Best 1st Car For Teen

Needbmwpartzz · 07-13-2016, 12:51 PM

Safe,slow,reliable,used!
Civic,Mazda 3,Hyundai Elantra.

okusa · 07-13-2016, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

it's too late to maker her pay for it herself? Private school in LA huh? Well, if she goes to Pomona College or USC, you'll need to at least get her a Lexus, or her social life will be over.

The running joke (though it's true) is that most of the kids drive nice cars than most of the teachers.

Flying Ace · 07-13-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okusa

The running joke (though it's true) is that most of the kids drive nice cars than most of the teachers.

So she goes to USC then.

Fundguy1 · 07-13-2016, 01:13 PM

Mine wants an early 2000s mustang convertible 6 cylinder. I had suggested a turbo jetta, civic, even an old c4 corvette. No dice. We will see. Got 2 yrs to work on him.

fravel · 07-13-2016, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okusa

Don’t want a POS $2k Civic sitting in front of my house.

I mean, I'd be more concerned to be seen pissing money away than I would to be perceived as being a poor, but to each his own. Smart money says the car will be a POS in short order regardless.

UncleWede · 07-13-2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Mine wants an early 2000s mustang convertible 6 cylinder. I had suggested a turbo jetta, civic, even an old c4 corvette. No dice. We will see. Got 2 yrs to work on him.

Where's that Mustang/crowd/drifting thread at?

MightyMouseTech · 07-13-2016, 02:15 PM

Can I suggest something slow, manual, and NO backseat?

My first vehicle was a full size van hand me down. The amount of shit me and 20 of my closest friends got into with that thing was unbelievable. Well, until it burnt to the ground while I was driving it.

UncleWede · 07-13-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Can I suggest something slow, manual, and NO backseat?

My first vehicle was a full size van hand me down. The amount of shit me and 20 of my closest friends got into with that thing was unbelievable. Well, until it burnt to the ground while I was driving it.

Yeah, you are supposed to be much older before getting the free candy van

nyalpine90 · 07-13-2016, 02:22 PM

mazda miata
honda s2000
mitsubishi eclipse

MightyMouseTech · 07-13-2016, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Can I suggest something slow, manual, and NO backseat?

My first vehicle was a full size van hand me down. The amount of shit me and 20 of my closest friends got into with that thing was unbelievable. Well, until it burnt to the ground while I was driving it.

Yeah, you are supposed to be much older before getting the free candy van

I was extra creepy for my age.

nholmes · 07-13-2016, 02:52 PM

.

okusa · 07-13-2016, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

So she goes to USC then.

No. She's going into 10th grade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fravel

Smart money says the car will be a POS in short order regardless.

Well, if she wrecks it that's what insurance is for. My focus is on safety and reliability. I really like the front crash prevention feature of some of the newer cars.

Kash · 07-13-2016, 03:15 PM

lease a new vw jetta. safe car and peace of mind.

Maestro · 07-13-2016, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nholmes

.

You beat me to the idea, Tank is what you want. Big Solid cars are better for kids to learn on. My kids drove our Ford Flex and learn to deal with a big car before getting into a smaller car.

smoosh · 07-13-2016, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro

You beat me to the idea, Tank is what you want. Big Sold cars are better for kids to learn on. My kid drove our Ford Flex and learn to deal with a big car before getting into a smaller car.

X2.

My first car was an H2 Hummer.

Nailed a recycling bin one day while going to AP Environmental Science...ohhhh, the irony/karma in that

CarsonE3x · 07-13-2016, 05:05 PM

E30

larrysing · 07-13-2016, 05:10 PM

There's no "best car" for a new driver that would work in all situations. Each family circumstance, each young driver and their personality, and their habits, and their cargo needs, and their financial situation, etc.

My first car (back in 1979) was a 1974 Dodge Colt (built by Mitsubishi) and it was perfect for me.

My daughter got a 2011 335d (almost 5 years old when she got it) and it has been great for her. Except for all the trips to the shop.

1LRM3 · 07-13-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Honda Civic or CRV
VW Jetta or Tiguan
Jeep Compass
Mazda 3

All are around 20-25k

Agree with Mazda 3 which got a very high rating!
Maybe Chevy Cruze or VW Jetta.

nice you are going new.... a lot of safe used vehicles too.... Nissan Altima, Honda, Ford Taurus.

SunnyD · 07-13-2016, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

So she goes to USC then.

When I was at SC, there was a Chinese exchange student driving a brand new E63 AMG that he leased to get him through the 3-4 years he was there. And that was probably one of the shittier cars on campus.

Flying Ace · 07-14-2016, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyD

When I was at SC, there was a Chinese exchange student driving a brand new E63 AMG that he leased to get him through the 3-4 years he was there. And that was probably one of the shittier cars on campus.

The recession was rough on everyone...

Benedict1957 · 07-14-2016, 02:34 AM

I went through this with my teenage son a year ago. I ended up buying him a brand new 2015 Kia Soul. Solid crash and reliability ratings (especially for a Kia which doesn't have the best reputation for reliability). It's a fairly sleek looking car among his age group and it's functional as well with ample storage space when you need it. It's an all around great first car IMO.

I cross shopped the civic, accord, altima, scion xB, and jetta.

Benedict1957 · 07-14-2016, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Mine wants an early 2000s mustang convertible 6 cylinder. I had suggested a turbo jetta, civic, even an old c4 corvette. No dice. We will see. Got 2 yrs to work on him.

My son tried to convince me to buy him a used 2003 Mercedes SL500 for the longest time

Honestly if that car were reliable I wouldn't have been opposed to it, but as a first car for a teenager it would've been a disaster. It's too old, too unreliable, and too powerful for him.

07-13-2016, 12:51 PM	#67
Needbmwpartzz Colonel 855 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 328i x-drive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Kitchener/Waterloo iTrader: (0)	Safe,slow,reliable,used! Civic,Mazda 3,Hyundai Elantra.
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07-13-2016, 01:13 PM	#70
Fundguy1 Major General 2042 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Mine wants an early 2000s mustang convertible 6 cylinder. I had suggested a turbo jetta, civic, even an old c4 corvette. No dice. We will see. Got 2 yrs to work on him.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-13-2016, 02:15 PM	#73
MightyMouseTech Major General 4344 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Can I suggest something slow, manual, and NO backseat? My first vehicle was a full size van hand me down. The amount of shit me and 20 of my closest friends got into with that thing was unbelievable. Well, until it burnt to the ground while I was driving it.
	Appreciate 3 Quote

07-13-2016, 02:22 PM	#75
nyalpine90 Lieutenant General 7541 Rep 11,926 Posts Drives: MY24 G01 AW Msport Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: L.I. NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2016 BMW X4 [9.25]	mazda miata honda s2000 mitsubishi eclipse
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07-13-2016, 03:15 PM	#79
Kash Private First Class 63 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 DCT AW/FR Join Date: May 2013 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	vw jetta lease a new vw jetta. safe car and peace of mind. __________________ 2011 M3 E92 Alpine White/Fox Red DCT
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07-13-2016, 05:05 PM	#82
CarsonE3x Never Lift 11 Rep 62 Posts Drives: '12 135i, '99 328iS, '70 2000 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Monterey Bay, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 BMW [0.00] 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1970 BMW 2000NK [0.00]	E30 __________________ '12 135i - Jet Black/Black, Tracked and Crashed '99 328iS ///iMposter '70 2000NK - Anthracite/Black
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07-13-2016, 05:10 PM	#83
larrysing First Lieutenant 96 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2011 335d M-Sport, Nav/Blinds Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Arlington, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	There's no "best car" for a new driver that would work in all situations. Each family circumstance, each young driver and their personality, and their habits, and their cargo needs, and their financial situation, etc. My first car (back in 1979) was a 1974 Dodge Colt (built by Mitsubishi) and it was perfect for me. My daughter got a 2011 335d (almost 5 years old when she got it) and it has been great for her. Except for all the trips to the shop.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-14-2016, 02:34 AM	#87
Benedict1957 Enlisted Member 47 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	I went through this with my teenage son a year ago. I ended up buying him a brand new 2015 Kia Soul. Solid crash and reliability ratings (especially for a Kia which doesn't have the best reputation for reliability). It's a fairly sleek looking car among his age group and it's functional as well with ample storage space when you need it. It's an all around great first car IMO. I cross shopped the civic, accord, altima, scion xB, and jetta.
	Appreciate 0 Quote