Best Car for a new teenage driver

euphonium · February 2009

2005
Used Ford Mustang
Coupe, Blue, 4.0L V6, AUTO, 2 door, Stock# 116480
Dealer: Avon Auto Brokers 877-462-0291 $12,995
4,314 mi

Avon, MA

oldfarmer50 · February 2009

"...2005 Used Ford Mustang..."

Well, it would sure appeal to a teen. I don't know about safe though.

The 4.0L 2005 Mustang has 210hp, plenty of muscle to get in trouble if you're trying to live up to the "Mustang image" with your friends. I've driven that trim level Mustang and was not real impressed with it's higher speed handling (it doesn't compare to the GT).

I'm also going to break with the crowd on their opinion of Chryslers. Get a low milage Plymouth Acclaim (produced until 1995) with 100hp for a few grand. Some of those K car derivatives were surprisingly robust and cheap to fix.

Kirstie_H · February 2009

And not surprisingly, and opposite-sex repellant. Won't have to worry about your teen attracting too many admirers just because of the vehicle.

(I had one. Functional is the nicest thing I could say about it.)

euphonium · February 2009

Safety is as driver does.

oldfarmer50 · February 2009

"...Won't have to worry about your teen attracting too many admirers..."

Wow, that's some talk from a person who's SO drives a CHRYSLER. :P

Actually, your comments reflect the different perspectives of age. I identify with the OP who I assume is a parent. I'm thinking how to keep the teen out of trouble, safe etc.

You as a younger person (if your profile pictures are to be believed) identify with the teen. You're thinking, how could this car be used to get the kid a date. That aspect of it didn't occur to me.

God, I feel old. :sick:

How's this as a compromise, get the teen the Mustang but remove 3 of the spark plugs? :confuse:

oldfarmer50 · February 2009

"...Safety is as driver does..."

How about "Youth will out"?

Kirstie_H · February 2009

Wow, that's some talk from a person who's SO drives a CHRYSLER

He is a very lucky man. He's fortunate that I overlook the Chrysler.

You as a younger person (if your profile pictures are to be believed) identify with the teen. You're thinking, how could this car be used to get the kid a date. That aspect of it didn't occur to me.

I'm over 40 and my kids are 19, 17, and 15. I think you mis-interpreted (due to my lack of clarity) my post. Since my only daughter is 17, I am constantly thinking of ways for her NOT to get a date! I actually prefer the car that doesn't make all of her friends just HAVE to ride in it (too much distraction). I prefer reasonably safe and low-cost to me.

oldfarmer50 · February 2009

"...I'm over 40..."

Just like I thought, a kid. :P

"...I am constantly thinking of ways for her NOT to get a date..."

So we agree, Plymouth Acclaim!

pasquali56 · July 2009

I was going to give my daughter my 2001 Acura TL, but she doesn't want it. I guess it would be like me getting my dad's old Oldsmobile when I was that age. So my wife and I are seriously considering a Honda CR-V for her. The safety ratings are excellent and we like the fact that she'll sit a bit higher than she would in a Civic coupe or something like that. Any thoughts on the CR-V for a teen?

qbrozen · July 2009

I was going to give my daughter my 2001 Acura TL, but she doesn't want it.

Good grief.
My answer to that would be, "I guess you like riding the bus. Good luck to ya!"

oldfarmer50 · July 2009

"...seriously considering a Honda CR-V for her..."

Will you adopt me? I'd like a push-over dad like you.

Unless you are very rich and share your daughter's since of entitlement, giving in to her will result in her not appreciating any car you buy.

Kirstie_H · July 2009

I second that! My kids get to choose from three options:
1. Take the vehicle offered.
2. Ride the bus.
3. I'll buy them a shiny new pair of sneakers for hoofin' it.

IMO, kids should NOT control the choice of their first car. Their vote begins to count at the exact moment when they alone are able to pay for it and the accompanying insurance.

fezo · July 2009

Yeah, that's largely my theory.

For my older daughter we are splitting costs on a 99 Camry.

For my second one who will get her license next week I've told her she can split my two vehicles with me - an Ody and a Celica. If she gets a regular job I'll give her the same deal as the older one.

pasquali56 · July 2009

Thanks for your feedback. I see where you're coming from -- a 16 year old should appreciate any car they get -- especially a beautiful Acura TL. I guess my question is more about safety. Although a rock solid car, my TL doesn't have side air bags/curtains -- but the CR-V does. Also, we like the fact that the CR-V sits higher. So, with safety as the main concern, would you guys prefer the '01 TL or '06 CR-V? By the way, we do live in an affluent area and many of my daughter's friends are spoiled rotten with new Lexus-es, BMWs, Mercedes, you name it. No way in hell we would ever do that -- but a used CR-V seems like a reasonable car, again, with safety as the main focus. Thanks again.

fezo · July 2009

OK, that sounds a little different.

If that's all well within your means I don't see any problem (other than making sure she realizes that this is a very nice gift on your part as opposed to a response to "I'm not driving a hand me down."

Hey, if you want to give away the TL I'm available....

oldfarmer50 · July 2009

"...with safety as the main concern..."

Get her the safest car YOU want. If she disagrees give her a choice of buying a different SAFE car using HER money to pay any cost difference.

You could even send her into the snake pit here to research different cars and get recommendations from the "experts". Make it a condition of getting the car.

Kirstie_H · July 2009

Hey, if you want to give away the TL I'm available....

Me too! And I have a teenage son who would KILL for that car

fezo · July 2009

My daughter gets her license on Monday.

Of course I wouldn't mind the TL for myself....

pasquali56 · July 2009

I guess I'm not being clear. My question is more about the safety comparison between the two cars. If you had the choice between an '01 Acura TL or a 2006 CR-V for a 16 year old girl (with safety as the top concern), which would you choose?

The reason why my wife and I are so caught up in this is because my daughter was in an accident several months ago. She wasn't driving, but was with someone else. The car she was in t-boned another car. The side air curtain deployed in that other car -- and saved the driver's life. After seeing how that air curtain worked, I started thinking that I would want that feature for my daughter's car. The TL doesn't have it. Yes, it's still a solid car -- but that air curtain in the CR-V, and its 5 star crash rating, are the factors that are making me lean in that direction.

So, with all that said, what do you guys think?

qbrozen · July 2009

Well, safety can be quite a nebulous area. I mean, you never know just how the accident will take place, if it ever does.

Let's say, for instance, the CRV gets hit from the side, pushed into a curb, and it rolls over. The TL, with its lower center of gravity, may not have flipped in that case. OR, maybe driving the TL would have avoided the accident all together, thanks to its superior handling.

Of course, there is a flipside to that argument, too, as you've illustrated.

I guess my point is, picking one car over another for such safety issues amounts to a hill of beans until the car is in a very particular accident that accentuates those issues.

michaellno · July 2009

Have lived (suffered) through two teenaged drivers, the best thing you can do is enroll your daughter into a driving class.

This way, she'll be prepared to avoid the accident, which then renders moot the issue of which car is safer.

My only other piece of advise is something I got from a United in-flight magazine years ago .... the kids pay for the insurance, and have money in the bank equal to the amount of the deductible. This way, if an accident should occur, they pay the deductible and also have to suffer the consequences of higher insurance rates ... if the accident was their fault. Got to have some skin in the game.

Kirstie_H · July 2009

I was just about to make the same point - both vehicles carry inherent risk. I think the "safety" balances out here. The TL may not have the airbag features, but SUVs carry risks that aren't associated with sedans.

euphonium · July 2009

over their Princess safety in cars, but let them go Alpine skiing without a helmet.

As for entitlement choosing: I was most happy to have the permission from my folks that allowed me to buy an 11 year old 4 door sedan when I was 16.

fezo · July 2009

I know that this isn't the answer you want but I kind of think it's a coin flip for the reasons I've already mentioned.

Personally I'd probably go with the CRV but it's a close call and as been pointed out does have the center of gravity issue. That said it's not the same risk for that as, say, an old Explorer.

I do share your concern. When my oldest would go out on her own I worried for a long time and now I get to do it all over again. The oldest did get run off the road by a drunk coming the other way and he still managed to hit my daughter's car on the back quarter panel. 99 Camry. Looks a bit worse for the wear but she came through without a scratch. All modern cars are remarkably safe.

exb0 · July 2009

Although the CR-V has higher center of gravity and is more prone to rollover, it is safer than the TL because it has the side curtain airbags, and Stability Control with Traction Control. SC and TC help with accident avoidance.

On the other hand, for the price of 06 CR-V, you can buy a new Hyundai Sonata GLS. It has all the safety features and lower center of gravity. Not to mention better gas mileage.

dan1 · July 2009

My opinion and that of the instructors at the drivers safety course I attended is that the worse vehicles for new drivers are SUV's and pickups. They have a high center of gravity and generally don't brake or turn as well. That being said it depends on what kind of accident they are in and the level of safety equipment. I guess if the types of vehicles being considered have similar levels of safety equipment cars or vehicles with low centers of gravity are safest. If you are going to buy her something anyway buy her a safe car.

carstryke · July 2009

well since woman are horrible drivers id just get a $500 clunker for a teenage daughter as for a teenage boy id recommend a 2xxx ford ranger(dont remember the correct year) just because its inexpensive and most importantly it governs out at 140kph thats 85ish mph i believe

carstryke · July 2009

id definatly pick the acura id rather drive the ugliest generation acura tl than be caught in a ugly crv

edited to mention i know nothing about acura's :P

tidester · July 2009

well since woman are horrible drivers...

I think you should have made more of an effort to indicate you were joking. :surprise:

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

oldfarmer50 · July 2009

"...well since women are horrible drivers..."

"...I think you should have made more of an effort to indicate you were joking..."

You'd better hurry up and retract that crack carstryke, tidester's wife is standing behind him with a rolling pin...and she knows how to use it!

tidester · July 2009

wife is standing behind him with a rolling pin

Be careful! Compounding one stereotype with another isn't a winning strategy. :P

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

euphonium · July 2009

lipstick, eyelash, rouge, perfume, & plucking facial hairs, all while driving? :shades:

explorerx4 · July 2009

i would keep the acura. if it gets a bit bunged up, you won't feel so bad.
high school parking lot can be good place to collect scrapes and dents.
my kid went to a movie the other night, next town over.
bad news, someone keyed the rear fender.
good news, it's our 7 year old explorer, and it has seen worse since the kids have been driving it for the last 3 years.

fezo · July 2009

Daughter #2 is officially licensed. At least for now she is technically sharing two cars with me - the 04 Ody and my 99 Celica. In reality this means she's driving the Ody. She views the Celica as my car. Isn't ready to have anything happen while driving this valuable piece of machinery. I've tried to explain that it cost less than $7K and was an Ebay special but what the heck.

I'm happy to have her in the Ody. Good safe vehicle and nothing that all the kids say "Wow! I want ot ride in that!"

explorerx4 · July 2009

the more drivers, the more miles driven, the more often maintenance needs to be done. what a pain.

oldfarmer50 · July 2009

"...if it gets a bit bunged up..."

I sold my Chrysler to my son last week. Already it looks like a dumpster for a fast food restaurant (including a milkshake thrown on the window).

Even if your kid is an angel, it doesn't mean her friends are.

tankbeans · August 2009

Personally I'd give her the TL. It's at that age where it's paid for and it's still reliable. I don't agree with the practice of giving a kid a car just because they turn 16, but that's just me.

I'm only 21 so I'm still close enough to the teenage years where I remember the thought processes. She can either learn to like a hand-me-down Acura TL or she can walk. I personally would enjoy an Acura TL immensely. Right now I drive a 2003 Accord LX Coupe that I'm paying for myself.

The only thing I would worry about is that she would really start liking the car and would start showing off to her friends.

Long story short give her your TL to use until she can save up to buy her own car if she hates it that much. Don't take out a loan if you don't have to.

explorerx4 · August 2009

you may want to check if the acura is on the airbag recall list.

euphonium · August 2009

I don't agree with the practice of giving a kid a car just because they turn 16,

Both of my kids were taught at the end of their 8th grade that from now on their grades determined where they would attend colleges. They knew that a 3.5 in a 4. scale they had to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA just to get a license.

Driving is a privilege granted to those who have successfully completed their Duties, Responsibilities, and Obligations.

I chose the cars I allowed them to drive as the cars were titled to me. Was I too tough, did I expect too much? No, because both graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle.

elburn · August 2009

what do you think about a 95 Volvo 850 GLT? 160K miles. We are looking for 16 yr old son

tankbeans · August 2009

Now I do like your style of parenting. You are one of the few parents I've seen that required something of their kids before they were allowed to drive. I'm sure there are others like you, but I don't see them often. It seems like too much of the time kids are used like accessories, which is to say, "look what I can afford to give my kids." Lexus, Acura, Mercedes, Audi, etc are not cars to give kids at all. Some of the kids I went to school and graduated with had D averages and didn't work more than a couple hours a week and were handed a $50k car for their 16 birthdays. That is the practice I don't agree with.

Your philosophy, which is to say..."You are going to earn the car that you drive or you are going to find your own way." is something that I can agree with. Please forgive me for paraphrasing.

If I'm confusing let me know.

tankbeans · August 2009

Volvos, at least the older ones, are bullet-proof. And they aren't exactly the type of car that screams hey let's show off in front of our friends and act like idiots and maybe turn into road pizza. Also since they're loaded with safety features even in 95 they are cheapish to insure. I'd say it's plenty decent for a 16 year old boy. With 160k miles I wouldn't worry too much as the engines, at least from what I've read, tend to last a fairly long time.

I'm only 21 as I've stated and I would have like that car plenty when I was that age. If I'm wrong somebody please tell me as I know sometimes I can get it wrong.

fezo · August 2009

As long as you've got a mechanic's OK a Volvo 850 is a good choice in my book. Built with safety in mind and a zero cool factor to boot - unless you have a bunch of young Volvo fans around...

explorerx4 · August 2009

my 02 explorer went in for service the other day and they told me the rear brakes were toast.
i had put quite bit of money in it a few months ago and was not happy to hear that.
i told my daughter, who is the primary driver, that i was putting it in goverment mule mode. (just run it until it dies).
it has 95k on it and replaced the brakes at 55k.
going back over the maintenance records, i found that the front rotors were replaced @ 70k.
so 95K for the rears isn't really that bad.
in the mean time she shined it up including cleaning the wheels with a paint brush.
ok,, no government mule.

plekto · August 2009

I'd actually go one slower and simpler.

Get a 1993 Volvo 940 or 240.(last years they made them). Find one in minty condition. They are really amazingly simple cars to work on and fix, yet have the modern safety features as well.

The big plus, though, is RWD and manual. Force him to learn manual. It requires much more concentration and it's loads cheaper to fix a clutch($600 or so) versus an automatic. He will drive better(takes serious skills to eat a burger and drive stick vs two-fingering the wheel with an automatic), can do the work himself(the 240 was literally made to be taken apart with hand tools!), and it's dirt cheap to insure.

I'm a huge fan of teaching manual to kids if for no other reason than 90% of the world uses them still and if they ever travel, they will need one. There are other issues as well like being able to push start it and a having plenty of warning when the clutch is about to die versus my last three automatics that died all did so within 2-3 *blocks* and then were bricks that had to be towed out of traffic.

Plus, it's slow and stable, though with manual, not dangerously so. The wagon versions also are a bit "retro" looking, and while his friends might laugh a bit, hauling half of their gear to a gig is a huge way to change their mind.

jipster · August 2009

I'm also going to break with the crowd on their opinion of Chryslers. Get a low mileage Plymouth Acclaim (produced until 1995) with 100hp for a few grand.

Yeah, that 4 banger was fairly lame... I should know as the wife had one (1991). It was a pretty decent car overall though.

We took a Plymouth Acclaim rental to the Smoky Mountains one year. But, it was the much more powerful 6 cylinder with the Mitsubishi engine. Not sure of the horsepower, but that sucker could move pretty good in those mountains.

exb0 · November 2009

Here is my dilemma. I have a set of 15 year old twin boys who will be getting their driver permits next summer. I drive an 04 Acura TL, 250+ hp. My wife drives 09 Honda CRV SUV; brand new, expensive, high center of gravity. So we dont have anything to give them, or even teach them to drive in.

Ideally, we would like to put them in the safest, most practical car. By safest I mean ABS, side curtain airbags, stability control and traction control. This kind of narrows our choices down to a brand new midsize sedan such as Accord, Sonata, etc. Problems with that is the expense (17-20K). No matter what, the car will be trashed in three years. Also, which one gets to keep this car when they graduate from high school, and which one of them gets a brand new car?

Here is the curve ball. My mother cant drive anymore, and she wants my kids to have her 06 Corolla LE w/ 13K on the clock for free. Well, almost free, I have to give my sister half of the wholesale value of the car, $4-5K, to keep it fair. The problem is: no ABS, no side airbags (even front), no stability control and traction control.

From the practical and financial points of view, Corolla wins hands down. However, how much the safety of your children is worth? Are those safety features such a big deal, am I obsessing about it too much? What do you think?

suydam · November 2009

Go with the Corolla. It's a very safe car. Although it lacks stability and traction and ABS, its size and low center of gravity make it a good bet. The brakes (regular) on those small Toyotas are usually very good. It would be nice to have all the safety equipment but that isn't always very practical. My son crashed his first car 3 weeks after he got it -- how would you feel if that was a brand new car? BYW this was long ago, so it had NO safety equipment, but was a big old slow Buick, so he was completely fine. And if they have to take turns with the car they will be more careful about the privilege.

steine13 · November 2009

However, how much the safety of your children is worth?

You can probably do more for their safety by going driving with them, pointing out situations in traffic that need to be watched etc.

Does it snow where you live? Find a parking lot and have them slide around; lose control and try to regain it etc.

The best safety device is between the kid's ears. Most of the electronic gizmos just make you feel safer and go proportionately faster. I'm not talking about hot-rodding, just knowing I don't have ABS makes me slow down.. and vice versa.

The Corolla is a fine car, get it and don't worry about the other stuff.

FWIW, I'm on a bicycle year-round, I have to share the road with these guys... what about my safety? Staying out of trouble by planning and paying attention is much better than the electronic stuff.

Remove the radio speakers, that'll go along way to keep them out of trouble...

Cheers -m

kyfdx · November 2009

I agree with all this..

Side airbags are great, but if it means I have to buy an almost new car for a 16-yr-old, then he takes his chances...

Traction control? Corollas don't have it, because they don't need it..

Stability control? New drivers need to feel and learn what's going on underneath them....

An '06 Corolla is a fairly recent car, that should be about 10 times as safe as anything from the '90s... A great first car..

Best Car for a new teenage driver

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