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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:31:41 AM EDT
[#1]
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Single cab truck would limit the number of idiots he would haul around. Even a 4dr car would haul as many as an SUV of any type. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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In that price range I would look for a Tahoe either a late 90s or early 00s. Should be able to get a decent one for that price. I see decent ones in my area listed for $4k all week long and could probably get them down. Stupid simple to work on and parts prices are cheap. I stand by my original post, Ford Ranger with a manual. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:32:03 AM EDT
[#2]
FPNI.
Ford Ranger is a damn nice first vehicle and learning to drive a manual will give him a leg up over his peers. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:32:45 AM EDT
[#3]
I don't know ow where you heard that. We had two different ones that each went to over 200 with very few problems. 300 HP and over 25 mpg on the highway, too. Excellent used cars.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:33:43 AM EDT
[#4]
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A 1500-3000 dollar version of any of the cars you listed is just cruel and unusual punishment. I have lost count of the number of cheap pontiacs I have seen people buy just to break down. For escapes that you can get for 3k are older models, lots of problems. Focus for 3k? Gonna be high miles. My first car was a 1989 Accord Se-i for <2,000. It never, ever left me stranded with all the miles and years I drove it. Get a Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla, Rav 4, or CRV and be done with it. First generation CRV are great cars (get awd). If your budget is 3k and you want a reliable car, stay away from domestic. This is my opinion based on my experiences. YMMV. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Those of you who have bought a kid their first vehicle in the past 5 years or so, what'd you get for them? My boy just turned 16 and we are looking to get him his first vehicle. Was thinking $3000 for a spending limit. Not sure if I should go with a $1500 total beater or spend $3000 or so on something a little better. I think he should have to go through the beater/jalopy experience (shouldn't be a problem with only domestic makes as choices, eh?  ), but the wife wants him to be safe with less risk of breaking down on the side of the road somewhere. Saturn Vue, Chevy Malibu, Ford Focus, Ford Escape, and Pontiac Vibe have been potential candidates so far.A 1500-3000 dollar version of any of the cars you listed is just cruel and unusual punishment. I have lost count of the number of cheap pontiacs I have seen people buy just to break down. For escapes that you can get for 3k are older models, lots of problems. Focus for 3k? Gonna be high miles. My first car was a 1989 Accord Se-i for <2,000. It never, ever left me stranded with all the miles and years I drove it. Get a Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla, Rav 4, or CRV and be done with it. First generation CRV are great cars (get awd). If your budget is 3k and you want a reliable car, stay away from domestic. This is my opinion based on my experiences. YMMV. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:34:12 AM EDT
[#5]
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I bought my own damn car at 16. '83 Chevy Caprice with a 5.0 V-8 two-barreled carb pushing maybe 200 hp if it wasn't a hot day, but 55k miles (not bad at all on a 16 year old vehicle). Oh, and a white vinyl roof. I really wish I still had that thing; it was a fun car. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:34:20 AM EDT
[#6]
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id be pissed to get any of those choices why not a small truck? |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:35:07 AM EDT
[#7]
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If they're not the best, why only American brands in your driveway? You make no sense. He should buy his own car anyway. AB |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:35:22 AM EDT
[#8]
Old Honda Accord or Civic. They've been assembled in OH for decades. The only problem with those is they are the most stolen cars in history of cars, but a steering wheel lock should mitigate that risk.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:35:49 AM EDT
[#9]
You know that many "foreign makes" are made right here in the USA? There is a Kia plant right down the road from me. There is also a Hyundai plant within a couple hours drive. On top of that, many American made cars contain many imported parts. I don't think that the car you seek exists. You might think it does, but it doesn't. You need to find the best condition car for the money that you want to spend and not arbitrarily limit your options based on what you perceive as foreign versus domestic. Also, you were considering a Pontiac? Seriously?
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:38:28 AM EDT
[#10]
A single cab or extended colorado or ranger with a 5 speed.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:38:46 AM EDT
[#11]
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This is the correct reply. What kind of vehicle does HE want? AB |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:39:19 AM EDT
[#12]
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+1. What constitutes a "foreign make" these days? FYI, the Toyota Camry has more American components in it than any other sedan..even "American" makes. Get off the foreign hangup and get the best, most reliable car you can find in that price range. A Civic or Corolla would probably be my two top contenders. Saturn Vues are pos's, so eliminate that from the get go. That's the part that makes it a wiser investment. Learning to purchase a depreciating asset so as not to lose all the money you put in it is prudent. I've lost money on a few but I've made money also. Not anticipated but it can happen. Example: Back in 2002 I picked up a 95 Talon TSI AWD that the guy had blown the engine up for $1,500. Had a spare 6-bolt laying around I had already gone through. Added some basic maintenance & performance parts. One week after getting it all back together a 16yr old girl pulled out in front of me & the insurance company totaled it. Had full coverage including aftermarket parts. Closest comp was $12,000 at the time. I got to keep the car & got a check for $11,000. Spent about $5,000 getting it fixed including a new 97 front end. Traded that car even up for a 95 Eclipse GST that I sold for $8,500 a year later. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:41:10 AM EDT
[#13]
I got mine a job so he could purchase his own.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:41:26 AM EDT
[#14]
The slowest vehicle you can find. Also the the one that wraps him in the most steel.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:45:54 AM EDT
[#15]
Ex cops cars always have lots of bang for the buck.
I had a Crown Vic and a Caprice. Both were pretty solid and extremely inexpensive. My brother had a Vic too and drove it around Los Angeles until he moved back to MI. I understand OPs view. I also work for a big auto company (non-union, so not brainwashed), and have always bought domestics. All my VINs start with 1 except the Vic, which was Canadian, but I include my neighbor three miles east in the domestic title. While true that many "foreign" cars are made in the US, it's certainly not most. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:46:16 AM EDT
[#16]
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Ford crown Victoria. Find an old police trade in. Let's not forget that a Crown Vic has enough room in the back seat for a young man to lay pipe. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:47:22 AM EDT
[#17]
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If they're not the best, why only American brands in your driveway? You make no sense. He should buy his own car anyway. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:49:12 AM EDT
[#18]
Crown Vic/ Mercury Grand Marquis year 2003 or newer.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:53:29 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Those of you who have bought a kid their first vehicle in the past 5 years or so, what'd you get for them? My boy just turned 16 and we are looking to get him his first vehicle. Was thinking $3000 for a spending limit. Not sure if I should go with a $1500 total beater or spend $3000 or so on something a little better. I think he should have to go through the beater/jalopy experience (shouldn't be a problem with only domestic makes as choices, eh? ), but the wife wants him to be safe with less risk of breaking down on the side of the road somewhere. Saturn Vue, Chevy Malibu, Ford Focus, Ford Escape, and Pontiac Vibe have been potential candidates so far.No reason to put your kid in a deathtrap. You can learn how to work on cars just fine without being stranded somewhere. Just bought a 2013 corolla with 60k miles and a 5 speed for our son. $12k and piece of mind. And he will know how to do everything on it. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:53:59 AM EDT
[#20]
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A little personal responsibility goes a long ways. Beats the old man cheaping out on the car for the same outcome. Then they buy it together with more money |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:57:43 AM EDT
[#21]
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For those saying to make him buy his own, he just turned 16 and that's how old a kid has to be to get hired even at fast food joints nowadays. I have ways to make him earn this vehicle, but you can't really expect a 16 year old kid to have made enough money through traditional employment to buy a vehicle at age 16. 
Had my first tax paying job at 14. Had to get school to sign papers or something like that. Worked at a local garden center on the weekends/weeknights. This was in early 2000's |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:57:59 AM EDT
[#22]
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Take a look at the 4.0 jeep Cherokee and grand Cherokee. They can be found for the 1.5 to 3k budget you have. Can take a beating. And after your son tears it up you can use it as a winter beater. 4.0 will run forever and doesn't mind lack of maintenance or abuse. It was my first car and it lived to be my brothers. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 11:58:11 AM EDT
[#23]
I was in the same sitjation a hlyear ago. Bought my daughter a 2008 saturn vue with 136k for $4k. It is all wheel drive and has stabilitrak and side curtain airbags. 4 wheel disk brakes. It now has 159k on it and all I have done is put tires on it before winter and just replaced a wheel bearing. Bearing cost $129 and took about an hour to put on. Really easy to do. I did change all fluids and filters but transmission has been fine. Just took it on a 1,200 mile road trip and got 23mpg driving 75 mph. I have another kid about to start driving and lasr month bought an Equinox with all wheel drive. I like the vue better.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:02:49 PM EDT
[#24]
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Get a used f150, for 3000 it's guaranteed to be a beater pos. My son was easier than my daughter, she totaled an Expedition. Son drove the wheels off of our old Explorer. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:03:05 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Old Honda Accord or Civic. They've been assembled in OH for decades. The only problem with those is they are the most stolen cars in history of cars, but a steering wheel lock should mitigate that risk. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:06:20 PM EDT
[#26]
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I love how this gets under people's skin.  |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:07:41 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No reason to put your kid in a deathtrap. You can learn how to work on cars just fine without being stranded somewhere. Just bought a 2013 corolla with 60k miles and a 5 speed for our son. $12k and piece of mind. And he will know how to do everything on it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Those of you who have bought a kid their first vehicle in the past 5 years or so, what'd you get for them? My boy just turned 16 and we are looking to get him his first vehicle. Was thinking $3000 for a spending limit. Not sure if I should go with a $1500 total beater or spend $3000 or so on something a little better. I think he should have to go through the beater/jalopy experience (shouldn't be a problem with only domestic makes as choices, eh? ), but the wife wants him to be safe with less risk of breaking down on the side of the road somewhere. Saturn Vue, Chevy Malibu, Ford Focus, Ford Escape, and Pontiac Vibe have been potential candidates so far.No reason to put your kid in a deathtrap. You can learn how to work on cars just fine without being stranded somewhere. Just bought a 2013 corolla with 60k miles and a 5 speed for our son. $12k and piece of mind. And he will know how to do everything on it. 
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:09:54 PM EDT
[#28]
When my first son got his Lic. I told him I was getting him a Dump Truck.
We bought him a Toyota Solara or whatever it was called he destroyed pretty quick. I gave him my Jeep Grand Cherokee that had 200,000 miles on it. He destroyed it. We took him to the car dealer when he turned 20 and he bought a car with his money and has USAA insurance through me. He works for Amazon and is in Collage part time. The Jeep was a great vehicle in my opinion safety wise and lasted, just not as big as a Dump Truck. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:10:00 PM EDT
[#29]
I had to buy the Blazer my dad let me drive.
I would suggest a complete shit can like an old mazda or toyota corolla. Make the kid fix it when it goes down. Unless making it a teaching moment isn't your thing. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:10:49 PM EDT
[#30]
My son is spending his own money. We found an AWD 2003 Pontiac Aztek, one owner, 70,000 miles. Needed brakes, fuel filter, outer tie rods, sway bar pins. All in to it for about $2200.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:11:40 PM EDT
[#31]
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Why not give him the Saturn and buy something nicer for yourself? |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:31:00 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Old Honda Accord or Civic. They've been assembled in OH for decades. The only problem with those is they are the most stolen cars in history of cars, but a steering wheel lock should mitigate that risk. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:35:49 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In OP's price range if he wants something reliable the only options should be Civic, Accord, Camry or Corolla. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Old Honda Accord or Civic. They've been assembled in OH for decades. The only problem with those is they are the most stolen cars in history of cars, but a steering wheel lock should mitigate that risk. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:37:57 PM EDT
[#34]
80s Chevy half ton truck or a Volvo wagon.
Nothing new. If your kid has no personal investment in the vehicle, he will never respect it. Make it personal, Dad. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:38:39 PM EDT
[#35]
The idea of 'no foreign makes', but not actually caring when a specific model is made, is comical.
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:40:00 PM EDT
[#36]
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Ford Ranger, manual |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:42:05 PM EDT
[#37]
Ford Focus would fit the bill.
When I was looking for a car for my kid last year, I test drove one and thought it was great. Only reason I didn't buy it was the AC needed work, and I wanted a turnkey vehicle. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:44:24 PM EDT
[#38]
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Honda or Toyota are the only cars in that price range worth owning. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:46:35 PM EDT
[#39]
Why no foreign cars? Anyway, when I was a teenager my dad gave me his hand me down used Toyota Corolla. It was a good, reliable, used car. I made the stupid mistake (inexperienced youth) of trading "up" to an old, used Dodge Dart (American car). That POS was constantly breaking down. Once on the freeway on the opposite side of the city at night. I had to call my dad and wait 40 minutes for him to get there. Another time I broke down on the freeway (again at night and no nearby phones) and walked the 7 miles to get home. Came back with my dad the next morning to find the car with a broken out window. Thieves broke the window, but, there was nothing inside to steal.
Now, we're in the era of cellphones, but, I still got my daughter a new car (Toyota Corolla) as I don't want her to be stuck in a broken down car at night by herself like I was back in the day. With the scum that travel the highways looking for broken down cars I think back on how lucky I was that I was never victimized. Don't want to have that worry for my daughter. 
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:47:12 PM EDT
[#40]
At that $1500 price you'll get something with high mileage and needing work, esp a domestic. My first two cars were a 93 grand am w 120k miles and an 89 sunbird with 89k. Make sure you have the fluids, gaskets, and hoses replaced if they haven't recently or the owner doesn't know when they were. Personally I'll never get a domestic again with the exception of something cool like a wrangler or sports car.
For a cheap daily driver you really can't go wrong w a jap car, I love my 14 civic, cheap and reliable. That hasn't been the case w my pontiacs which became a huge turn off because of the problems I had. I highly suggest reconsidering an import esp a Honda, Hyundai, or Toyota. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:49:39 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
He said it was for his son, not his daughter |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:51:04 PM EDT
[#42]
Why does the car have to be a hunk of crap to teach responsibility?
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:55:38 PM EDT
[#43]
how about this
geo prizim |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 12:59:48 PM EDT
[#44]
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Posted: 4/23/2017 1:01:11 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ford Ranger, manual 2001 |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 1:02:13 PM EDT
[#46]
Buick LeSabre
Was my first car, things run forever and are dirt cheap. Pretty good mpg too for a land yacht! Can't tell you how many two track Forest roads this thing drove down at 60+ mph and never broke... 
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Posted: 4/23/2017 1:08:15 PM EDT
[#47]
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My mistake. Pick any GM, Ford or Chrysler and enjoy picking your son up from the side of the road. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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He said it was for his son, not his daughter I've had several Fords that only needed brake pads and tires in 200k. Change the oil every 3k and and do regular maintenance and they will all last. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 1:13:21 PM EDT
[#48]
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Posted: 4/23/2017 1:15:13 PM EDT
[#49]
Quoted:
Those of you who have bought a kid their first vehicle in the past 5 years or so, what'd you get for them? My boy just turned 16 and we are looking to get him his first vehicle. Was thinking $3000 for a spending limit. Not sure if I should go with a $1500 total beater or spend $3000 or so on something a little better. I think he should have to go through the beater/jalopy experience (shouldn't be a problem with only domestic makes as choices, eh? ), but the wife wants him to be safe with less risk of breaking down on the side of the road somewhere. Saturn Vue, Chevy Malibu, Ford Focus, Ford Escape, and Pontiac Vibe have been potential candidates so far.I think you need to step away from the crack pipe. Partly because of attitudes like this: Quoted:
Lol, the only reason those cars seem to do better is because the metros that drive them actually take them in to have all the maintenance done. |
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Posted: 4/23/2017 1:16:06 PM EDT
[#50]
Corolla or camry as both are easy to work on.
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