The Dive Watch Connection

I'd buy my kid a bus pass.

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hoppyjr wrote:

hoppyjr wrote:I’m not generally a fan of buying the kid a car, but with that in mind....

My ex was in the market for something after her Beetle TDI was bought back by VW. I know you said $20k but... we found her a Certified Pre Owned 2016 A3 for $25,500. It was six months old at the time and had 5k miles. It was a dealer service loaner and had the full 6 year 100k factory CPO warranty. Options included; panoramic moonroof, automatic, push button start, Bluetooth, and heated seats. This was less money than a new Civic EX and it’s been a fantastic car.

Edit: While I provided info above, it’s not what we did with our son.

My kid drove the old green Taurus that I picked up used and had become the family “spare car”. It was a solid first car but he saved his money and bought a relatives used suv a year later. At 20 he had continued to save and bought himself a CPO Audi A4. It’s paid off and getting up there in miles, so he’s selling and buying my Outback.

There is tremendous value in a kid working and saving for their own “cool” car.

That strategy backfired on my parents. I found a great job and made enough money to buy a car that I never should have had as a first car. No 16 year old should have a Porsche as his first car. Tickets etc...occurred regularly...luckily I made enough to pay the insurance .


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What the world needs is a device that prevents any cell service in a car with the engine running. That would be the ultimate teen driving system.

Subaru???

CGSshorty wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 1:15 pm

1978 Oldsmobile 98 was my first car. It looked just like this one.
.

Olds were great cars. Mine was a ‘73 Omega

Just like this and this is what I did....bald tires

I had 2 motorcycles before buying my first car, a 68 mustang notch back with a 302 swap... Don't have your kids do what I did

Blah blah smrt phone

59yukon01 wrote:What the world needs is a device that prevents any cell service in a car with the engine running. That would be the ultimate teen driving system.

Manual car helps with that.

Plus he will learn to shift with the left hand once he has a girlfriend.


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jeckyll wrote:I had 2 motorcycles before buying my first car, a 68 mustang notch back with a 302 swap... Don't have your kids do what I did

Blah blah smrt phone

Hey, we’re still here!

jeckyll wrote:I had 2 motorcycles before buying my first car, a 68 mustang notch back with a 302 swap... Don't have your kids do what I did

Blah blah smrt phone

Don't do what I did... holy crap yes

If you’re kinda set on something newer, consider leasing a Hyundai or Kia. 10 year / 100k warranty for original purchaser, but low lease deals abound. Reliable as heck and with all the latest safety features. You commute with it & let the boy drive through school, etc. if he delivers on his end and hits your expectations, then you can purchase at the lease end and make it a graduation present.

It used to be that lease-then-buy was more expensive, but with today’s super low lease deals and incentives it’s close to a wash in many cases.

Just another possibility.

1977 Ford LTD - 2Door - with a 400v-8

I’ll tell you, though....I’ve never regretted getting AAA roadside for the girls. Locked keys, dead battery, hitting a deer, so worth the peace of mind when dad can’t get there.

demer03 wrote:I’ll tell you, though....I’ve never regretted getting AAA roadside for the girls. Locked keys, dead battery, hitting a deer, so worth the peace of mind when dad can’t get there.

x2 on this. Best piece of mind now that my oldest is off at College.


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Miata

Great thread! My daughter is going to be 16 in December and we are contemplating what we should do as well. I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler that she could use but it's a manual and she has little to no time behind the wheel. She is willing to learn but the wife is still not sold on the idea of her having a short wheel based, high center of gravity vehicle.

It would work but the daughter ain't too thrilled with the idea of full time use. She could also use our Honda Pilot when I want to use the Jeep during the upcoming winter.

I also contemplated buying a VW GTI for us which the daughter wouldn't use but we would give her the Pilot. It would be great for our trips to NC a few times a year when we don't have a lot to take to the cabin. Much better mileage the GMC Sierra and much more fun in the twistys.

There was a 2010 available locally recently but it was just out of our budget. It was in great shape
and an automatic which the wife insists on.

Yes I have also tried teaching her how to drive a manual years ago. It wasn't pretty.

The current plan might be a coworker's 2010 Ford Focus with low mileage.

I agree with Chris about giving a young man any fast car. He is going to test it as we all did I'm sure.

Hell, I drag raced my Dad's 67 Bug against another Bug. I won but didn't slow enough for the turn/bridge ahead.
I bounced on the top bridge abutment and almost went over to a dry creek bed. I'm not sure I would still be here if I had.

The worst thing I see with young female drivers is they don't understand the dangers of tailgating!

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Joeprez wrote:

59yukon01 wrote:What the world needs is a device that prevents any cell service in a car with the engine running. That would be the ultimate teen driving system.

Manual car helps with that.

Plus he will learn to shift with the left hand once he has a girlfriend.


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Was my originally thinking, but you know how kids try and multitask now. It would just be twice the distraction.

JDC222 wrote:

jeckyll wrote:I had 2 motorcycles before buying my first car, a 68 mustang notch back with a 302 swap... Don't have your kids do what I did

Blah blah smrt phone

Hey, we’re still here!

Starting with bikes made me a way better driver. Trial by fire?

Blah blah smrt phone

CGSshorty wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:15 am

Anyone suggesting a modern GTI for a 16 year old is crazy.

This. I had a 3 yr old Honda Accord for my first car and in a year I had a high speed chase, multiple tickets, and drove drunk more than a handful of times. I was also a respectful, straight A student and had no previous legal infringements, so the argument that you have a "good" kid is naive. I think I would've killed myself with a more potent car. If you want something with cool factor, buy an older Landcruiser, 4Runner, or as others have mentioned, a 1/2 ton truck. If you need to have a car, pick up a Mazda 3 with a MT. They are reliable, cheap, and slow, but they handle well for what they are.

jeckyll wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:31 pm

Starting with bikes made me a way better driver. Trial by fire?

Agree. Starting with a car with a manual transmission is the next best.

Selym wrote:

jeckyll wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:31 pm

Starting with bikes made me a way better driver. Trial by fire?

Agree. Starting with a car with a manual transmission is the next best.

I'm not sure it's even in the ballpark, no offense.

Survival when you are 16 and riding a motorcycle relies on the ability to anticipate stupid car drivers actions and keeping things within your ability to react to the unexpected. That has nothing to do with being able to shift.

Blah blah smrt phone

jeckyll wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:26 pm

I'm not sure it's even in the ballpark, no offense.

Survival when you are 16 and riding a motorcycle relies on the ability to anticipate stupid car drivers actions and keeping things within your ability to react to the unexpected. That has nothing to do with being able to shift.

I'm not offended. I'm just saying, if you can't learn on a motorcycle, learning on a car with a manual transmission is the next best.

straight up buy a car for your kid that you dont' care about. because if you do care about the car you are gonna be pissed every time something gets broke/dented/shit on etc. but get something reliable, like a shitty 98' honda crv.

2006 Toyota Matrix. I got one that survived my son, and almost survived my daughter. It's only downfall was handling in the snow without snow tires.

I’m in the same situation. In PA kids get their provisional drivers license at 16.5 meaning they can drive themselves. Mine will be ready in December.

My only real concern is safety, but I’d like his first car to be a bit fun too.

I’m thinking a preowned Subaru Outback, Crosstrek or Forester. Something with a bit of size, AWD, and easy to drive. They have blue tooth, rear camera and maybe blind spot warning. Theses seem standard on the 2016’s.

The other considerations is an older Volvo. They are safe, easy to drive and we have a dealer right around the corner.

Honda CRV also made the list.

petethegreek wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:59 pm

I’m in the same situation. In PA kids get their provisional drivers license at 16.5 meaning they can drive themselves. Mine will be ready in December.

My only real concern is safety, but I’d like his first car to be a bit fun too.

I’m thinking a preowned Subaru Outback, Crosstrek or Forester. Something with a bit of size, AWD, and easy to drive. They have blue tooth, rear camera and maybe blind spot warning. Theses seem standard on the 2016’s.

The other considerations is an older Volvo. They are safe, easy to drive and we have a dealer right around the corner.

Honda CRV also made the list.

if the outback is before 2014 don't buy it. way to many headgasket issues. and it is most of them, not just a few.