what car for my 16 year old

What cars should I consider for my 16 year old? Under 25k.

Not enough info Mike ... except the $25 K

- Is he or she a car kid? ... So many are not these days
- Do you want to get something to learn about cars with?
- Super safety an issue? ... Some of my friends have given BIG old American cars to there kids just for the amount of metal around them…forget what it looks like
- Super reliability ? ... drive it, don't have to worry about it...

If it's just the 'regular kid' with the 'regular needs' I usually recommend one of the four Japanese bullet-proof economy models... Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Nissan

More info Mike...

HONDA CIVIC;BOUGHT MY SON AN ACCORD WHEN HE TURNED 17 THEN UPGRaDE TO A CIVIC 200SI IN 2000;I still have the car they run forever without problems;he still loves the civic 200si,drives like an early porsche

I tend to agree with Frank, a Honda Civic is a great car, hardly ever breaks down.

Now, this is none of my business, but if in the process you want to teach your 16 yo a few things about life (difficult at that age), don´t buy it new, a good 2 year old car in good shape with low millage will be as good as a new one, will save you some money and could teach your kid some humility (its difficult to brag about a 2 year old Civic).

Biggest POS that was ever made. Keep it running just well enough to get the kid to and from school. If it get wrecked, no loss. If a friend blows grits in the back seat, hose it out and keep going. When the kid has had enough of driving this POS, park it on the bad side of town with the keys in it and $10 on the front seat. I promise you they will appreciate the next car a whole lot more!

Something with front AND side airbags...with four doors...and a rev limiter. Maybe a ticket for public transit would be better?

Mini Cooper S

Here's a fun idea!

How about a '01 Civic and you and him take the other $12k to a charity selected jointly. Explain that the $12k will do more for the people it went to than a newer car would ever do for him.

Neither of you will ever forget such an occasion and i dare say you might both be better for it.

Erik

btw, i should add that i am speaking as a person who worked for everything i ever owned (first car included) and watched other friends/family members destroy/abuse nice cars they were given at early ages. I do not mean to criticize you:) and am just speaking from experience.

Buy as late a 2-valve 944 as you can find (non-turbo). I'd suggest a 2.5L over a 2.7L since they make less power. They are safe, handle great, don't make big power regardless of displacement and are cheap enough to throw away if they get crunched. They are also great way to introduce the P Car illness.

First cars should be potential throw aways and at ~$7000, these fit the bill. Save the $25K for a car for your kid's HS graduation, contingent upon a good driving record. Incentives reinforce behavior, after all!

Taking a different tack, get him an older Miata. Not a lot of power, only two seats (so only 3 or 4 of his closest friends can ride along), looks cool, fun to drive and pretty good reliability. You can get 'em cheep.