Best 1st Car For Teen

[fecurtis]

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.

I originally read that has SC = South Carolina and was about to call you on your absurd bullshit, but I stand corrected.

And why are so many people advocated for this girl to drive a rusted POS? One would think they'd want their daughter to at least get a safe car that won't fall apart on the highway.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I originally read that has SC = South Carolina and was about to call you on your absurd bullshit, but I stand corrected.

And why are so many people advocated for this girl to drive a rusted POS? One would think they'd want their daughter to at least get a safe car that won't fall apart on the highway.

yeah, that's why your original idea of the G63 AMG 6X6 is such a good idea. One needs an urban assault vehicle.

[nholmes]

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.

[rr006rbc]

'95 Integra. That's what I got. Or a Corolla. Something dependable and won't crap out.

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by okusa

So my daughter is going to be getting her learner's permit soon and so I need to start shopping for a car for her. I told her whatever we get it will be used.

She really likes the compact SUV style vehicles, e.g., CX-5, Tiguan. However, I'm not sure what's the safest, most appropriate vehicle, up to the $20k or so price range.

Thoughts?

In all seriousness, I would pick the safest thing you can afford:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/TSP-List

[fravel]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

And why are so many people advocated for this girl to drive a rusted POS? One would think they'd want their daughter to at least get a safe car that won't fall apart on the highway.

Personally, I'm not advocating for a shitty car persay, just a sensible one. My original suggestion of $2k was obviously a gross underestimation, but a Japanese car is just getting broken in at 100k miles and respectable examples can be had for well under $10k which is still half of what OP is talking about.

How about an 05-06 Acura RSX?

The Acura badge carries a luxury factor
6-speed manual
Leather
Tiny backseat
Won't attract dudes unless modded

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by fravel

persay

per se

[okusa]

Lot of tough love responses here. I grew up in that environment. It affected me in more negative ways than positive and my dad (a former prosecutor), now 75, still can't figure out (though I've tried explaining it in the past) why we aren't buddies and why I don't want to spend time with him.

My relationship with my daughter is much different. There a rules, boundaries and expectations, but she gets a lot in return for keeping in line and meeting/exceeding those expectations. She's been working in my office the past few weeks to make extra money. I pay her $12/hour, but she's a hell of a worker and never complains. Now she has cash to go out with friends and buy herself the things she wants that I won't pay for. Plus, she's learning that she doesn't want to spend her future life doing ministerial labor.

So, no, I won't be getting her a POS or a stripped down version of a formerly drivable car. I also don't want to saddle her with a "tank" that gets 10 mpg and has potential mechanical issues. I want something SAFE and RELIABLE. I'm not hellbent on spending $20k, that's just an upper number I'm comfortable with if I can't find anything that satisfies those requirements for less.

[angelr]

Originally Posted by okusa

I want something SAFE and RELIABLE.

This is the most important part in my view. My boys both want older cars because that's what they really dig style wise, e30's, 2002's, 240z's etc, but the wife and I decided that their first and primary car needed to have at least abs and driver/passenger airbags. If they want a cool older car to tinker with and cruise on the weekends then that can come along later and actually be used as an occasional pleasure vehicle. Because if you actually believe that a teens first car is destined to be crashed I fail to see why you wouldn't be looking to put them in a more modern and safe vehicle. At least the best fit within your budget.

I would have much rather spent 3k vs 12k, but I know that he's in a vehicle that is rated very high in all the standard crash tests vs something inferior in that one area.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by okusa

Lot of tough love responses here. I grew up in that environment. It affected me in more negative ways than positive and my dad (a former prosecutor), now 75, still can't figure out (though I've tried explaining it in the past) why we aren't buddies and why I don't want to spend time with him.

My relationship with my daughter is much different. There a rules, boundaries and expectations, but she gets a lot in return for keeping in line and meeting/exceeding those expectations. She's been working in my office the past few weeks to make extra money. I pay her $12/hour, but she's a hell of a worker and never complains. Now she has cash to go out with friends and buy herself the things she wants that I won't pay for. Plus, she's learning that she doesn't want to spend her future life doing ministerial labor.

So, no, I won't be getting her a POS or a stripped down version of a formerly drivable car. I also don't want to saddle her with a "tank" that gets 10 mpg and has potential mechanical issues. I want something SAFE and RELIABLE. I'm not hellbent on spending $20k, that's just an upper number I'm comfortable with if I can't find anything that satisfies those requirements for less.

Yeah that's what I sense too.

While my dad and I aren't on bad terms or anything, we aren't really buddy buddy either. I have no ill feelings towards the man at all, in fact I'm quite thankful to have a father who worked as hard as he did to provide for his family. It's just that the tough love mentality isn't really conducive to build strong social relationships for some reason.

I suggested earlier something like a Honda CR-V or HR-V (at least with the former you can go the used route). Those things are pretty much like tanks since everyone I know who owns them barely takes care of them and they still run just fine.

I mentioned phone connectivity being a big deal since I don't know how much your daughter is on the phone, but if she's going to try to go through playlists on her phone or on Spotify or whatever, you may want a car that supports features like Apple Carplay so it's all synced to the car as to provide less of a distraction because let's be honest, no matter how hard we try, they're going to be using their phone while they drive.

[Banana Hammock]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

'95 Integra. That's what I got. Or a Corolla. Something dependable and won't crap out.

Wait... you live in California and you're recommending an Integra?

[nholmes]

When it's time for me to do this I'm going to look at cars with the top safety picks that show up in my $20k budget on Auto trader.

Seems like a really easy thing to do?

[rr006rbc]

Originally Posted by duck fat

Wait... you live in California and you're recommending an Integra?

Lol people don't steal cars anymore. People just shoot people nowadays.

[Banana Hammock]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

Lol people don't steal cars anymore. People just shoot people nowadays.

That's sad but true.

[fravel]

Originally Posted by nholmes

per se

Damn, got me.

[Alfisti]

You can do a lot worse than a low mileage 9-3.

Safe, surprisingly reliable, fast enough but not stupid fast, creature comforts and just feels solid. Try a 2009 or 2010 2T. Ideally a 2010 Aero, smaller 2T engine but looks much more sporty and has more creature comforts.

[shawnj]

1st car was a 1983 Lincoln Continental. Fuckin boat!

[okusa]

Ended up with a certified 2013 Audi A4

[Scout10]

Look for a low mileage 2012 Toyota Rav4 or Honda CRV
both will be below your 20K

had both . . . . recommend either . . . reliable, easy on insurance $, and lower than avg on repair $
Top safety ratings,

[F22_Raptor]

My vote goes to the Mazda 3, preferably a hatch.

An A4 is a great choice! Your daughter is lucky to have such a nice 1st car.

My first car was a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville with 292k miles.

[Kev312]

My first car was a Pinto.

[1MOREMOD]

Whatever the kid can afford