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Best Car for a new teenage driver

554 messages,  Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 7:33 PM

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#426 of 554 by m4d_cow Oct 18, 2008 (10:23 pm)
Ah true, tidester, there are reasons for that, but I dont see any excuse for any ferrari boy (aka wealthy enough) parent deciding to send their kids to a community college over a decent university. No matter what they say most community colleges simply do not offer the same level of education as a university. Even if we're talking about one actually capable of delivering university level education (yes there are some), trust me this particular college isnt one of them. Replies to this message: teasip (Oct 19, 2008 8:41 am) oldfarmer50 (Oct 19, 2008 1:12 pm) explorerx4 (Oct 19, 2008 2:12 pm)
#427 of 554 New Driver by teasip Oct 19, 2008 (8:41 am)
Replying to: m4d_cow (Oct 18, 2008 10:23 pm) I'm in this position at present. 15 y/o, soon to be 16 y/o and I need to get her something for her to drive to/from school since her elderly grandfather is doing it for her at present (at least to school in the a.m.). My thought is I need to get her something that will be reliable through two additional years of high school as well as four years of college. At that point, the ball is in her court. My well laid plans are apparently being shot down. I purchased the Civic Si sedan last year ('08 model) as well as an 8 year no-deductible warranty with the intention of her learning to drive a manual as well as providing a reliable car, plus I would get to drive it for a year for the fun of it! She argues that it's too difficult trying to shift and concentrate on driving which may be a valid argument (she is a responsible teen). I could give her mom's '04 IS300 (paid for) with 40+K miles but I'm not wanting her to have repair costs to deal with away from home if necessary. Replies to this message: oldfarmer50 (Oct 19, 2008 1:12 pm) explorerx4 (Oct 19, 2008 2:12 pm)
#428 of 554 Re: New Driver [teasip] by oldfarmer50 Oct 19, 2008 (1:12 pm)
Replying to: teasip (Oct 19, 2008 8:41 am) "...for her to drive to/from school..."   Have you considered having her take the school bus? Not as fancy as a Civic but she could learn to shift by watching the driver. Save gramps for driving her to a job so she can save up for a car of her own.   If she balks at the idea of the school bus, tell her to think of it as a chauffeur driven 66 passenger SUV.
#429 of 554 Re: New Driver [teasip] by explorerx4 Oct 19, 2008 (2:12 pm)
Replying to: teasip (Oct 19, 2008 8:41 am) i did something similar a few years ago, bought a focus w/stick figuring in 2 years my oldest could drive it. she really didn't have an interest in driving a stick, so i ended up letting her drive the explorer and i drove the focus for a couple of more years. it is a lot easier to let the kids drive themselves when they have after school activities, especially when there is no bus by the time it is done. now in college, she doesn't have a car to drive. there is plenty of other transportation. now, #2 is driving the explorer to shool.
#430 of 554 Not an option by teasip Oct 19, 2008 (3:51 pm)
School bus is not an option for us at this time. Game plan, even if she ends up with the IS, is a monthly payment to dad for a hundred or so just to get used to the payment idea. The nice thing about our situation is that I've been putting back an additional 50% of the payment for the Civic each month for the purpose of paying it off in 24 mos. as opposed to 36. Those funds would now be available for a third vehicle since the wife would be giving up the Lexus. Another option is to sell the Civic since we're already right side up even without the extra payments set aside and go with a two vehicle lease (maybe a his/her Lexus or some such). House is paid for so we don't have any other outstanding debt.
#431 of 554 by m4d_cow Oct 19, 2008 (10:06 pm)
Well, some areas dont have bus system running through or if they have one, terribly unsafe, I can understand your reasoning, oldfarmer, but things have really changed, at least thats what my mom said. Heck its even a lot different from 10 years ago when I was still in highschool. Even my dad, who always balk at the idea of spoiling any of his kids, wouldnt let us go near a spitting distance from the bus system now.   Anyways to me the IS is a decent idea, none too flashy nor too expensive (resale is pretty weak for this model). And the idea of monthly payment teaches her responsibility. I'm not sure driving stick is that hard, but as less and less americans know how to drive stick, maybe its just me. Replies to this message: tankbeans (Oct 20, 2008 9:06 am)
#432 of 554 Re: [m4d_cow] by tankbeans Oct 20, 2008 (9:06 am)
Replying to: m4d_cow (Oct 19, 2008 10:06 pm) I wish I had learned to drive a stick earlier, I'm only 20, but there were tons of cars that I could have had if I knew how to drive a stick. I'm learning now.   I think the IS would be a good idea, since it is fully paid for, as it seems that if you treat them well many Japanese models won't give you any problems. I know there are exceptions to every rule. Also, you know this car and don't have to guess at how well somebody has treated it and or maintained it.
#433 of 554 Re: [m4d_cow] by westgmn Oct 20, 2008 (11:13 am)
Replying to: m4d_cow (Oct 17, 2008 10:15 pm) haaha jesus you do have me beat...I agree with you on the responsibility issue. I just feel like this generation of kids, which I am unfortunately part of, has been given way too many things. America is becoming intellectually inferior each day because kids are being rewarded for mediocrity. This obviously leads to mediocrity becoming the standard measurement of what is considered sufficent in regards to working hard to go to college or to simply getting a job. Your experience definitly sheds light on this trend. A kid given a Ferrari for simply graduating high school? "Come on" is exactly right.   Frankly, I do not have a problem with individual who bought the jag. They were given a reasonable price range and they were able to find a car that they enjoy. I also applaud the fact that the individual worked in order to put some of their own money into the car. You are completely correct, they were a smart shopper.
#434 of 554 Help me select a new vehicle by kiminar Nov 08, 2008 (8:12 am)
This topic is similar to one below..   My daughter just turned 16 and wants her own vehicle. We live in northwest Arkansas - lots of hills and curves. Our house is about 4 miles down a dirt road. I have a 4WD Tahoe (love it), my husband has a Sierra (not 4WD, and he gets stuck in the driveway when ground is wet). So, my daughter probably needs 4WD. But, I don't think a small car with low clearance would work. Also, I would get stuck and/or slide with my 4WD before I got "offroad" tires.   People on the other discussion suggested Impreza, Vibe and Matrix. Would these options fit my needs? Or, is there other suggestions?   BTW, most teenagers around here, even girls, drive pickups. And, I am looking for a used vehicle. Replies to this message: kiawah (Nov 08, 2008 9:14 am) tankbeans (Nov 08, 2008 10:13 am) qbrozen (Nov 08, 2008 7:54 pm) kiminar (Nov 09, 2008 6:22 am) qbrozen (Nov 09, 2008 10:21 am)
#435 of 554 Re: Help me select a new vehicle [kiminar] by kiawah Nov 08, 2008 (9:14 am)
Replying to: kiminar (Nov 08, 2008 8:12 am) Subaru's 4wd should be on your possible list, and might even consider Honda CRV's and Toyota Rav's if you can find a 4wd used. You might have better 4wd selections and pricing of pickups or SUV's (e.g. Ford explorer). Replies to this message: tankbeans (Nov 08, 2008 10:13 am)

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