You're safer and less likely to crash in a car that isn't a 'piece of ***' , though.
And insurance can be bad on old cars.
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Best Car for a 16 and a half year old?
- Thread starter G5Unit
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You're safer and less likely to crash in a car that isn't a 'piece of ***' , though.
And insurance can be bad on old cars.
Have you driven any cars that you like (such as your parents or friends - I know you said you are getting your license but you had a permit I'm assuming first). I would pick a car that you feel comfortable and safe in. I don't know if they will let you test drive a car, but if your parents are there with you I think they probably will since you would be using their credit. So, test drive the cars you are interested and see if you like the car before you buy it. All the posts about used over old have flawed logic - you should drive a used car the same as a new car and take care of both in the same way. Just because your car is $5000 doesn't mean you should treat it worse than a $40000 car - it's still your car. I don't like the idea of saying, well i'll get this and if I wreck it that's fine I'll get another and chalk it up to inexperience. People here are saying kids with $20k+ new cars are spoiled and rich, but if they take care of their cars and appreciate them, they are much more responsible than the kids who buys a $5000 car and then wrecks it within 6 months. When I was 17 I had a $30k car (I'm 23 now) and I still have the same car, no accidents, dents, scratches, etc. and I've paid the insurance. Don't let people here make you feel "bad" for having parents buy you a $16000 car.
They also look at the cost to repair the damage to the car. Parts for an Audi, BMW, etc. are usually more expensive than for Honda or Toyota - at least in my personal experience. They also look at your location (for theft rates, population density, average weather - believe me this is a big part because I used to live in a rural town of less than a thousand people, now I live in So Cal near LA and my city has 200,000 and rates went way up. I was going to buy my brother-in-law's bike, but insurance rates here for motorcycles was 3x back in my rural hometown!!), whether it is stored in a garage, carport, or outside in the open. They take into account the age of the driver, where men have higher rates than women generally (under 25), and your any driven record you have accumulated (tickets, violations, accidents, et.). It also takes into account the coverage you choose obviously (deductibles, etc.) - I could keep going but you get the point
I'll also vote for a used Volvo. I'm not sure I'd recommend going mod-crazy on your first car though.I have to chime in here, I'd also highly recommend a used volvo. I got a 1996 volvo 850 for $5600 in very good shape, and it's been pretty reliable. Also, if you're willing to spend a couple thousand dollars, you can get a hell of a lot of power out of the 5 cylinder engine.
It's actually a lot of fun to drive (not something that volvo is well known for, but it's true), and I'm about to spend nearly $2500 upgrading the suspension over spring break.
Also a total volvo fanboy here. I like the feeling of having a volvo wagon that can outperform most cars on the road.
Edit: Also the insurance isn't too high, and it's a very safe car.
--Andrzej
Wait a while until it feels slower. If your parents are DEAD-SET on a new car, you might be able to find a leftover 2007 Impreza 2.5i on a lot somewhere. It's most likely going to be under $15k at this point, and has more good stuff (rear disc brakes, 16" alloy wheels, antenna element on the rear glass) than the base 2008.Subarus are some of the safest cars on the road. EVERY 2008 model is an IIHS top safety pick (when fitted with optional stability control on the Impreza and Forester). The 2008 Rabbit isn't (but would have been if the seat/head restraints had earned a "good" rating).
Personally, I would NEVER buy a rental car, even if it came with a 1,000,000 mile/15 year warranty, and would cover damage caused by aftermarket parts. People beat on them BECAUSE they're rentals.
What you want to avoid is the rather common problem of having to pay back a loan for a car that was totaled years before the loan is re-payed. I sucks to be paying $250 a month for something that is rusting in some junk yard.
I'm with the guy who suggested getting a used Volvo. They are built like tanks.
just looked on carmax.com
http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?KNo=2
'03 Mazda6
$14,000
http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?KNo=2
'03 Mazda6
$14,000
Yes, he might get in an accident, the chances are slightly higher than the rest of the population, but that shouldn't preclude him from getting a nicer car. Getting a nicer car might foster a larger sense of pride. He might be responsible, keep it clean, take car of it well, etc.
Because they get in accidents more, I know that. But cars can be fixed (unless they're totalled), so there's really no reason for him not to get a nicer car.
Great point.
He could. But getting a new car is a great feeling, and no matter what people say, it IS worth something. Maybe not in practicality, but there's a notable difference.
Another thing to keep in mind for the people urging him to get a cruddy beater car, those are, on average, much less safer than a newer car. Of course it varies, but for the majority new cars are safer than older ones. BTW, I really like the VW Rabbit and love the Scion tC. Check those two out for sure. Those are very well equipped. Just please don't get white.
Oh God, don't even start. I've never gotten a ticket or in an accident, but a young person in a 300 horse power two door is never good on the insurance bill.
We also don't know if he will have student loans. I don't think he ever said he would, just that he'd like to pay them back for it for college. My point is that, if his family has the money, there's nothing wrong with getting him a new car.
Now I don't know how this works out statistically, I'll just give my general opinions. I think that I am a much safer driver even though I am younger compared adults on cell phones. I don't think the disparity is as huge as people say, but that's just my gut talking.
Also, do yourself a favor. Get a STICK SHIFT. Please.
I am going to have to agree with some of the others. Since you are going to have to pay your parents back I would suggest getting a reliable used car. You can get Honda Civics from dealers with some kind of warranty sometimes for around 10 or 11,000. Why put yourself in more debt with your parents at your age than you have to?
I think that is a silly statement. I think it's safe to say that most cars, no matter what the trim level have the same core safety features that earn high numbers during testing. Look at Subaru and Honda, they've been making very safe/affordable cars for years. Sure the Germans/Swedes make very safe cars too but look at differences in the median price tags. Also Korean cars have been doing pretty well in crash test ratings the last few years.
That is horrible advise. Rental cars are driven like hell and people since they are driving them for not very long don't give a crap about how well they take care of them.
I also wouldn't go to carmax. They are not knowledgeable about their cars and to make money they tend to low ball trade ins and overprice their resold cars. Buy private party.
Here's my advise as a 17 year old boy.
1) Find what car(s) you like
2) Look around but BE PATIENT (I looked at 4 cars before I got my 1st car, 8 cars before my 2nd)
3) Try to buy from a private party- dealers will rip you off and they also don't know where the car has been and in many cases know little about the car
My first car was a 1998 Land Rover Discovery LSE but its life was shortly ended thanks to a leaping deer. I now have a 2000 Land Rover Discovery. They are great cars... aside from their repair costs, gas bills, and reliability. I definitely would recommend who doesn't mind spending money maintaining their car. For $16,000 you could easily find an 04 Disco with under 50k miles. Don't get an 03 because they have oil pump issues.
Assuming you're like most people that doesn't want one of those, I love BMW's. A few of my friends have them and I think they are excellent cars, just look out for their repair bills and their bland interiors. A lot of my friends also have saabs, mostly 9-5's and 9-3's. They are fun little cars.
I wouldn't suggest getting a VW/Audi unless you put a lot of money aside to maintain them. My mom had a 97 A4 and we now have a 2005 Touareg V8, both nice cars but insanely unreliable. Everyone we know with VW's and Audis has been disappointed by the reliability.
You're probably best off just getting a Acura or Lexus, something reliable and relatively inexpensive to fix.
---
Don't rat on the kid for getting $16000 to spend on a car either. I see plenty of parents going out and buying cars for their kids. My sister has a friend that has a G500 so I think $16k is reasonable haha.
Not a good idea unless you know the person. The parents want something reliable and someone to hold accountable if something goes wrong.
CLDR: Based on your post you care little about choosing reliable vehicles, thus I don't believe you are in an appropriate to situation to give advice on such an issue.
I know many people who have had great experiences with Carmax, ERAC and similar establishments. These places offer below Blue Book vehicles that have been well maintained and/or thoroughly inspected.
Buying private party is a lot of hassle and requires tough negotiation, automotive knowledge, record verification, and physical inspection. You have NO ONE to go to for fixes other than a mechanic.
OP: Save yourself the trouble!
When you buy a used car, you are often buying someone else's headache. You could always go certified used, such as a Rabbit that was returned on a 2 year lease. That way you could get one with more options than a base model, but still like new in condition, and warranty.
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I have a personal question and don't want to hijack this thread but didn't feel like starting a new one.
I turned 16 in August of 2007 and have since then driven a truck. I love it, but I'm looking to get a car because of gas prices and don't want to fill up every other week just driving 6 miles a day. I was looking at a Pontiac Grand Prix (2004+ model) or a Chevrolet Impala (2005 and under). Are these good cars? I've looked at Volvos but haven't seen more but 2 around the area.
I have a personal question and don't want to hijack this thread but didn't feel like starting a new one.
I turned 16 in August of 2007 and have since then driven a truck. I love it, but I'm looking to get a car because of gas prices and don't want to fill up every other week just driving 6 miles a day. I was looking at a Pontiac Grand Prix (2004+ model) or a Chevrolet Impala (2005 and under). Are these good cars? I've looked at Volvos but haven't seen more but 2 around the area.
I'm guessing parents who are willing and able to buy a new car for a 16 yr old got to be in that position by using the skills mentioned above, not by letting others do their legwork and paying extra for it. Buying private party gets you a better deal almost 100% of the time.
I'm guessing that parents in that position would rather not waste their time. Also, it seems to me that, because of their insistence on buying new, they either don't have the car knowledge to buy used and/OR want the security of a warranty and safe, reliable vehicle for their child and their pocketbook/time.
Buying certified used (or similar) brings together the advantages of buying a great car from a trusted institution with the (large) cost savings of buying used.
I'm glad I found this thread. I will be driving a 1965 Ford Mustang soon (I'm 16) and got a quote from Progressive for $ 204/month. But, from State Farm, $64/month. Maybe because we get life insurance, house insurance, and insurance on 5 other cars.. But anyways. At my high school, there are BMWs, a Hummer, countless SUVs. It's sickening.
I'd be very, very grateful if my parents bought me a $16k car and paid for the insurance.
Good luck, go for great gas milage. The new Prius hybrid is very nice.
I'd be very, very grateful if my parents bought me a $16k car and paid for the insurance.
Good luck, go for great gas milage. The new Prius hybrid is very nice.
Excuse me you're the one suggesting to buy a rental car
Just because I don't own reliable cars doesn't mean my word isn't good. I know the associated money it takes to maintain a rover. In addition to mine, my dad had a 1963 Series IIa, 1990 Range Rover, a 2003 Discovery. My mom has a 2007 Range Rover Sport. Reliability and maintenance costs aren't a big deal to my parents because they the luxury to buy a car because they like it and they can afford to keep it running.
Some used cars have transferable warranties. When buying a car you should have done extensive research so you know what you are buying and what to expect. Physical and mechanical inspection should always be done. Just because a car is from a dealer doesn't mean it its a clean car. I have seen plenty of cars at dealerships, even big name dealers, that you can tell have had damage. The dealers don't know if they've been properly maintained and don't always have the service records. Many dealers buy cars at the auction and therefore obviously won't get records. Only dealer serviced local trade-ins would likely have records. Even if they do get a car with records it doesn't mean they will let the buyer know that.
What I am suggesting and may have not said this before is that buying private party I think is the best way to go. You will get the cheapest price, negotiating with a private seller is much easier than a dealer (they might give you $x for a price but then give you squat for your trade). Additionally private owners know what they have done to their cars. When buying a used car you want to find one with meticulous records kept that shows every bit of maintenance done.
Whether you buy a new car OR a used car NO ONE can fix the car but a mechanic (unless you are mechanically inclined). Even dealers don't have to back up their cars if there is no warranty and your car breaks.
I think you think that dealers are better because its overall less of a hassle, which I suppose is true to some extent. But if you are looking for a used car, find a private seller with good records, you'll spend much less for the car. If the car looks good to you, spend $100 or whatever and have a mechanic inspect it to make sure all is good.
Anyways, it seems like the OP is interested in a new car, so I guess I would suggest a Honda Civic. My friend just got a 2008 Civic and its a pretty nice car. It has leather I guess is basically loaded. I never knew Civics came with leather haha.
Buy a Jetta Diesel when it comes out instead. In my book, hybrids are wastes of money. Yes, they produce less emissions but they only get good gas milage in a city-like driving environment. Sure you'll still get 40mpg (or in the 30's if you look at top gear) but you can get 50 in a Jetta. Not to mention better build quality and lots more power. I would bet jetta is less reliable but I would bet in the long run the Jetta would outlast the Prius in that its not as much as a complicated design.
You do know that the crumpling part is there for safety right.
On modern cars the front and the back end are designed to crumple up keeping the passage compartment safe and in one piece. They are callec crumple zones. If you look at those cars after the wreck the passager compartment on the inside is more off than not in the exact same shape it was before the wreck. The crumpling reduced the impact to the people in the car by giving the car more time to slow down.
Depends...
35.6 yo male, single, grey hair, pony tail - get a porsche
35.6 yo male, married, grey hair, pony tail - get a porsche - dont tell the wife
35.6 yo male, single, - get a mustang with blue LED around the rims.
35.6 yo female, single - get a mustang so you can hook up with the dumb jocks and have something to talk about after the game.
The Impalas are good; I know many people with them and none complain.
Grand Prixs, I don't know so much about.
And to the OP - I recommend certified used. That way you still get a warranty, have a good chance at a reliable car, but they're used, and thus much less expensive. This way, you can either save money or go upmarket some.
Amen to that. When I told a classmate (sophomore in HS) that I worked for a German company the other day, the response was "Why do you have a job?" I replied that I like gadgets and that I love my job and he seemed shocked that I don't get spoon-fed everything that I have by my parents...
This comes from the kid that got a Hummer for turning 15, before he can even drive solo...
As to the OP, I second the call for a used car. You can still find something very nice, especially at that price and probably less. I suggest that you do that then ask if your parents will put the rest of the money in a savings account for college or later in life. Trust me, this car will mean nothing to you in ten years where as sixteen thousand bucks (more than that, after interest, but then there's inflation. anyway...) will be a nice cushion to fall on or to use for some extra spending on something fun or silly.