First car recommendations for teen?

Ford Focus for my teen

Your son or daughter is lucky to have a parent like you. I wish we had had enough money for me to drive a semi-decent car.

I'm 24, and I currently drive a 1992 Saturn with a very poor transmission. And this is the "newest" car I've ever had the fortune of having. Before this it was my family's '88 Subaru GL and a '91 Geo Storm. Both died on me.

I drove my friend's 1996 Dodge Stratus the other day and it felt like it was from the future or something. I can't even imagine the pleasure of driving a car from this millenium.

MVEMJSUNP wrote:

Your son or daughter is lucky to have a parent like you. I wish we had had enough money for me to drive a semi-decent car.

I'm 24, and I currently drive a 1992 Saturn with a very poor transmission. And this is the "newest" car I've ever had the fortune of having. Before this it was my family's '88 Subaru GL and a '91 Geo Storm. Both died on me.

I drove my friend's 1996 Dodge Stratus the other day and it felt like it was from the future or something. I can't even imagine the pleasure of driving a car from this millenium.

i know the feeling. my first car: a college graduation "gift" isuzu I-mark with 217,000 miles. didn't have a car until then. believe it or not, that is possible. then i bought a '93 saturn (new at the time). hard to believe an 11,000 dollar car with extras listed as "tape deck and passenger side mirror" could feel so good.

i've driven a stratus as a rental a couple times. if that feels futuristic, i really feel for you!

One problem with civics is that if you live in a big city (or at least mine), people regularly get the engines jacked by street racers who blow theirs out. The car's not too reliable without the engine.

my uncle's purchases for his daughter (two years ago) and son (this month) upon their sixteenth birthdays:

her: brand new Audi A4

him: brand new Hummer H3

thanks for contributing to the general crapification of America, unc, especially with the Hummer. Nothing like a couple more annoying, inexperienced brats driving around in too much car.

I'm so ashamed.

Ku Klux Karnazes wrote:

A nice old Trans Am, maybe circa 1978-81 or so.

Oh wait, that's what I wanted. Nevermind.

Don't laugh. Most (all?) of the engine's put into a Trans Am from that generation only produced 190-220 HP. Considering a Civic SI now comes with 197 and the Impala has a base HP of 211 that wouldn't be a bad option. Old School cool but not really fast.

engines

I wouldn't buy any kid a Civic Si, that's dumb.

...why not move?

I drive a 1996 Ford Contour. Cost $2700 if I remember right. I get about 39mpg highway with it, which I don't understand, but it's true. I've never had any problems with it, but my dad is really good about changing the oil...

Finding a good reliable car can be a matter of luck, but I would normally go with a Civic or Corolla. You might consider your child's driving ability though. I've never had a wreck, but I know kids who crashed their first week out. If you're not too confident in your child's driving ability or responsibility, I wouldn't get them a very nice car.

The Focus had a bunch of recalls on 2000-2001 models and one or two on the 2002 models. There was one recall on the 2005 model, but the Focus has not had a recall since 2005. Its reliability stands as between average and above average in its class. The long-term prospect for the Focus is good given its rating as the No. 3 small car in JD Power's 2006 long-term quality survey.

Stay away from the Ford Focus.

Get an underpowered tank, so that it won't accellerate or go too fast and can take some abuse.

if it's for your son get them a $500. piece of shit. he'll learn the value of a dollar and some humility. if it lasts a year or two and they figure it out, get em a better ride. nothing goes further than appreciation.

him

the QUESTION was: "first car recomendation for his teen"....not an invitation for you to tell us all how rough you had it and how your first car was a 300 dollar klunker; or how you have no money to buy your teen a car, (sorry), or some other off-topic spiel.

New to letsrun?

Get him/her an older Buick (88-95) that some grandma used to own, but she'll sell it for cheap, cause she can't drive anymore. The car will be babied & taken care, with low miles. Buicks run great as well & have lots of nice features.

Buy a 2002 or a 2003 Toyota Corolla.

If you don't remember anything else from this board/forum, you'll remember this advice. Trust me.