a 7th gen accord and I cannot reccomend it enough!!! They're nice on the inside because they're not meant to be sporty but they also come with a K24 in it which is an amazing motor, not to mention that i think that they can look really good for not a lot of money which would be very important to a high schooler!

[@SirBeasty666]

The honda fit is a really fun car and has potential to make good power; however, it is no longer in the $3k range. They have been getting too much light which is raising the prices of them.

[@CCCZMC]

Really? Here in the UK its known as a granny car so still super cheap and normally well looked after

[@DarkReaper-or9el]

​@@CCCZMCthey used to go for £500 now theyre 1k plus! Very high!

[@Bryan_Jake]

Doesn't matter how loved it is. It's still a pocket cube. No-one is going to pay more than 2k for it

[@kirashachiroku]

Very happy to see the 7th Gen Celi in here. Looks so good even today.

[@jclouw321]

So a few things about the 2G Eclipse: 1) they never came in a “GT” trim. The 1st and 2nd gen DSM’s went by RS, GS (slightly nicer NA FWD), GS-T for FWD turbo, and GSX for AWD turbo. 2)The 420A in the NA Eclipse is NOWHERE NEAR as good as the 4g63 in the turbo Eclipses. You’re comparing a Dodge Neon engine to the Lancer Evo engine, lol. We all know 4G63’s are capable of 1000hp+, while the 420A would be lucky to hit 250hp without blowing up. A great car still, but not in the same ballpark. 3) I would absolutely NOT recommend a 2G DSM this far on for less than $3k. I can guarantee any you find now for that price will be clapped beyond redemption. I sold my 2G GS for $4k, and that was back in 2020. I would spend a minimum of $4.5k for a clean NA and no less than around $8-10k for a GS-T and $12k+ for a clean GSX these days, at least if you want to drive it more than work on it.

[@StatesMapping]

Which one is the best to buy for reliability, fun, safety?

[@ritarossweisse_]

Great list! I own a pass-me-down 2010 Toyota Corolla Altis since high school from my dad (since 2016) and still drive it to this day (I'm 24 now 😅) and already reaching 380k km (236k miles). No crazy issues for now. Only normal issue is the noisy fan belt.

[@NateIsProbablyNotGreat]

Impressed by this frequent uploading, keep up the work man I love the vids

[@markroden]

Thank you man

[@callmetimmy3004]

6:10 the del sol actually came in 3 different trims S 100hp Si 125hp VTEC 160hp Only weighing 2,300ib The Si is more common than the S and are priced the same

[@knoxjackson3202]

yo mark bbg you have single-handedly helped me shape a taste in cars and help me with choosing my future project cars, love ya (with a fire passionate desire btw)

[@knoxjackson3202]

@@Dani_als mb

[@BigMike-tt3mo]

the Acura TL 3rd gen was the first car i bought when i got my license and i loved it definitely an amazing first car, I have sold it and bought a neon srt4 and a mazdaspeed 3 which in my own opinion are much better cars. right now I am in the market for a new project car and your video's help a lot on helping me decide what i want next, keep up the amazing video's!!

[@rwottevanger]

Bro, miatas in europe are definitely not under 3k anymore, unless its a complete rustbox. If you want a decent one it'll cost up to 6k euros or more. Decent second gen ones are around 4k

[@Dark_Flame_Master]

I feel like many of the cars in the video are actually more expensive in Europe (in my case germany) than in the vid, especially if you want it to be in decent condition. I really like the Mitsubishi Eclipse 2g even though I will probably never own one and all the ones that I saw online for less than 3000€ (3k$ actually equals around 2700€) were toasted/preowned by 8 people/etc. Most of them were in the 6000-10000€ range actually.

[@guty6663]

none of this cars are under 3k now dam

[@spectrum3961]

rip

[@MEDDUSAA]

Jus get a gs300 or 400

[@DexterTurney]

It's cheaper in the Europe

[@Sk8kid1]

As a highschooler with no money looking for a car, I respect the start to this video, love this

[@lovemikai]

i got an 88 celica gt which has the economy engine instead of the one the rest of the celicas have which means its a reliable tank, its a little slow with a ten second 0-60, but i also got it for 400$ and its amazingly clean inside, no dash cracks and just amazing condition and o got it for 400$ RUNNING

[@mattabon7962]

Can you do best 25 best jobs to afford your first car?

[@KidNamedKuddy]

Honestly, have a good personality and be able to multitask, serving tables at a busy restaurant . Good for a 5pm-10pm shift, can walk home with 150-300 bucks a shift if you’re good

[@philliprosecrants1368]

i have a 2013 chevy impala and absolutely love it. these cars don’t get enough attention, FWD, 300HP V6!!!

[@lucricciardilol5912]

i have an 05 toyota echo for a first car and it’s honestly great it’s just a honda fit in a different body (1.5L I4 108hp with relatively similar weight) there isn’t much after market support tho which kinda sucks cuz it’s a little go cart and it handles really well.

[@jordanprice9285]

2zz swap it bro. Or throw a 1zz in there and boost it

[@gamingracing]

As my name obviously says I am very happy that the Celica was mentioned, only thing is the Celica is not very good on mods because of it's kinda underatedness so don't go out there and expect a non-expesive RWD transmission swap

[@luffyoongles]

had a 94 honda accord w a transmission leak, burnt plugs and many other things wrong w it that caused it to sputter and one time died out at a light, idk how but i drove that car on hopes and dreams, her last run was up to the mechanic then after that she refused to turn on, absolute gem of a car i still wish i had

[@dellfire8826]

Just got my first car as a 2001 Toyota Solara SLE Coup V6 3.0 with 200,000 for 760. Need a lot of work though all new struts, new break pads and some dings dents and bumps but feel in love with the idea of the $700 body kit and a spoiler when the time comes

[@snagg7096]

How is it now

[@dellfire8826]

@@snagg7096 Its actually doing really well just has a tiny valve cover gasket leak common with age and just got a water pump kit for it. Most of the issues was the last owner did not know how to maintain her properly.

[@alertsnail]

Short people and Miata's are a match made in heaven 😄

[@ubaidyousaf5364]

I know none of the prices will be the same in the UK but i still watch 😅 Love the videos bro

[@vayfn]

Everyone hates on the BMWs that i talk to but i’ve had a 2013 M5 that I got for 5grand for a couple years now and it’s never had a problem YET!

[@willmannion3035]

I'd recommend against the turbo Cruze. When it fails, it's an expensive fix.

[@jaydentkk7555]

First car is mk5 gti manual so much would definitely recommend only downside is the rust

[@eugenef0zzy]

keep it up mark you a legend for these vids... still goated from that Fozzy video

[@markroden]

Lmao ofc man thank you

[@JohnSilva-w8d]

Great info. Will use this in my search for a car. Also never seen a Caddie being used as an off road vehicle.

[@camden-shragal]

"im always sober and my friends are the ones doing the crazy stuff" literally me and my friends except i drive a 2 door hatchback lmao. also as a DSM owner, good luck finding a half decent one for under 6k, even the non turbo models are selling for way too much and the price is only going up

[@lukeschumacher1968]

Love the Videos! Super relaxing too, love the background music and how u do your videos

[@TheCrimsonNomad]

Look up Skyrim soundtrack, that’s the music in the background of this video

[@Kilo-19]

i love your vids there so helpful

[@markroden]

Thank you man

[@HmmmmmBruh]

Who is getting a Miata for 3,000!!!

[@lifewithmicah4051]

I mean they used to be cheap before they became a trend

[@stephentrash8579]

Miata’s are cheap asf there extremely easy to find under 3k

[@___albv___]

man... In Italy, it's literally impossible to find one under €15k.

[@dj_mingle_218]

Already got 1😂

[@clo3929]

my buddy just got his

[@Top10monke]

Personally i want the Lexus sc400 what a beauty. I will def change the backlights and remove that small light ball circle thing infront it looks ugly

[@talongloy]

I bought a Honda prelude as my first car and it’s perfect, way underrated

[@Dark_Flame_Master]

That car looks great, I wish Honda continued it. :/

[@spartanious5519]

“For high school car guys” Now you have my attention

[@tnt207.]

You won't buy na maita for under 3k unless it's very rough.

[@dr.sungod2129]

My guy got the Skyrim music 😂😂😂

[@allanwilson1227]

watch your videos like once a week thanks for your content!

[@randomtsbcontentcreator]

The bugatti chiron is 2500€ and goes really fast! I really recommend it

[@justinas5910]

JESUS LOVES US ALL!

[@poopooopoopooo6230]

Thank you

[@ВасильЖитар-с9ч]

Amen 🙏

[@AlexAlexovic-jr6nf]

So what

[@clrns491]

im a 14 year old plannin for the future 💀

[@TonyGarciaxProdigy1994]

thats good man!! keep learning and keep understanding on cars !!

[@cheezy3796]

im a 12yo lol

[@KidCarSounds]

Im 14 as well man

[@Warthunderplayer24]

I'm 14 too

[@T1PE-77]

Same

[@TheBlackJac]

Dont forget that volvo s60 t6...... that monster is very underrated in multiple acspecys

[@ted_is_gaming]

I got a 2002 Ford explorer XLT 4.6L V8 handed down to me from my dad. It's not the best if I were to have spent money on it, but for free, it's fucking awesome. 240hp is still more than all my friends lol

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO MARK!!!!! I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. ALLL ARE GREAT CARS AND TRUCKS FOR HIGH SCHOOL. AND LIFE ON GENERAL. GREAT VIDEO AND THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!

[@MikePopovMusic]

German guy here, about the Audi A4 B7, just a little correction, the Audi A4 B7 comes NOT ONLY in AWD (quattro) it’s mostly FWD, if you want one with AWD you obviously have to pay more for the car 🤪

[@MomoDuality]

wow i love the way you talk! I hear the passion

[@conanmorris2641]

This aint to bad of a video, Notices Skyrim soundtrack in the background, THIS IS THE GOAT!!

[@MechanicsMinute]

Acura is king, I somehow ended up with a a-spec tlx 19 in high school. Y’all Honda is a W car

[@Baguette_Altics0]

honestly this list is great and I already know what car I want now

[@crazy_gaunlet5863]

I just totaled my Tl and now looking for another so seeing at #1 Makes me Happy

[@markroden]

I’m sorry to hear it but you got this

[@humanliberty1]

Great content, thank you! One question: What if your son is 6’5”?

[@spork333]

I have a 2005 Chevy impala SS and it has been he best first car I could possibly ask for and it makes 240 hp and comes with a killer sound system

[@berserkmaster2514]

another video with my car being #1, I cant disagree with your choice.

[@markroden]

Haha W car bro

[@wavez4951]

Where did you find a Miata NA at 2100 dollars, I can’t find them under 8k 😭😭

[@AlexAlexovic-jr6nf]

Even under 7k

[@ExpiredWatered]

FINALLY my time to shine 😎

[@markroden]

Yessir lmaooo

[@AceWarfield]

Love the Skyrim track playing in the background 😆

[@Jake.MS3]

The first gen Mazda 3 are a good choice to for under 3k just got mine for 1k you should put Mazda 3 in your next video

[@WARVIATION]

VW JETTA MK5 Is a dream to drive! handles great , I'd highly recommend that one to people who wanna have fun

[@goaliegrizz8925]

I bought a 2000 Jeep wrangler at 15 with only 80k miles, big W

[@The_Ripper_23456]

Love the Skyrim music in the background 😂

[@Scoodily]

It’s not an eclipse gt, it’s an eclipse gs. The base model is called the rs as well

[@markroden]

You’re so right my bad

[@kurbs5288]

this was bothering me so much i finally found someone who said something about it💀

[@Lucabezas]

Perfect timing! thanks bro

[@thescrapmetal2810]

The 1.8 in the Audi is the same engine that is in the mk4 jetta/golf.

[@jesse5457]

All of the BMW's you said also available with AWD are actually not. X-Drive is relatively quite new

[@Tom_Tomm]

9:28 yes it is rural, urban is like a city 👍

[@thesiixth7770]

Love the zombies reference i still listen to those songs to this day

[@Tapped-o9k]

1998 corollas are fun to drive. Often neclected tho 😢

[@dylanfletcher3628]

this list would maybe be true like five years ago most of these cars have been stupid expensive for like almost a year. not even done with the video yet but the celica, del sol, and MIATA would be hard to find under like 8k

[@Dark_Templar28]

You know what’s crazy, the Scion TC has a curb weight of 3,100 lbs with 160 HP, my DE5 Integra has curb weight of 3,200 lbs with 325 HP

[@dillypickle0485]

I have that Cruze. Thanks for showing love too it!

[@KarringtonLutes]

Saw the terrible towel... INSTANTLY subscribed :D

[@Devin_1998]

I agree with the acura integra because I own one it's very cheap to tune my integraproduces 620hp with just $3k worth of tunes I bought the car just for $1200

[@suudama]

Their really expensive now. I want one but a good condition one is like 5k

[@crlitoh]

What was the mileage

[@johnbehneman1546]

A MUST WATCH FOR THOSE ON A BUDGET.

[@g8letwild293]

Grand Prix GTP, Park avenue Ultra, ion Redline SRT4 and Colbat SS. GTP should definitely be on this list

[@bean_up7402]

Too bad those prices are like 2.5 times higher. Guess i'll be cycling for a while. xD

[@aidrean9872]

First thanks for the vid really helps on the choice 👍

[@markroden]

Happy to help man

[@cadenanderson9845]

I have a 2015 Chevy Cruze rs with the 1.4t and I love it. ZZpreformance parts make it an amazing daily. Glad to see this thing on here lmao.

[@markroden]

Happy to here it bro

[@ifminecrafthadfloods3659]

unfortunately holden cruzes here in australia are shitboxes and are just daewoos with a different badge. U don't really see them around anymore cus most of them are at scrapyards

[@RustyCanteen]

Bro the Far Horizons at the beginning caught me so off guard, hilarious

[@D808_YT]

I'm from Michigan so i need an awd car. Bad part is this thing is gonna be used during the winter too which is gonna suck

[@gearheadmania]

First car was an 89 IROC-Z Camaro. Loved that car

[@Wristii]

Bro fit 25 cars in 16 mins acually thre goat

[@YenCrew]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with turbo charged engines being more reliable & Some of your picks are questionable lol but other than that. Great video, good humor. Keep up the good work & stay blessed 💯

[@MarshawnEmpire]

Thanks this is actually really helpful

[@JediMaul]

J series accords and TLs are good first cars too. My j30a1 02 accord is a fun car to drive the downside is the trans that’s about it really. You can get a h series too. Plan on getting a cd5 h22. Honda are good cars. Toyotas are too. V6 Chrysler 300 with the 3.5 good cars too. Had a v6 Chrysler 300 as my first car lasted me 4 years. But there good cars though. But this is a good list fr.

[@janko2188]

one of the vidoes of all time

[@jdpowell6405]

I missed the first one because my brain kept hearing the Whiterun theme in the background😂 who knew Mark lived in Skyrim and sells affordable adventure carriages.

[@GremlinZ420]

1990s Jeep Wrangler is literally my dream car. Or one of them atleast. It’s like 10k, so kinda expensive, but a badass car.

[@squeezekicks9491]

Never heard anyone say a turbo charge car is more reliable than na lol 😂

[@markroden]

Nowadays they really are, although I was told I was way off by the Cruze, a Chevy tech said they’re very unreliable

[@walterskywalker6361]

Thank you bro I'm 14 years old and I just got a job to save up for a car when I get my license. I'm thinking about getting the BMW 328i E46.

[@Adrian-op5ni]

I challenge Mark to do a best cars for under a $500 😂

[@EnergyJoules]

little tikes

[@Dark_Flame_Master]

There’s loads of Opel Corsa B for under 500€, but I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad sign… 😂

[@Rapinterview]

Thank u so much for this video, I just got my first car today for my birthday it was the tl ❤

[@owenrichards6591]

Hey man, high schooler here saying thank you for this video. Wanted to ask what you think of the 1st gen Audi TT

[@KK1R44]

I got a questions 1. What’s wrong/ is it taboo with driving an awd car? 2. I want to buy a cheap manual car with awd because the dream car I want is manual and awd and a lil heavy so would it be good to buy a awd as a beginner or would it not matter

[@LagzNasty]

You came up when I was at my POOREST. BEAST of a channel

[@Jortacus]

Skyrim music in the background had me so distracted because it’s so nostalgic hahah

[@7figurenate201]

I recently got a 05 g35 sedan as my first car

[@andrewohara5935]

“Number 9 numba 9 numba 9 large”~mark roden😆😂

[@xpretzalzz]

i keep watching these videos just to see the miata on the list😭😭 can’t wait to get mine fr

[@andrewnavrotski2078]

2009-2011 hyundai sonata is 100% underrated

[@unknownuser1736]

13 and already have 1k saved up. Hoping to get a Aero-Nose Foxbody Mustang and then eventually be able to save up for an LS400.

[@markroden]

That’s the way to do it bro congrats

[@unknownuser1736]

@@markroden yeah honestly I'd say start young and find any (legal) way to get money. Im fortunate because my dad has a successful business and is generous by letting me work but anything can be sold if it's to the right person. Like they say, "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

[@classified3171]

Good job man. That's the way to do it. I'm 17 and already have went through a fair share of cars, one peice of advice I'd give you is spend the extra little bit on a car in better condition, no matter how much you said you'd rather get a cheap car and fix it. It usually ends up being a ton more issues. Some deals are worth it but most cheap cars have other issues they aren't saying

[@unknownuser1736]

@@classified3171 yeah I get what your saying. I probably am gonna save up for one thats 7-9 grand just because anything below that is a salvage or automatic(which isn't bad but I want more of a learning curve since I've already driven auto before)

[@unknownuser1736]

@@classified3171 finally got a Foxbody, It's pretty nice and I got it for 11k. Decent condition with a few issues here and there that should be able to be fixed but the interior is really clean and the exterior looks nice!