Ideas needed for a first car for my teenage son
Discussion
Went to cyprus about a week ago from the standard of driving I saw a tank would probably be better I dont understand how most people had a licence people just seem to pull out on each other, fail to indicate all the time make both dangerous and stupid decisions or appear to beep the horn for no apparent reason. We had one bus driver who got that pissed off with a traffic jam he decided to drive on the wrong side of the road for half a mile till he reached the right turn he needed to make at 40mph forcing 3/4 cars coming the other way onto the footpath wtf :/
But in seriousness with way the road's were I think something like an MX5 would be ideal some really lovely mountain roads around and with the weather a convertible would be nice. I even had a real laugh in a new shape Mazda 2 1.5 we hired not a bad little car to be honest but imagine rwd and a lack of roof would make it far better
But in seriousness with way the road's were I think something like an MX5 would be ideal some really lovely mountain roads around and with the weather a convertible would be nice. I even had a real laugh in a new shape Mazda 2 1.5 we hired not a bad little car to be honest but imagine rwd and a lack of roof would make it far better
As a young person myself, I'm 23, I have at least a reasonable understanding of the mindset of someone who's recently passed their test and what they are looking for. My experience is such:
I learnt to drive after my test in a Vauxhall Astra MK3 1.6 I quite liked it. It had character and was not too bad to drive. I then took a gap year for a year. When I returned I had a Corsa C 1.2 sxi, which I hated because it basically was a tool, it had no soul and no verve. As a car lover I was so dissapointed, and as such I had no respect for it. I drove the wheel nuts off of it. I still reckon getting through a pair of front tyres in 8500 miles in a car that underpowered is a good effort.
Luckily I got rid of it, for a Primera GT, after the Corsa's three year contract. I loved that car it taught me how to manage the weight and handling of a reasonably powered medium sized car plus how to park and maneuver it. I then put a stupid bid on a car on E-bay which led to me having to get rid of the Primera
but gain the ownership of a Volvo 940 Estate I loved the car, it was dependable and fun. Not fast but really entertaining and easily the most comfortable car I have ever travelled in.
Finally I moved on from that to a Ph1 Clio 172. It's noisy and a little crazy but if you want to learn communication through controls it is the perfect car. I've been through a few cars and I'll be through many many more. It's what driving and learning about driving is all about.
My main point is that no matter what you want for your son he's going to have to learn to find out what he likes. You want the best for him? Then get onto an autotrader or pistonheads'esq website for your local area and ask him to choose. He'll soon work out after the event whether he's made the right decision or not but he will have to live with that, and make the best of it. I hope this helps.
P.S. I do realise that some fatherly common sense may need to be exercised in this operation
I learnt to drive after my test in a Vauxhall Astra MK3 1.6 I quite liked it. It had character and was not too bad to drive. I then took a gap year for a year. When I returned I had a Corsa C 1.2 sxi, which I hated because it basically was a tool, it had no soul and no verve. As a car lover I was so dissapointed, and as such I had no respect for it. I drove the wheel nuts off of it. I still reckon getting through a pair of front tyres in 8500 miles in a car that underpowered is a good effort.
Luckily I got rid of it, for a Primera GT, after the Corsa's three year contract. I loved that car it taught me how to manage the weight and handling of a reasonably powered medium sized car plus how to park and maneuver it. I then put a stupid bid on a car on E-bay which led to me having to get rid of the Primera
but gain the ownership of a Volvo 940 Estate I loved the car, it was dependable and fun. Not fast but really entertaining and easily the most comfortable car I have ever travelled in.Finally I moved on from that to a Ph1 Clio 172. It's noisy and a little crazy but if you want to learn communication through controls it is the perfect car. I've been through a few cars and I'll be through many many more. It's what driving and learning about driving is all about.
My main point is that no matter what you want for your son he's going to have to learn to find out what he likes. You want the best for him? Then get onto an autotrader or pistonheads'esq website for your local area and ask him to choose. He'll soon work out after the event whether he's made the right decision or not but he will have to live with that, and make the best of it. I hope this helps.
P.S. I do realise that some fatherly common sense may need to be exercised in this operation
bimmer528 said:
I understand that teens having recently passed their test pose the biggest problems, and thats true, MOSTLY.
Not all kids have that urge to go out and un their 1st car in to the ground.
My son passed on the 11th September 2008, yes dodgy! He drove a 1998 corsa 1.4 from then til June 2009, which then turned in to a 2003 Vectra 1.8. The vec could be seen as a risky car for someone who was 18 going on 19.
Since the Vec, we have shared cars so indded he drives less now than when he owned his own, but a 2.8 BMW 5 series and now a 3.0 Jag XJ, and he has neve been in bother.
It depends on the type of kid being bought for, and luck i guess. But the stereotypical opinion of teens in cars only applies to about 99.01%
i am 100% positive he rags the crap out of your cars when your not around, kids even if they are in the 9% you mentioned when there mates are in the car bow down to pressure and become the same as the 91%. Not all kids have that urge to go out and un their 1st car in to the ground.
My son passed on the 11th September 2008, yes dodgy! He drove a 1998 corsa 1.4 from then til June 2009, which then turned in to a 2003 Vectra 1.8. The vec could be seen as a risky car for someone who was 18 going on 19.
Since the Vec, we have shared cars so indded he drives less now than when he owned his own, but a 2.8 BMW 5 series and now a 3.0 Jag XJ, and he has neve been in bother.
It depends on the type of kid being bought for, and luck i guess. But the stereotypical opinion of teens in cars only applies to about 99.01%
I looked further into the C2 VTS, air con is included but for some reason reviewers say the Saxo was a better car, the pug more so the general consensus being that it's an ok but not legendary small car.
The MX5 was by far my original choice but missus feels that he will also be getting get his sister and her mates of her delivery run. So back seats required.
The MX5 was by far my original choice but missus feels that he will also be getting get his sister and her mates of her delivery run. So back seats required.
I'm thinking along the lines of E30 318is or 320i. Meets all of your criteria. 325i may be a bit much. Pretty sure I'd be a bit dead if poppa let me have a 325i at that age. I had an S2a Landy then a Mini, at that age, whilst I'd love to reccomend them both, I can't. Landy did 12mpg and about 5 on a hoon, and the number of engines I chewed through in the Mini is just daft.
Some of you people would explode with righteous indignation if you saw what the common first cars in Australia are:
3.8l 6 cylinder RWD Commodores and Falcons are probably the most common.
Still see a few non-turbo skylines.
Not all of them die.
It's just as easy to do 60 in a stupid area in a fast car or a slow car. It just takes a bit more time to get there.
I had a e36 318is as my first car - it was probably the slowest car amongst my friends. None of us died a horrible death every time we drove.
3.8l 6 cylinder RWD Commodores and Falcons are probably the most common.
Still see a few non-turbo skylines.
Not all of them die.
It's just as easy to do 60 in a stupid area in a fast car or a slow car. It just takes a bit more time to get there.
I had a e36 318is as my first car - it was probably the slowest car amongst my friends. None of us died a horrible death every time we drove.
Had a chat with him and looked at some options and I think that E46 316i compacts are really well priced at the moment.
It seems you can get a clean one for around 2-3K which ticks the boxes as far as it having a reasonable amount of metal around it compared to say a Citroen C2 or Saxo, most have climate control for our weather, rear drive and a little bit of character.
Any ideas though re running costs and parts as I dont want to get him something that will only do 20mpg. Getting them worked on here is great in that E46's are common cars although a nice set of wheels on a compact will look good.
If it can hit 30mpg I will be pleased with that.
It seems you can get a clean one for around 2-3K which ticks the boxes as far as it having a reasonable amount of metal around it compared to say a Citroen C2 or Saxo, most have climate control for our weather, rear drive and a little bit of character.
Any ideas though re running costs and parts as I dont want to get him something that will only do 20mpg. Getting them worked on here is great in that E46's are common cars although a nice set of wheels on a compact will look good.
If it can hit 30mpg I will be pleased with that.
Colonial said:
Some of you people would explode with righteous indignation if you saw what the common first cars in Australia are:
3.8l 6 cylinder RWD Commodores and Falcons are probably the most common.
I had a e36 318is as my first car - it was probably the slowest car amongst my friends. None of us died a horrible death every time we drove.
But over in Aus, you have a much more sensible (IMO) system of P-plates for new drivers. Zero blood alcohol limit, a limit on engine size (still big by UK standards), and in some states no mobile phone usage, no more than one unrelated teenage passenger allowed, and a midnight-5am curfew.3.8l 6 cylinder RWD Commodores and Falcons are probably the most common.
I had a e36 318is as my first car - it was probably the slowest car amongst my friends. None of us died a horrible death every time we drove.
Naturally, teenagers hate the strict rules over there, but they are very effective and we could definitely use some of these rules in the UK.
excel monkey said:
But over in Aus, you have a much more sensible (IMO) system of P-plates for new drivers. Zero blood alcohol limit, a limit on engine size (still big by UK standards), and in some states no mobile phone usage, no more than one unrelated teenage passenger allowed, and a midnight-5am curfew.
Naturally, teenagers hate the strict rules over there, but they are very effective and we could definitely use some of these rules in the UK.
But its easier to get a licence in the first place. The only cars that ate banned I'm this state are v8s and turbos so you cam drive a golf r32 at 17 but not a mk4 gti.Naturally, teenagers hate the strict rules over there, but they are very effective and we could definitely use some of these rules in the UK.
Personally, I think that you should take the opportunity to kick his young ego square in the nuts.
My dad did it by buying a volvo 340 1.4 - It was his car, but I got to use it. For some unknown reason, they're now considered 'cool'. At the time it was a dog slow, ill handling, barge of a car, with no grace, style or redeeming features APART from the fact that I had access to a car when many friends didn't. So I loved it, and didn't want to crash it, and didn't dare abuse it.
340's are way too cool now though, so I'd suggest a volvo 440. Wedgey, odd, and a perfect first car for reigning him in.
My dad did it by buying a volvo 340 1.4 - It was his car, but I got to use it. For some unknown reason, they're now considered 'cool'. At the time it was a dog slow, ill handling, barge of a car, with no grace, style or redeeming features APART from the fact that I had access to a car when many friends didn't. So I loved it, and didn't want to crash it, and didn't dare abuse it.
340's are way too cool now though, so I'd suggest a volvo 440. Wedgey, odd, and a perfect first car for reigning him in.
Colonial said:
But its easier to get a licence in the first place. The only cars that ate banned I'm this state are v8s and turbos so you cam drive a golf r32 at 17 but not a mk4 gti.
How many Aussie teenagers can afford an R32? You said in your earlier post that most end up driving Falcons and Commodores. Probably a lot safer than the Saxos and Corsas that kids in the UK drive.I still think the UK could learn a lot from the P-plate system, specifically the lower alcohol limits and restrictions on teenage passengers.
to be honest I think you are nuts considering VTS' and the like, he needs a 1.0/1.2 something...
However much people on here wil profess to be the best drivers in the world from birth, most of us will have had some scares. I would class myself as a reasonably competant fast driver, but 10 years ago in my 1.2 Nova i made a number of silly decisions, yet didnt actually crash.
As a car loving teen I would have loved a fast car, but every mate that had a VTR etc etc crashed them, go for something that looks kinda sporty and cool without the power...
However much people on here wil profess to be the best drivers in the world from birth, most of us will have had some scares. I would class myself as a reasonably competant fast driver, but 10 years ago in my 1.2 Nova i made a number of silly decisions, yet didnt actually crash.
As a car loving teen I would have loved a fast car, but every mate that had a VTR etc etc crashed them, go for something that looks kinda sporty and cool without the power...
Chr1sch said:
to be honest I think you are nuts considering VTS' and the like, he needs a 1.0/1.2 something...
However much people on here wil profess to be the best drivers in the world from birth, most of us will have had some scares. I would class myself as a reasonably competant fast driver, but 10 years ago in my 1.2 Nova i made a number of silly decisions, yet didnt actually crash.
As a car loving teen I would have loved a fast car, but every mate that had a VTR etc etc crashed them, go for something that looks kinda sporty and cool without the power...
Fair pointHowever much people on here wil profess to be the best drivers in the world from birth, most of us will have had some scares. I would class myself as a reasonably competant fast driver, but 10 years ago in my 1.2 Nova i made a number of silly decisions, yet didnt actually crash.
As a car loving teen I would have loved a fast car, but every mate that had a VTR etc etc crashed them, go for something that looks kinda sporty and cool without the power...
Any suggestions?
By the way in Cyprus, insurance isn't as high as it is there so is not a major concern.
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