First car recommendations for teen?

Yes! No stuffed animals, though.

native son? Native of where, Japan?Buy American and support America!

NativeSon wrote:

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.

runnigelrun wrote:

Ford Taurus. Good gas mileage and few repairs on the older models. The newer ones have some problems but they are good cars.

Great cars, you can find older ones for cheap prices as well.

A used Honda Civic. You wont regret and she wont have to take it to the shop, only for oil change and spark plug replacement.

If you don't like your teen, buy American.

If you like your teen, by Japanese or German.

i hope you got a big garage...cause im puttin my bike in it

I've already "had" to get cars for 5 teenagers, with two more to come. My theory is evolving from getting a cheap, small clunker to getting more of a decent, safer car that will last into the college years. I have been really happy with Impalas about 4-5 years old. They are comfortable, roomy, good on mileage, and a rated as a safe car. Your child will inevitably get in a wreck in the near future--don't regret not looking for something crashworthy. You can easily do this under $8,000. Gas mileage is "only" 20 mpg, but your child should certainly buy his/her own gas since you are providing the car and insurance. I have had some luck with eBaymotors, but now its clogged with car dealers and not any fun.

Volvos don't break down that often. I'd shy away from the S series (especially mid 90's models). I'd go with the 850s (predecessor to the S series). I've had a 1995 850 with 170K on it. The most I've had to do with the car is get new tires and 1 new battery and I purchased the car new. They may not be as stylish as the S series but they run like a beast and are built like a tank. My father totaled his 850 (needed an all new dash/airbags/windshield) when he hit a patch of ice and slammed into a traprock face at 30 mph. He had a seatbelt bruise and and bruise on his arm from the deployed airbag. Any other car and it wouold have been a hell of a lot worse. All that had to be done was let the bumper out a bit so the fender would stop grinding on the wheel well and it still drives like a charm. You honestly can't get any safer than a Volvo 850. They're still fun to drive and look quite sporty with a spoiler. My two cents anyway...

And those models are all no good in the snow.

every prior post is wrong ... buy a prizm. They are exactly the same as a Toyota Corolla - exact same engine (built in the same plant). just a some extras not included unless asked for .... and you can get em for 2-3-4 thousand dollars less. Same reliability and ample uumph. You can easily find a very very nice one for 8k ... and many for less

just ask my dog spot!

dodge srt-4

LS1 camaro

dodge stealth

vw r32

cobalt ss

e36 m3

mitsubishi vr-4

oomph

Having had several kids driving used vehicles-both domestic and import- some observations.

There is hardly any difference anymore in the quality of the vehicles. There is a reason why Ford and Toyota dealerships have service departments- they need fixed at times.

Buy from a new car dealership and a unit that was traded in. Most will let you have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and let you talk to the previous owner. Thats the key, the condition of the individual vehicle.

Recomendations

Ford Taurus-safe, cheap, roomy

Ford Focus(2002 up, not early models)peppy,cute,

Chevy Impala-same as Taurus

Chevy/Geo Prizm- dont pay extra for the privalege of owning a Toyota-especially when this is the same vehicle as the Corolla.

Buy a manufacturer extended warranty if possible, your teenager will probably need it.

I had a 1979 Ford Thunderbird with a 351 Cleveland in it. That tank was awesome.

68 Rambler

$$$$$$ wrote:

Let me correct that F*ck Pickup Truck Drivers. Especially the posers who lack testoterone and buy the damned things to overcompensate, or are punks on HGH and "pump iron".

(Apologies to 18-wheel pros who make a living at it.)

Unless you have a construction or landscaping company what do you need a goddam*ed pickup truck for?

I don't like them either, but why are you so mad at them?

Why do you care what other people drive?

$$$$$$ wrote:

Let me correct that F*ck Pickup Truck Drivers. Especially the posers who lack testoterone and buy the damned things to overcompensate, or are punks on HGH and "pump iron".

(Apologies to 18-wheel pros who make a living at it.)

Unless you have a construction or landscaping company what do you need a goddam*ed pickup truck for?

And what EXACTLY were YOU doing when you got hit all these times? Do you have a bullseye painted on your cars or do you talk on the cell, proceed into the intersection without looking first just because the light turned green, or do you just plain sit in other peoples' blind spots? I drive over 35,000 mile a year in company cars (stratus, malibu) and have done so for over 17 years and have not been in ONE accident. And it is not all highway miles.

You must not be a very good driver.

As far as trucks, I use my F150 to pull the boat, get into the back country on fishing trips to Canada, use the 4WD in the winter, and haul materials for projects around the house or for family and friends.

i know wrote:

just ask my dog spot!

Another California in the '70s guy. I beat you by about 30 posts though. See page 1.