Car for teen
- Thread starter RaiseUp
- Start date
my advice would be to get a small car... 2-door if possible. not only are they easier to handle and park, but it will mean that your teen probably won't be the driver when s/he and 10 friends all decide to cram into one car and go somewhere to party.
whenever we went out in high school, and there were way too many of us to fit into one car, we'd all cram into the biggest car and that lucky person got to be the driver
whenever we went out in high school, and there were way too many of us to fit into one car, we'd all cram into the biggest car and that lucky person got to be the driver
My parents said they would pay for everything(Car, Insurance), but I said that I wanted to pay for it . to show I am responsible. So that's why I don't want a BMW or Benz. How are those Avengers?
conorvansmack
Diamond Member
- Feb 24, 2004
- 5,041
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ex wife purchased our daughter a new (then) 03 Hyndai Accent last year after she got her license. (16 then) the point was to relieve her of any bs dealing with a car and transportation until she graduates college. for under $10k new it is a fairly nice inexpensive car, but of course you could get a whole lot more for less by purchasing used. once again, her reasoning was it is new and has a 10yr 100k mile warranty, has side air bags and gets good mpg etc. would I have purchased the same? no, but I'm not a "mother". she seems very happy with the car (even though she's not a fan of small cars) and I will admit it's really not bad for the price overall.
anyway... most any azn used car with under 100k for a around $5-6k should be fine and last for a few trouble free years. unless you are a fan or enthusiast of certain models (such as Jeeps) there's no way I would buy a used American car when azn ones are so much a better value. (reliablity, etc) American cars have come a long way (such as the Neons) but for the most part azn cars on a budget price > *
anyway... most any azn used car with under 100k for a around $5-6k should be fine and last for a few trouble free years. unless you are a fan or enthusiast of certain models (such as Jeeps) there's no way I would buy a used American car when azn ones are so much a better value. (reliablity, etc) American cars have come a long way (such as the Neons) but for the most part azn cars on a budget price > *
my parents wouldn't even let me get my license until I could pay for my own insurance; since I live in NJ, as a 16 y/o male, my insurance would have been, like, $5,000... as a result, I ended up not getting my license until I turned 21. By the time I got it, they felt so bad for me that they gave me their old car ('97 ford escort).
upgrading it to a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse over the summer, though.
upgrading it to a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse over the summer, though.
you must've had a heck of a childhood job. either that or are a trust fund baby and "your" money comes from there. no biggie either way. i take it you havea penis, are hetro, and prefer tators over rice. I'm having to assume this because other than asking for Aleros (not a bad car) and Avengers, you haven't mentioned much about your desire in an automobile. what price range are you looking at and any lifestyle issues? (sporty, convertible, 2 door, 4x4, what?) seems you are looking at middle of the road american sedans... I take it you live in teh midwest somewhere? (if you were in the southwest US those wouldn't have been the first two cars you would be asking for opinions on) so enough of my crystal ball...
I like both the cars you've mentioned so far.
http://www.asog.net/
http://www.alero.org/
I remember scoping out the Aleros when they first came out and it was a nice alternative to the Japanese stuff (but I still don't know how they compare and would SERIOUSLY check for direct comparisons and reliability reports) They seem nice "sporty" american "azn" type sedans.
The Avenger is directly related to the Sebring and that was a car I was considering for my daughter (a used one in convertible form) for when she started college a year n a few months from now. (now that she has her new car that would be silly.)
I would think the Alero would outperform the Avenger in performance, but I like the Sebring style and the Alero isn't a convertible. I would probably prefer the Sebring/Avenger since the Alero is an american version of the azn concept, (kinda like out amercian wild rice) and imho what's the point in that? if you want azn, buy azn! they do it better. the Sebring/Avenger is American, undeniably so... whereas somebody could easily mistake the Alero for a rice bowl, there is no mistaking the Sebring/Avenger for what it is, AMERICAN. now whether this is good or bad depends on your pov. in convertible form, I like it. I would seriously have to do some major research before I bought a non-convertible model though.
speaking of which.. you REALLY want to show your parents you are responsible? research the hell out it beyond asking a bunch of turds opinions on the internet. sure, this is a good start, but find out all the data on it such as reliability and repair figures n such. although doing that will probably make you want to buy an Acura Integra. haha. then own up to the car and don't be so wishy washy by wanting a different one every year or two.. that is hard! you lightly research a vehicle and a year later desperatly want something else that comes along! that is why I prefer unique or classic style vehicles that don't go out of style in a few years. (cars that are timeless > * )
I "did" look a bit into the Sebring Convertible and it beat out the yota solora convertible in a few areas. (and other convertibles) A convertible is a unique thing though andin a smaller group with which to compare, by wanting a sedan, that opens up a world of MANY cars to compare.
edit: forgot to mention one basic thing... there is NO WAY I would consider anything other than the optional V6 in either of those vehicles. if you want a 4cyl American stick with the Neon or somethign a bit lighter. even if you're not a gear head, you don't want to be run over getting around. it will less stressfull on the engine also. I am a firm believer of matching the engine to the vehicle in this regards. most often that is not taking the smallest/cheapest engine available in a model. doesn't have to be the biggest/most powerfull either.for instance if a line has 3 engine options, a 4cyl, a 6cyl, and a turbo 4cyl, it will often behoove the non-all out performance buyer to purchase the 6cyl. it won't labor to keep up, might have such things as a timing chain instead of belt, and isn't pressurized to put a strain on in the engine or require overly frequent maintenance. (you better keep that turbo car exceptionaly maintained if you want it to last) whereasthe base engine maybemarginal at best and it is having to work overtime to keep up. no point in that at all. a few excpetions do come to mind, but they are the exception and not the rule. as a rule, even as a non-performance oriented person, the upgraded engine pays off in the long run. (and every day for that matter)
that's the creepiest thing in the world. hehe. my best friend drove the same thing, up until a few months ago. he got it during senior year of high school ('99) when his grandmother died.
It doesn't have to be a beater to be cheap. Don't buy a new car. That's stupid. Don't buy anything made in the last 4 or 5 years, unless you find it DIRT CHEAP.
With teens, insurance is already high. Might as well find a car that lowers it. Aside from that, I it's something like 4 out of 5 teens wreck within 2 years of getting their license, so you might as well get them a car where it's "okay" (read, not going to make you blow a gasket) if it gets a few bumps and scratches, then tell them if they keep that in good condition, you'll help them get a better car when they are a more experienced driver.
This also helps because now that they are driving, they are more likely to start working, which means you can tell them to start saving money for a down payment on a car in the future.
With teens, insurance is already high. Might as well find a car that lowers it. Aside from that, I it's something like 4 out of 5 teens wreck within 2 years of getting their license, so you might as well get them a car where it's "okay" (read, not going to make you blow a gasket) if it gets a few bumps and scratches, then tell them if they keep that in good condition, you'll help them get a better car when they are a more experienced driver.
This also helps because now that they are driving, they are more likely to start working, which means you can tell them to start saving money for a down payment on a car in the future.
First car: I'd pick up a cheap used car. My personal preference is an 80's Volvo 240 series. Why?
#1: They're built like bricks. (They're also CALLED bricks by those of us who love 'em.) Mechanically and physically bullet proof. Even without airbags and such they're still among the safest cars on the road.
#2: Teenager = high accident risk. Even with all the insurance in the world, would you really want to wreck a nice new car? $$$ or not, you'd still feel like poop.
#3: Teenager = other teenagers who won't care about your car like you do.
#4: $$. If you're paying out of your own pocket, the insurance and car payments on a new car will suck up every dime you get. Wouldn't you rather be spending your $$ on girls and toys?
#5: Cheap and easy to maintain.
#6: If it blows up, buy another! I paid $1200 for my 84 244GL with leather interior and new paint. That's 3-4 monthly car payments, not counting the fact that you don't need full coverage insurance.
#7: Cop invisible. On a Friday night, the cops aren't looking for the families in a 20 year old Volvo. They're looking for kids and drunks in new flashy cars.
I know that it's hard to consider something less cool than a brand new car. But overall I think you'd be happier in more situations with this car.
#1: They're built like bricks. (They're also CALLED bricks by those of us who love 'em.) Mechanically and physically bullet proof. Even without airbags and such they're still among the safest cars on the road.
#2: Teenager = high accident risk. Even with all the insurance in the world, would you really want to wreck a nice new car? $$$ or not, you'd still feel like poop.
#3: Teenager = other teenagers who won't care about your car like you do.
#4: $$. If you're paying out of your own pocket, the insurance and car payments on a new car will suck up every dime you get. Wouldn't you rather be spending your $$ on girls and toys?
#5: Cheap and easy to maintain.
#6: If it blows up, buy another! I paid $1200 for my 84 244GL with leather interior and new paint. That's 3-4 monthly car payments, not counting the fact that you don't need full coverage insurance.
#7: Cop invisible. On a Friday night, the cops aren't looking for the families in a 20 year old Volvo. They're looking for kids and drunks in new flashy cars.
I know that it's hard to consider something less cool than a brand new car. But overall I think you'd be happier in more situations with this car.
Ryan
Lifer
- Oct 31, 2000
- 27,519
- 2
- 81
make sure you research and educate yourself on cars before you buy one - don't buy them because they look nice. Take into effect MPG, engine, reliability, depreciation, safety options, options in general, and value. Visit sites like Epionions.com, Edmunds.com, and KBB.com to help with your decision.
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