Hey Gang,
My oldest just turned 16 and I am helping him select his first car. He loves sports cars like most 16 year olds but can't afford anything crazy (which is a very good thing).
He got his DL Marine Corps style as he took it in my wifes 10 passenger T150 Ford Full size van! (he has 4 sibilings and one on the way, so this is one of the few vehicles that fits all my kids) LOL. The instructor was in shock that anyone his age would even consider taking the test in that monster van but this is the van he learned to drive in and he didn't even think twice about taking the test in anything else. (pics below)
His budget is around 5k. I told him whatever he saved up working the last year I would double and he has around 2500. Since he got his DL last week he also landed his first official job. So he now has the income to also pay for his insurance and cell phone I just added to my plan.
Anyways, he's a bigger kid...he's 6'3 and the doctors told us he would most likely be between 6'7 and 6'9. Crazy....lol. I'm only 5'11 and my wife is 5'10...so no idea where this height came from. But my point is that he can't have anything too small.
I wanted to get everyones input on a "cool" first car. Again, nothing too powerful, I want something safe but somewhat fun for him. Here is a short list of cars I think he can afford based off my research on CL. Please let me know your thoughts. We are located in the western suburbs of Chicago. So if anyone knows of anything local please let me know.
1. Ford Mustang/Dodge Challenger/Camaro V6 versions...
2. Mazda RX8 (from what I read these are difficult to work on and very unreliable)
3. Subaru WRX
4. VW Beetle (I know this is a little girly but my first car was a 73 super beetle)
5. Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor
6. Honda Civic
Something great and safe in the winter would be good too...that's why the Subaru is on the list. Please let me know your thoughts or if I should add anything to my short list. I appreciate everyones help and I know he will as well!
My oldest just turned 16 and I am helping him select his first car. He loves sports cars like most 16 year olds but can't afford anything crazy (which is a very good thing).
He got his DL Marine Corps style as he took it in my wifes 10 passenger T150 Ford Full size van! (he has 4 sibilings and one on the way, so this is one of the few vehicles that fits all my kids) LOL. The instructor was in shock that anyone his age would even consider taking the test in that monster van but this is the van he learned to drive in and he didn't even think twice about taking the test in anything else. (pics below)
His budget is around 5k. I told him whatever he saved up working the last year I would double and he has around 2500. Since he got his DL last week he also landed his first official job. So he now has the income to also pay for his insurance and cell phone I just added to my plan.
Anyways, he's a bigger kid...he's 6'3 and the doctors told us he would most likely be between 6'7 and 6'9. Crazy....lol. I'm only 5'11 and my wife is 5'10...so no idea where this height came from. But my point is that he can't have anything too small.
I wanted to get everyones input on a "cool" first car. Again, nothing too powerful, I want something safe but somewhat fun for him. Here is a short list of cars I think he can afford based off my research on CL. Please let me know your thoughts. We are located in the western suburbs of Chicago. So if anyone knows of anything local please let me know.
1. Ford Mustang/Dodge Challenger/Camaro V6 versions...
2. Mazda RX8 (from what I read these are difficult to work on and very unreliable)
3. Subaru WRX
4. VW Beetle (I know this is a little girly but my first car was a 73 super beetle)
5. Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor
6. Honda Civic
Something great and safe in the winter would be good too...that's why the Subaru is on the list. Please let me know your thoughts or if I should add anything to my short list. I appreciate everyones help and I know he will as well!