A "starter car" for a 16yo under $7K
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,424
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From: MA
bluestar, I didn't understand the A4 option you considered. With respect it seemed like you were looking at the features more for you than for your daughter. She does not need an aging turbocharged all-wheel drive vehicle in sunny California even if it's "loaded"!
There should be TONS of vehicles you can get for little money right now.
For a 16 year old you want SAFE and RELIABLE, and IMO, a 4 banger because you don't want big off the line torque for an inexperienced driver.
I'd go with a used 4 cylinder Camry or something. Boring, and just right.
There should be TONS of vehicles you can get for little money right now.
For a 16 year old you want SAFE and RELIABLE, and IMO, a 4 banger because you don't want big off the line torque for an inexperienced driver.
I'd go with a used 4 cylinder Camry or something. Boring, and just right.
Maybe something fun for a change, eh? I already have 2-3 "boring' Toyotas and hope for something less boring... Sigh!!! I regret ever selling my '03 Matrix. I love that car cos it was zippy and fun to drive, but my wife made me get rid of it for the Camry Hybrid.. I guess I cannot win, can I? BTW, daughter loves the '09 Trix (not gonna happen).... but hates the '03-'08 Trix (go figure...).Pls note: this is to be a surprise so I cannot share the car with her until her birthday next Wed. Wish me luck finding a car in 1 week
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,424
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From: MA
You deserve to have some fun! That's why I got my Miata - it's a blast.
BTW, daughter loves the '09 Trix (not gonna happen).... but hates the '03-'08 Trix (go figure...).
Pls note: this is to be a surprise so I cannot share the car with her until her birthday next Wed. Wish me luck finding a car in 1 week
Oh one last thought if you still want something a bit upmarket... my mother-in-law has an '04 Cadillac CTS. Now it doesn't have anywhere as nice an interior as the new one, but I still really like driving it. It is quite quick so maybe not right, and quite large too, and it has STRONG brakes. Anyway, you could probably pick a used one of those up for not much money but prob. more than $7K!
a 1998 caddilac eldorado 
, if you want somideas, the kids at my school drive older audi a4swith the 1.8, some late 90's bmw 3 series, ford explorers, mazda 3's, a few more a6's , a first generation gs, and the really rich kids driver new/newe ls's , a8's andmercs. just some ideas
, if you want somideas, the kids at my school drive older audi a4swith the 1.8, some late 90's bmw 3 series, ford explorers, mazda 3's, a few more a6's , a first generation gs, and the really rich kids driver new/newe ls's , a8's andmercs. just some ideas
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,979
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From: ca
I would get something Japaneese, from the 90s, those were the best years for design/paint/reliability.
Cool cars:
Integra, Prelude, Celica, MR2, Del Sol, Miata
If I were you I would get this car, dual airbags, abs, reliable, cheap, good looking:
1997 Celica GT
You will be sorry with a German car only because if something breaks you daughter (or more likely you) will get the bill.
My first car was a 1990 Honda Accord, lasted 150k miles until totaled, 2nd car was actually a crotch rocket, then when I got a car again was in college a 1991 MR2 in dark green, another winner, after graduating college I stepped up to a Lexus RX300, 5 years later got a 350Z, now that gas is through the roof, i'm going back to a 4 cylinder, 1990s, Toyota... guess which model
Cool cars:
Integra, Prelude, Celica, MR2, Del Sol, Miata
If I were you I would get this car, dual airbags, abs, reliable, cheap, good looking:
1997 Celica GT
You will be sorry with a German car only because if something breaks you daughter (or more likely you) will get the bill.
My first car was a 1990 Honda Accord, lasted 150k miles until totaled, 2nd car was actually a crotch rocket, then when I got a car again was in college a 1991 MR2 in dark green, another winner, after graduating college I stepped up to a Lexus RX300, 5 years later got a 350Z, now that gas is through the roof, i'm going back to a 4 cylinder, 1990s, Toyota... guess which model
Last edited by toy4two; Jun 28, 2008 at 08:43 AM.
Ill shed some light in since im a 17 YO male still with no car. So you can get some perspective from a teenagers point of view.
96+ Camry Lots of options to choose from (i.e CE LE XLE V6XLE V6LE)
I kid you not a Lexus ES300 would make her happy
Whats not to love about the ES300?
Leather girls love leather seats, Sunroof, 4dr, alright gas.
Newer Nissan Sentra
Newer Nissan Maxima
Definately Scion TC
Acura 3.2TL
If your still willing to do 12k Check this car
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/734135313.html
96+ Camry Lots of options to choose from (i.e CE LE XLE V6XLE V6LE)
I kid you not a Lexus ES300 would make her happy
Whats not to love about the ES300?
Leather girls love leather seats, Sunroof, 4dr, alright gas.
Newer Nissan Sentra
Newer Nissan Maxima
Definately Scion TC
Acura 3.2TL
If your still willing to do 12k Check this car
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/734135313.html
Congrats on your daughter turning 16. 
First and foremost, stay away from many of the cars mentioned above just based on safety.
It is not IF your daughter will crash but when so get a car with proven safety especially on a frontal impact which is what many first timers damage as they are so preoccupied with other things.
I would also recommend staying away from an SUV or truck as novice drivers lose their lives in them due to their inability to control the high center of gravity vehicles. The difference between a 2 star frontal and a 4 star can be a little girls life so choose based on safety and not what she wants or what is cool.
First and foremost, stay away from many of the cars mentioned above just based on safety. It is not IF your daughter will crash but when so get a car with proven safety especially on a frontal impact which is what many first timers damage as they are so preoccupied with other things.
I would also recommend staying away from an SUV or truck as novice drivers lose their lives in them due to their inability to control the high center of gravity vehicles. The difference between a 2 star frontal and a 4 star can be a little girls life so choose based on safety and not what she wants or what is cool.
Ill shed some light in since im a 17 YO male still with no car. So you can get some perspective from a teenagers point of view.
96+ Camry Lots of options to choose from (i.e CE LE XLE V6XLE V6LE)
I kid you not a Lexus ES300 would make her happy
Whats not to love about the ES300?
Leather girls love leather seats, Sunroof, 4dr, alright gas.
Newer Nissan Sentra
Newer Nissan Maxima
Definately Scion TC
Acura 3.2TL
If your still willing to do 12k Check this car
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/734135313.html
96+ Camry Lots of options to choose from (i.e CE LE XLE V6XLE V6LE)
I kid you not a Lexus ES300 would make her happy
Whats not to love about the ES300?
Leather girls love leather seats, Sunroof, 4dr, alright gas.
Newer Nissan Sentra
Newer Nissan Maxima
Definately Scion TC
Acura 3.2TL
If your still willing to do 12k Check this car
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/734135313.html
"Leather Girls Love Leather Seats" <---- you mean they went tanning too much? Laugh. I say keep it to a japan made vehicle like others have mentioned. Find a car that has had zero modifications to it.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,660
Likes: 1,418
From: Florida
Hyundai Tiburon. Pick a generation based on condition, could be the last gen (celica look alike) or the current gen.
either way, if you find one in good condition, they are reliable enough and cheap to fix if anything goes wrong, come in either 4cyl or 6cyl variants and are good on gas.....the kicker..chicks DIG these cars, crunch time now good luck!!
either way, if you find one in good condition, they are reliable enough and cheap to fix if anything goes wrong, come in either 4cyl or 6cyl variants and are good on gas.....the kicker..chicks DIG these cars, crunch time now good luck!!
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,424
Likes: 0
From: MA
Congrats on your daughter turning 16. First and foremost, stay away from many of the cars mentioned above just based on safety.
It is not IF your daughter will crash but when so get a car with proven safety especially on a frontal impact which is what many first timers damage as they are so preoccupied with other things.
I would also recommend staying away from an SUV or truck as novice drivers lose their lives in them due to their inability to control the high center of gravity vehicles. The difference between a 2 star frontal and a 4 star can be a little girls life so choose based on safety and not what she wants or what is cool.
First and foremost, stay away from many of the cars mentioned above just based on safety. It is not IF your daughter will crash but when so get a car with proven safety especially on a frontal impact which is what many first timers damage as they are so preoccupied with other things.
I would also recommend staying away from an SUV or truck as novice drivers lose their lives in them due to their inability to control the high center of gravity vehicles. The difference between a 2 star frontal and a 4 star can be a little girls life so choose based on safety and not what she wants or what is cool.