Best Car for a 16 and a half year old?

[protozoa]

The OP said you weren't looking at used cars, but I think I'd have a hard time passing up a gently used Scion tC. They're a super-bargain at $17,620 brand new.

If you want a new car for cheap, you can't go wrong with a Corolla.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

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.

than maybe drivers on a cell phone yes but a good driver no.

A teenage driver by definition is a crappy driver. I do not care what one things how good they are if they are a teenager they are a crappy driver. Reason being it is takes around 5 years of experience to get up to par of an average driver.

Some things that one only learns with experience is how to predict other drivers and how to react to another drivers mistakes. The better the driver the easier it is to avoid all wrecks. All drivers make mistakes. I do not care how good you are you will make mistakes. It is human to do so. It is how you react to them. It just takes a while to learn how to deal with them.

 

[nikopolidis]

30% Taxes? Really? Russia is now off of my list for places to move to .

Yeah, unfortunately yes... If I want to buy car from, for instance, Germany. Let it be Audi A4 for $15k in Germany. When I bring it in Russia I will need to pay all custom fees, maybe bribes and so on.. And finally I will pay about $15k + 1/3*$15k = $20k. You can see how much do cars cost in Russia on Auto.ru. There are prices in dollars as well.
Why do you want to move to Russia? What has forced you? Surprising...

 

[ErikCLDR]

I honestly would not recommend anything german. Sure you can probably find a decently new Audi or BMW or VW or Mercedes in your price range but guess what...

Repair costs are going to be at least double compared to an american car. Our touareg had to have its fuel injectors replaced (at 40,000 miles )... $700.00 for parts + labor. To have it done on a Cutlass it costs around $200 for parts + labor.

Labor will cost more because not everyone knows, or wants to know how to repair a german car. My uncle says on his passat you have to take out the air intake to change a freaking headlamp. They're very well built cars, its just they are over engineered so that the simplest task requires extensive work. This also increases the labor cost because you have to take apart half the car to do nothing.

Reliability of german, and all european cars isn't close to the reliability of that of a Japanese car. European cars almost always require premium gas which will cost you more in the long run as well.

Insurance will also cost more (directed to who ever told him to get a AMG benz or M BMW). If your car can go 155mph thats great, but the insurance company will absolutely drill money out of your wallet. I am sure his parents don't want him driving that fast either.

To G5Unit... my advice:
I say get either new Honda Civic (not really worth buying a used one) or a used Acura TL. I'm not a huge toyota/lexus fan... I just don't like there ergonomics or aesthetic design. In the long run you'll save yourself the troubles of dealing with the problems german cars have.

Other than that I would say figure out your priorities and go from there.

 

[abijnk]

I have a Toyota Yaris, I love it and highly recommend

Good for you, just don't get in a wreck.

 

[samgalvez]

::sighs:: I also had my first car at 16... it was a Lexus LS400 94'... it served me well and I passed it to my younger brother

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Good for you, just don't get in a wreck.

I'm a safe driver well, mostly

 

[xodonniedarko]

get a 2000 bmw 3-series

 

[ryannel2003]

get a 2000 bmw 3-series

Nice car, but electrical problems will arise. Trust me, they are expensive to maintain.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

e36 M3 will run you in the 15 range, but the insurance is a pain.

02 3-series, perhaps. 328-330 if you're a BMW fan. If you swing towards the Mercedes fence, look at 2003+ C class or 2000+ (new body style) E class.

Or you could just rock like me with the Volvo S60

 

[nikopolidis]

I honestly would not recommend anything german.

Agree!
It is generally accepted that Japanese cars are the most reliable ones.

German ones look as a more doubtful choice by this criteria.
Let me tell you my story.
In May 2005 I've purchased Audi A4 2002 year of issue in Official Dealer's store. I was sure that this car is nice and there is no need to check if it is good.
But I was disappointed because I found out that it has some serious problems with it's engine and I invested huge amount of money and eventually got rid of it. There was no any guarantee from Official dealers because it was second-hand. I even wrote a complaint message in Germany.

That was my great disappointment in German cars. After that I've bought Honda Civic VII 1.6 2004 year of issue. And it's really great! Surely, no doubt that German vehicles has better ergonomic (interior) characteristics but they are inferior to Japan's ones in reliability.

So, my conclusion: if you are looking for reliability, choose Japanese car!

 

[abijnk]

I'm a safe driver well, mostly

LOL, you are a naive driver if you think how safe you drive has anything to do with getting in an accident.

 

[d_and_n5000]

i have this


[snip]

i got it for my 16th birthday

now im almost 17

That's downright shameful.

To think that I'm more than likely looking forward to my mom's 1997 Honda Odyssey. And, in case anyone wanted to know, its purple. How masculine.

You're lucky, kid.

 

[ErikCLDR]

That's downright shameful.

To think that I'm more than likely looking forward to my mom's 1997 Honda Odyssey. And, in case anyone wanted to know, its purple. How masculine.

You're lucky, kid.

Don't feel bad. I know a lot of people that get stuck with minivans.

 

[LizKat]

<snip> He was doing 70 mph when he lost control and slide across 4 lanes of traffic 2 of them on coming rolled the car twice and walk way with one scratch on his foot from the pedals and on on his right hand from his TV in the passager sit.

Please tell me he wasn't watching TV while driving 70 mph...

 

[ryannel2003]

Ok I drove an '03 BMW 325i today, which is supposedly the best sports sedan under $40k, and from what people tell me, is an amazing car...

I don't get it...

It's small, has extremely heavy steering, had rock hard leather, cheap interior materials, yet somehow people like the damn things.

Please God, give me a Cadillac CTS or Lexus IS350 over a BMW 3-series. I was so disappointed, and the worst part was the interior pieces falling off, the turn signal on the left side of the car has fallen off; let me remind you, this car had 41k miles. My 2000 Camry has 65k miles, and nothing is falling off.

 

[CalPoly10]

I bought my first car when I turned 16, and I am 20 now, still driving it (strong).

It was a 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 I got for 6500 dollars. My parents pay the insurance, I bought the car. It was a 5-speed, gets awesome gas mileage. I ended up putting a very nice stereo in it, and I love it.

Nothing like getting 30+MPG on the freeway, bumping your tunes.

The car has been amazing to me. I have done basic maintenance, and had zero problems, in the past 50k miles!

 

[Nabooly]

Ok I drove an '03 BMW 325i today, which is supposedly the best sports sedan under $40k, and from what people tell me, is an amazing car...

I don't get it...

It's small, has extremely heavy steering, had rock hard leather, cheap interior materials, yet somehow people like the damn things.

Please God, give me a Cadillac CTS or Lexus IS350 over a BMW 3-series. I was so disappointed, and the worst part was the interior pieces falling off, the turn signal on the left side of the car has fallen off; let me remind you, this car had 41k miles. My 2000 Camry has 65k miles, and nothing is falling off.

Coming from someone who has a toyota symbol in his avatar

Also, miles don't mean anything. the thing could have 5000 miles and still feel like a peice of crap, based on how the previous owner treated it. Ill assure you, parts falling off doesnt come standard in bmw's, or any car for that matter

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

Such a bias against German cars it's ridiculous (whoever drove the 3 series).

I guess it's just not for you. But is it you? It might be, as almost every automotive journalist not only has praised that car, but has recognized the fact that it is the most decorated and celebrated car of the last 10 years. You don't know what driving feels like if you think a BMW 3 series drives poorly. Cheap interior materials? You drive a Toyota. Sure, your car has better reliability and I'm not knocking Toyotas at all, but I will tell you something; you're not just paying for profit margins when you buy a BMW. They have spent millions of RD dollars fine tuning the engine noise, the road feel, the road noise, and the steering.

(Coming from a non-german car owner. Me.)

 

[ryannel2003]

It's quite funny you all say I have a bias against German cars... I don't like the BMW 3-series. I love Porsche's; Audi's are pretty great too, and VW (aside from quality) makes some good vehicles. The BMW 3-series doesn't drive good, and while it handles good, that doesn't matter on getting me from point A to B. The ride was stiff, the interior is small, and its very much overhyped.

And to be honest, the materials in my Camry are much nicer than that BMW ever even though of having. Yeah the interior looks boring and plain, but I'd take that over the BMW with cheap interior. I've been in 2 or 3 BMW's with interiors falling apart. But it's not just BMW; same with VW and Audi. German cars = excellent engineering, horrible quality.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

...and while it handles good, that doesn't matter on getting me from point A to B.....

And that quoted portion is why you just don't get it. ANYONE who says that is not qualified to talk about the pleasure of driving, the pride of driving machine ownership, and sometimes the virtues and joyful experience of impracticality.

 

[ryannel2003]

And that quoted portion is why you just don't get it. ANYONE who says that is not qualified to talk about the pleasure of driving, the pride of driving machine ownership, and sometimes the virtues and joyful experience of impracticality.

1. I love cars, I have my whole life.
2. I'm 18, I don't need a fast car with great handling right now. I have my whole life to experience that.
3. The car didn't drive good. I prefer the Cadillac CTS, Lexus IS350, and Infiniti G35 Sport. They all drive amazingly, with great handling to match.
4. I work at a dealership and drive many different types of vehicles. Everything from a Pontiac G6 to a Cadillac STS-V. Of course, the STS-V is one of my favorites.

If i'm paying $35-$40k for a car, it better be the jack of all trades machine. Styling, performance, handling, comfort, and value. The BMW only takes two of these: styling and handling. The others are a wash.

Edit: Sorry if I came off rude or whatever, I was just disappointed with the car in general. I was expecting this amazing machine, but it failed to impress. Maybe spending more seat time would change my mind.

 

[quagmire]

It's quite funny you all say I have a bias against German cars... I don't like the BMW 3-series. I love Porsche's; Audi's are pretty great too, and VW (aside from quality) makes some good vehicles. The BMW 3-series doesn't drive good, and while it handles good, that doesn't matter on getting me from point A to B. The ride was stiff, the interior is small, and its very much overhyped.

Then a BMW isn't for you. You expect different things from what BMW is all about. Surprised you would want a CTS then as well. Lexus sure, they're nothing but boats on wheels. But, Cadillac( CTS at the least) has started putting in stiffer suspensions in their vehicles. Go test drive the CTS with the FE3 suspension. It is stiff. Why? Because it needs to go around the corners of tracks like the Nurburgring. I don't think an ES350( or IS350) will do the Nurburgring in an impressive time against the competition like the 335i and CTS DI( well the GS would be against the CTS size wise).

BMW is about what happens between A and B not how to get you there in the most comfy way, but to excite you. Throw it around corners, the BMW will do it with ease. Punch the accelerator( especially the 335i, M3, etc) and the engine won't simply just rev, it will growl and put you back into your seat. Lexus's won't have that growl. Lexus( and Mercedes for that matter) is all about isolating you from the road. They will keep the engine muffled, they will give you a soft suspension to absorb the bumps. But, they are certainly not going to be as fun to drive as a BMW will.

Again, different tastes. BMW doesn't make a car that suits your needs. One less wannabe on the road. And I might be slightly biased. Just look at my sig.

 

[ryannel2003]

Then a BMW isn't for you. You expect different things from what BMW is all about. Surprised you would want a CTS then as well. Lexus sure, they're nothing but boats on wheels. But, Cadillac( CTS at the least) has started putting in stiffer suspensions in their vehicles. Go test drive the CTS with the FE3 suspension. It is stiff. Why? Because it needs to go around the corners of tracks like the Nurburgring. I don't think an ES350( or IS350) will do the Nurburgring in an impressive time against the competition like the 335i and CTS DI( well the GS would be against the CTS size wise).

BMW is about what happens between A and B not how to get you there in the most comfy way, but to excite you. Throw it around corners, the BMW will do it with ease. Punch the accelerator( especially the 335i, M3, etc) and the engine won't simply just rev, it will growl and put you back into your seat. Lexus's won't have that growl. Lexus( and Mercedes for that matter) is all about isolating you from the road. They will keep the engine muffled, they will give you a soft suspension to absorb the bumps. But, they are certainly not going to be as fun to drive as a BMW will.

Again, different tastes. BMW doesn't make a car that suits your needs. One less wannabe on the road. And I might be slightly biased. Just look at my sig.

Agreed, the BMW just isn't my kind of car. Didn't mean to sound rude earlier, just disappointed.

I've driven the CTS with FE2 and FE3, and FE3 is definitely perfect for everyday driving needs. A little bit on the stiff side for me (I prefer boats: Seville STS, Deville DTS, etc.) but still not a car that would jerk me around.

I have a certain thing for Lexus; yeah they're boring, but I love the styling of the 2nd and 3rd Gen GS, the latest IS, and the LS. I've had such good luck with my Toyota, it would really be hard for me to purchase anything but a Toyota product. I will admit the BMW had a nice sounding engine note, at least compared to my anemic 4 cylinder.

 

[dsnort]

Best car for a 16 year old?

Thats easy!

A '78 Lincoln Town Car

That things a tank. You can land an F-14 on the hood. 18 wheelers tremble as it passes. And it's got a huge back seat you can sleep in if dad throws you out of the house.

You can probably pick one up for under a thousand, and use the $15k savings to buy gas for it, for a week or two.