I'm 16 and looking for my first car. I was trying to find a car under 12k. I've looked at the Gen coupe and found a couple. The struggle i'm having is finding a somewhat fast car that is bearable on insurance. I know sports cars and 16 year old boy don't mix, but is there any car that would be cheaper than most other sports cars?

Buy a used Toyota Camry. This Toyota looks good, very dependable, and if you need speed get a six cylinder. I suggest you test drive a "nice Honda Sedan" and also test drive a Toyota Camry. One these cars 100,000 miles mean nothing and for $12000. My advice would be stay away from flash and and less than mid-sized sports cars. Sports Cars and fancy styles come with a premium to fix and you will need to fix them. Keep is simple at least for now. Practical is the way.

What about an older Acura TSX? I admit I haven't looked at rates myself, but a 4cylinder manual configuration should be a reasonable compromise between cost and fun.

Hell yeah, they are excellent. One thing in your case check out "Typical or Usual" repair cost and insurance cost. The nicer the car the higher the insurance. Good luck

The irony at your age is, by the time you get old enough to be able to afford the insurance and buy a "cool" car, you don't want one. You just want a car that's good enough to get you where you're going, but that's what you have to buy NOW. Oh, the curiosities of life!