Looking for a car for my 16yr old
- Thread starter dan765
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The 4EAT is one of the most bulletproof transmissions in the MIJ world. You literally had to mistreat them, worse than redheaded stepchildren, to have even a peep out of them. Maybe skip first year of FB just to be safe (but no known standout issues on the autos) but IMO an FB25/4EAT is probably as close to Pleiades Nirvana as one can get. And FWIW, over 8 Subarus and 800k miles, not once has an inner CV ever failed. It’s the outer CVs and wheel bearings on heavily crowned roads, because Subaru chose flat vs tapered roller bearings. JM2C…For the lowest priced cars, it's all about condition. You have to take each example individually.
All of those Subarus have the EJ, which is famous for head gasket problems
Subaru started using the FB engine in
2011 on the Forester
2012 on the Impreza
2013 on the Legacy/Outback
The 2011-2013 Forester gets you the new engine with the old transmission. The FB25 and the 4-speed auto (later years is the CVT)
No issues with the AWD itself, but they do eat CV axles due to the side-to-side motion of the engine. Ever want to see *inner* CV joints fail? Check out Subaru
The AWD Matrix/Vibe is another good choice. There's also the Suzuki SX4.
If it can go over the speed limit, it is fast enough to get you in trouble. Especially kids.
Just like Scotty Kilmer and I all own 04-08 Corollas.
A 04-08 Corolla will be your very best bet. Hope you do well.
A 04-08 Corolla will be your very best bet. Hope you do well.
This.
SAFE matters.
Each of my kids got a well-used, rust free, Volvo in excellent condition.
The early FB's had an extended warranty, so all the ones that went bad will have been replaced already
Find a nice Ford Five Hundred with FWD and Duratec V6 (AWD version has a CVT). Volvo inspired, 5-star crash rated. Edmunds lists a bunch of them in SLC, priced $2k to $8k.
2000 Honda Insight is an aluminum body, only seats 2 and has a stick, so long as you live in a non-inspection area they are cheap, slow and efficient.
Eliminating any issues with being too cool and carrying too many friends
Eliminating any issues with being too cool and carrying too many friends
Those were only a small bit of the manual FBs with bad oil ringsThe early FB's had an extended warranty, so all the ones that went bad will have been replaced already
A Corolla in the best shape you can afford.
Times sure have changed! I am convinced my parents wanted me in the most unreliable, most unsafe vehicle they could find. I had a Nova with rusted-out floors, no brake lights and turn signals that did not flash. It had been my grandma's, and she only parted with it because she had become convinced the Swiss-cheese holes in the body were drawing in exhaust fumes (it was recommended that I "always drive with a window open"). I sometimes wonder how many brain cells were killed from breathing in all those fumes for three years.
That's what duct tape is for. Cover the rust areas. What color duct tape do you need?
Most parents were more concerned with not being out any money if you crashed the thing.
Something like an older Toyota Corolla that has been kept up. My Geo went 246,000 miles with 6k oil changes, one clutch, 3 mtx fluid changes, and brake fluid change.
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Why not the Impala:
https://www.natewade.com/inventory/used-2008-chevrolet-impala-ls-fwd-4dr-car-2g1wb58k381300843/
But anyway Mazda 3 or 6 is my vote. Subaru if you get a good FB and 4eat 5eat or stick.
Consider getting a stick so they learn, too many 20 somethings only have auto licences now days.
My first car at 16 was a 69 Dart Hardtop.
https://www.natewade.com/inventory/used-2008-chevrolet-impala-ls-fwd-4dr-car-2g1wb58k381300843/
But anyway Mazda 3 or 6 is my vote. Subaru if you get a good FB and 4eat 5eat or stick.
Consider getting a stick so they learn, too many 20 somethings only have auto licences now days.
My first car at 16 was a 69 Dart Hardtop.
Three on the tree?
What is wrong with auto license when the whole world is going CVT, hybrid, and EV?
Do you want them to add a fake step transmission shift mode when they can just apply more current and let the computer give you better torque if you just turn on the power mode? Computer response time is probably 20ms and a typical human is at least 200ms.
I have to start my response by saying I don't have kids, so it gives me another perspective. I also assume that if the car is not running Kiddo can jump on the dreaded school bus to get to school. Ride/You/or Uber to get to work if needed.
Any 2wd that is not a rusted heap. Safety is important. But so is driving skills. Stick shift even better. A nice 4cylinder 5 speed 2wd Ranger would be the ticket. Can't carry a bunch of friends (legally) and certainly can't go out in a blizzard. I feel that people in general feel indestructible with AWD/4WD and drive in a storm like its a warm sunny day. When an accident occurs, its "Well I have 4wd so it shouldn't have done that".
Any 2wd that is not a rusted heap. Safety is important. But so is driving skills. Stick shift even better. A nice 4cylinder 5 speed 2wd Ranger would be the ticket. Can't carry a bunch of friends (legally) and certainly can't go out in a blizzard. I feel that people in general feel indestructible with AWD/4WD and drive in a storm like its a warm sunny day. When an accident occurs, its "Well I have 4wd so it shouldn't have done that".
