stefnee

Looking for insight on if you would recommend giving a 06 GS300 as a first car to a new teen driver. I have been going back and forth on whether the GS too much of a car, but this will be the car she will learn to drive on. Or whether we should just look for a smaller car for her when she finally gets her license.

What are the pros/cons of her getting the GS?

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Other than increased insurance and running costs compared to say, a Toyota Corolla, it's not a bad vehicle per se. Personally, I would gauge how responsible she is with other valuable possessions before handing her the keys to a shiny, new-to-her Lexus.

Gotcha350

Me personally...I would steer clear of the 06 GS300...and like Thomas just mentioned...insurance, maintenance, repair cost...its a safe car but it's also an older luxury car that can be expensive to maintain...id look at the ES similar in size and power...nice features...safe...and cheaper to maintain and fewer issues than the 06 GS300...my .02 cents....

TRD_Power

I always suggest an old diesel Benz for a first car, the GS would be nice, but you're going to have to remember that she'll probably ding it up a bit and overall maintenance costs will be pretty high. The reason I suggest the old diesel Benz is because they run forever, they're easier to fix than pretty much any car out there, they're dirt cheap to maintain if you do it yourself (everything you need is on Youtube), great MPG, great visibility, they're slow, and they could sink an aircraft carrier in a head-on.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

My only concern - the lack of airbags.

TRD_Power

The '85 S-class had an optional driver's side air bag, but '86+ have a driver's side air bag in pretty much every model. You can pick one of those up for cheap.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

I'm still not overly convinced an old Mercedes is the most viable option for a 16 year-old.

Gotcha350

Run for your life!! LOL! Those are tanks!

I'd still look at the ES....probably a tad bit safer for everyone...lol

TRD_Power

The mid-90's E-class is another good model to consider if you want some of the updated safety features. Either or, the older Mercedes are built like tanks, which is usually what you'd want a 16 yr old in.

1UGLYGS

iTrader: (2)

Ever considered mid size sedans such as Honda accords? low insurance, inexpensive maintenance, and pretty reliable. That's what my kid would be getting lol

IcyBishop

I'd think of trading it for a smaller car - corolla, civic, accord (as mentioned above), focus, etc.

Between insurance, upkeep, gas, etc - an econobox type car would make more sense.

stefnee

The GS is my current car now with 168K miles. I am looking at either an Audi A6 or the BMW 535i xdrive as my next car if I do decide to pass the car down to my daughter.

As far as insurance is concerned I was told the rate to insure her on the policy is based off our household cars. I called the insurance company with about 100 different scenarios and if I do pass the car down to her instead of selling it for a civic or an accord, the cost to insure her would slightly lower, but not enough to get rid of the GS that I know the history on for a car I dont.

Thankfully this is not a call I have to make today. She is learning to drive on a 06 and 07 GS so I will gauge how she handles the GS and when she is finally ready to get her license and I am ready to let go. I will make that leap then.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

06's GS300's have more mechanical problems then others. If you want reliability 07-up if you want to add more options and better looking front end 08-up