Brand new
Looking for a car for my 16yr old
- Thread starter dan765
- Start date
Probably doesn't matter which one you buy because they are going to wreck it anyway.
Mazda all the way.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
One with stick shift.
@dan765
Something to think about as you put your child into a car (I have dealt with this twice for context, both males).
Do you want to trust your child's safety and wellbeing to a used car that you know nothing about? I was asked this same question when my kids started to drive some 8 years ago... I decided to give up my 2005 Jeep GC and daily drive my 2012 Ram even though it is more expensive.
So, you ask, what was the tradeoff...?
They were in a vehicle I knew and maintained. They were in a vehicle of substantial size should something happen, and they had AWD in case of inclement weather. And, yes, they understood that didn't help with stopping.
Some things to think about before you put your child in a used small car.
FWIW, that same 2005 Jeep GC is still being driven by my youngest as he starts his professional career with over 200K on it. Yes, it is rusty and yes it has needed some maintenance, but it is cheaper than him having a payment.
Food for thought is all.
Minivans are notoriously hard to service because of lack of access to the drivetrain. Keep that in mind. Teens already have enough excuses to neglect their vehicles; no need to give them a great excuse.
I, too, vote for a small pickup instead of a minivan or a Subi.
I, too, vote for a small pickup instead of a minivan or a Subi.
There probably are a couple good years of subaru in that age range, but you have to figure out what they are, as there's also a few bad years for head gaskets or oil consumption, or CVT's.
Also for that price range, I'd rather buy privately with a book full of maintenance records, in front a nice well maintained home, talking to the owner who gives me a good feeling....
If you need AWD, maybe a Matrix is the way to go? I've never looked up what their weaks spots are though, but toyota has had AWD Camry's, Celica's in the 80-90's so I assume they know what they are doing?
Also for that price range, I'd rather buy privately with a book full of maintenance records, in front a nice well maintained home, talking to the owner who gives me a good feeling....
If you need AWD, maybe a Matrix is the way to go? I've never looked up what their weaks spots are though, but toyota has had AWD Camry's, Celica's in the 80-90's so I assume they know what they are doing?
In my youth that was equivalent to getting a full size station wagon as your first car a death sentence with the girls.
Looks nice, take it for a test drive.
Here is a nice Mazda2 and another one in green 
Chevy Prizm (Corolla)
And of course, the Mirage
Suzuki SX4
Chevy Prizm (Corolla)
And of course, the Mirage
Suzuki SX4
My typical recommendation is Corolla for new driver, there's a reason why most driver eds use them here. It is pretty forgiving to drive and can't get fast enough to get into trouble.
Minivan and SUVs may be too big and get them into accidents due to the size and blind spots, parking spot issues (not sure if this is a problem in Utah but in California you won't fit in like 1/3 of the spots).
Minivan and SUVs may be too big and get them into accidents due to the size and blind spots, parking spot issues (not sure if this is a problem in Utah but in California you won't fit in like 1/3 of the spots).
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i would stay away especially they being sold as is.
Two of my 3 kids got into accidents their first couple of years driving. One was a fairly hard impact, thankfully no one was hurt. I'd recommend a big vehicle for protection and something cheap/old so that you can shrug off any little fender benders.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:49b08179-b70c-4f7a-8716-ce8eca9d5040
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:49b08179-b70c-4f7a-8716-ce8eca9d5040
Timing belts done on any of those Subies?
I do like the capacity argument for the small pickup. Shopping for one of them would be tedious because it's subject to truck wear and people tend not to sell 'em.
When I was looking for a Ranger-like truck for friends (yes, plural), only RWD were privately offered.
I do like the JGC example. We all know the car which is owned and family transferred is the cheapest/smartest way to go.
A college kid 100 miles away from me wrecked his Mazda6.
He answered the ad for my sis' 2012 Mazda3iTouring. It had 60k when sold in 6/2019. $6,000.
Papa wouldn't go for another quick car.
You'da loved that one.
A mamma bought my bro's Volvo 240 for her 17 year old son who had just wrecked his.
She liked that it was slow, heavy and safe. $4,250.
And never forget the blue Jeep Liberty for sale. I knocked on the door and a 17 year old kid answered.
He said his father just bought it for him but it wasn't his style.
I could've kicked him in the pecans on general principles.
I trust your kid is not like that kid.
I do like the capacity argument for the small pickup. Shopping for one of them would be tedious because it's subject to truck wear and people tend not to sell 'em.
When I was looking for a Ranger-like truck for friends (yes, plural), only RWD were privately offered.
I do like the JGC example. We all know the car which is owned and family transferred is the cheapest/smartest way to go.
A college kid 100 miles away from me wrecked his Mazda6.
He answered the ad for my sis' 2012 Mazda3iTouring. It had 60k when sold in 6/2019. $6,000.
Papa wouldn't go for another quick car.
You'da loved that one.
A mamma bought my bro's Volvo 240 for her 17 year old son who had just wrecked his.
She liked that it was slow, heavy and safe. $4,250.
And never forget the blue Jeep Liberty for sale. I knocked on the door and a 17 year old kid answered.
He said his father just bought it for him but it wasn't his style.
I could've kicked him in the pecans on general principles.
I trust your kid is not like that kid.
1) Older owner who has service records
2) VERY safe in an accident.
3) Easy to service. More on that later.
4) Absolutely nothing testerone poisoned. If the horsepower is high, your insurance will reflect it.
In a perfect world you just bought yourself a Ford Five Hundred or a Toyota Camry from a retiree.
The real world? Start with this study I co-developed. Then get the vehicle inspected by a local and reputable independent repair shop before you buy it.
If you need me, PM me.
2) VERY safe in an accident.
3) Easy to service. More on that later.
4) Absolutely nothing testerone poisoned. If the horsepower is high, your insurance will reflect it.
In a perfect world you just bought yourself a Ford Five Hundred or a Toyota Camry from a retiree.
The real world? Start with this study I co-developed. Then get the vehicle inspected by a local and reputable independent repair shop before you buy it.
If you need me, PM me.
The OP stated he is in Utah. Since he posted links to a dealer in Salt Lake City, I assume he is living there, or close to it.
Jetta with a 2.slow and a 5 speed manual.
Only subie that was any good 1993 Legacy. Old Lexus's are okay. Older Honda's and Toyota's.
Pickups will usually come out better in a crash, and is why so many folks drive them.
Pickups will usually come out better in a crash, and is why so many folks drive them.
I mean, you could always scale down a Breaking Bad motorhome setup, no???
Several trips to the feedlot to pickup compost for Mom's garden ought to fix that, lol.
