Your kids want a car! WHAT to do??

Some really excellent advice given by so many. I had to save and buy my first car (Chevy Corsica), nobody forgets their first car. I am not at this point with my kids just yet but my 5 and 8 yr old already know they will need to save and buy their first car and when my 18 month is older she will as well.

Canadian border VT I've gotten some sound advice from your posts over the years and I have no doubt your thinking on this matter is of sound logic....

 

I like the idea of a manual transmission for a beginner, but that extra needed attention could take away from steering or braking at the right time, making the accident changes go higher. Also, taking a license test with a manual is tougher than with an automatic.

A Volvo might be safe, but as you know those European cars can get to problematic as they get older to hit the lower price range. Subaru Impreza should be pretty easy to find by you, even in stick.

 

Bingo.

 

I hear you Horkn why I increased number of hours of practice needed to get license. If she's going to be on these roads with crazy divers, she's going to be one that knows how to drive. I had to take my driver's test on a standard.

 

Learned to drive a 3 on the tree, then got an old 64 Volkswagen from my brother with a stick. I like the idea of learning on a stick.....not that hard once you "get it". If I didn't have to look where I'm going, I could do it with my eyes closed, and you never forget how.
Autos make ya' brain dead. J/K
Took my test in a Plymouth Duster, bare bones, but auto. Grandma's early 60's Rambler had a pushbutton auto on the dash (not the transmission, the buttons). Weird

 

When I learned to drive it was a vw bug. My town sits in a valley so you know there are a lot of roads with hills. The driver ed teacher had one that was his favorite. One way, pretty steep and just before the crest a stop sign. We hated that road. The school provided the class your junior year. We had the whole quarter to learn.

 

Growing up on the farm and having "standard shift" mini bikes to ride, and then a few years later operating "standard shift" tractors, driving standard shift cars, and even the driving itself was no big deal at 16. Seen some city kid class mates that had their first time behind any steering wheel, ever, during the drivers ed class...scary!

 

Theres a lot of great suggestions n replies here.
Everything was covered that i'd think about except for 3.......
Sounds maybe harsh....but...#1) no radio or music for the first 6 months to a year...
#2) No passengers (unless adults) for 3-6 months.....#3) Definetly no cell phones usage while driving (preach to pull over if needed).....

 

bear 1998. I agree. Why standard was I handed her a cup of coffee and she was like that.. DAD, I need to focus on driving
#2 is state law here
#3 I agree, I don't allow cell phones front of the car while I'm driving. She needs to be focusing on what people are doing what I'm watching and we talk about this before she even has permit..

I just want her to have a better/ safer car than I had at her age. Not trying to be sexist. But she is my little girl. And I don't want a car to break down on the side of the road, weekly

She does know how to check tire pressure, oil, and change fluids as she does it with me..

As Dennis said she is a good kid!! Shes got a great heart! Looks like her mom.. so if she doesn't have her own car her boyfriend's will!!

 

My wife have gone through this with our three kids who are all adults now.

They each got a used Toyota Corolla (2006/2007) the summer after their junior year in high school. We bought the cars, then they worked and paid them off to us. We wanted them to have opportunities to be mobile to open up job opportunities, plus we didn't want to drive them around.

They had to have at least a 3.o GPA, or pay the difference in insurance cost.

Luckily they are all good drivers, not prone to impulsivity, drinking, goofing around much, etc..

The only accident incurred was our youngest when he was rear ended which totaled his car. Thankfully he was not hurt. Now he has a 2002 Impala with 112000 miles I got from the mother of co-worker for $550 when it had 97,000 on the odometer. It is definitely a step down in terms of reliability, but it has been good for awhile now. In then end it should work out well for him because he is in line to buy my wife's 2006 Lexus RX330 in a few years when she gets something newer.

 

Thanks hovlandhomestead ., yeah driving them around with sports, cheerleading, PT jobs etc etc
I am a Toyota fan for reliability..
Chauffeur duties are a PT job

 

A couple more things I will add: Make sure the car they end up driving has very good tires for winter driving. We gifted them these and were the first thing I did to their cars. We have had good luck with the Yokohama Avid Ascend for all season tires that are good in snow.

Also consider getting a family AAA plan for peace of mind. This has saved our daughter when she was up in Bemidji MN going to college. They were called a few times by her for a jump start in -20 to -30f temps before she replaced the battery, as well as the time she locked her keys in the car.

 

Yup got AAA.. Saved my but when 20 yo car lost fuel pump in Canada..
Good winter tires are given up here

 

If i may add my 2 cents on winter tires.....we personally had great results from Bridgestone Blizzaks....many other good ones also.

 

Good to hear...just got a set for the wife's Odyssey. She will be putting some miles on this winter.

 

Yes those are truely superior tires for dedicated winter driving! I know folks around here that swear by them.

 

Its too late for some.

 

I respectively disagree with the standard transmission. They aren’t going to be making them much longer on most cars due to the safety features. It also is a wear item that can be more expensive to replace than the car is worth. A new driver could wear out a clutch just learning to drive.
Good luck!

 

I understand Jack Straw .. If new driver wears out clutch then new driver spends weekend with dad in garage learning about clutch, pressure plate and bearings