First Car

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stanton @ Nov 27 2007, 09:18 PM) [snapback]545019[/snapback]</div>

As a father of a near teenager I think it's a bad idea to buy a trainee a new car. Hell, I think it's a bad idea to buy a car at all for a 16 year old. But I'm old school and rode my bicycle to work until I was 19. So I might be a little bit biased.
Additionally, you can get a used Prius for your training wheels and receive the same great gas mileage as a new Prius.

My son and daughter won't be as lucky as you are, because I ain't going to buy a car for them. Either they have the cash for it or they ride their bicycle.

Sorry if I come across like a party pooper.

 

I've got to say this question itself is fodder for several highly-charged threads!

I recommend the Prius to anyone who doesn't haul freight for a living or regularly drive more than three children around with them everywhere. While the car isn't for absolutely everyone, I'd still like to see one in every other driveway.

At the same time, I just can't get my head around a 15-year-old owning a brand new Prius. It is wonderful that you want this car. Still, I don't know how one truly values and cares for something received and not earned. I have to admit that my first car was a gift (of sorts), but the car was 7 years old and I was 22, working, and had to give up the car when it was totaled (by rust!!) within two years' time.

Since then, I've purchased one car through loans, while the rest I've bought with cash. Well . . . that's just me. This thread is about you, so -- If your parents are going to buy you a new car, by all means have them buy you a new Prius. If they're just going to get you a car, then have them help you find one that you can buy with your own money. You will learn much more about cars and about yourself.

 

I say if your parents can afford it, go ahead. If not a new one, then a used Prius.

Prius will teach you good driving habbits. You will not develop those negative behaviors that traditional cars encourage.

 

I wish you luck on getting the Prius. I would never buy a new car for a teen-ager because I'd assume a new driver would dent it up pretty well. But if your folks don't see it that way, more power to you. There is no better car on the road. (Except of course my little Zap Xebra. )

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having the Prius as a first car. Why would I make such a bold, blanket statement? Because the Prius IS my first car. However, I was 17, had a full license, a job, and searched for 2 years to find a used one in my price range with relatively low mileage. I take care of the car payment and gas, and my parents take care of the insurance (it saves a large sum of money for some reason).

BTW, I wanted to have a jeep way back when as well. They're fun cars, but it's even more fun to see the look on someone’s face when you can complain that gas costs $25 instead of $20 for a fill up.

(My Prius also happens to be dent free. It looks new except for a nasty scratch on the side from the garage door. I have about 4" of clearance on both sides of the car when I drive in. But, everyone in my apartment complex has scratches on their cars because of the small garages.)

 

Hey, if you're lucky enough to get a new car so young, you really can't do any better.

What do your parents drive? Even if you get the new car for the long term, if they drive an older car that is "cosmetically challenged" or where a few scrapes won't matter, that might be handy to borrow for training, at least until you're sure you're not a "tactile parker". On the other hand, a brand new shiny car might instill a healthy sense of paranoia, so you won't make any mistakes in the first place.

 

how is that possible? driving illegal for a year i suppose thats common these days and your parents are ok'ing a new car for you....smells fishy aka troll

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 28 2007, 04:38 AM) [snapback]545138[/snapback]</div>

Ever heard of a learner's permit?

 

Lucky you, My first car was an $800 1969 Ford Falcon which I saved for.
I'll most likely help my son (who is 15 now) with his first car, maybe I'll spend $2,000, no more.

I wouldn't recommend a new car for any kid, get one with a few scratches in it, use the change to get a good education and learn "yall" isn't good english. Try saying this, "What do you think?"

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Nov 28 2007, 05:27 PM) [snapback]545430[/snapback]</div>

still dont jive, lets see his/her response, yall

 

It is of my opinion that buying a new car, especially a Toyota, is a ripoff. A good chunk of depreciation occurs when you drive a brand new car off the lot because it is a "new car" becoming a "used car". Since Toyotas have a knack for remaining trouble free and driving like new into the 90,000 mile range (mine have), there is a lot you can save by looking for a slightly used one.

As a rookie driver myself, I know how easy it is to cause expensive damage to a car in the first few years (I never have, but I've had many close calls . It only takes one false move to knock thousands of bucks off your resale value. Insurance is also more expensive for a young driver in a new car...

Other than the new/used thing, I think the prius is a perfect car for a young driver! It is small and maneuverable, safe, obviously cheap to run, and makes you come across anything but macho (very useful for having other parents let their kids ride with you).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YoungOrganist @ Nov 28 2007, 07:39 PM) [snapback]545477[/snapback]</div>

cant agree with you there, when looking for a rav4 in 2002, the low mileage (under 20k miles) used ones were about $1000 less than new...so i bought a new 2003. same with my prius, started out looking for an 06 only to find about a $500 to $1500 difference. i almost bought an 07, but gladly i waited for my 08. which is worth more now an 07 or 08? that little difference will be made up in the end when selling as was the case with the rav4..i easily got $1500 more than if it were an 01 or 02 model year.

unless you know where to buy a low mileage used toyota, especially a prius for $5000 less than new, i say go new..

 

Got mine for $16,500 with ~50k of the odometer. It also is a pkg 7 '04, so it has all the bells and whistles minus bluetooth and nav. Yeah I had to fly from FL to PA, but a $70 plane ticket on JetBlue vs. coughing up $27,000 for a new Prius in FL was an easy choice to make.

(Yes, the car has a clean title. A salvage is not worth the risk.)