Another car buying thread

[Zenith]

So my son is turning 16, he's just about ready for his license (We're in the US) and his grades have been great. I'm about to spend up to 18K on a car for him (kid did well in school) and I'd like some of your help

-Safety isn't a concern, I've taught him well
-Must be a CAR, not an SUV, pickup, crossover, etc.
-18K INCLUDES the price of getting the car running. His daddy bought a mustang for 10K and used another 10 just getting it on the road.

His wants:
-Individual, he wants a car that most people don't have.
-above 15 mpg
-Good performer and/or a good character

Any suggestions?
Feel free to delete/move this thread if there's something I missed

 

[eSZee]

Honda fit or something along those lines. Yes, I'm serious. No matter how well you taught him, or you think you did, getting him a "fast" car will be the worst thing you could do. Kids get urges, you can't stop that. He's 16, he doesn't need a fast car.

 

[Keef]

Eighteen grand? If you're willing to put eighteen thousand dollars in your fireplace then I guess that's a reasonable price to pay. Unless the kid has some sort of public image to uphold or a bigshot boss to impress there's no way he deserves to just be given anything worth that amount. If you don't think you can get a decent car for anything less than that then you're not shopping around very well.

What he needs is something inexpensive, reliable, economical, safe (he's going to crash it, you know this) and halfway practical so he can learn what it's like to "own" a car. That way he'll learn what he needs in a car, he'll actually know what he wants out of a car once he learns what cars have to offer, and he may learn some respect and responsibility.

This Passat is pretty sweet:

That's the sort of thing you should be looking at. In my opinion you should go even cheaper, but if you're willing to spend 18 grand on the kid's first car then I guess 8 is plenty cheap. Passat, Jetta, Fit, Accord, Corolla, Versa, Focus, etc. Be reasonable. Keep in mind that he has no idea how to drive unless he's been on the kart circuit for years. Even then, driving and following the rules are two different things, and both need to be accomplished on the road.

As an aside, what sort of Mustang cost 10k to begin with and required another 10 to run? Was it a classic?

 

[socomplayer2]

Well, I wish I got 18k cash for a car when I got my license at 17, your son is super lucky! Well I want to say maybe a b5 audi s4, Mitsubishi lancer evo VIII or maybe an older sti. The s4 is older (and cheaper) but is still quick, fun, luxurious and AWD. If your sure your son is a good kid these will be awesome rewards for the good grades and behavior.

 

[buickgnx88]

Pssh, I was lucky to get my Jeep with a roughly 3.9 average!

 

[Keef]

There's a point. You should remember that graduating high school is basically the most basic accomplishment that society expects out of a person. It's really not that hard to do. He's not even old enough to do that, so what's he deserve for graduation, a Range Rover?

 

[socomplayer2]

There's a point. You should remember that graduating high school is basically the most basic accomplishment that society expects out of a person. It's really not that hard to do. He's not even old enough to do that, so what's he deserve for graduation, a Range Rover?

Not looking to start anything but Zenith013 isn't asking anyones opinion on what he is doing is right or wrong, he is asking advice on what car he should buy his son. Maybe for you high school was easy for you but for some it s a struggle. I for one had a hard time and had to really work for my 2.5 gpa. You don"t know if his son is a good kid or not or if he worked is ass off to get those grades and Zenith, as a father, is proud of his son and wants to reward him. Having a nice first car does give a person a new responsibility. Having a nice first car and keeping it that way is something we all wanted. His son will probably be happy with what he gets and be very thankful.
I for one was extremely fortunate to lease a new VW gti as my first car which I payed for mostly with help of my parents some months. That car has given me more responsibility than anything else I can think of.
He, as a parent, made the decision to buy his son a nice car as his first car and really no one has the right to flame him. His family, his decisions.

 

[addictions]

agresive looks
build quality
reliability
55mpg
130bhp or 150bhp version easily chipped to 180 + bhp
easily pimped
and not everyone has one
i give you the A3 TDI

i also agree with the above post

 

[buickgnx88]

He said his grades have been great, nothing about him struggling to finally get good grades. I got great grades and was lucky enough to get a vehicle.

Edit: But if he wants to spend 18 grand on a car for his newly licensed son, then so be it. I wouldn't be much help here then so I will concede and allow you all to carry on.

 

[daan]

His daddy bought a mustang for 10K and used another 10 just getting it on the road.

currently fixing up an old 1969 mustang. Still needs paint and a few luxuries (like SEATS) on the inside but it runs and makes a sound like no other.

Unfortunately getting this meant selling my old 1999 Camry. So as of now I am using a bike

I'm about to spend up to 18K on a car for him

Spend most of the 18K on a car for yourself. Or fix your Mustang with it. Don't waste 18K on a first car for a 16 year old that he'll probably crash.

 

[addictions]

why dont people read the 1st post he's asking for advice on what car to buy his son he's already made his decision
he's not asking for advice on how to run his life

 

[Jondot]

I shalln't hop on the 'don't give him an $18k car' issue, but I will say that your list of requirements is... well... short.

Personally I'd go ahead and give him a budget and let him choose himself. Perhaps make a short-list of everything you'd be happy with and let him choose from that. At the end of the day, if you're laying out $18,000 you're going to want to make sure he's happy with it.

Also, what's the situation with test driving stuff in the US? I know here you can't really do much without the final full license.

agresive looks
build quality
reliability
55mpg
130bhp or 150bhp version easily chipped to 180 + bhp
easily pimped
and not everyone has one
i give you the A3 TDI

i also agree with the above post

Unfortunately Audi have only just started selling A3 diesels in the US, and as a result they're only available brand new. For $29,000.

Just to give everyone UK wise what $18,000 seems to stretch to, think brand new basic Focus or well equipped Nissan Sentra with $1k to spare.

 

[Danoff]

I'd recommend something reliable but fun and economical like the 2003 Acura RSX Type S. Maybe with about 75k miles on it. And wouldn't you know it... I'm selling that very car, and right here in California too. $10,000 and it's yours.

It's well maintained, everything works, always synthetic oil and premium gas, and clean. Very handy, fun, attractive car. Let me know if you're interested. Here's a photo of it, it's the one in the middle:

 

[addictions]

lol i didn't know that

1.8t then (thats petrol)

 

[Zenith]

@daan: the Mustang is complete <3
@Keef: 1969 mustang
And thanks to addictions and socomplayer


Perhaps this needs a bit of clearing up. It's perfectly understandable that you guys are a put off by a 16 year old getting an 18K car, so here's a nice explanation.

To start off 18,000 is a ceiling price, around 14-15 is just about center-field

I come from a very car-centric family and my spouse's family is pretty well off. (my father-in-law is a high ranked player in bla-bla-bla) It has been a family tradition since the 40's that whenever a new driver comes of age, the rest of the family chips in to buy him a car after a bit of training in what we call "the dump". This kid is very fortunate in the way that the next one in line for a car is still in the womb, so people are prepared to burn serious cash on his new toy.

For the record I was shocked to add up the budget and see 17,600 on the paper.

As for crashes and teenage urges:
-My blood family's last accident was in 1972. He knows this.
-He knows that if he wrecks the car in any way he is on his own for repairs and/or transportation
-We occasionally visit the track, there he can let his testosterone control the gas pedal

Cost:
-see above
-junk car sold for about 7,000 (YIPEE!!!)

I appreciate the concern but trust me when I say that I've thought this out very well and I'm not some rich idiot with a spoiled son.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[Eric.]

As for crashes and teenage urges:
-My blood family's last accident was in 1972. He knows this.

What are you saying? Your family doesn't crash? I think it tells a lot of you that a) you're going to be putting your kid in an 18k sportscar (he's male, he wants something fast I'm sure) and b) "Safety isn't a concern, I've taught him well".

I laugh at the kids whose daddy buys them $20k cars for their sixteenth. Most think it makes them a badass. I know a guy who got a brand new 2006 GTO when he turned sixteen, but he's a rare breed that doesn't have to brag about it. How about you spend $8k on his first car, and when he wrecks it spend the other $10k?

I started with a 1999 Grand Am with 100k miles at sixteen. My parents paid the $5500 for me. Traded it in just before I was nineteen for my brand new 2008 Civic Si that I'm making all of the payments on. And it gets babied because of it. Oh, I was salutatorian of my class by the way. High school is not hard, at least not until senior year. You just have to show up and pay attention so that you circle the right letters come test-day.


And for those saying its none of our business and he just wanted a list of cars, this is a public forum and he made it our business. There are plenty of sites with classifieds and prices.

Considering you didn't say a thing about what the kid likes, just that safety isn't a concern, you've got $18k to throw away, and it can't be a truck or rotary (15mpg rule), I've got nothing else to contribute. If he were a muscle car guy, maybe a Mustang GT. Does he like imports? The RSX is perfect (but don't buy his, I'd rather not know of it meeting a ditch). For all we know he'd be happy in a G6 convertible.

 

[YSSMAN]

BAM

Surprisingly cheap these days, incredibly rare, damn-near bullitproof. Could get the kid in trouble with performance wise, I suppose, but there is only so much you can do with an old Panther car.

 

[Leadfoot53]

So my son is turning 16, he's just about ready for his license (We're in the US) and his grades have been great. I'm about to spend up to 18K on a car for him (kid did well in school) and I'd like some of your help

-Safety isn't a concern, I've taught him well
-Must be a CAR, not an SUV, pickup, crossover, etc.
-18K INCLUDES the price of getting the car running. His daddy bought a mustang for 10K and used another 10 just getting it on the road.

His wants:
-Individual, he wants a car that most people don't have.
-above 15 mpg
-Good performer and/or a good character

Any suggestions?
Feel free to delete/move this thread if there's something I missed

Wow... I got my license last year, and I end up with a $2,400 car!

 

[Bones Brigade]

remember though, that the mercury has a big back seat. maybe more trouble than a heavy right foot for a 16 yo.

 

[Eric.]

I'm assuming the kid isn't the Jalopnik type that thinks that a Grand Marquis is going to be pulling...Because its not. The common person thinks a Marauder is either a cop car or an old person. Or around here, one other stereotype.

 

[CDailey]

The common person thinks a Marauder is either a cop car or an old person.

It is...And it is.

That doesn't mean it doesn't ooze awesomeness. I second the Marauder.

If you can't find a Marauder, look for a CVPI, or a civilian Crown Vic with the Handing & Performance Package or an LX Sport.

It's relatively cheap to turn a Crown Vic into a Marauder too.

 

[Azuremen]

Getting A's in a public High School is about the easiest thing one can do. Many universities don't even care anymore if someone is top of their class or has a 4.0.

I know you'll likely not care regarding this input, but just buy him a fun Honda (RSX comes to mind) for cheapish, then discuss a much nicer car when he graduates and gets into university. It would also encourage him to maintain the RSX so it would have trade value later on, instead of trashing it to pieces.

 

[Ibonibo]

yop forum = public, but that doesn't mean you need to come bash around here because you didn't have a nice car as a boy.

The clichee youngsters and accidents!!

you right buy your son a nice car.

I had a audi 100 as first car and it was bought for 1 euro. I crashed it after 2 years to get money from the insurrance (hope my insurance doesn't read this)
my little bro got a audi a3 quattro 2tdi for his first car and never crashed it. (by the way for the others bashing, i paid my fully LOL, my little bro 50%)

The value of the car does not impicate an accident. There is no correlation possible between the 2!!

Ook i'm would recommend you a VAG car (from the vw family). Something with 4motion.

An nice 2002 s4 is in that price range. Super save (you never know, doesn't need to be your boys fault), 4*4 = best grip, super performance, can be driven with under 12l/100km, german quality (best in world).
Audi a3 quattro non diesel
r32
bora v5 4motion
... see where im going

or a 350z....


i could continue.... but this gives you a good idea

v doub out

 

[iced16]

if he wants american car then buy him Mustang...

or try to find old muscle car for that price (i think it can be found)

if he wants a foreign car i would firstly suggest 4x4 Evo 6

or 7

or maybe BMW series 3... (2001 year)

This is what i would want but of course you're not buying me car... hahahaha

i hope i helped...

 

[iced16]

sorry for this post of mine... didnt knew this will happen...

 

[eSZee]

It is...And it is.

That doesn't mean it doesn't ooze awesomeness. I second the Marauder.

If you can't find a Marauder, look for a CVPI, or a civilian Crown Vic with the Handing & Performance Package or an LX Sport.

It's relatively cheap to turn a Crown Vic into a Marauder too.

why do people think the marauder is a cop car? As far as I know it wasn't widely used as a cop car, or even at all.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Mazdaspeed 6. Safe, quick, generally reliable (although there are a few issues).

Oh and you can find them with fairly low mileage for around $16k. And by fairly low I mean under 30k.

 

[Joey D]

why do people think the marauder is a cop car? As far as I know it wasn't widely used as a cop car, or even at all.

It looks exactly like a Crown Victoria which is probably the most widely used cop car in the US and Canada...well maybe not Canada, they ride around on horses in bright red uniforms .

Any objections to a supercharged Cooper S (R53 chassis)? MINI's aren't that common of a car, they get good mileage, they are reasonably safe, and they are quick but they aren't so quick that you can't handle driving them. I'm not sure what the prices are like in Cali though but around here you can pick up a R53 in good shape with low miles for $10-$13k.

They are also easily modded if you son's into that and tuner parts for it are a dime a dozen.

 

[Worst_Driver]

BAM

Surprisingly cheap these days, incredibly rare, damn-near bullitproof. Could get the kid in trouble with performance wise, I suppose, but there is only so much you can do with an old Panther car.

I'm 16 and I'd rock one for sure. Everyone around would slow down thinking I'm a cop.
Better than the 2004 Altima I'm driving.

 

[homeforsummer]

I had a audi 100 as first car and it was bought for 1 euro. I crashed it after 2 years to get money from the insurrance (hope my insurance doesn't read this)

Congratulations. It's people like you who make premiums go up for the rest of us. I'm just glad I'm not in the same country.

The value of the car does not impicate an accident. There is no correlation possible between the 2!!

So you don't think that crashing a more expensive car is more gutting? Or that it wouldn't cost more to repair? There's no correlation between the type of car you choose and your likelihood of having an accident (though you might say that if you choose a quicker car you're more likely to make use of the performance and put yourself more at risk) but you can't assume that crashing a more expensive car won't end up more expensive in the long run.

To the OP - your criteria are so broad that we can suggest cars forever and probably still wouldn't pick something that your son would actually want. If you've got 18k to burn, why not take him around a load of dealerships and look at cars? Once he's picked a narrowed-down selection, then is the time to start asking people which car he should get, as maybe someone on here will have experience with a certain model.