Looking for a car for my 16yr old

[tcp71]

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".

My 19yo has a 2008 Ranger. He bought it for $1k at 17. 2.3l 4cyl, 5 speed manual and 2wd. He filled the bed with snow to keep more weight in the back through the winter. Box is rusting. We offered him something better, but he seems to love the thing. Takes it out on the lake for ice track fun. Drifting is built in.

 

[LordNilesStandish]

Three on the tree?

Yes but 3 speed automatic

 

[LordNilesStandish]

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.

It's if they need manual for employment like lite to heavy commercial or travel or get a stick car like a manual WRX or STi or want to get into performance cars.

 

[hardheaded]

Whatever you do , don't do what i did. I bought my 17 year old son a 98 trans am ws6, boy was that a mistake !