'16 focus vs. mazda3 vs 17 elantra

[slugg]

Why the hell would you let a 16 year old dictate which car he's getting for free, especially over looks? If it were me, I'd buy him a janky beater that looks and smells like crap. Nobody will want to ride with him, meaning no distractions. And he'll want a better car, meaning he'll succeed in school and head toward a good career.

 

[zerocool84]

Yes, that is like 80% of my logic on that decision.
10% is I want him to learn a manual. (and I like to be a jerk)
10% is it is cheaper.

Nowadays auto's are usually faster and get better MPG than manual.

 

[Pantoot]

Nowadays auto's are usually faster and get better MPG than manual.

Certainly true in the case of the mazda3. To finish up the thread, the wife and I visited a bunch of dealerships yesterday and finalized on the 3, pending insurance costs being reasonable (as much as can be for a <25 male.)

I am thinking the I-touring with manual will be the way to go.

On another note, things have become silly here with the dealer add ons. One place has $2k worth of tint and misc "protection packages" on a 20k car. Wonder if anyone nods and pays for that crap.

 

[MongGrel]

For a 16 year old ?

Lucky him I guess.

Mine was an 70 Camaro when I was 16, that was about 6 years old I worked to buy myself, and it needed the clutch rebuilt. I had to buy my own insurance and gas also. Even paid my own cloths, dad provided the roof over the head, food, etc.

I guess that was part of learning to be an adult.

My father showed me how to take the tranny out and replace it at the time, and took it out on the roads for about two hours solo messing with it on country roads before I ever got to drive it.

I replaced the next two clutches myself, heh.

 

[jlee]

2007-ish Honda Fit for $4500.

He can veto shit when he's the one paying for it.

 

[zerocool84]

2007-ish Honda Fit for $4500.

He can veto shit when he's the one paying for it.

Seeing as his chances of totaling the car are extremely high, no reason for any kid that age to get a new car but it's his kid and his decision. When I was 15, I bought a '69 Bug for $700 and kept it for 10yrs.

 

[Pantoot]

2007-ish Honda Fit for $4500.

He can veto shit when he's the one paying for it.

Veto does sound a bit strong. I gave him a budget and some options and asked what do you like. It's not like he threw himself on the ground crying when I suggested a hatch, he just said he likes the sedan more.

 

[MongGrel]

redacted.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

We have a 2012 Focus Titanium in the family - 83K miles, no maintenance other than regular oil changes. The interior upgrades in the 2015+ are really nice and the 2016 added Sync 3 which is a huge improvement.

Hit up TrueCar.com and look at what dealers in large cities are charging for each of these. Ford will most likely come out the cheapest as the all new 2018 Focus should release in mid 2017 while the Elantra is all new the 3 was just released 2yrs ago.

 

[Yuriman]

I'd much rather see this totaled than a new 3 or Focus:

 

[michal1980]

If you want to force someone to pay more attention to driving the easy thing to do is get them a MT.

not really true.

 

[deathBOB]

Good on you for getting a newer, e.g. safer, car. The difference in price is pocket change compared to a potential medical bill.

Something you may not have considered: visibility out of the 3 and Focus isn't great. I'm not sure about the Elantra, but I imagine a new driver would benefit from good sight lines.

I drive a 2016 WRX and one of the things I enjoy about the car is the good visibility. I believe the Impreza should offer the same visibility. It's also very safe and not too quick. Could be a good choice.

 

[yh125d]

Veto does sound a bit strong. I gave him a budget and some options and asked what do you like. It's not like he threw himself on the ground crying when I suggested a hatch, he just said he likes the sedan more.

Meh, take the people suggesting just getting him a beater cause "screw it, he's just a kid and he's gonna wreck it anyway" with a couple extra pinches of salt. You have insurance, that is what it's for. If you aren't already, I would suggest framing this as a big long-term gift, or maybe an early graduation present. Something that clearly communicates to him a message of "this is yours, but it's a big and expensive gift, and one that will be yours for a long time (until he can afford a newer nicer car on his own), so you better darn well take care of it".

You could also make him pay for insurance if you aren't and definitely IMO pick up the deductible and any collision-induced costs he might cause

Also, I'd do the math on different deductible costs with your insurance. In my situation, having a $500 deductible instead of $1000 saves me money so long as I average one claim every 7 years or something. Probably not a big deal if you're 43 and drive a Camry, but to a 16 year old kid with a new zoom zoom mazda it's probably worth getting the lower deductible


And finally, props for looking at manuals. It's a valuable skill, I strongly feel it makes you a better and safer driver, and makes it less likely he will let his dumb buddies drive it and wreck it.

 

[yh125d]

Good on you for getting a newer, e.g. safer, car. The difference in price is pocket change compared to a potential medical bill.

Something you may not have considered: visibility out of the 3 and Focus isn't great. I'm not sure about the Elantra, but I imagine a new driver would benefit from good sight lines.

I drive a 2016 WRX and one of the things I enjoy about the car is the good visibility. I believe the Impreza should offer the same visibility. It's also very safe and not too quick. Could be a good choice.

Actually yeah this on hatches. Practical they are, but many have poorer visibility than you would expect. A rear view camera may be a valuable option worth looking for

 

[NutBucket]

Get the $500 deductible so the kid learns the value of his mistakes. I had to pay for my own insurance. Knowing that fat bill could easily go higher was an effective deterrent to hooliganism.

 

[MongGrel]

Get the $500 deductible so the kid learns the value of his mistakes. I had to pay for my own insurance. Knowing that fat bill could easily go higher was an effective deterrent to hooliganism.

+1

 

[Demo24]

I'd much rather see this totaled than a new 3 or Focus:

Also much more likely to die if that happens. It's not exactly like op is buying a super fancy car here and a base 3 isn't really all that fast (will ultimately go fast enough though).

 

[zerocool84]

Also much more likely to die if that happens. It's not exactly like op is buying a super fancy car here and a base 3 isn't really all that fast (will ultimately go fast enough though).

You won't die if you don't drive stupid. My first car when 15 was a '69 Bug and I'm still alive.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

When I was 17 I got a brand new VW GTI as my first car as a graduation present. 12 years later and I'm fairly successful. Never got in any accidents with it. Traded it in for my 335i awhile back.

 

[videogames101]

lmao how about a 90's used pickup for $500 instead

 

[Demo24]

You won't die if you don't drive stupid. My first car when 15 was a '69 Bug and I'm still alive.

, shit happens out there that isn't always the drivers fault. Regardless, a beater like that will make even minor crashes more serious. Not all teens are irresponsible, I received a car when I was 16 from my dad and I turned around and sold it for a wrx a year later. Like phoking I never ran into troubles.

 

[Yuriman]

It's not like late 90's/early 2000's cars are deathtraps. They aren't quite as safe as a brand new vehicle, sure, but it's not like we're talking about pre-seatbelt or crumple-zone cars.

Chances are very good it'll be in an accident of some sort.