Recommend a car for my teen, please...

[Banzai]

Hi Pam!

 

[DawnCt1]

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.

That's what we did. One of the best things any parent can do for a teenage driver to limit distractions is to limit the number or passengers in the vehicle. It is also the single best thing you can do to limit your "exposure". Often the pick up isn't comfortable enough or big enough or takes too much gas and they end up riding with someone else. In fact, its sitting in the yard right now.

 

[Pam]

Hi Pam!

Brad,
I was just coming back to this thread to ask you how you are enjoying life after HS graduation?? How have you been?

 

[DawnCt1]

I should also add, the minimum age that we allowed any of our DSs to get there license was 17 years with the average of 17.5. I read the study many years ago that if you can postpone a drivers license until the age of 17, you reduce the chance of a fatal accident by 100%. I believe it was in a USAA publication. Anyway, it became the "law of the land" at our house and the state of Ct. has made 16 and a half the earliest age.

 

[Patch'sD]

Both my sons got used cars when they got their un restricted licenses at 17, minimum age in NY when completing a Drivers Education Course. One got a 94 Lebarron Convertible and the Other a 93 Subaru Impreza. Three years later both cars still going Strong. My oldest will be living off Campus this year and most likely we will help in purchasing a KIA RIO, Inexpensive and has a great Warranty. The 93 Imprezza is still going strong, mechanic has stated that the engine should go another 100,000 miles, right now it has about 120,000. Got love those Subaru H4, 1.8 liter Engines. Lebarron is destined for the Garage to be restored and become a weekend crusier for Dad.

 

[MICKEY88]

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 used to be true but no longer is,,I have a 96 Dodge Intrepid with 196,000 miles on it.. one of my friends has a Chrysler 300M with 250,000 miles on it, newer american cars, if properly maintained(oil changed regularly etc) will easily hit 200,000 miles and then some..

several teen members of my car club drive Intrepids because their parents were aware of the safety in crash, one of them rolled the family intrepid and walked away without a singe scratch..

I personally recomend Intrepids, decent gas mileage, and hold up great in crashes...

 

[Patty3]

For safety reasons, I like a Volvo.

 

[my3kids]

Volvo

 

[NCRedding]

we sold our old Volvo 240 to a friend for his daughter to drive when she turned 16--it was a tank--basic and reliable transportation.

DD will be getting my DH's hand-me-down, Volvo S-60--reliable, and safe, with a good amount of mileage on it, so we probably won't have to carry liability insurance on it.