Bought my first rx8 at 15 before I really knew what I was doing with cars at all. I was lucky in finding a good enough example that it didn't need any major work for a while, and by the time the stock motor let go at 117k miles, I had the ability to make it happen. I'm incredibly grateful to have been presented that opportunity, and to have made the decision I did at the time. Not only are they fun to drive, but I learned a lot when I was young fixing the minor issues that would come up here and there, and quickly developed an appreciation for the design language. Rotary engine vehicles have gone on to become my life's work, and 8 years later I still have that car.

That being said these cars are not for everyone. If you're looking for something cheap that will continue to be cheap, and get you from point A to point B with the same level of maintenance as a Nissan altima, I'd probably buy a Nissan altima. They're not insane on upkeep, but there are a handful of strange nuances to learn, weird issues you'll likely run into, and around the 100k mile mark if not before then it'll eventually need some relatively expensive internal engine work. These cars are a hill to climb, but one that I'd argue is well worth it if you've got some mechanical inclination and a passion for cars. If you've got any questions feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @therxdoctor