Just Bought My 17 y/o Daughter Her First Car: 2004 RX w/nav
07-10-11, 02:24 PM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Just Bought My 17 y/o Daughter Her First Car: 2004 RX w/nav
Safety is upmost concern then reliability. The RX seemed to fit the bill on both. I know ppl tell me that a kid's first car should be something old and crappy to help them appreciate things in the future.
My contention is that I this will be her car thru h/s, college, and into her career while giving ol dad peace of mind.
Thoughts yay or nay?
My contention is that I this will be her car thru h/s, college, and into her career while giving ol dad peace of mind.
Thoughts yay or nay?
07-10-11, 04:58 PM
#3
Welcome to Club Lexus.
Safety and reliability are good things to look for in a car for your child. The RX fits those criteria well. Was hit years ago in my 2004 by a Mazda 6. I needed a new bumper cover, they were towed away with the front end in a compact mess. The old thought was to give your kid a Volvo 240 wagon or a litle Honda Civic. The Volvo was slow, but a tank. The Honda Civic was just slow but got incredible fuel mileage. Kids would not be racing around the streets in either. Besides, they weren't cool.
Keep money aside for routine maintenance. Find a good independent shop or a local Toyota shop as needed to keep costs down. Failure to perform this maintenance will get you in the long run as with any vehicle. Get a AAA card for her to have for road emergencies.
The amount of stuff kids bring with them to college today is mind blowing compared to when I went. I see the (yes, just one) neighbor went from a Honda Accord to a Saturn Vue for their kid so they would have more space to transport things. No computers in my day, just slide rules.
I still believe most colleges do not allow freshman and possibly even sophomores to have vehicles on campus. You will want to check on that. Also, do you know where she will be going to college? If it is a very long trip on the other side of the country buying now may not have been cost effective unless you could use the vehicle locally as well. The other downside is with the RX you can put a lot to kids into it. Means that she will be the preferred vehicle to take everyone to the parties, games, trips to the store, etc.
Safety and reliability are good things to look for in a car for your child. The RX fits those criteria well. Was hit years ago in my 2004 by a Mazda 6. I needed a new bumper cover, they were towed away with the front end in a compact mess. The old thought was to give your kid a Volvo 240 wagon or a litle Honda Civic. The Volvo was slow, but a tank. The Honda Civic was just slow but got incredible fuel mileage. Kids would not be racing around the streets in either. Besides, they weren't cool.
Keep money aside for routine maintenance. Find a good independent shop or a local Toyota shop as needed to keep costs down. Failure to perform this maintenance will get you in the long run as with any vehicle. Get a AAA card for her to have for road emergencies.
The amount of stuff kids bring with them to college today is mind blowing compared to when I went. I see the (yes, just one) neighbor went from a Honda Accord to a Saturn Vue for their kid so they would have more space to transport things. No computers in my day, just slide rules.
I still believe most colleges do not allow freshman and possibly even sophomores to have vehicles on campus. You will want to check on that. Also, do you know where she will be going to college? If it is a very long trip on the other side of the country buying now may not have been cost effective unless you could use the vehicle locally as well. The other downside is with the RX you can put a lot to kids into it. Means that she will be the preferred vehicle to take everyone to the parties, games, trips to the store, etc.
07-10-11, 04:58 PM
#4
Super Moderator
If you can drive an SUV you can drive anything. It might take some getting used to if she hasn't driven an SUV much before (I felt the same way when I got my RX300 back in 2002). However, she will have a great command over the road sitting high up and the navigation can certainly help.
07-10-11, 06:00 PM
#5
Pole Position
Thread Starter
She will be commuting to Mississippi State
Welcome to Club Lexus.
Safety and reliability are good things to look for in a car for your child. The RX fits those criteria well. Was hit years ago in my 2004 by a Mazda 6. I needed a new bumper cover, they were towed away with the front end in a compact mess. The old thought was to give your kid a Volvo 240 wagon or a litle Honda Civic. The Volvo was slow, but a tank. The Honda Civic was just slow but got incredible fuel mileage. Kids would not be racing around the streets in either. Besides, they weren't cool.
Keep money aside for routine maintenance. Find a good independent shop or a local Toyota shop as needed to keep costs down. Failure to perform this maintenance will get you in the long run as with any vehicle. Get a AAA card for her to have for road emergencies.
The amount of stuff kids bring with them to college today is mind blowing compared to when I went. I see the (yes, just one) neighbor went from a Honda Accord to a Saturn Vue for their kid so they would have more space to transport things. No computers in my day, just slide rules.
I still believe most colleges do not allow freshman and possibly even sophomores to have vehicles on campus. You will want to check on that. Also, do you know where she will be going to college? If it is a very long trip on the other side of the country buying now may not have been cost effective unless you could use the vehicle locally as well. The other downside is with the RX you can put a lot to kids into it. Means that she will be the preferred vehicle to take everyone to the parties, games, trips to the store, etc.
Safety and reliability are good things to look for in a car for your child. The RX fits those criteria well. Was hit years ago in my 2004 by a Mazda 6. I needed a new bumper cover, they were towed away with the front end in a compact mess. The old thought was to give your kid a Volvo 240 wagon or a litle Honda Civic. The Volvo was slow, but a tank. The Honda Civic was just slow but got incredible fuel mileage. Kids would not be racing around the streets in either. Besides, they weren't cool.
Keep money aside for routine maintenance. Find a good independent shop or a local Toyota shop as needed to keep costs down. Failure to perform this maintenance will get you in the long run as with any vehicle. Get a AAA card for her to have for road emergencies.
The amount of stuff kids bring with them to college today is mind blowing compared to when I went. I see the (yes, just one) neighbor went from a Honda Accord to a Saturn Vue for their kid so they would have more space to transport things. No computers in my day, just slide rules.
I still believe most colleges do not allow freshman and possibly even sophomores to have vehicles on campus. You will want to check on that. Also, do you know where she will be going to college? If it is a very long trip on the other side of the country buying now may not have been cost effective unless you could use the vehicle locally as well. The other downside is with the RX you can put a lot to kids into it. Means that she will be the preferred vehicle to take everyone to the parties, games, trips to the store, etc.
07-10-11, 06:01 PM
#6
Pole Position
Thread Starter
She Trained on my 4x4 Toyota Tacoma
If you can drive an SUV you can drive anything. It might take some getting used to if she hasn't driven an SUV much before (I felt the same way when I got my RX300 back in 2002). However, she will have a great command over the road sitting high up and the navigation can certainly help.
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07-10-11, 06:28 PM
#8
07-10-11, 06:51 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
Well hey if you can afford it, why not lol. Yay. My dad wanted me to get a crappy car but my mom saved me and let me get a Sti. A RX is nice and safe but a bit big for a new driver.
07-10-11, 07:09 PM
#11
07-11-11, 05:40 AM
#12
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Lol
If you need something rugged and reliable, eschew the SUV and get a Taco TRD
07-11-11, 08:25 AM
#13
The RX is an SUV of choice for anyone of all ages. Love the comfy ride and reliability. However, having that big of a vehicle can invite attention and kids cramping in the backseats.
07-11-11, 12:50 PM
#14
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I'm against to give kids a SUV's. Just because it sits high of the road, so CG way far from the ground, one big turn and doing too fast , will flip car over. Also side impact can easy flip car too.
I have M3 also, beside RX330, so RX330 is not just bad on turns/ramp, it's terrible. Michelin tires is starting squeaking on ramp very easy.
I have M3 also, beside RX330, so RX330 is not just bad on turns/ramp, it's terrible. Michelin tires is starting squeaking on ramp very easy.
