Teenagers first car.........

[Trip McNeely]

I would buy not a brand new, but a few year old Honda Civic. The cars are fuel efficient and made to handle anything. Work hard, get good grades, then upgrade. Good car and incentive to upgrade. Win/Win.

[Mike]

I had my 95GT set aside for my daughter when she turned 16 in 2006. She decided to sneak it out one night while I was on a date (2 months before her 16th). Sold it the next day and purchased her the ugliest green Pontiac Grand Prix with a big bow on it on her 16th b-day. She was less than impressed.

For each of my step-daughters I purchased low mileage 10yr old cars. The agreement was they either have to pay insurance or gas (within reason). No free rides around here.

^^ Awesome!

[red89notch]

Physics says...that can't happen?

If I remember correctly the EGR was after the catalyst.

[95DRGT]

I had my 95GT set aside for my daughter when she turned 16 in 2006. She decided to sneak it out one night while I was on a date (2 months before her 16th). Sold it the next day and purchased her the ugliest green Pontiac Grand Prix with a big bow on it on her 16th b-day. She was less than impressed.

For each of my step-daughters I purchased low mileage 10yr old cars. The agreement was they either have to pay insurance or gas (within reason). No free rides around here.

[Thehead]

Physics says...that can't happen?

You are incorrect sir. Under engine braking exhaust will suck particulates back into the engine due to the close proximity of the converter to the head. We have done multiple oil samples and proven this. Oils do not contain palladium, platinum, or any other precious metals. Research what I said and you will find numerous issues with this. It is one of our biggest selling motors. The 3.5 has the same issue but not as bad.

[Shaggin Wagon]

Get him a Toyota Tunder

No, then he'll want to tow the spacetuttle.

[SSMAN]

Get him a Toyota Tunder

That is mine

[Hmbre97]

Get him a Toyota Tunder

[jyro]

make him earn it, put him to work and match him dollar for dollar. Shop and buy with the funds, no more. Mowing yards or whatever.

[JC316]

Paul, he is my only child and a pretty damn cool Kid (so far). It's my job to spoil him. Really hoping that if I get him something nice (not new), he will learn early on to take care of it.

You give me a piece of shit to drive, I would treat it like a piece of shit. Pretty sure kids think the quicker they trash out a POS, The quicker they will get a better car. He will know this is the only car I will buy for him. So it is his choice. I stick to what I promise.

I think the biggest key is letting him choose, if he has the choice, then he will take care of it. My first ride was a beat to hell 88 Silverado. 300K miles on it, was used as a delivery truck for my dads work. He had borrowed it from work when I was 13 and I loved it, so when I turned 15, my mom asked me if I wanted it. She talked with the owner of the company and got it for me. I kept that truck for 3 years, fixed it up, made it mine and loved it. I actually miss that truck too.

[AnesthesiA]

I bought mine a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. Inline 6, leather, sunroof. AWESOME vehicle!

It has lots of the same features of newer cars too. One touch windows etc. It serves two purposes; fun car for Jr. to drive and I get to drive it on the weekend to haul my road and mountain bikes to events. win/win!

Do what YOU feel comfortable doing. I almost bought a 350z..."dad I HAVE to have one..." It's a TARP and it doesn't sound like you are going to fall for it anyways.

Biggest lesson learned so far is that Jr. is responsible for the upkeep. My rules were washed/vac'ed every week. Can be tough with all the classes/athletics, but it still gets done each week. It's also funny to hear Jr. complain about it raining, "dangit! I just washed my car!" haha!

[SMEGMA STENCH]

They're about 20 years too new.

Couldn't agree more. You'll regret it when he smashes that thing.

[SSMAN]

Doesn't have fixed gears, produces infinite # of eng-wheel speed ratios. "supposedly" more fuel efficient. Heard alot of folks don't like b/c it feels like a slipping trans. IMO probably a POS!

The word centrifugal comes to mine when you say this. Those did not work well for the saturns at all. But it was a bad design.

[SSMAN]

barry, im with you. i wont be buying Jr some piece of shit car, then again i wont be getting him a new gt or ss either. and im sure he will think the vert is the biggest turd in the world and wouldnt want it anyway.

god bless.

Paul, he is my only child and a pretty damn cool Kid (so far). It's my job to spoil him. Really hoping that if I get him something nice (not new), he will learn early on to take care of it.

You give me a piece of shit to drive, I would treat it like a piece of shit. Pretty sure kids think the quicker they trash out a POS, The quicker they will get a better car. He will know this is the only car I will buy for him. So it is his choice. I stick to what I promise.

[Sleeper]

Does your kid like working on things?

Id say give him 5-6k and tell him to go find the car he wants, but he does all the repairs. Only way to learn how to work on things is to do it.