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Posted: 5/27/2017 8:45:17 PM EDT
[#1]
Quote History |
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Posted: 5/27/2017 8:46:05 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My recommendation is a $3000 car. If I were living up north I'd go for a $3-4K car. |
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Posted: 5/27/2017 8:57:23 PM EDT
[#3]
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The issue I have in Houston is a $3K car is pretty clapped out from what I have seen here. There are tons of rip off stealerships hawking these low end cars to illegals and there are also tons of rebuilt titles around. The reason to step up a little is to get above the cars I'm seeing in that range that are rebuilds and retreads from high interest dealers. If I were living up north I'd go for a $3-4K car. |
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Posted: 5/27/2017 9:02:52 PM EDT
[#4]
How about a convertible Camry? Cool factor of a convertible, reliability of a Camry. Cheap insurance rating.
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Posted: 5/27/2017 9:26:22 PM EDT
[#5]
He will wreck it at least once, so get a throw away.
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Posted: 5/27/2017 9:37:12 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I did ride a long with a cop buddy of mine last month. One take away from him, "don't ever buy a former patrol car." While they are maintained they are ridden hard. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Used crown vic from a police auction. Cheap and can be repaired easily when, not if, he wrecks it. Besides, his friends won't think it's cool so they won't ride with him and be a distraction. Plus the cops will be watching him because most of the bangers and wanna bes around here drive them. Guess they wanted to see what the view was like from the front seat! My 16 yoa son is almost ready to get his license. I would rather have him in a big heavy slow truck his first vehicle. He can drive that one until he gets enough money to buy his own. |
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Posted: 5/27/2017 10:30:04 PM EDT
[#7]
Thinking I will buy a $3000 car. What ever it is worth in 6-12 mos if he maintains his grades, we will apply towards a car he pays half for and he pays insurance. I did just come back from picking him up at work and saw a kid driving a Ford ranger with a Happy 18th birthday on the side. That might be a solid 1st car as someone pointed out earlier, thanks!
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Posted: 5/27/2017 10:39:47 PM EDT
[#8]
My dad is selling a 2009 camry with under 70K for $6500.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 12:50:09 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I did ride a long with a cop buddy of mine last month. One take away from him, "don't ever buy a former patrol car." While they are maintained they are ridden hard. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Used crown vic from a police auction. Cheap and can be repaired easily when, not if, he wrecks it. Besides, his friends won't think it's cool so they won't ride with him and be a distraction. Plus the cops will be watching him because most of the bangers and wanna bes around here drive them. Guess they wanted to see what the view was like from the front seat! 
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Posted: 5/28/2017 12:58:50 AM EDT
[#10]
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:05:32 AM EDT
[#11]
Barrett...
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:14:55 AM EDT
[#12]
Good decision to give up on the BMW.
My teen has a 13 year old BMW 325i and the maintenance cost is a killer. The only reason he even has the car is it was given to him. So basically, I'd suggest avoiding a BMW unless it is free. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:16:09 AM EDT
[#13]
v8 mustang with nitrous set up
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:20:43 AM EDT
[#14]
Stay away from anything European. You seek a Nissan, Toyota or Honda. 2008 or older, under 150k. Or a domestic, Malibu, Impala, older focus, older fusion, nothing dodge jeep chrysler, or a v8 mustang of any year you can get as long as it wasn't raped. V8 mustangs are damn near bullet proof except when kids strap juice or modify them
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:25:39 AM EDT
[#15]
When I was 16 I bought a used Kawasaki H2 750 Triple.
With my own money that I saved up from a part time job, it was left over cash that I had from buying my Kawasaki 90 that I bought when I was 14 and sold it to buy the 750. My Dad was horrified, even more so when he took the 750 around the block (and he used to race bikes). One thing I am greatfull for is that Dad never stood in my way, although he was pissed about it he honoured the fact that I used my own money and made my own decisions on how to spend it. A 16 year old will purchase his own vehicle/motorcycle/ moped/ skateboard/ or even a fucking play station if he is so motivated that that he knows that he has to do it himself. Give that 16 year old any or all that is listed above and he will trash it and think nothing about where it came from and not in any way feel responsible for it. Just my $.02 |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:31:32 AM EDT
[#16]
Personally id look at a 4th gen toyota 4runner. Unless he's going to be doing heavy commuting/traveling once if he goes to college.
Its safe, reliable, 4x4, big enough to road trip/camp, large enough to use to move, have dogs, go offroading to go shooting/hunting. And its not a car! |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 1:54:00 AM EDT
[#17]
You want to buy a 6K car and you are considering a luxury class car? Be prepared to pay luxury class repair bills.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 2:12:37 AM EDT
[#18]
My dad bought my little brother a 1965 Dodge Coronet with a 383.
It was a battle wagon. He paid under $300 for it. It lasted him through 2 years in high school and 2 years in community college. He never had an accident with it. 
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Posted: 5/28/2017 2:41:11 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My dad bought my little brother a 1965 Dodge Coronet with a 383. It was a battle wagon. He paid under $300 for it. It lasted him through 2 years in high school and 2 years in community college. He never had an accident with it. My step mother had a '68 Coronet 440 and it had a 383 in it, my Lord that was a fast car. Red on red with white interior trim . Never understood why it was called a Coronet 440 when it had a 383 in it. Non the less, that car would MOVE !!! |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 4:39:21 AM EDT
[#20]
You're smoking crack on a used BMW. Repairs will eat you alive
Mines getting a manual wrangler I'm going to buy a shit one when he is around 11 years old. And we will Use it as a 4 year wrenching project and learning about life. If he doesn't like it. Wife and I will and he can call Uber My father and I had 17 porsches and bmws between the 2 of us. My son is not getting a car that can go over 90mph easy. He will also have a manual. He needs to learn |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 4:45:00 AM EDT
[#21]
I'm looking for a car or truck right now too. You still might want to keep a look out for a Crown Vic. I looked locally and I saw a nice variety. Some that were detective's cars or Administration cars or Coroner or Health Inspector and one assigned it's entire life to the district attorneys office.
Government owned does not always mean law enforcement and they are still well maintained. Most with enhancements like engine and transmission cooling units and enhanced breaks and engine air intakes and so on and so forth. But I want the one with Kevlar in the front doors and bullet proof/stab proof seats. But of course that one was a patrol car which excludes it from my list. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:24:19 AM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Any recommendations for a car for a 16 yr old driver? Looking for something <$6K with decent reliability and safety features. So far I've been leaning towards an Acura TL 2004-2008. He is pushing me to consider a BMW 328i, I'm hesitant to buy a german car with 100K miles but the aftermarket support is pretty good for it. Any other recommendations? Not really into most domestic cars. I see decent used cars in the $6-7K range but mostly clapped out trash at $5K and below. Thoughts? ETA title Truck! Heck of a lot safer. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:33:14 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thinking I will buy a $3000 car. What ever it is worth in 6-12 mos if he maintains his grades, we will apply towards a car he pays half for and he pays insurance. I did just come back from picking him up at work and saw a kid driving a Ford ranger with a Happy 18th birthday on the side. That might be a solid 1st car as someone pointed out earlier, thanks! That was me. If you look at at Ford Ranger or Mazda B series pickup truck, stay away from the SOHC 4.0L V6. If you ever have any timing issues on a SOHC 4.0L, it's easier to change the engine rather than fix the timing issue (the engine has to come out to fix it anyways). Stick to the inline 4 cyl, and especially if it's a 5 speed. Those are pretty much bulletproof. There's a guy here at work that has a 1994 Ranger 2.3L 5 speed, and he drives it every day. 435K on the odo. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:35:42 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So when will he find the time to work 3 jobs on top of high school to pay for the insurance on a BMW? On top of the fact that statistically speaking he's going to wreck the damn thing within a year of owning it. His expectations and reality do not meet. Unless of course you're footing that bill, OP. In which case, you're choosing poorly.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:41:05 AM EDT
[#25]
2004-06 4 door 4.8 tahoe, its slow as fuck ans safe as a roll cage around a special egg.
Also plent of room for hos boom boomwhen he decides bass is cool. Will also give room to get the stinky pinky in the back. 
Cheap on purchas, mantenace and gas. Win win. Fook all those lil car crap things! |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:42:53 AM EDT
[#26]
4 cylinder compact car for sure!! My first car was a Mazda Protégé, second car was a Mazda 3. Both were very reliable and good on gas. I would say look for a used Mazda 3 for $6K. You could also look at a Honda Civic or something else that is similar. But yeah Japanese cars, cheap to buy, cheap to fix, reliable, good on gas, perfect first cars.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:52:35 AM EDT
[#27]
My parents never bought me a car or any thing of the sort.
I was lucky to get food! I had to work full time doing hard labor with a temp agency (construction) and saved to buy a 1000 dollar clunker. now tell me why would you buy him a car? ask yourself that. furthermore., 16 years old? You cant even buy a beer till you're 21 but you can be responsible for a 1 ton machine capable to run up 100+ mph . makes no sense to me!! my opinion since you asked: I wouldnt buy him anything. Nothing worse than a spoiled teenager being handed everything. a BMW lol (Funny)
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:57:45 AM EDT
[#28]
hail damage salvage get you a nice newer car for that much. ugly but mechanically sound.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 5:58:28 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote History |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 6:02:30 AM EDT
[#30]
Not sure why a BMW is even one of the choices. This is a teaching experience. You can teach your son that buying an expensive to repair car is a bad choice.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 6:04:07 AM EDT
[#31]
Lots of good choices in here. I would have loved a Jeep or Vette when I was in school. I did have a V8 Mustang II hatch which was alright. Surprised nobody mentioned Subaru. They are reliable, capable and pretty cool if you get a hatchback. Find one with a nice body, freshen up the engine which is easy and then put the rest into upgraded brakes and suspension. Then you have a very safe, fun car, easy to park, good on gas and safe in any driving conditions. They come in manual also, like the two I own.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 6:05:16 AM EDT
[#32]
I let an actual audible laugh at "bmw."
Get the best Civic you can find for $6000. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:07:53 AM EDT
[#33]
My first car was a 2001 ford ranger with a 4 cylinder and manual transmission. It served me well in high school and only cost 5k
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:15:05 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My recommendation is to have him buy his own. Go to a public auction and get something for $800 or less. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:20:54 AM EDT
[#35]
I say this as a German car fan, NOT a BMW. Germans can build an engine so 100K+ miles wouldn't worry me from the engine standpoint but they however can not wire a car and little but expensive shit will go wrong with it.
I say a Jeep Cherokee Sport. I have had 2, a 1993 and a 1997 and they are great vehicles, easy and cheap to work on and the 4.0 motor is easy to work on and a very solid motor. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:22:12 AM EDT
[#36]
zero driving skills.
you want your kid to live...first element gas mileage is not an issue..how much is life worth? you need a box made of steel, with a full frame Crown Vic with throttle shimmed Chevy pickup full-size Get something that will take a side impact. I've seen some fatalities in cars with airbags, that usually perform well in head-ons. Usually something that gets the kid a little higher like a truck is better. Glue, screw, bend whatever to keep the throttle from hitting the limits. No, the kid doesn't need to go over 75 |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:25:11 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My parents never bought me a car or any thing of the sort. I was lucky to get food! I had to work full time doing hard labor with a temp agency (construction) and saved to buy a 1000 dollar clunker. now tell me why would you buy him a car? ask yourself that. furthermore., 16 years old? You cant even buy a beer till you're 21 but you can be responsible for a 1 ton machine capable to run up 100+ mph . makes no sense to me!! my opinion since you asked: I wouldnt buy him anything. Nothing worse than a spoiled teenager being handed everything. a BMW lol (Funny) OP is in Tejas, the probability that employment is outside of walking or bicycle distance is high, and the probability of public transit is low.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:25:20 AM EDT
[#38]
The 328i will be easy to work on with lots of aftermarket support. That motor is pretty much bullet proof. Cooling system issues are common but fairly cheap to repair/replace with upgraded components (plastic tank on radiator, water pump impeller).
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:28:01 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
He does want a truck but I'm buying my own at the end of summer and the trucks in the $6-7k range in TX are beat to hell. ETA; I saw your in Houston, im only a couple of hours south of you |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:30:21 AM EDT
[#40]
I bought a 2013 corolla with a 5 speed with 60k miles on it in march for $12,500 for myself. Im driving it for a year and a half then giving it to our son on his 16th birthday. Incredibly reliable, very safe, and unlike a similar honda, timing chain instead of a belt.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:33:43 AM EDT
[#41]
My insights:
Get a manual: Sure they may have had the gears all ground to shit but it will teach your kid how to drive stick shift; something which is rare in millennial these days and a good life skill. It will also make him pay more attention to what he is doing decreasing the likelihood of texting, eating, or crashing. Get something reliable-ISH. He's 16, if his car breaks down so what? He's not a surgeon yet he's a kid. Get a car that is good enough to get him through his education plus a year. I had a perfectly functional car and never had to fix anything. I don't know shit about cars. A friend's mom bought him a car in high school that made it home from the dealer and shit the bed in his driveway. He spent all summer trying to figure out what was wrong on his pos car and spent many hours learning about how to fix and maintain vehicles. This is time that won't be spent playing video games, knocking up girls, or doing drugs. It'll suck at first but he will benefit from it and it will teach him to appreciate newer cars. My friend was able to use his newly gained knowledge to push his pos 200,000 miles after I thought it would have never made it and I feel confident he could fix most any normal car if he broke down somewhere. Safety. Expect that your kid is going to get in an accident. Don't put him in anything you wouldn't want him to be in a major accident in. Heavier, higher, and crumple zones. Cargo space. It will likely be used to move from dwellings at least twice in the upcoming years. Spare seats are a +\-. If he has them the plus is he has the ability to haul others, added safety in crashes, if he is responsible he will be the one driving his friends everywhere, and extra storage. Downside is he may be the taxi for all of his friends which is just another distraction for a new driver. I wouldn't worry too much about gas mileage. I'd recommend an 2003 Lexus rx300. Plenty of after market parts and the cars will do an easy 300k if taken care of. Meets a lot of the criteria above. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:34:48 AM EDT
[#42]
Corolla S
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:34:52 AM EDT
[#43]
When I was eighteen my father bought me an eight year old Cutlass and a Chiltons, told me I could fix it, pay to have it fixed, or walk. He also let it be known that he'd buy a case of beer for any of the county deputies who gave me a traffic ticket that I couldn't talk my way out of. I got a whole lot of supervision as a new driver.
In the game that was my "upbringing", I didn't win too many hands. But it was typical of the man, that when I did, he got more of a kick out of it that I did. |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:36:17 AM EDT
[#44]
Nissan and they use timing chains so no replacement
Most cars are belts and require changing every 60-80k, so there goes another $600-900 |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:43:30 AM EDT
[#45]
Old rusty pickup truck.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:50:06 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
v8 mustang with nitrous set up
Edit: get a 4runner! |
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:55:46 AM EDT
[#47]
I have a 2000 gmc 1500 with 235k miles. I got the truck in high school with 14 miles and maintained it myself. Wife made me get an extended cab because we have 3 kids now but I still drive it to work. I have been saving it for someone's first car. The clear coat is pealing off and the radio doesn't work and you can't have a good make out session in the cab because the seatbelt buckles won't let you lay down comfortably. I will let it go for 2k if your interested or we might be able to make a better deal. Im and I'll send you pictures of blueberry. Haven't listed it for sale yet because I want it to go to a good home. It's in McKinney if you are in north Texas.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 9:59:43 AM EDT
[#48]
Get him the 328i, because chicks.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 10:09:09 AM EDT
[#49]
My son just bought a 1 owner 2003 Pontiac aztek with only 70k miles. Once we got the doggy odor out, he loves it. Bought it for $1400, did some maintenance, it runs great.
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Posted: 5/28/2017 10:13:51 AM EDT
[#50]
I'll cut against the grain here and say used Hayabusa
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