Recommend a car for my teen, please...

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

She's turning 16 in March. We'll probably need to purchase a car for her. It will probably be used, but I was thinking of something small and sporty like a Mini Cooper or a Volkswagon Beetle.

Can you tell me what you would pick out?

 

[noseybuddy]

I need to know also. We bought my DS17 a used car in the beginning of Sept. Well the car just died. Not worth putting the money into fixing it. So now we need to get him a new inexpensive car and according to him, doesn't look like a girl car. Some nerve huh?

 

[tinatark]

Sunfire, Civic, Focus are 3 smaller, economical cars that come to mind. My Navigator was in for service and they gave me a Focus ! to drive. I was pleasantly surprised. Not a fair trade, though - Navigator for a Focus!

 

[noseybuddy]

I like the look of the Sunfire, but DS says it is a girl car. DH read the write-up on it and it wasn't too good.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Give her the Suburban, Paige.

 

[Bearvet]

DS16 got his license in Sept., so we car shopped during the summer so he'd be ready to go. We ended up with a '96 Saab 900S with fairly low mileage. So far it's been great, especially once he got the hang of driving standard!!
Before we bought it, we took it to our own mechanic for a once-over and he said he'd feel comfortable with his own kid driving it. We feel like we got a fair price on it and have been happy with it so far....

It's dark green and loaded - AC, sunroof, 6CD player, heated seats, etc. While it's not his dream car, it's not too bad.

It definitely pays to do research first - most people suggested a foreign car - Toyota, Honda, etc. as they tend to hold up better than American-made.

Good luck!

 

[sweet angel]

I had a Sunfire before I traded it for my Tribute. I loved that car and with the exception of problem with the serpentine belt that resulted in a tow, never had a problem with it.

It really is a girl car though!

I would get something larger than a Beetle or Mini Cooper. Something a little more sturdy and less likely to be driven recklessly. I mean, I understand any vehicle can be driven recklessly, but I would think a new driver would be more likely to speed in a sporty car than an old Reliant K or something like that!

 

[Pugdog007]

I purchased a 2001 Beetle when DD17 turned 16 last year. It's a very safe car (check out its safety record), and has airbags on the front and sides. It's also close to the ground and handles well.

She loves it. I would recommend it.

 

[golfgal]

I would buy a small truck, no back seat, 2 seat belts, then she can only have one other friend in the car/truck with her.

 

[Pugdog007]

Sorry double post.

 

[luvdzny]

We bought DD a 2000 Sunfire last year when she turned 16. She loves it but the first thing her boyfriend said was "it's a girl's car." He does drive it from time to time though.

 

[eclectics]

I don't think the Sunfire got good crash test results. The Beetle would be a good choice or perhaps a Nissan Sentra (very reliable), same with Toyota Corolla.

 

[AMcaptured]

Our daughter has a VW beetle too....Young girls simply love them and they have pretty good safety ratings.

 

[graygables]

Our DD bought a Kia Rio when she turned 16. Nice-looking, not expensive, good warranty, practical, not too many bells and whistles, plus she's short, so that helps!

 

[N.Bailey]

It definitely pays to do research first - most people suggested a foreign car - Toyota, Honda, etc. as they tend to hold up better than American-made.

Good luck!

That's because most foreign cars are made in the US and most domestic cars are made outside the US.

Looking for suggestions. I have a 15 year old who'll be in the market this year as well!

We checked with our insurance carrier and if he maintains a B average or better, our insurance will go up about $650 for the 1st year and drop a little each year thereafter. What's been everyone's experience with insurance rates? My GF in Tennessee's went up like $1200 a year.....can you say, OUCH!

 

[janette]

Check the insurance institute crash testing site, http://www.iihs.org/news/2005/iihs_news_120405.pdf this has the safety ratings. They have said that the side airbags make a big difference so I know that it will be something I'll look at when I'm in your position in a couple of years. I also like the idea of an onstar type system, if nothing else I'll tell DD that I can use it for tracking

 

[MoniqueU]

I would probably try and get something a bit bigger then a beetle. What about a jetta? Those are nice cars.

 

[JKLLady]

We got DD, 19, a Saturn ION 3 when she got her license; she's had it 2 1/2 years now & still loves it! We're in NJ, so insurance rating was an issue & the Ion had a very good rating with NJ Manufacturer's Insurance (so, good rates!). It had good ratings on the crash test & side curtain air bags; the price was good too (bought it at the end of August as a leftover with 0% financing)!

 

[ilovepcot]

I drive a Nissan 350Z, a tiny 2 seater car. It's fast and has incredible acceleration and is fun to drive, BUT....I can't see over hedges near corners, nor can other drivers see me. I can't see over average sized cars in parking lots, making it very dangerous to back out and other drivers rarely see me trying to back out. Being sandwiched between large SUV's is a nightmare and my car is larger than a MINI COOPER! I'm considering trading my car for something larger and safer. Definitely wouldn't put a *new driver* in something tinier than what I have. It's like a gnat trying to fly (safely) in a swarm of killer bees!!! Go for bigger!

 

[Michie]

I would buy a small truck, no back seat, 2 seat belts, then she can only have one other friend in the car/truck with her.

I agree with this! And put a locking cover over the bed and keep the key!