My daughter turns 16 July 2nd, and has been driving for the past 4 months. In August she goes to the DMV for her CA license. If everything goes according to plan, by next school year (Fall '08) she'll be driving to her HS with her 14yo sister in tow - roundtrip is 6 miles daily. Both are in same HS, of course. So my 14yo suggested we surprise her sister with a car on her 16th b'day. I am seriously thinking about it and wanna ask about suggestions for a "starter car" for a 16yo girl.

OK, my budget is under $7K (more like $6K but I can stretch it to $7K for the right car). I'd like something "cool" looking, young and hip, sporty, good on gas and relatively cheap to maintain... A car with no more than 80K miles on the odo... Just for a couple of years until she goes to College, is how I see it. And maybe a toy for me to use after... Yet I am leary of the Civics or the 'Rollas. I thought maybe VW Jettas, Nissans, Infinitis, Acura, etc... I cannot see any old Lex fitting the "cool" tag, sorry guys/gals I got 3 Toy/Lex already, hence trying to rule that out as well.

So what do you all think? I am wide open to any and all suggestions.... I have 3 weeks to pull the trigger...

 

if you could stretch just a little more, you could probably buy an IS300...but what a lucky girl if she does get an IS300 as a starter car.

 

The older Nissan Altima with the 4 banger but thats not really a cool car? How about an older Nissan Maxima, that would be a solid buy, good size/room and a safe car.

I guess our definition of cool is different but try an older Acura 2.2/2.3 or 3.0 CL or 2.5 TL. Infiniti I30 was avail with a manual, another solid car (fancier Maxima).

Camry Coupe SE?

 

Scion xA or xB maybe?

 

That could work... it is indeed a cool car. But its in TX and I am in Cali... I'll checkout those Acuras or Nissans as Mike suggested. Any thought about VWs or old Audis? Are these money pits or diamonds in the rough...

 

umm I think old VW and Audi are not too reliable.. might be costly to maintain

 

Acura Legend Coupe

 

that was a quick look at cars.com. im sure you can find something especially in cali. older VW/Audi....i would stay away. I always wanted a B5 S4 (the V6 twin turbo) and I could have easily afforded one, just couldnt afford the maintenance so I got a GS instead.


Legend Coupe GS MT is where its at!! gosh something about those Legends....its like 15 years since but still love them. wish i kept mine.

 

I had a 96 Maxima as my first car. FWD excellent for wet weather, and it was overall a nice roomy car. Would definately recommend it

 

My 2ES is a good starter car. Its been super reliable so far and it has 120 miles on it right now

I've also been told by some of my friends that its more of a girl car since its gold -.-"

 

Honda Prelude. Its a cool car, Honda reliability, 4 cylinder to gas is not too bad, still plenty of power, lots of aftermarket mods if she desires.

 

early 2nd gen LS400 (95-97)
bulletproof motors, decent styling (just buy wheels and maybe a slight lowering if you want), and built like a damn tank
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=249596

 

In my opinion, get her a Buick or something like that. Maybe its uncool, but its big and safe. Plus, the way Buicks depreciate, you will probably find one fully loaded, with leather, with less mileage and newer than a base model Civic or Corolla. Of course its going to be a bit heavier on gas, but its a much safer car.

 

1st Gen Ford Focus. I beat the crap outta that car and never had one problem. Great gas mileage too.

 

97 and up Camry