Sign In Join 

You are here: [F] Forums / Smart Shopper / Best Car for a new teenage driver



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

What is this discussion about? Car Buying


Messages Page 8 of 56
1
...
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
...
56
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#70 of 554
the vibe looks good by nwng
Jan 03, 2007 (9:01 am)
Reply
with 4wd and optioned up with sab/sac should not break the $20k mark. Plus lots of room for stuff. If it's not crashed, it should last thru her college years and into her 1st job.
 
however, a new car for a teenage driver is ALWAYS a bad idea, especially it's completely paid for.
#71 of 554
... by exb0
Jan 23, 2007 (8:19 am)
Reply
You guys are freaking me out. Maybe you can give me some advice.
 
I have 12 year old twin boys. Currently I drive 04 Acura TL. When they turn 16, the car will be 7 years old. It will be perfect age for a teenage driver; however, at 250+ HP it is too fast. Do you think I should trade my car in now for an Accord LX coupe and pass that on to them, or buy them a new Civic or Scion Tc when it’s time.
 
Used car is not an option. They have to have a reliable car, and used Toyotas and Hondas are just too expensive and don’t make sense.
#72 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by kyfdx HOST
Jan 23, 2007 (8:24 am)
Reply

Replying to: exb0 (Jan 23, 2007 8:19 am)

Used car is not an option
 
I'd make it an option...
 
When I drive by the high school each morning, I see hundreds of cars parked there... and very, very few are new...
 
When I was in high school (Paleozoic Era), I didn't even have a car.. I had to (gasp) ride the bus..
 
I know your children are very special (as is mine), but really.... they can live with a used car..
 
regards,
kyfdx
(not the host here)
#73 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by imidazol97
Jan 23, 2007 (8:39 am)
Reply

Replying to: exb0 (Jan 23, 2007 8:19 am)

I agree about picking up a larger, older used car. There are many that are more reliable than the image of the two you mentioned. They're going to be abused and dented, more likely than not. A neighbor makes a business of buying and selling cars he's bought and cleaned up and sold cheaper than the value I'd place on them. After a couple of years replace with something else; sell it to another family. Seat belts and airbags are my requirements.
 
I recall someone who had gone to Wyoming HS the area for a conference and she was talking to students at lunch and one kids as going out to polish his BMW. Seems to me the wrong focus point is in play there. This was a few years ago when BMWs weren't nearly as common in many parts--KFYDX knows where I mean
#74 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by kirstie_h HOST
Jan 23, 2007 (8:50 am)
Reply

Replying to: exb0 (Jan 23, 2007 8:19 am)

But... if you trade your car in on an Accord now and give it to them in ~4 years, won't that be a used car?
#75 of 554
Re: ... [kyfdx] by jmonroe
Jan 23, 2007 (9:05 am)
Reply

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 23, 2007 8:24 am)

When I was in high school (Paleozoic Era), I didn't even have a car.. I had to (gasp) ride the bus..
 
.... and you are resentful. Which is what probably led you to your next comment below.
 
I know your children are very special (as is mine), but really.... they can live with a used car..
 
I can see already that livin in your house ain't gonna be no fun. Having to settle for a used car, geeez.
 
I'm surprised you'd even think of propagating a life style that won't keep the youngins happy.
 
jmonroe
#76 of 554
Re: ... [kirstie_h] by exb0
Jan 23, 2007 (9:06 am)
Reply

Replying to: kirstie_h (Jan 23, 2007 8:50 am)

I should have phrased it differently. I don’t want to buy a used car because I don’t have time or energy to deal with maintenance issues. I don’t care if they drive a used and reliable car that I have owned since it was new. I just don’t have such a car. That’s why I am thinking of buying one now, so that it would be nice and used by the time they get it.
 
The only non Japanese made cars that are as reliable as Hondas and Toyotas are Buicks. I am sorry, but putting a teenager in a Buick is just cruel and unusual punishment. Besides, I don’t think Buicks are that safe. They have fairly powerful engines, but they don’t handle that well.
#77 of 554
Re: ... [jmonroe] by kyfdx HOST
Jan 23, 2007 (9:15 am)
Reply

Replying to: jmonroe (Jan 23, 2007 9:05 am)

I know what you mean.. My offspring is turning 13 on Sunday..
 
However, it turns out that the $400 mountain bike is just not enough... My wife insists that I purchase a $250 Ipod prior to this weekend (he won't have anything to open).
 
He is indeed neglected...
 
But, I do understand about planning ahead for the driving situation.. In my case, my wife's BMW lease is due to expire the year before my son attains driving age.. You can be certain that she won't be driving anything nearly that nice, the next time around..
 
regards,
kyfdx
(who still bears the scars of six years of school bus rides)
#78 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by kiawah
Jan 23, 2007 (9:17 am)
Reply

Replying to: exb0 (Jan 23, 2007 8:19 am)

What I'd suggest is buy new now, get all the latest safety options (side airbags, stability control), get a mid-size 4cyl 4dr AUTO sedan (lowest insurance rates, and not too much speed), and get the standard wheels and tires (recognizing probably one or two will get ruined against curbs). Choose a high volume model so body parts are plentiful and reasonably priced. Stay away from SUV's (sedan's much more stable if they drive off the edge of the road), not too big (harder to park and see), not too small (need enough protection in the even of a crash). Drive the car now, they'll get comfortable riding in it learning the visibility and controls, they'll then drive a 3-4 year old safe car that you know is reliable.
 
I had talked to my insurance guy to see if there were particular manufacturers or models, and to bounce the idea of a Camry LE off of him. He indicated that was a great plan, but just avoid VW's because apparently replacement parts are fairly high priced around here for some reason (and hence insurance rates were higher). YMMV in your particular geography. Accord and Camry were on my shortlist when I bought.
#79 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by qbrozen
Jan 23, 2007 (9:27 am)
Reply

Replying to: exb0 (Jan 23, 2007 9:06 am)

Personally, i think its nuts to buy and drive now what i think i'll want to give to my kid later. my car is way too important to me. He'll have a relatively slow generic car when he starts driving ... and I am NOT going to put up with driving a slow generic car myself until that time.
 
But I guess that's just me.
 
With what you are saying, it sounds like you are giving yourself no choice in the matter. You won't buy a used car and you won't give your kid what you are currently driving ... so I don't see how there is any option left for you.

Messages Page 8 of 56
1
...
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
...
56
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

You are here: [F] Forums / Smart Shopper / Best Car for a new teenage driver

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement