Need sugestions for a 16 yo girls first car
 

First its got to be cheap. I live in a state where they do OBDII inspection so pre '96 is best. She wanted a Jeep Cherokee but most have been used and abused by other teenagers.


Main thing is cheap to buy and reliable. The only automatic I've owned in 25 years of driving was a police interceptor beater, so don't know which early 90's models besides those were reliable. Really whish she could learn to drive a stick.


What would be the cheapest/most common/ most reliable pre 96 car ?

A tank

Automatic civic

/thread

Thanks old civics are good cars, didn't know they auto's were rugged. Should be able to be able to find a 4 door that hasn't been abused.

volvo. one of them saved my cousin's life when she started driving. built like tanks, if you get the older ones

Another vote on a 4dr civic. Can't really get any cheaper or more reliable.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

+1 for an old volvo.

guys at my work keep picking them up for winter, even in shitty ontario winters those things barely rust after 20 years. lots of weight over the wheels to get her going in the winter, and she could bounce it off snowbanks and you wouldnt even notice anything.

Camry/Corolla/Echo/Tercel.

All bulletproof.

Civics are good too, but the Auto trannies can be suspect.

Top gear haha. You want all of that hood protecting your kid! haha

Hey Regal, Been there...done that. I'd be more concerned with safe over cheap.

Cheap cars are prone to problems from the get-go...problems that will just eat cash. Sensors, brakes, tires, fuel pump, alternator, exhaust, starter, suspension parts...it always seems as though you're in a constant replacement cycle with a "cheap" car. Do you really want your daughter stranded somewhere?

I also see that you live in PA so driving in snow is in her future. I'd be looking for a car/suv with AWD. A ten year old Subaru, RAV4, Element or CR-V would serve both of you well.

I agree... If you're going pre '96 Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus is a good bet... Oh yeah or Subaru as the post above me stated; however, the gas mileage may suck.

An Impreza or Legacy from a few years ago would be safe and (typically) reliable. The AWD coupled with Subaru's bulletproof reliability would be ideal for a teenager. My folks passed down their old Legacy (a 2000) to me for college and it made a fantastic first car.

And as mentioned before, I'd put reliability and safety over cost.

I learned on a 96 civic, it was a good car.

However, not the best in the snow so if that's a concern go for an older impreza or something.

Toyota 4Runner if she likes bigger, 4WD cars.