Best Car For A 16 Year Old?

[occasionalracer]

I would recommend the 240sx over the 300zx, but these days it's almost impossible to come by either one in good condition.

I don't necessarily agree with all the comments about "buy cheap, weak 4 door sedans" when it comes to getting a car for your teen. No matter what car you have, when something does happen... they're all big and can cause damage, regardless of what monster motor is under the hood.

My first car was an Eagle Vision I got off my parents for $1000, and it was pretty powerful, but heavy as hell (so it didn't really feel sporty). So while I had this car I did a lot of driving and quickly gained experience, and within about half a year of driving I would say I was starting to take a liking for driving fast, and driving through corners. You could say I'm lucky nothing ever happened, but always maintained that fine line of fear and aggression that I always knew what would be too much (that type of driving was done at night btw, with no other drivers to endanger).
I then started taking a real interest in fast cars and motorsport, and was also hanging with friends that where into tuning cars, so naturally I bought a sports car next, which was '93 240sx coupe. I've done a lot of racing with that car, but in a mature manner, I essentially use the roads as a racetrack at all times (when nobody is endangered again), and that's really whats made me such a good driver. I'm not a prick either when driving in traffic, I don't see any fun racing through traffic, makes you look retarded.

Well, I've now been driving for 10 years, and can luckily say nothing serious (or minor) has ever happened considering all the crazy driving and I live in Canada where we have crazy winters, which is extremely good for further developing a fine feeling for car control (actually the best).
I've owned a Hyundai Accent, Nissan Primera (while living in Germany), Audi A6 and 3 Nissan 240sx(Silvia), and nothing is more fun than driving a 240sx in a snow storm at the limit without drifting.

Anyway, the most important thing is for the parents to absolutly make sure they educate their kids about what can happen, and teaching the basics of racing control won't hurt (in a wet parking lot).

 

[Lucas]

On the experience topic, I remember an advice someone gave me once. He said that when you are driving, if there is a ball rolling from one side of the road to the other, you should slow down. It's not unlikely a kid will come running after it, and said kid will not pay attention to your car.

 

[Mike0105]

I would recommend the 240sx over the 300zx, but these days it's almost impossible to come by either one in good condition.

I don't necessarily agree with all the comments about "buy cheap, weak 4 door sedans" when it comes to getting a car for your teen. No matter what car you have, when something does happen... they're all big and can cause damage, regardless of what monster motor is under the hood.

My first car was an Eagle Vision I got off my parents for $1000, and it was pretty powerful, but heavy as hell (so it didn't really feel sporty). So while I had this car I did a lot of driving and quickly gained experience, and within about half a year of driving I would say I was starting to take a liking for driving fast, and driving through corners. You could say I'm lucky nothing ever happened, but always maintained that fine line of fear and aggression that I always knew what would be too much (that type of driving was done at night btw, with no other drivers to endanger).
I then started taking a real interest in fast cars and motorsport, and was also hanging with friends that where into tuning cars, so naturally I bought a sports car next, which was '93 240sx coupe. I've done a lot of racing with that car, but in a mature manner, I essentially use the roads as a racetrack at all times (when nobody is endangered again), and that's really whats made me such a good driver. I'm not a prick either when driving in traffic, I don't see any fun racing through traffic, makes you look retarded.

Well, I've now been driving for 10 years, and can luckily say nothing serious (or minor) has ever happened considering all the crazy driving and I live in Canada where we have crazy winters, which is extremely good for further developing a fine feeling for car control (actually the best).
I've owned a Hyundai Accent, Nissan Primera (while living in Germany), Audi A6 and 3 Nissan 240sx(Silvia), and nothing is more fun than driving a 240sx in a snow storm at the limit without drifting.

Anyway, the most important thing is for the parents to absolutly make sure they educate their kids about what can happen, and teaching the basics of racing control won't hurt (in a wet parking lot).

You sir, are a very luck man. Driving in a snow storm, in RWD sports car, AT ITS LIMITS? This is not the message that youngsters need to hear.

The road is not a race track, it is a public road. That corner you are haring round may have a obstacle round it. Could be an animal, could be a person, could be oil.

Driving at night requires care and attention, not speed and recklessness. We all like to have fun, but we can never be sure that a road is empty. Even at 3am on a back road in the middle of nowhere.

I commend your skill an luck in making it 10 years without a major crash, but others won't be so fortunate.

 

[Azuremen]

I agree. Although I am saving up my money because if I want to tune my cars, I'll have that option. If I continue though with out buying parts when I'm 16, I'll have enough money to really put the hammer down.
.

You shouldn't bother getting a car you actually care about as your first car, because it is more than likely going to end up in an accident before a couple years go by. Just saying. And if I had something like my M3 when I was 16, I would've killed myself. Fact.

 

[motortrend]

I agree. Although I am saving up my money because if I want to tune my cars, I'll have that option. If I continue though with out buying parts when I'm 16, I'll have enough money to really put the hammer down.

BTW my parents probably could buy me a car right now with the money they owe me. Last year they took $2,000 to pay property taxes. I really don't care about that though, it'll get payed off later on.



Thats crazy. Although a lot of times here in Dallas people will stop at a green light for no reason at all.

If I were you, I would never say your parents owe you money, especially since you owe them so much more. I wouldn't be surprised if some of that money They themselves gave you for doing work around the house so even less reason to say they owe you money.

 

[Jet Badger]

I'm 17 now, where I live you can drive from 18. I think I should get the driver license, but that depends on the financial situation. Even if I get a license, there's no way I can afford getting a personal car. Nah with $1.88 for a liter I'd still probably have to use public transport.

Now about cars. WTF people? First car with 200HP? Insane. A 90s FWD hatchback ~100HP is more than enough. I wouldn't buy anything bigger than that as my first car. The other question is do you live in area with snowy winters? If yes, then no RWD.
First car is the one that gets the most beating, because of lack of experience, so don't get a car you like. It would be a big shame to wreck a car you like.

I understand that in US the understanding of cars is different than in Europe, but I think even if you can afford a relatively expensive car, don't buy it as your first car. Get something simple that you won't regret beating.

 

[Greycap]

A 90s FWD hatchback ~100HP is more than enough. I wouldn't buy anything bigger than that as my first car. The other question is do you live in area with snowy winters? If yes, then no RWD.

Learn with a big car and you'll never be afraid of parking a big car or manoeuvering one in a tight spot. Learn with a hatchback and you won't have a clue where the corners of a big car are until you've hit something. Going from bigger to smaller is always easier than vice versa.

The same goes for RWD, learn with it and you'll always know how to handle one if it starts sliding. Learn with a FWD and you won't know what to do when an RWD steps out. Going from RWD to FWD, especially in slippery conditions, is far easier than the other way round.

 

[jet1991]

I did pretty much the opposite of what everyone recommends here. Just before I got my drivers license, i bought an old Corvette. Those cars are relatively cheap over here, but still only mid-life-crisis stricken men own such cars. That was at the end of march last year and I still haven`t gotten into an accident (yet). I care way too much about that car to take any chances, but if I drove like a usual "råner" (Norwegian stereotype, means hoon\ricer\moron\redneck. Basically anything negative about young kids with cars) I`d have been dead a long time ago.

Most kids around here who owns their own car drives old bimmers (e36,e39 and e46 mostly.), 3\4 gen golfs, 10-20 years old Opels, a few Volvos (less and less of these) and a few "sporty" 90`s - early 2000`s fwd japanese cars. But there`s a huge variety of different cars owned by kids my age (88-93). The only other guy my age who drives a classic car has a 64 1\2 - 66 mustang coupe with a l-6 and an automatic. He is also the only guy I`ve ever seen get girls because of his car. A friend of who is just as old as me also owns a `57 Volvo pv444, but he only drives a few hundred kms a year with that car.

Back on topic: I don`t think giving 16\17\18 year olds a car they don`t care about is a good idea at all. I don`t mean they have to get a nice car as their first car, but I mean they should get a car they actually care about. Of course there are a lot of people who don`t care that much about cars and I don`t really know what we can do about them. The reason girls driving are so unpopular here in Norway is because most people have the impression they don`t care about driving at all(NOT my opinion). But girls usually only gets into minor or trivial accidents, while young males oblitterates anything in their way. There are also politicians here in Norway who wants to increase the age when you can get your license, but only for boys. I don`t think that will do anything but increase the age in which we "wreck mayhem". They were talking about increasing the age from 18 to 20. So much for equal rights...

I believe a small hatchback with a 1,0 - 1,8 litre engine, fwd and 100 - 150 hp would be plenty good enough car for most 18 year olds here in Norway. And a car like this is the first car for many here in Norway. 150 horsies is also a lot when it`s coming from a diesel engine in a light car.

If my english seems clumsy, it`s because this is not my first language.

 

[Jet Badger]

When it comes to cars, never argue with a Finn But bigger cars are usually more expensive to maintain. I still think that it should be done step by step - starting with smaller, less powerful and going up.

 

[Greycap]

More expensive, well, the only thing that costs more for my brick than for a late '90s hatchback is fuel and it's still far from a noticable problem seeing that it does an easy 30 mpg (US gallons that is) on the highway.

I can fully well understand why a beginner would feel comfortable behind the wheel of a small FWD hatch loaded with electronical aids and equipped with an automatic transmission but let's face it, the only thing a car like that teaches is observing the surroundings. Actually controlling the car is nearly non-existant. The best car for actually learning to handle the vehicle would in my opinion be large, moderately powerful (enough power to get out of harm's way if needed), RWD, manually geared, no ABS, no TCS, no ESP, no cruise control, no anything that does the job for the driver. When one can drive something like that the only thing to adapt for is more power, nothing else needs learning because small is easier than large, FWD and AWD are easier than RWD, AT is easier than MT and all the driving aids surely are easier than not having them.

 

[Jet Badger]

Maybe it's my view of RWD cars I meet in Lithuania - BMW, Mercedes and some old Sierras/Scorpios, first two being the most common, but neither are cheap. Ofcourse you can buy one really cheap, but that's the parradox with old BMWs - E30, E36 and the old 5-series that I don't know the code for are mostly driven by young drivers for whose the redline is not the limit. So if you want to buy a cheap non-beaten-up RWD there's not much you can choose from. A Lada maybe then?

Your wishes are good, but the reality is that most young drivers think that they are already good drivers and uses the power for a different purpose. That really depends on the temperament of the driver.

I agree about aids and AT. Never was a fan of either of those, that puts the driver too far away from the actual driving.
I choose FWD as the first car, because I wouldn't buy an expensive first car, and it's much easier to find a fine condition cheap FWD car than an RWD because of the reasons I said above. Even tho I'd love to drive an E36.

 

[Sniffs]

I dunno about starting in a BIG car (i've hurt an American Fullsize, and you europeans know how big THOSE are), or with RWD (get insta stuck if your not carefull) there's almost no such thing in a CAR in the states, nowadays (it's all trucks)

way back a few pages, a guy from England reccomended a 70-100 horse car. uh, they haven't made those in the states since the compression ratios were still 3 to 1. there are also no sub 100 horse survivors, yet, that aren't worth a bloody fortune to collectors. and 80's and 70's japanese imports have long since been trashed, and the european ones are either in collectors hands or California.

 

[occasionalracer]

You sir, are a very luck man. Driving in a snow storm, in RWD sports car, AT ITS LIMITS? This is not the message that youngsters need to hear.

The road is not a race track, it is a public road. That corner you are haring round may have a obstacle round it. Could be an animal, could be a person, could be oil.

Driving at night requires care and attention, not speed and recklessness. We all like to have fun, but we can never be sure that a road is empty. Even at 3am on a back road in the middle of nowhere.

I commend your skill an luck in making it 10 years without a major crash, but others won't be so fortunate.

Well part of the reason I'm "able" to do this I guess is because a lot of the roads here in Canada are seriously open and empty with not a soul in sight... so it's impossible for a child or a person to be standing or crossing a road in the late evening hours. I don't rip around corners and bends when I'm in town, although I always maintain the racing spirit even at low speeds. Racing line and proper steering, throttle/brake input can be achieved even without "racing" and being reckless.

You're right, no youngsters need to hear this, but I'm saying I do this in a responsible manner. I'm not gonna spend thousands of dollar in suspension and tuning upgrades on my cars and then drive like a good 'ol citizen. I guess I was little shocked that everybody is of the opinion that young drivers are so guaranteed to be involved in a collision, which is simply not true.
Driving a RWD sports car is no more dangerous than driving a Pick-up in the winter or any BMW or Mercedes family sedan. Winter tires are manufactured for that reason, and a RWD with snows will be safer than All-seasons on a FWD car. The "limit" is not that hard to reach, which is the reason it is so fun, cause you know the worst that will happen is that the car gets damaged, but your life is not endangered. Driving in the rain is equally fun... but starts to get much more dangerous if you leave the road and hit something or roll the car.

Again, it does come down to the parent who is buying the car to talk and teach about the dangers of driving. Being reckless is the dumbest thing a kid can do, but having fun and actually being smart can come quicker than 4 years of driving (which some people were suggesting) lol Teenagers aren't that slow and dumb...

 

[Mike0105]

I still maintain that in the winter, at night and in the wet, a driver should know the limits of their car is and stay well within these.

Limits are for the track, not the open road. You can have fun by driving safely. Yes, you can shift perfectly, take the perfect line through a corner, drive 'spiritedly', but without going anywhere near the limits of the car and tyres.

If the road is truly in the middle of nowhere and you can see round each corner to know that there is no-one crossing or an animal in the road, can you still say for sure that there won't be a puddle, oil, pothole or black ice in the road? Especially at night. Hit any of them at speed without knowing it is there and this can cause even the best drivers to lose control.

I'm not trying to lecture anyone, but I do wish to reinforce that road safety is hugely important or all drivers of all ages, especially those that have less experience. It doesn't have to ruin the fun of driving at all. You don't have to be slow, but when all is said and done, it is more fun to be alive and then dead or worse, having caused the death of another.

And in a thread discussing a car for a 16 year old, only road safety and sensible driving should be encouraged. We have all had moments where our lives have flashed before our eyes because of a young driver being a pillock behind the wheel.

 

[McLaren]

Driving a RWD sports car is no more dangerous than driving a Pick-up in the winter or any BMW or Mercedes family sedan. Winter tires are manufactured for that reason, and a RWD with snows will be safer than All-seasons on a FWD car. The "limit" is not that hard to reach, which is the reason it is so fun, cause you know the worst that will happen is that the car gets damaged, but your life is not endangered. Driving in the rain is equally fun... but starts to get much more dangerous if you leave the road and hit something or roll the car.

That is a lie. The utmost worst thing that can happen when you push a car to the limit is death. You don't have to drive "fast" to kill yourself. All it takes is 1 object to run into, at the right angle, & you could be killed either instantly or slowly depending on reaction time.

Teens seem to misunderstand the kind of damage that can happen at even 20-30mph & that in part plays into why they're so inexperienced.

Again, it does come down to the parent who is buying the car to talk and teach about the dangers of driving. Being reckless is the dumbest thing a kid can do, but having fun and actually being smart can come quicker than 4 years of driving (which some people were suggesting) lol Teenagers aren't that slow and dumb...

I'm getting the impression you are a teenager yourself, b/c only they retain the thought that someone with 4+ years of driving experience can be matched in less time. It very, very rarely is b/c yes, teenagers can be that dumb.

Why? Because they don't think. They don't 2nd guess their decisions in life & that ends up following suit on the road, which is one of the most dangerous areas to act on impulse. It's incredibly gut wrenching when they do this the instant they're alone in a vehicle for the first time.

 

[Mike0105]

Let's just summarise this by saying, drive safely and very carefully in whatever car you end up getting. You are not a good driver, yet. One day you will be hopefully.

As for the car itself, fast is bad. Fast leads to driving faster 99% of the time with young drivers. Once you have proved yourself in something slower by not crashing or getting caught speeding then get a faster car.

Cheap because you'll want to be able to replace it easily if you prang it. You'll need lots of money for the insurance, maintenance and fuel.

Something roadworthy (not really mentioned yet). It may be perfect on the outside, but worn down brakes and tyres can kill. Check it over carefully before you buy.

Easy to drive. It's hard enough driving when you are new, don't over complicate things.

Forget about cool, this does not matter.

Just remember that a first car is not for life.

Oh and DO NOT DRINK, not even one little glass. Time and time again this one rears it's ugly head.

 

[occasionalracer]

Look, I know ya'll get the impression I might be an immature and "reckless" person, but that not the case... I have deep feeling for my own life and the same for others peoples lives and would never race in an environment where I could collide with someone (like I said)

If you guys can't find opportunities where you can actually plow into a corner, well then I don't know why sports cars are built. The risk of an accidental overshooting of a turn is there yes, and I suppose that's part of the thrill, knowing there is a consequence.... that is nothing new and is part of what makes racing fun I guess.

@McLaren I was referring to the limit in snow and icy conditions is extremely slow in relation to what it takes to cause serious bodily injury. Most bends can't be taken at more than 40mph, so say I start feeling I'm a little too fast before reaching the inside, start sliding and recovering, by the time I would actually come off the road I'd be at 20mph tops if I REALLY screwed up, and even if I hit a light pole head on, I think I'd be just fine. That's why I said once you start balancing the car in wet conditions at considerably higher speeds, it becomes life threatening.
If you have any feeling for what a car is doing, you know you always have a little recovery room when the tires start sliding. I've always felt complete control over my cars and so I'm as comfortable as a 50 year old experienced driver taking his off-ramp at the everyday speed...seriously.
I think the major difference between a new driver and someone like me seeking enjoyment with a fast car, is that I'm over the "feeling" that a fast car gives you....I'm much more satisfied with nailing a corner perfectly and feeling the smoothness. I almost love braking more than accelerating...lol

Ok, so none of this is anything a kid should hear, but fact is the sooner you start learning the physics and balance of a car (once again snowy roads are so awsome for that) the sooner you will become that "perfect" driver.
It's not my fault the OP brought up the 300zx as a first car which is probably a little too much, but I believe if someone learns driving with a faster car they will be appreciate the danger of it and subsequently learn more carefulness sooner.

I have done a lot of track racing btw, including hitting the Nordschleife 4 times, so I'm saying all this from a mature perspective and it does take time to reach a responsible level for a new driver to start "getting" what a car will do in certain circumstances.
Be safe

 

[Eric.]

so naturally I bought a sports car next, which was '93 240sx coupe.

 

[Kylehnat]

but I believe if someone learns driving with a faster car they will be appreciate the danger of it and subsequently learn more carefulness sooner.

No. 16-year-olds lack this connection in the brain. I did, too. At 26, I nearly spun my Z on a freeway on-ramp. I thought "oh, ****!". A teenager would say "That was cool! Let's try that again!".

 

[TobbE26]

A secondhand Toyota, Honda something like that. Wy?
well they are somewhat cheap to run, insure and buy. They are not to fast but still enough for a new driver. You dont need 200bhp rear wheel drive on your first car. One more tip go for a car thats not known for breaking down often. Since your 16 you wont have alot of money and you will like to drive alot (since this is on this form, kind of a no brainer). So getting something that works well is a good idea.

Tho i feel bad for all the rich kids who get a new lexus, BMW etc as their first car. Not having to work for their first car.

 

[McLaren]

@McLaren I was referring to the limit in snow and icy conditions is extremely slow in relation to what it takes to cause serious bodily injury. Most bends can't be taken at more than 40mph, so say I start feeling I'm a little too fast before reaching the inside, start sliding and recovering, by the time I would actually come off the road I'd be at 20mph tops if I REALLY screwed up, and even if I hit a light pole head on, I think I'd be just fine.

Like I said, teenagers do not comprehend just how fast you actually have to be going to be killed b/c it's not the speed that ends up killing you; it's whatever you end up colliding with.

That's why I said once you start balancing the car in wet conditions at considerably higher speeds, it becomes life threatening.
If you have any feeling for what a car is doing, you know you always have a little recovery room when the tires start sliding. I've always felt complete control over my cars and so I'm as comfortable as a 50 year old experienced driver taking his off-ramp at the everyday speed...seriously.

The question is do you actually have the control you believe you do? Because once more, you're describing something most teens only think they have.

I think the major difference between a new driver and someone like me seeking enjoyment with a fast car, is that I'm over the "feeling" that a fast car gives you....I'm much more satisfied with nailing a corner perfectly and feeling the smoothness. I almost love braking more than accelerating...lol

Except on the road, you shouldn't be "nailing a corner" in any way. Very rarely can you ever "nail" an apex in a turn without ending up in an illegal maneuver.

but I believe if someone learns driving with a faster car they will be appreciate the danger of it and subsequently learn more carefulness sooner.

They won't appreciate it until they're emerging 6 months later from a hospital after a collision. Until then, it's just something for them to go faster in & believe they're in control.

The 2 dumbasses in their early 20's who recently wrecked an Apollo & a Murcielago did it trying to show off to friends, and that's all a teenager will do with a car with a decent amount of power. Because in their minds, it's all about being accepted by morons who they won't ever see again after high school & when they get a moderately quick car, all they have to do is show off with it, push it to a limit they have no business being in, just so they can be, "That guy with 'x' car."

I even drove a 670Hp Gallardo earlier this on a track. Despite what I was taught by my parents, or even my rare case of a teen actually giving 2nd thought to certain maneuvers, I still would have been dead by today, had I had that car 2-3 years ago. Because power gives teens ideas, & the more they have, they more trouble they start to get into with it when they don't know how to use it properly.

I have done a lot of track racing btw, including hitting the Nordschleife 4 times, so I'm saying all this from a mature perspective and it does take time to reach a responsible level for a new driver to start "getting" what a car will do in certain circumstances.
Be safe

I've been on a few tracks myself. The amount of track racing however, does not equal a more experience driver all the time.

 

[niky]

Racetrack experience and experience with a fast car don't make you a better driver. I know a bunch of dead drivers who could vouch for that.

It's not even knowing how to catch the rear end when you enter a corner too fast. It's having the good sense to not do so in the first place. Yeah, I know... "I'm skilled enough to recover the car, whatever happens." No, you aren't. Nobody is. Even the best racing drivers in the world find themselves going backwards through the weeds sometimes when they're pushing it. And a select few find themselves wrapped around telephone poles or going off cliffs... Guys who have ten times the car control, skill and equipment that I do have met their ends that way.

Never more than 6/10ths on the road... And when you're really pushing it, when you have a really clear view of what's coming the other way... Never more than 8/10ths. If you're understeering or oversteering (without intending to), you're going way too fast.

I agree that people have to learn how to correct oversteer, but it's best done in a controlled environment.

 

[Sniffs]

Occasional: no, not everybody is a dumb-ass as a teenage driver (i was a dumb-ass as a 20 something driver), BUT your provoking "you kids get off my lawn" responses
some of us can't "feel" the car (i'm still trying to figure out what people mean by that). i still mostly go by audio cues (it drives people nuts when i don't have a radio on) due to never owning something you could just drive and not have something falling off or in the middle of breaking.
Mike0105: Aussie, Kiwi, or picked it up? I haven't seen the term Prang since my Aussie based RPG books from the early ninties.

 

[Mike0105]

Mike0105: Aussie, Kiwi, or picked it up? I haven't seen the term Prang since my Aussie based RPG books from the early ninties.

Nope I'm English, dunno where that came from, must have picked it up somewhere.

 

[the_stig_1]

The Accord seems a bit boring. Get a Mini (Not JCW), Just get something fun to drive and interesting!!!

 

[fitftw]

Best first car for anyone would be a HONDA CIVIC.

Ideal first car in my world, for every new driver, would be a Mazda Miata.

 

[Zenith]

Yeah, I know... "I'm skilled enough to recover the car, whatever happens." No, you aren't. Nobody is.

This one right here.

 

[Crispy]

"I'm skilled enough to recover the car, whatever happens." No, you aren't. Nobody is.

Yup, my friend though he could drive on the ice a couple months ago during the ice storms in a Golf R32. Didn't severely damage the car, but going 5mph slid slightly backwards and hit someones car. Had to replace the entire bumper.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I have a perfect solution: Volvo 740. Whichever of them, as there's plenty of choices from 2.4l diseasel to 2.3 16v, not to mention turbos and 2.8 V6.. It's reasonably light, well balanced, easy to maintain, has plenty of parts available, simple as trains toilet and when prompted, lends it self to hooliganism. Also, has more tuning potential than 240SX..



Nuff said, as 960 is essentially same car as 740..

 

[AMCNUT]

I like my Bonneville. The 3800 Series II is reliable and fairly efficient on fuel, being FWD makes it usable in a Canadian winter, the car is sporty enough to be cool, but reserved and smooth enough to not draw the attention of cops or parents. It's big enough to not be a tin can or a speed bump, but not so big that it's unwieldy. It's a real looker, comfy, luxurious, spacious, people respect you for having an actual car - it's perfect in every respect for me. It ticks all the boxes!👍

It's a great, reliable, fun, and useful car - I'd recommend one to anyone.