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Should I be concerned that older cars may not have side curtain airbags? Honestly, that has been my main concern with not buying a newer car. There are so many "tanks" on the road. I'm a mom, I worry.
i'd go with a honda accord. very reliable, great resale value, everything youll need inside a car.
Accord's are great vehicles for commuters but I'm sure a high school kid wouldn't be too thrilled with one. I mean I'd want something with a little performance and style; Accord's are pretty bland in both departments.
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He is just starting to show interest in cars, but doesn't really car, although I suspect that if we came home with a VW Beetle, he wouldn't be too thrilled. We don't want to spend more than $15,000 but would love to keep it closer to $10,000.
There are plenty of great vehicles choices for around $10K that I'm sure he'd love. You could get a nice 1999-2001 Chevy Camaro, 2001-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, or 2000-2002 Ford Mustang. All three of which would make great high school and college vehicles. As for the height issue, I wouldn't be too concerned as I'm 6'2" and have comfortably fit into very low slung sports cars with ease.
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Should I be concerned that older cars may not have side curtain airbags? Honestly, that has been my main concern with not buying a newer car. There are so many "tanks" on the road. I'm a mom, I worry.
I wouldn't. Side curtain airbags are a nice thing to have but are far from necessary.
Accord's are great vehicles for commuters but I'm sure a high school kid wouldn't be too thrilled with one. I mean I'd want something with a little performance and style; Accord's are pretty bland in both departments.
Bland is GOOD for a 17 year old. Sporty will only get him in trouble. If he gets a sporty car, even if his intentions are good, his friends will be constantly suggesting ways to make his car go faster or other kids in sporty looking cars will rev on him at the stoplights. I also see a lot of young guys get bite by the car bug and then spend all their extra money on modding their cars. Bad new and a good way for them to become financially irresponsible.
I vote for an Accord or even a older Volvo. No one steals Volvos and they are very sturdy cars.
Accord's are great vehicles for commuters but I'm sure a high school kid wouldn't be too thrilled with one. I mean I'd want something with a little performance and style; Accord's are pretty bland in both departments.
Any high school kid who isn't thrilled with any decently running car in decent shape that his parents give to him should have that car sold right out from beneath his ungrateful ass.
Any high school kid who isn't thrilled with any decently running car in decent shape that his parents give to him should have that car sold right out from beneath his ungrateful ass.
Oh! Believe me....we agree. That is why we made all the requirements I previously stated. He has met his end of the bargain and in order to keep the car once it is purchased he must maintain his end of the deal.
1. Used subaru outback or Forester (preferably with side air bags)..
a. excellent handling
b. good in snow and rain due to AWD
c. excellent safety
d. good gas mileage
2. Honda civic (2006 and up)...
a. excellent safety
b. good handling
c. good gas mileage
d. reliable
IMO, a first car should be more of the sturdy, reliable, solid, transportation type vehicle than a "sporty" image or higher performing vehicle.
The insurance rates for a young driver on a sportier car will be a much higher chunk of dough than the more mundane car. In view of the higher accident/damage rate for a new driver, an older car with lower valuation yet abundant parts/service is a better choice.
My votes ...
1) an older Volvo 4 door sedan with a base model 4 cylinder motor. Adquate power, good fuel economy, good brakes/handling, safe in crashes, and a decent all-weather driver.
2) a Subaru Legacy Wagon, not necessarily an Outback. Same virtues as the above car, probably a better choice if you've got adverse winter driving conditions.
If your son's actual car useage is like mine or my sons when they started driving ... functional will outweigh "sporty" every time they want to go someplace with a couple of friends, go camping/fishing, tow their boats, cartop their kayaks or bicycles, need to haul "stuff" around for projects, head to the beach for a day, and so on ....
I test drove one the other day and man, those things are like boats on wheels. Plus you can just hear them suckin gas....
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