Best 1st Car For Teen

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Whatever the kid can afford

[Maynard]

Biggest risks for teens is behavior, not equipment. But always better to have good equipment. Get an IIHS top pick, best if it is a fairly new car (best features/airbags, and no breakdowns - those can get scary). Also stick with s/t with 4 seat occupancy, max 5 - risk DOUBLES with each extra person in the car (that is 16x with her 3 friends riding along).

Skip the manual - it sounds nice in principle, but your just stroking your own ego. They'll be obsolete in 5 yrs except sports cars, and if she wants one she can buy it (and if not, she blows the clutch, and you are back into roadside breakdown anxiety).

Pick something she (and her boyfriend) won't be embarrassed to drive, or else she ends up riding around in his ride all the time (you trust her driving more than his, right?). But not the M3 type of 'wants to drive' - like it or not, teen cars usually get some time at 10/10ths, and you don't want that to be >150mph.

Your insurance agent may have ideas about which are cheapest to insure/repair, but if she is responsible it will mostly be road rash/door dings.

And some of those 'firm but fair' rules that include taking the bus if she's being unsafe (then put one of those tattletale minders on it, without informing her, in the trust-but-verify tradition - it is your car). Don't use an insurance company tracker tool - those often jack your rates, and probably won't give you the info you want.

[xander_g]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Whatever the kid can afford

quoted for truth

[MightyMouseTech]

Can I also suggest something without a backseat?

[okusa]

Responses are cracking me up - mostly sarcastic I assume (or at least I'd like to think so).

I wanted something not only safe and reliable but not embarrassing in the driveway. The Prestige model offered all that and more. Original sticker was $43k and I paid $19k and it is honestly a beautiful car. She washes it herself and will be working to share some of the operating costs. She understands that it doesn't belong to her but that we allow her to drive it. So, when she doesn't follow the rules, she loses it.

I understand that may not be strict enough for some here (and I'm sure some replies are from people without teen children, so their opinions don't really count), but I think it strikes a good balance between teaching responsibility, creating independence, making smart decisions and being allowed to be a kid and have some freedom and freedom of choice.

[MC 357]

Nice buy!
Most people on here talk trash, but Im sure if they had kids and enough money they would have done the same.

[catcher22]

I honestly have no idea how I convinced my parents to buy me a brand new supercharged Grand Prix GTP back in high school. It was crazy fun, but I had no idea how to drive (obviously) or properly maintain the thing.

At least you know what not to do, lol

Congrats on the A4. It's ultra safe, and I bet she's happy as can be.

[deansbimmer]

Volvo 240.

/close thread

[BigDog]

My first car was a new E46 325... I knew it was expensive and my parents got it for me to get around in college, so I was extremely particular in taking care of it. So I guess taught me to be more responsible to a degree.

You know your daughter the best, get you both you and her are comfortable with.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by BigDog

My first car was a new E46 325... I knew it was expensive and my parents got it for me to get around in college, so I was extremely particular in taking care of it. So I guess taught me to be more responsible to a degree.

You know your daughter the best, get you both you and her are comfortable with.

My first car was a used POS E21 320i...I knew it was a piece of shit and my parents got it for me to get to high school, so i gave little shit about taking care of it and once "polished" much of the paint off. So I guess taught me that I need to get a job if i want to get a nice car.

[Bingobimmer]

• Automatic - she has enough to learn right now
• Less seats = less distractions
• Ideally something with phone bluetooth, much safer for answering your calls
• Not a flashy color

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

That's careless and dangerous. She's a teen and needs something she won't kill herself in. I figured this forum had more common sense than that but I guess I was wrong.

OP, Mercedes Benz G63 AMG 6x6 is the only way to go here.

Go with honda crv or mazda cx5, safe cars and easy to drive becsuse of the size.

[HFW003]

Hasn't old mate stated he has already bought an A4?

Sheesh.

[Jackal]

My first car was a 68 VW Beetle. It was in good condition, but not without needing work as well.

I like old beetles as a selection for today's youth for a few reasons;

a) affordable
b) plenty of cheap parts
c) easy to learn basic maintenance
d) slow enough to mitigate kids stupidity

Of course I accept that some may consider it less safe than today's cars, but many of the reasons I appreciate the Beetle for teaching me can be applied to a few brands and styles of cars.

[rlmesq]

The best car for any teen is one they can afford to buy gas and insurance for.

[aozer]

my parents bought me a new car when i turned 16. had it for 10 years... no accidents, one ticket for 83 in a 75 on an empty rural highway when i was 19. not every kid is going to abuse their car and the benefit of the new car was that it lasted me for a decade with no major issues.

i see you went for the a4 and not a piece of shit beater like many people on here suggest. good call.

[Dshady]

Something large, underpowered, and cheap like an older pickup or suburban. As a bonus, after parking a boat regularly, will be able to park anything without issues.

[styler69]

1980s diesel chevy suburban. slow. steel. not gonna roll.

[Dshady]

Originally Posted by styler69

1980s diesel chevy suburban. slow. steel. not gonna roll.

Perfect! That's basically what I started with and ended up learning a lot about how to fix cars and keep them running.

[okusa]

Originally Posted by rlmesq

The best car for any teen is one they can afford to buy gas and insurance for.

Insurance is close to $4,000. How do you expect a full time student with extracurricular activities to pay for that plus gas on their own?

[1MOREMOD]

Sell drugs, teaches responsibility

[Rik84]

First vehicle was a 1971 VW Westfalia with a beer fridge and bed. I was 16.

Don’t buy her that.