Safety features above all else, particularly for a new driver. Good tires, good brakes, good wipers, antilock, air bags, properly designed head restraints. Larger with more crumple space is better.

Anonymous wrote:My husband thinks cheap car for $4k (probably a Ford or hyndai) while I think she should get something nicer like a $12k toyota or Subaru (both brand's we like). The car will be used for commuting to/from work mainly with both city and highway driving. What do you all think is beter for a new driver?

It really depends on so many other factors. What age is the new driver? Who is paying for the vehicle? Who is paying for the other associated costs (insurance, repairs)? Is there a social aspect that is important?

My reccomendation is actually probably somewhere in the middle. $12k will buy you a 3-5 year old Corolla with 50k miles. That's probably a good buy for a kid in college or a first job, because with reasonable maintence you could drive it for another 8-10 years without significant issue. On the other hand, high school kids tend to be a bit irresponsible and in a few years the car will be quite run down at a time when it's probably best if they don't have a car payment. $4k will buy you one that 10-15 years old with about 100k.

I think most of the folks that are making a big deal about safety features aren't being realistic about the difference this level of car.

I would also caution against the purchase of a used Subaru. I know plenty of folks that love Subaru and several that have Subaru's with 300k on the odometer. But they have fairly significant maintence costs and you really never know what the folks before you did.

I go the other way because I don't have that kind of money. The latest safety and convenience features are great if you can afford it. $12k? Not an option for me.

Newer with all the safety features.

Nicer car. Always. If you can afford. It influences your mood.

Honda, Toyota, Mazda for $6-8k.

My husband thinks cheap car for $4k (probably a Ford or hyndai) while I think she should get something nicer like a $12k toyota or Subaru (both brand's we like). The car will be used for commuting to/from work mainly with both city and highway driving. What do you all think is beter for a new driver?