Sign In Join 



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 9 of 56
1
...
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
...
56
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#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.
#80 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by user777
Jan 23, 2007 (9:28 am)
Reply

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

ahh, that's something you should teach them. how to regularly check the oil and other fluids. how to maintain the car. any vehicle should be "new" to them.
 
since when have all the parents started purchasing new vehicles? i guess they must feel guilty of failing to give them something when they were growing up.
 
giving a new car to a teenager is doing them a disfavor actually.
 
not only will insurance be higher, they will not know what it is to acquire something the hard way, by earning it. a new car sets the bar pretty darn high.
 
if they can't keep a used car in good working condition, they don't deserve a new car.
 
heck they don't deserve a car... there's no such thing as a right to one. anyway, until they can buy it, fuel it, maintain it, and insure it with their own money you really are doing them a disfavor by enabling them.
#81 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by graphicguy
Jan 23, 2007 (9:31 am)
Reply

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

Not to start a huge bakclash here, but why would you have to deal with maintenance. Your child is driving the car? Why wouldn't they be responsible for the maintenance?
 
There is indeed maintenance costs on new cars, too except for new BMWs (not a good teen car).
 
Buick's are unsafe? Since when? Cruel and unusual punishment for a teen to drive one? I guess that begs the question, what are they driving now? If their main mode of transportation is labled converse, keds....or Schwinn, then I would think any motorized vehicle would be a comparative luxury.
 
As you can tell, I've got some real issues with teens and their so called driving/car "entitlement" that I keep hearing about.
#82 of 554
Re: ... [graphicguy] by user777
Jan 23, 2007 (9:45 am)
Reply

Replying to: graphicguy (Jan 23, 2007 9:31 am)

amen. but they aren't wearing converse sneakers. much much much more expensive footwear than we had. and schwinn? no, their bikes are worth many hundreds of dollars. if their chain fell off, they'd have to use their cell or blackberry to get a ride.
 
probably most kids today would break out in a sweat if they had to negotiate getting on the bus. "does your bus fare machine take AMEX"?
#83 of 554
Re: ... [exb0] by imidazol97
Jan 23, 2007 (9:56 am)
Reply

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

>The only non Japanese made cars that are as reliable as Hondas and Toyotas are Buicks
 
Now that's a stretch. Have you checked recalls lately and not so lately...
And you haven't driven any of the more recent Buicks if you think they still have the exressway ride... stereotypes are hard to break. But you need to broaden your horizons.
#84 of 554
Well... by 1racefan
Jan 23, 2007 (9:48 am)
Reply

Replying to: imidazol97 (Jan 23, 2007 9:56 am)

In somewhat of defense of "exbo", I can understand the thing of not wanting to risk buying somebody else's problem when buying a used car. And yeah, the kids will be driving the car, and they should be rewponsible for maintenance, however, I can imagine his kids would probably call him every time they were to break down on the side of the road to come rescue them (which would get old).
 
However, there is a lot to be said for giving a teen a used car, and a AAA membership. Owning a car is a lot of responsibility, as is adulthood in general. Obviously, said used car should be evaluated thoroughly before purchase, but I still believe it is the best route to go for a teen driver. It is good for the kid to tell them to call AAA when they have a mechanical failure, instead of automatically calling mommy and daddy to come rescue them. After all, when they are 40 and their car breaks down, mommy and daddy may not be a viable option for them when they have car troubles - and they need to learn some self-sufficiency at some point.
 
Lastly, why do you have to "suffer" through driving the slow, safe car until they get old enough to drive? It has been my experience, that when one is in need of a used car, there are typically a fair # available just by word of mouth when talking to friends and family. You could probably get a dependable used car through a trusted friend or family member with relatively little effort.
#85 of 554
Re: Well... [1racefan] by imidazol97
Jan 23, 2007 (9:58 am)
Reply

Replying to: 1racefan (Jan 23, 2007 9:48 am)

My neighbor that does car stuff for fun has a 97 Cadillac for sale that would be perfect. Barely a scratch on it! Green, our school colors!
#86 of 554
Re: Well... [1racefan] by user777
Jan 23, 2007 (10:12 am)
Reply

Replying to: 1racefan (Jan 23, 2007 9:48 am)

right, buying someone else's problem would be a drag. however, the lessons in researching, driving and getting a used vehicle checked out by a trusted mechanic are important ones.
 
kids can get a decent used vehicle if their parents take the time to go through the process with them. and we should. because they'll ultimately be better knowlegeable about their ride and what things cost to fix - so so so - they'll have a tendency to take better care of it.
 
i liked the other poster's comment about having 1/2 the kids money (at least) into the purchase. yes sir. if it's gonna be a "right" of passage, then responsibilities come with it.
 
not responsible? no vehicle. this isn't like being duped into bringing home a new puppy or kitten that they will loose interest in in about a week.
#87 of 554
Re: Well... [user777] by au1994
Jan 23, 2007 (10:36 am)
Reply

Replying to: user777 (Jan 23, 2007 10:12 am)

Wow....How have we not been put back on topic by our hosts?

Messages Page 9 of 56
1
...
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
...
56
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

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