Automobile Blog May Archive

Best Cars to Buy for Your 16-Year-Old

By Brian White at 05/31/07 09:22

The first question should be whether or not you should buy your kid a car, but an article where I just say "No" isn't very interesting, and I'm sure I can't convince you otherwise. In case you're wondering which car you should buy your teenager, I have only a few suggestions.

- Keep it cheap, and I do mean cheap. During the steep learning curve, kids invariably play bumper cars with the darn things, and it's bad enough you have to pay for other people's fenders, you should keep your own as cheap as you can.

- Nothing too comfortable. No need to give them unrealistic expectations as to what a car should be. They'll never appreciate the higher rungs if they don't start at the bottom of the ladder.

- Nothing with a distractingly great stereo, and hopefully, nothing with a radio at all. Music does distract, as does flipping stations.

- No sport or muscle cars, unless you want to pay for the tickets or the casket.

- Big is safe, but so are bright colors, technically.

If anybody has specific suggestions, for price, safety and efficiency, I'd love to hear them.

$500 Used Car – Cheap or Too Cheap?

You might need a new everyday driver, a second car for good measure, or something to lug around the bigger things in your life, like shrubs, appliances, garbage or animals. Buying a whole new car isn't affordable, but how cheap is too cheap?

$500 is cheap, but it may be so cheap it's expensive. Here are a few considerations:

Reasons Against

• It can't be reliable, so if you simply can't break down on the side of the road, beware. Still, carry jumper cables, starter fluid and antifreeze.
• It's not going to be the most efficient, so expect a difference at the pump.
• It ain't gonna be pretty.
• It may not pass emissions check.

Reasons For

• As long as you keep up on the maintenance, you'll be able to sell it for the same price you bought it for. That means it may cost you very little, or just about nothing, when you're done.
• If things go horribly wrong, you can "throw it away" and still be out just $500.
• If your primary car needs a jump start, or a day at the mechanic, you'll have something to drive.
• If you need to carry yucky things, you've got it covered.