Just want some opinions for a first car for a 16 year old boy. I’m thinking big, heavy and slow with good breaks.

I’d prefer something small, light and slow. The “big and heavy” philosophy always seems to me to be saying, “as long as my kid is OK I don’t care how much damage and injury he does to others.” Now, maybe that’s not what you are thinking, but that’s the impression I get. To me it’s better to teach…

Something inexpensive as it has a higher chance of getting wrecked. Also something with airbags and ABS too. I would suggest an inexpensive domestic car like Taurus, Cavalier, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, Neon or Malibu. All cars go very fast eventually so you really can’t use that as criteria.

It won’t really matter. If the boy is a calm and courteous driver he will not wreck. If he is wild he will find a way to destroy whatever he is given. Rather than preparing him for a lethal crash, prepare him to drive right.

I guess “big and Heavy” are a matter of perspective. My first car was a '68 volkswagen station wagon with the headlights held on with duct tape followed up by a Chevette. By big and heavy I was thinking Toyota pick-up or Chevy 1500. Not a land yacht.

Good point, I guess it really depends on the driver. There seems to be a whole range of possible answers, depending on the “type” of kid we are talking about, you can decide which answer you like: buy him something cheap because he will wreck it anyway buy him something big so he won’t get hu…

What can he afford? Frankly he is more likely to be careful if it is a car HE paid for. My first car was a 1965 Sunbeam Imp. I paid $550.00 for it (I borrowed $200 from my father) and I paid my insurance) It was a loaner car 875 cc engine that could almost make 65 mph with the light weight 1,200 …

To me, pickups=poor handling. Not the best for a new driver. A used Taurus, or other mid-size or even small sedan will handle better and be more forgiving of new driver faults.

I started my kids out in well used, midsized US vehicles. Big enough to be safe in, and small enough to park in average spaces. Despite being good drivers, each kid had a minor at fault accident in the first six months of driving. I’m waiting to see if my grandson will either continue the traditi…

I heartily concur with JEM. the car is only useful IF the son purchases his own. any teenager (a few years ago myself included) respects their own possessions when they buy them themselves. if you give it to your son it will be less appreciated than if he buys it himself. i am thoroughly disgus…

Car for Teenage Boy

Maintenance/Repairs

TennesseeDad September 19, 2007, 6:17pm 2

…or rather, brakes.

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Car for Teenage Boy

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