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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
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Hmm, interesting question. I've got an 18 year old daughter who is heading off to college next week and we bought her a Saturn ION 2 equipped with ABS and traction control. Not sure that you need AWD if you only head to the mountains a few times a year. We live in Colorado and probably see more days of bad weather in a single winter than she will experience in several years - traction control, coupled with plowed roads, should be more than enough. That way, the other 360 days a year, you don't have the weight penalty of the AWD dragging down mileage. But, I do like the idea of the Vibe .. test drove one with some friends a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised with how much room there was inside.
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Replying to: michaell (Aug 10, 2006 9:00 am)  I'll take the decreased fuel economy, given how few miles she will be driving. I feel differently about the car she takes to college, however, as she's likely to drive more in college, especially if college is within a day's drive of home. Making a few hundred mile drive once a month is a lot of gas, and I'd go for something more fuel-wise. But I doubt she'll put 10 miles/day on her high school car. Yeah, I've been wrong before. Of course, we could just sell our place in Tahoe and buy one with a better driveway.....but it makes such an EXCELLENT sleddling run!!!  Best wishes to your daughter in her college adventure. |
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The Subaru line of AWD is hard to beat. That's what they do. With intelligent AWD, and the boxer engine, they are good little cars. When I was her age, I bought a motorcycle, which of course I would not do today. With so many cars on the road, it would be going from risky in my time, to out and out crazy these days to challenge the cars on the road. But I did buy every bike, motorcycle, and car myself. Should have kept a used car called the Mustang, bought for $1,100 back around 1970. -Loren |
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Sorry, for some reason I thought we were talking about the mountains in Southern California (Big Bear Lake, Arrowhead) .. must be because I grew up in Ventura County.  I have some friends who owned a house with a driveway like yours and I totally understand where you're coming from. Given that the Tahoe area gets snow measured in the dozens or scores of inches it makes perfect sense that AWD is a necessity. Since I'm such a Saturn nut, how about a VUE with AWD? You might be able to get into a new one right around your $20K price limit. Lots of space; decent gas mileage (we average about 22-23 MPG with the Honda-sourced V6 and AWD) and the polymer panels, IMO, will allow the car to look great years down the road. |
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Replying to: alp8 (Aug 09, 2006 9:04 am)  alp8, I doubt she wants to drive a station wagon. Why not get her at least a sedan ? The Audi S4's of the early 90's came with "bullet-proof" turbo 5-cylinders. Yes they are hard to find, but seem to make good practical cars that are safe. Just my 2-cents. Rocky
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Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix AWD for safety under $20K for price mpg 25-31 or thereabouts even with AWD You just need to make sure it's OK with teenagers.
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Replying to: john500 (Aug 14, 2006 7:32 am) Ha! My kid will get what I give them.  If that means mom's old minivan, then so be it.
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Replying to: rockylee (Aug 14, 2006 6:58 am)
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Replying to: alp8 (Aug 14, 2006 9:06 am) Rocky |
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How is a 12- to 13-year-old Audi supposed to be reliable, especially a sport model that could very likely have been thrashed? Also, it seems like too much importance is being placed on that very last part of the drive -- the very steep driveway. Is it possible to park at the bottom and walk up if necessary? Then, awd wouldn't be needed. Also, 2-seaters and SUVs of any kind should be dismissed as out of hand. You need a larger car with more predictable handling for a teenager. I think the evidence is pretty clear now that side curtain airbags and stability control are much more likely to save your backside than awd. |
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