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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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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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Replying to: carexpert08 (Oct 12, 2008 7:12 pm) I don't think so. There is nothing outdated about responsibility and safety. Invoking the notion of jealousy is a distraction and misses the points upon which we should focus rather than attempting to judge others. In my humble opinion, the (general) difference in maturity and responsibility between a 19 year old willing to make the commitment of paying off a lease and a 16 year old being handed a "premium brand" is not insignificant. It's apples and oranges.  tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Replying to: tidester (Oct 12, 2008 9:53 pm) My mom's friend signed because I was graduating, the only one in my family to do so, not counting my parents. Both of my brothers decided to drop out. Her friend wanted to help me by getting me a loan for a nicer car. I was driving a 17 year old Buick that was rendered a coupe because the drivers side doors wouldn't open. After the loan was gotten I was on my own with regards to payments. Oh she did make the first payment as a birthday present since I graduated about 2 weeks after my birthday. |
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Replying to: carexpert08 (Oct 12, 2008 7:12 pm) Very true. There isn't a set age limit to drive a premium brand. That isn't the point. You are paying for your premium brand, while the 16 year old kids most likely aren't. I know there are exceptions to every rule. Most might have to buy their own gas or something like that, but they really aren't responsible for the meat of the upkeep. A 16 year old would be hard-pressed to make enough money, while going to high-school, to pay for anything near even the loan payment. In your situation, you are paying for the car and presumably the insurance and all of the happiness that comes with it. I'd like to drive a premium brand (ie Acura, Audi, BMW,) but I can't afford one. Jealous of those who can? No, I'm working with what I have. The car I have is pretty nice, paid for by me. I have an 03 Accord LX with 56k on it. To me it's about as premium as I would want. I can't see spending 40k on a car, but that's just me. It's been said before and it will be said again. "To each his own." |
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Replying to: carexpert08 (Oct 12, 2008 7:12 pm) I did not mention anything about there needing to be an age limit established to prevent kids from driving premium brands. I just think that when parents buy a kid a missile with tires for his or her first car that there is a certain lack of thinking on their part, critical or otherwise. And that lack of thinking could get someone killed which is why I take exception to some car purchases for kids. "For the last 2 years I drove a Land Rover/BMW my prents cars. The thinks people on this forum are saying about teen drivers just makes them seem completely outdated and jealous." I have also driven my parents "premium brand cars" before but I do not see how it holds any relevance to this particular conversation other than for you to showcase how well off you believe yourself to be. I am certainly not jealous of you mainly for the fact that instead of my parents giving me a flashy nameplate, I got something much more significant which is the sense of responsibility and value that comes with purchasing your own car. That will get me a hell of alot farther than a bmw or audi in life. And I do not think it is "outdated" for people to be concerned about their children. |
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Compact cars have the worst fatality rate in vehicle deaths. In 2004 NHTSA statistics show 17.76 deaths per 100,000 vehicles. People think the mpg and nimbleness of these cars are great for beginning drivers. Why would you want you child to drive a small vehilce that just got their license or is learning to drive. One recent poster mentioned cars such as the volkswagen rabbit, ford focus, and the honda fit as great teenage cars. It doesn't matter how many airbags these vehicles have. If these small car gets into an accident with a full size car or something such as a midsize SUV the person in the compact car is at a major disadvantage. It simply has to do with the laws of physics. These compact are are so much lighter, somtimes as much by 1,500 pounds than a full size car. It's best to have your child drive a car with a lot of "meat" around it. I even see a growing number of teenagers drive minivans now. Even a used mercury grand marquis would be a nice car for a beginning driver. I learned how to drive using a mid size suv. Yes, suvs aren't for everyone. Some people say suvs are not safe but thats what I used to learn how to drive. You should buy a full size or atleast a midsize car for your teenager to drive. A minivan would be also be great becuse they carry a lot of passangers safely.. People shouldn't be putting cost and savings for mpg as the top reasons for buying their child a car. Safety should be the number one priority. You guys buying those compact cars for your children are making a big mistake.
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"He'd be just as happy with an old car with no airbags or ABS or ESC. I want something safe, not to please a 16 y/o boy." Hell I'd be pleased with a Fusion if I were him. Some upper-middle class kids may think its a low end thing, but most middle classers already consider Fusion a statement of "cool". I remember last year Fusion was the hot car at the HS my sister went to, "Hey, Smallville" or "Erica Durance" were the 2 comments I heard the most. It no longer does now, but you get the idea. When I was 16 I was given a "97 4 door, stickshift, rear drum brakes, ABS? forget it. Today's parents might get heart attacks from hearing this alone, but it really helped me learn how to handle cars properly. Admittedly saying "today's parents" makes me feel much older than I really am 
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I can see your point about midsizers. Can you tell us the climate of the area you live in? Snowy? Moderate? Sunny? If you define winter as 6in plus of snow, you might want to focus on AWD instead of ESC. Actually I'd still choose the convenience and stability of AWD over ESC, much safer imo. A Subaru Outback or Forester should be on your list too. The engines are notoriously durable it'll last longer than the rest of the car itself. Fuel economy is on the plus too, and it'll last long enough so your kid can take it to college with no worries. Add optional side airbags and call it a day. I stand with my words that ESC is more a gimmick than a true savior. Another thing you should do is to take your son to the dealership with you. No, not to ask for his opinion, hell no. Its to get your son to sit in the car and make sure he can get a comfortable driving position and proper visibility. Such things really matter but many people neglect. Just an example: dont get anyone taller than 5"11 a Corolla (seats too short, no headroom left), while shorter ones should avoid any pre-2005 Mustang (steering wheel and pedals are located a mile ahead, imagine sitting on a bar stool). Any novice should avoid SUVs and large cars (too much to drive), yes its safe when he gets hit, but he'll most likely hit something, or worse, someone.
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Smart Shopper Best Car for a new teenage driver
