First car for nephew

I bought a E36 M3 sedan auto for my teenage sons, cheap, fun, safe. Now for sale. White/tan, 136,000 miles, new stereo, very clean.

 

cool car

 

I would not suggest any older BMW as a teen's first car unless he or his dad are good with a wrench. Yes they are well built but at some point each model has its needs. I keep and maintain 2 E46s and a 5 series E39. I had an E36 M3. The parts for M cars can be really pricey. If you want bullet proof, the E39 is the better choice. Its about twice the car the E36 and E46 are. Very safe too, tank-like. I'd look at a 2003 525 or 530. The V-8s are more problematic plus I wouldn't put my teen in something with that much power. A 525 manual seems pretty good. I like the idea of forcing them to learn shift cars. They cannot do other things while they are driving that way and have to pay more attention. Also the manual 5's will have less maintenance. The autobox is a $2500 part used.

If it were my kid it would be a 90's Cadillac with 2 plugs pulled.

 

I'm surprised no one here has mentioned a mid-2000s Honda Civic Si. It's a coupe. It's fun. It's well-made and reliable. There's a 2006 on eBay with 107,000 miles, looks clean, $9600 BIN.

 

Look in Houston and come visit!!!

Lots of used cars in this town....

 

Make sure you get a manual transmission. It makes them better drivers in the end. Don't skimp out with anything automatic--no matter how tempting.

 

Convince them it's safer. Safer always wins out. Heck, even a manual transmission Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla (probably cars you wouldn't desire) would be fine.

Car guy or no car guy. Manuals are safer for new drivers.

 

Sounds like an expert........not. A Miata would be a fine first car. Mazda 3 would as well.

 

I've seen some Fiat Abarth's pretty cheap lately.

 

First car, by the sounds of what you are saying, for your nephew should be either a Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla/Matrix, or a Subaru.

You can't go wrong with the reliability of these cars and the maintenance is also cheap. Subaru vehicles are known to be bulletproof and, depending on the location, great in the winter!

Mazda (older ones in the price range) will consume more fuel and have a more expensive maintenance cost.

A lease is a good idea however I typically suggest leasing for a younger individual if they have a steady job that they need reliable travel for and/or driving to school. Most 16 year olds can afford a day where the car doesn't start (parents car, friends, get a ride etc...).

With that price I would also keep an eye open for some domestics. They will be cheaper vs the imports. One trick of course is remember the cross usage of platforms such as the Pontiac Vibe being a Toyota Matrix.

The final trick I have is see if you can find a 2008 or so Saturn Astra. This vehicle is basically an Opel and if you find the right model batch/year (forgot exactly what it is) the vehicle will be made in Europe/Germany. If someone can find the exact details on this it would be greatly appreciated.

I spent years advising younger individuals about cars so if you need anything else just pm me.

 

She was speaking from an insurance perspective based on what she'd seen in the past. Since I don't see car insurance quotes every day, and don't have 20 years experience, I took her advice.

 

I saw a few good BMW E39's on eBay for you. Some even had manual transmissions. Tell the parents that you cannot text and drive while driving a manual. In fact you cannot do much more than drive the damned car!

 

Excellent point.

I don't know what all the "E" numbers are for BMWs, but I bought my daughter a 330 (E46, I think?!?) to use here in here in Kuwait and she liked it so much she wanted one in the US to replace her ageing Jeep Grand Cherokee, so, I bought her one there, too.

She's 22, just finishing college (in December, finger's crossed), and really likes the car. Comfortable, good gas mileage, no problems, easy to drive and park...

Just my .02.

Mike

 

Why does the car have to be a coupe or "mid-late 2000s"? Buy the kid a MKI MR2 for $2K and he will be cool, his car will not break down and he will learn what driving is all about.

The SC430 is a joke and a money pit.