Try and find a good, used Honda. They last for a long, long time, and you can find the cheapest spare parts available if you need to replace something on it. Plus, the gas milage rocks.
I wouldn't go and get a sports car for a first car, especially when you're 16-18 years old. But, if you really want a Camaro, I'd say go for the '76. Sure, you might end up put a lot of work into it, but it beats trying to cough up some big $$$ for a newer Camaro, plus insurance will surely be costly for a new vehicle.
No it wasn't that, I mean with what everything Toyota is going through now the comment just made me chuckle. Actually I go on eBay Motors pretty much everyday and check on the prices of the Second Gen, they're usually at like 4-5k. I agree, I sat in one, and first, I'm not the tallest guy in the East coast, pretty average at 5' 6 but when I sat down in the Fifth Gen model, first of all my head bumped the top, which obviously isn't good, and I too noticed the HORRIBLE visibility.
You know what my first car was when I was 16? You guessed it,a Camaro,it was a 1985 Camaro with a 357 small block,I'm 24 and I still have the car,sure I got speeding tickets galore,but thats part of being a kid. Don't listen to those telling you,oh you need to get this or you need to get that,if you want the Camaro,then you need to get what makes you happy,not what makes strangers on the internet happy.
I suggested 80's or 90's models before I said Toyota which in that time they were a great company. 92 Toyota truck in the driveway. Second owner and it still runs like a dream.
My first car when i was 18 was a '00 Saturn LS, the most basic one you could get. it didn't have power anything. Still it was brand new. I didn't particularly like driving when i was younger and (i thought) i was a decent driver. I had it for 8 years and it served me well. I took it down dirt roads, (I live in rural FL) banging up the undercarriage. I had to replace cv boot covers punctured oil pans and transmission lines. I let my sister borrow it, and she burned holes in the upholstery with cigarettes... twice. And oh yeah, I hit a hobo with it (he's fine... and yes it was an accident) Point being, now i have my second car. One i actually want to drive, my '08 Charger. I've learned from mistakes (and yes, you will make costly mistakes) and now I know how to avoid all the pitfalls inexperienced drivers make. (ok, i did get one speeding ticket in it. but it's because i was running to work and wasn't paying attention.) you don't have to start in a beater, but you should get a car that you don't mind taking a few dings as you learn and gain experience
I was offered a Second Gen '72 Camaro for 5k from a lady who lived in Hialeah and also a Mercury Cougar for 1k. But the Camaro I didn't like as much at the time I saw it, it grew on me eventually but whatever. The Cougar it was all rusted everywhere and the transmission was busted. But my father wanted that one to fix up, I just thought it would be way too much. How's the view in the Charger? I haven't had a chance to get in one so I wouldn't know.
I think it has great visibility with the exception of the back corners. there are some massive "c" posts that block a good deal when you want to turn or check a blind spot, but you get used to it
