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Smart Shopper Best Car for a new teenage driver
554 messages, Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 7:33 PM
You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester
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In the last 2 years I've bought for my teenagers a 1994 Regal V6 and a 1995 Century V6 from the original mature owners. Both have been fine cars that I've been happy to drive as the need arose. One cost $2000, the other $2100. They're cheap to insure (no comprehensive), get good mileage (28 and 30 hwy), are roomy, reliable, and torquey. I expect to buy similar Buicks for my remaining kids. |
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Oct 12, 2008 8:58 am) You may be right, when I bought my last new car in 2006, I wanted to make sure I had side impact airbags. I looked at some models that only had them as an option, and it was almost impossible to find one. Optional safety equipment is usually hard to find in my area, I guess people would rather spend their money on aluminum rims and fancy stereos. I've about decided to go with a used 2007 Hyundai Sonata, there are a bunch available right now so I think I could get a good deal, I can get one that would still have some warranty left, and they have a good safety rating.
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Replying to: marys236 (Oct 12, 2008 11:17 am) You might also check the prices against new Sonata's. Around here, they're going for under 16K. The only reason I mention this is because the 09's are much nicer inside and, I think, you only get the full 10 year warranty if you are the original owner. If I recall, the ten years is cut in half if you buy used. Of course, if you buy used from a private party, you save on sales tax. Not telling you that this is something you should do, but just a consideration. |
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Hey all- I've never been to this board before but I thought I'd add in my $0.02. I'm 20 years old and as such have "graduated" from my HS car and am now driving my post HS car. That being said, my parents didn't buy me a car at all. I had to make due with the stuff that I could afford without them. My first car was a 1993 Aerostar, which I bought for $750, and the only reason I got rid of it was because the thing got nasty mileage, circa 10 mpg in a good week. Then I had a 1993 Escort, got great mileage and was peppy enough for me about 26 mpg without trying. My brother killed it. He likes to "try" to race. I had a Buick and loved it. It was nice and floaty and it got okay mileage for a huge V6 about 20. Then, when I graduated from HS my mom's best friend cosigned a loan for me on a 1995 Accord EX which had plenty of toys, decent acceleration and ABS. I bought that for $5400 used, of course. I've had to pay to insure all of my vehicles, I've paid to maintain them and I've paid for all the gas. I guess I don't understand how parents can get themselves thinking that a 16 year old needs a car just because they have a license. I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but I just don't understand the mindset. Just curious, would anyone here give there child a $30k plus car for their 16th b-day? I knew one kid who got a brand new A6 for his 16th b-day and a girl who got a new X5 for her b-day. As for my post HS car I have an 03 Accord LX coupe. I'm paying for it myself and plan to keep it for a long time. Just my opinion.
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Replying to: tankbeans (Oct 12, 2008 1:13 pm) from my parent pov, we are glad to not have to drop off and pick up the kid(s) every day. i want them to concentrate on school, not worry about paying for a car. also, you are learning a very good 'life lesson' being completely responsible for the ownership and maintenance of your car. i applaude you for that. my wife and i have put a bit of support, not the cash type, into one of my nephews. it has been a bumpy road, but i think progress is being made. not everyone grows up at the same time. some never do.
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Oct 12, 2008 2:02 pm) Currently I pay $400 for my car and $160 for full coverage. I decided to buy an extended warranty on my car and I had a little bit of negative equity from my 95 Accord EX when I traded it in. Long story on that one. In retrospect I loved my 95 Accord and should have kept it, but what can I say I wanted a newer car.
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Replying to: tankbeans (Oct 12, 2008 3:48 pm) whatever you do, keep your eye on where you want to go. there are online courses that don't have clock time commitments. i have had a couple of vehicles i have regretted trading in or selling. one was an 88 tbird and the other a 97 explorer. i still have the car i bought after selling the 88 tbird, back in 1991. |
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Replying to: tankbeans (Oct 12, 2008 1:13 pm) The first day of high school 2 years ago, a kid, who I am acquaintinced with, pulled up in a black on black BMW M6. Needless to say many were shocked including myself. His parents payed over a 100k for it and when I asked why such an extravagance, he replied "my father felt I should be rewarded for my eventual graduation."...... I know, I almost threw up out of disgust too. My reward for doing well and graduating from high school is currently having most of my college education and law/business school, should I choose to take that path, paid for by my father. And I know that is considered spoiled by most and that is certainly fine because they are entitled to their opinion. But there is absolutely no excuse or defense to giving a 500 horsepower, automated-manual controlled, 2 ton vehicle to someone who does not even know how to drive a stick shift. It is equal to that of a giving a toddler a loaded gun. Just an accident waiting to happen. In the area that I live where kids with audis and acuras generally drive like they are brain dead, the M6 definitly takes the cake. |
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Replying to: westgmn (Oct 12, 2008 6:35 pm) |
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Replying to: tankbeans (Oct 12, 2008 1:13 pm) I am curious - you said "my mom's best friend cosigned a loan for me." Why would your parents not cosign for you? Was that their insistence on you doing it all on your own? tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper
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