Any thoughts on a great first car for teen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got my kid a 2017 Lexus IS350 4-door sedan this past year. Full of safety features and nice looking

Seriously?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed with the "solid and slow" comment. Something like an older Town Car would be ideal--it isn't "cool," it won't go fast, it is heavy and stable, and it has plenty of metal on the exterior to protect the occupants. They also tend to be unpopular on the used market and, thus, relatively inexpensive.

But, really, any mid-size or full-size sedan that has been well-maintained is probably fine. Don't get an SUV or minivan (they are built to lower safety standards than cars and also have a high center of gravity and are likely to tip or roll over). Don't get anything that will go fast. My own opinion is that Jettas and Civics are both fine cars, but that a larger car is preferable in this case.

Whatever you get, make sure that it has good tires and brakes and have a trusted mechanic check it out before you buy it.

Lots of bad advice here. A steel hulk will not protect a passenger better than a modern vehicle with multiple airbags, crumble zones and all the other features in newer cars. The Town Car may be heavy and stable, but it would not be a good car for a beginner driver. Not to mention that it would be really difficult to park in many places. Ever seen how small the parking spaces are in a typical high school parking lot?

You are also mixing up SUVs and minivans. SUVs are usually built on a truck chassis, but minivans are usually built on a car chassis. The design and safety standards between the two are drastically different. Putting them in the same category isn't even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, get a civic.

It appears to be the same safety rating as the jetta. Any additional reasons why?

Because it won't be worthless in 3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, get a car with a spare tire. For some reason, many late-model cars are omitting this feature. Why anyone would buy a car without such an essential part is beyond me, but people do. You do not want your child to be stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire.

You also do not want your child changing a tire on the side of the road either. There are way too many accidents in this area where drivers run into vehicles parked on the shoulder. I get my kids an AAA membership and a phone, and I tell them in the event of a flat tire or mechanical breakdown to pull the car as far off the road as possible and then to get out of the car and get as far from it as possible while they wait for the emergency road service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, get a civic.

It appears to be the same safety rating as the jetta. Any additional reasons why?

Because it won't be worthless in 3 years.

This. We bought our daughter a 2007 Accord (in 2011) because I wanted something that I knew would last awhile. The car got her through 2 years of high school, two years of college (she didn’t have a car on campus freshman or sophomore year) and it’s still going strong now that she’s working full time. She says it’s SO appreciated to have that.

VWs are crap. They are cute and fun but not reliable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, get a car with a spare tire. For some reason, many late-model cars are omitting this feature. Why anyone would buy a car without such an essential part is beyond me, but people do. You do not want your child to be stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire.

You also do not want your child changing a tire on the side of the road either. There are way too many accidents in this area where drivers run into vehicles parked on the shoulder. I get my kids an AAA membership and a phone, and I tell them in the event of a flat tire or mechanical breakdown to pull the car as far off the road as possible and then to get out of the car and get as far from it as possible while they wait for the emergency road service.

+1. Dad's best friend lost his daughter that way. Sadly enough she was waiting for her dad to come change her tire so he was first on the scene.

[Anonymous]

Friends bought a Jetta used and loved it. They bought second one about a year ago as the kids car and are really happy with that too. Child iikes driving it.

[Anonymous]

OP where do you live?

[Anonymous]

Big and slow:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/49/5/1

And Whichever poster asked about cute cars, don’t buy anything, YOU are not mature enough to buy a teen a car.

[Anonymous]

I would vote for big as well. The basic laws of physics my friend. All the airbags in the world won't make a difference in a Prius versus Escalade crash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A used Toyota corolla or camry.

This. Or use civic. Preferably an old family car instead of new to your family.

Agree with these suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Used prius - '12-'14 are great, have the bluetooth needed and what not but nothing fancy and it helps if they are paying for their own gas to be able to stretch their dollar a bit more. I love mine TBH because it fits most places, has a tight turning radius (more than even my old civic) and it actually can haul a lot of stuff when you put the seats down, I did a 1/2 bath remodel and hauled a toilet and vanity home in my prius!

[Anonymous]

Kia Soul +

[Anonymous]

None, but if I were I think I would get a Subaru Crosstrek.

[Anonymous]

The oldest-but-still safe car that you already own. You get a new one.