Hey guys, Im in the market for a new car and i need some help. Im a senior in highschool and im getting my first car... Now my uncle is buying it for me and  has set some guidelines for what i can get. First:It has to be relatively small and really good on gas, Second:It has to be relatively cheap, Third: It has to be brand new. So i guess the price range is in the area of 15k-19k (Considering it has to be a new car) His reason for getting me a new car, is that he  knows i'll take care of it and wants me to have it for a long time. Now i want something i can mod overtime easily and relatively cheaply. so ive been leaning towards the 08-09 Scion tC's or possibly even an 08-09 civic. Does anyone have any thoughts on these cars or suggestions on any other cars that might be good choices?  

Those seem like good choices, but if you're going to the Honda dealer you could also check out the 09 Fit. It is supposed to come out on Aug 26 and from what I've read its a good car.  

I am a huge fan of the tC's, though they are not the fastest things ever, they can still compete stock with some of the more staple tuners out there.
If your wanting something cheap, easy to fix, easy to mod with tons of options, and with huge followings for lots of help/meets.
The tC is my top pick. The mods are tasteful and not expensive, the most expensive thing your looking at doing is most likely a turbo kit.
Plus it's Toyota, which is reliable, and sells the most cars worldwide.

Civic, Fit, tsx, s200, anything Honda really will be cheap and good on gas with nice mods.
Toyota has the Corolla.
Nissan has nothing i would touch other than a 350z for new cars.  

Thanks for your input guys, and keep it coming. im leaning more toward the tC at this moment in time, it seems like the best buy... so far. And im not sure if i liek the FiT all that much and it seems kind of underpowered, but who knows i could change my mind between now and next weekend. (when im getting the car)
If you can think of anything else, it would be appreciated...  

I recommend you the Scion TC.even though im only 14 I know a pertty good bit about cars .soo the tc would be great for a cheap new car.and Even though its FWD (only downside) it is a pertty good car to mod.the tc also has a huge aftermarket and pertty cheap too.and it looks awsome and the price is even better from 15k - 17k for the manuals.

like GetInspired said the most expensive thing u might buy is the Greedy Turbo kite for like 2-3k i think.the turbo will give to about 100 more hp from what i have read though.  

Tc is probably going to be your best choice considering it has to be new (or can you get one of the dealer certified preowned? If so check out an s2000, the 02-03 goes for about 14k nowadays, and you dont see too many of em)  

Honestly, for a first car avoid RWDs, expecially snap-oversteer prone ap1 s2000s(2000-2003). They can be dangerous in the wrong hands or if you get in the heat of the moment. Scions TCs are a really nice car for a first car. The Honda Fit may be underpowered, but it's fairly lightweight, handles exceptionally well, and can be made fast. Think of it as the Civic of the new generation.  

i dont know where any of you are but those cars are all over 20k where im at. you wont find a good new tuner platform for under 20k. the only cars you can buy in that price range are ricers. and if you over 5'10" your screwed  

My friend got a TC for like 17 otd or something like that. That was when it first came out. S2ks can be found under 20k now, but like I said I don't recommend RWD for a first car. This is in CA btw.  

ok the tc is a piece of *** and the greddy kit is alot more than just $2000 dollars and it voids the waranty so that really sucks. the fit will out perform the tc anyday of the week, and you might be able to find an si civic brand new with a rebate so it comes out to less than 19K problem solved  

Yes, the greddy kit is more along the lines of 3-4k,  And im curious to hear why the tC is a piece of *** Im not trying to argue with anyone, but from what ive researched it seems like apretty good all around car. so to hear you reasoning might be insightful to me..  

becuase they break like no tommorow i used to work for toyota and had to fix them alot  

Lol. Dude all this bashing by you twin. Chill out a little. Are you sure it was the car or was it the actual drivers? If you have young guys or whatever, racing their cars like there's no tomorrow, then of course there's going to be problems. I know a hand full of TC owners and all have the same Toyota reliability, no problems. The great thing about Greddy is that most, if not all of their turbo systems are on the safer, won't blow your engine unless you screw up, side. You can always up the turbo to get more power.  

the fit is a piece of crap. dont get a fit  

Yea, i really doubt i would get the fit, i mean its seems like an ok car but i like the way the Civics and tC's look better. But im open to any suggestions ya know.... like if somebody could point a car out to me that i haven't thought of yet or something, i would definitely consider it and do some research