What Makes For A Good First Car?

04 Mar 2016

I’m pretty sure almost all of us here hate it when someone at your high school who has a brand new sports car and is probably a douche. It makes you jealous and you say how spoiled that person is. Is a brand new Ford Mustang GT a good first car? I don’t think so; here are some great qualities for a first car.
-Fuel efficient
-Practical
-Reliable
-Slow and easy to control
-Cheap
Some cars that fit this description are a Honda Civic, VW Jetta TDI or a Subaru Impreza Wagon.

I think that a first car should be something that’s rusty, not in the best condition and something that needs work. A first car shouldn’t take a lot of skill and restraint to control, so a new Dodge Hellcat for me is a no go. A Foxboy Mustang that’s seen better days might be a good first car. It can teach a kid to fix cars and how they work, and they learn to appreciate it. A car that needs fixing up can be a good time to bond with your kids.

Let’s face it, the risk of teens wrecking within the first 2 years of driving is pretty high, so why give them something nice and easy to crash? Give them something that if they wreck it, it’s not THAT big of a deal if they do crash it.

In conclusion, for my petrolhead kids, possible first rides are a non M BMW E36 coupe, Mazda Miata and an old Mustang. Feel free to comment below as to what you’ll give YOUR future children for their first car.

Comments

My first car was an XJ Cherokee. Parents basically got it to make sure I didn’t drive like an idiot, because if I did, I would be dead. Interesting strategy.

I won’t “give” my child a first car…

Why’s that?

agreed, they should buy it from their hard earned money. they will take much better care of the car if its their hard work getting one.

You see i will but it’s not going to be good or pretty. I’ll give them a leg up onto the first rung of the ladder and then encourage them to improve. That’s my thing. You can’t spoil a child but life is much harder now than it was when I was a kid.

Only 13 right now, but I’m planning to either get a used Civic, Crown Vic(because ‘Murica) or a Miata as a first car.

You’re 13? You act older

Miata always miata

whenever you mention crown vic, you summon me :D

Mx5 for sure. I got a 1990 mx5 that needed a lot of work that a non skilled person like me could fix. A awesome first car

Take the crown vic,

I got cancer from this

Impreza 1,6 or so, because best awd for winter

Just a little Lotus 98T

I fully support the Jetta TDI. Insurance is ridiculously cheap, mine gets at least 48 mpg (50/50 city and highway), surprisingly powerful little motor, but definitely not enough that you need to worry about not being able to control it.

Try to find one that is a ‘99.5-‘03 and manual. Best motor and strongest transmission

#ALHlife

a 2000 jetta tdi with a stick shift would be dope for a first car

#scandalous

I’m 18 and I’m planning to get a S13 Silvia when I move to Australia for further studies

You have to remember the “drift tax” that comes with S chassis’

Miata. A Toyota yaris sedan also works

I don’t think a parent should prevent their kid from buying a certain car if they can afford it with their own money. In other words, if you can afford it yourself, it’s fair game.
In my case, I saved for countless years and worked for 4 summers to afford my Subaru WRX. I’m 17. Since I bought the car, I appreciate it more and take better care of it

I would at least try to warn them though.

Yeah I think you’ll maybe understand when you’re a parent! I’ve lost so many friends to road accidents I’m not just going to let my kids out in a monster if I can help it. Maybe you’re a good driver but I know for a fact that the vast majority of “car guy” kids with no experience under their belts drive like crap and take a lot of risks.