[aerostar]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

I'm in the same position as you OP, I test drove along with my son a bunch of small cars. My criteria are:
1-safe
2-new
3-not expensive to insure
4-reliable
5-not fancy so he does not show off

At the top of my list now is:
1- WRX
2-Honda Accord coupe
3-Civic hatchback, surprised how well this car drives

No decision yet but working on it :

If you think the WRX won't be shown off and is cheap to insure you live in another world.

WRX has insane insurance premiums, especially under 25.

[lennyf]

Thanks for all the reccommendations and advice .
We are looking at older 3-series BMW 2006-2009.
Gonna look at a 2007 128i this weekend to see if it will be too small.

[psuibmw]

Originally Posted by aerostar

If you think the WRX won't be shown off and is cheap to insure you live in another world.

WRX has insane insurance premiums, especially under 25.

Thanks for reminding me I live in another world. I believe I do not. I said "not expensive to insure" not cheap. My son is under 21 and any insurance for him will be expensive.

Yesterday, I test drove the WRX and while it drives well the interior is horrible, so I might skip it totally. I'm amazed by how far the Civic hatchback has came. I might go with it, I still have three other cars to test.

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

Thanks for reminding me I live in another world. I believe I do not. I said "not expensive to insure" not cheap. My son is under 21 and any insurance for him will be expensive.

Yesterday, I test drove the WRX and while it drives well the interior is horrible, so I might skip it totally. I'm amazed by how far the Civic hatchback has came. I might go with it, I still have three other cars to test.

Clearly I was comparing prices of insurance when I said it's expensive. If you think a WRX is in the same world as a Civic to insure you're living in another world part 2.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Nkc

If you're looking into hatchbacks for a kid, try out those Ford fiestas ST and focus while you're at it.

Fiesta ST is more fun to drive than it should be. If I could go back in time and replace the Honda Civic I drove in High School with a Fiesta ST, I would.

[infinitekidM2C]

Get him my car that's for sale, 2008 modified 135i. Then you can race him at the track!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

Get him my car that's for sale, 2008 modified 135i. Then you can race him at the track!

How much? Mileage?

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by jmg

How much? Mileage?

its got 56k miles..donno price, something reasonable.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Safety was my primary objective. Thus I got my 16 year old daughter an X1. She was desperate for my Z4. Too small. (She now drives a Canyon pick up truck in Virginia most of the time while away at college.) Since you live in SoCal, if you can't afford a BMW SUV, I'd get either a Subaru station wagon/cross over or any Volvo or Saab. They are the safest cars on the road. (And the Subaru is perhaps the most reliable of that trio.)

Safety? You need a Volvo then

[Alfisti]

Could do a lot worse than an S60 maybe 7 years old.

[Rsoxs19]

Manual 335i all the way. Speaking from experience, except I'm 16 I didn't buy my car but I did buy all my mods. I also pay for gas (and e85) lol. It's an awesome car. The only maintenance issue I've had was a few coils, but those were cheap and easy to replace. I do realize that my car is up there in terms of HP but that's exactly what makes me kind of scared of it. That HP can get me in trouble really quick and that's not something I want to do. Too many kids in my classes are already on their 3rd car and they are only 17. They just don't learn. Plus, I have way too much time and money invested in the car to just lose it over something stupid. As long as he is responsible then I see no reason to not go for it. I've had lots of fun father-son bonding time installing parts that I won't forget, (especially when things got frustrating haha). I'm glad to be in this kind of car culture now. I'm not sure I could say the same if I had an old corolla or Camry. (Not bashing them though, they are very practical cars) That's just my 2¢ though. Good luck!

[autoart]

I helped my niece get a 2014 Chevy Cruz LT with a touch screen certified for 7years 100k miles with 47k miles for $9,999. Although I did not drive it, she liked it and it seems like a great deal.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

Hope you're not just handing your child a car....Way to build work ethic.

Originally Posted by angelr

If you need to go this route with them when they're 16-18 to teach the lesson you already missed the chance, sport. But I'm sure the op appreciates you teaching him how to parent.

Originally Posted by Beartato

Sorry your childhood sucked.

Originally Posted by psuibmw

I'm amazed by how far the Civic hatchback has came. I might go with it, I still have three other cars to test.

If I had to buy a car for a child today, I would get them a new civic hatchback or a new civic sedan. That should last them for a good 8 years or so until they are finished with college and have secured some roots in a career position. Then, they will have the opportunity to select what they truly want on their own.

I would want a car that is safe, reliable, and inexpensive to maintain.

Finance the new car is considerably cheap rates that we are having. If you are one to make your child "work for things" You can gradually increase their responsibility to pay for the car payment.

[8bit]

Originally Posted by lennyf

Thanks for all the reccommendations and advice .
We are looking at older 3-series BMW 2006-2009.
Gonna look at a 2007 128i this weekend to see if it will be too small.

I can remember when my friend got a new e90. He waited for the special order lemon leather interior. His 2007 3 series is long gone, but I still have my modified 1976 e12 3.5 liter.

[GottWhat]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Just don't get the big engine one! That thing was quick as hell but boy was it thirsty!!!!

Plus, the early VR6 engines found in B6 Passats (2006-2007) had oil pump issues. I sold my 2006 Passat VR6 4-motion before warranty expired because of this. Now that I have owned a N54, the oil bolt issues doesn't seem that bad lol

[BloomRunsDubs]

Originally Posted by aerostar

If you think the WRX won't be shown off and is cheap to insure you live in another world.

WRX has insane insurance premiums, especially under 25.

Very true dont get a WRX Im 21 and my Insurance quote for a 2015 WRX was more then a V10 Audi R8 and a Porsche 911. Its crazy the amount of young people that have those and crash them

[eluded]

Some good advice here. Teenagers wreck cars. That's what they do. But if you'd like to save 15% on car insurance..:.:

Statistically teens wreck more cars than any other age class. There insurance is outrageous for a reason. That being said, my choice car for teenager would be a Toyota Camry or if you want something more practical a Prius or a volt. Anything else in your asking for trouble.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by eluded

Some good advice here. Teenagers wreck cars. That's what they do. But if you'd like to save 15% on car insurance..:.:

Statistically teens wreck more cars than any other age class. There insurance is outrageous for a reason. That being said, my choice car for teenager would be a Toyota Camry or if you want something more practical a Prius or a volt. Anything else in your asking for trouble.

Is your avatar from a B7 S4?

[eluded]

Originally Posted by jmg

Is your avatar from a B7 S4?

No b7+1

[Gray_Panther]

Parents bought me a 2002 GTI 1.8T. Did I do stupid stuff...yes. But I never got a ticket or in trouble in that car. I drove it for 100k miles and treated it better than all of the girls I used to date.
The golfs with the 5 cylinder engine are absolute garbage. A clean GTI is a safe and fun car for a teenager.
+1 would do again.
+1 will get a GTI for my son if I have one.