Need sugestions for a 16 yo girls first car

[regal]

My mom (grandma) is selling her 75k mile 98 Imprezza (2.2L) for $3500. It needs an air bag sensor fixed for $700. But it really doesn't snow here often, we are thinking no driving in bad weather policy, so I'm not sure an old Subaru or other AWD vehicle is worth the cost (they seem to have a higher resale value.)









@sportguy I like the idea of a Camry/Corolla/Echo/Tercel I know those are good cars and had heard they tend to have more reliable autos than the old Civics.


Thanks again for the suggestions.

[Whitigir]

MR2, Miata, S2k...all Fun car.

Family cars 1+ to those Corolla, Altima, Camry, Maxima, Civic, Accord

[frslee]

4 door Civic, Accord, Corolla, Camry

[ZionsWrath]

7th generation honda accord (2003 - 2007), 4cyl auto.

It took all my "young guy, first car" abuse, including being lowered a couple inches for 60k miles, and still on all original components (minus wear items of course).

4 cyl, can get 35 mpg highway, plenty of room for her friends, not fast, plethora of replacement parts, safe, easy to maintain. k24 engine is bulletproof.

[regal]

Originally Posted by Whitigir

MR2, Miata, S2k...all Fun car.

Family cars 1+ to those Corolla, Altima, Camry, Maxima, Civic, Accord

No, I'm the only one allowed to have a fun car in this family


I'm going to keep my eyes open for a pre 96 4 door Toyota unless someone thinks I should try to talk Mom out of here imprezza.

[Starscream15]

[QUOTE=Sportsguy83;1370386]Camry/Corolla/Echo/Tercel.QUOTE]

Agreed. There's a reason there are so many old Toyotas still on the road.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by regal

My mom (grandma) is selling her 75k mile 98 Imprezza (2.2L) for $3500. It needs an air bag sensor fixed for $700. But it really doesn't snow here often, we are thinking no driving in bad weather policy, so I'm not sure an old Subaru or other AWD vehicle is worth the cost (they seem to have a higher resale value.)

I'd go for this option... You never know when bad weather may catch her out and about so it adds a level of safety should she have to drive in bad weather (rain, snow, ice).

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Get her a vdub beetle. They havnt changed much so atleast it won't look super aged pre 96 like literally everything else on the road.

[Gary in NJ]

Go for the Imprezza...you know the history. Ask Mom to cut you a deal for Christmas.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by regal

No, I'm the only one allowed to have a fun car in this family


I'm going to keep my eyes open for a pre 96 4 door Toyota unless someone thinks I should try to talk Mom out of here imprezza.

Knowing about the Impreza for sale, I would say go for that. Remember, she is going to have this car for a few years and you want her to have AWD in the winter when she's driving in snow and already 18-20 years.

The only thing I would consider before buying Grandma's car is that fixing a Toyota can be done dirt cheap and you get good gas mileage and I have no idea how a 98 Impreza stacks up on those two departments.

[BigFatFlip]

Sure, having an awd impreza or small suv for winter maybe a good idea, but having an older civic/camry/accord/etc. with appropriate winter tires should be just as good.

Also, why not get her a standard/manual? My dad has always made the point to teach my brother and I to drive stick (we both learned when we were around 14-15) and insisted that our first cars be stick, and we have been forever grateful to him. I plan on doing the same with my daughter when that day comes.

[ZionsWrath]

Yes, the accord with winter tires is sick. I drove it last year in all the snows instead of my BRZ. Hoping this winter is a pounding so I can drive it more

[regal]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Also, why not get her a standard/manual? My dad has always made the point to teach my brother and I to drive stick (we both learned when we were around 14-15) and insisted that our first cars be stick, and we have been forever grateful to him. I plan on doing the same with my daughter when that day comes.

My Dad did the same with me. My dad wife's too. But the wife has had no luck teaching her driving manual Yaris. Maybe over xmas while I'm off work I'll try to teach her myself. She want a chance to drive my FRS so that may motivate her.

[YukiHachiRoku]

any volvo wagon, v70 series would be nice, and safe!