First car

3,280 Views | 46 Replies | Last: 1 mo ago by Jock 07
atag
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1:00p, 2/5/25
AG
So my daughter is turning 15. I know i have a year but I'd like to start the process of research now. I have a budget of 20k. Obviously I want something reliable and safe but I would also like to get something with a little bit of a cool factor. I'm looking at Volkswagen and bmws. What are some thoughts?

Also, and I'm asking here so don't mock me bc I have zero automotive knowledge, but are hard top convertibles as safe as regular coupes?

I'm coming here because it was this board that I decided on my acura rdx which was a fantastic decision. Had my car almost 40 years and not one issue outside of standard maintenance
proudest member of the fightin texas aggie class of 2005.
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Teslag
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1:03p, 2/5/25
AG
If you need reliable transportation for a teen under $20k, a German vehicle is the abolute last place I'd look.
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atag
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In reply to Teslag • 1:05p, 2/5/25
AG
Teslag said:
If you need reliable transportation for a teen under $20k, a German vehicle is the abolute last place I'd look.


That's why I'm here asking hahah. I actually thought German vehicles had a good rep
proudest member of the fightin texas aggie class of 2005.
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Corps_Ag12
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1:18p, 2/5/25
AG
German vehicles are great until they're not and sometimes those can be catastrophic.

I recommend a used Toyota/Lexus small suv or sedan.
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TSW2012
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1:57p, 2/5/25
AG
Unironic German car suggestion Jetta
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GrapevineAg
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2:54p, 2/5/25
AG
Toyota Corolla or Camry, Honda Civic or Accord, Mazda 3 or CX-5. None are sexy, but those Corollas can be pretty dang nice - used to request them as my rental when I travelled for work.
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Hwy30East
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3:01p, 2/5/25
Toyota
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Naveronski
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In reply to GrapevineAg • 3:06p, 2/5/25
AG
RAV4 too!
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92_Ag
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3:32p, 2/5/25
AG
Subaru is worth a look - you can usually get decent deals on them as well depending on the dealership.
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AgEng06
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In reply to atag • 3:55p, 2/5/25
AG
atag said:
So my daughter is turning 15. I know i have a year but I'd like to start the process of research now. I have a budget of 20k. Obviously I want something reliable and safe but I would also like to get something with a little bit of a cool factor. I'm looking at Volkswagen and bmws. What are some thoughts?

Also, and I'm asking here so don't mock me bc I have zero automotive knowledge, but are hard top convertibles as safe as regular coupes?

I'm coming here because it was this board that I decided on my acura rdx which was a fantastic decision. Had my car almost 40 years and not one issue outside of standard maintenance
I mean... if you have a current car that has lasted you 40 years, I'd get another one of those!
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10andBOUNCE
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In reply to atag • 4:36p, 2/5/25
AG
atag said:
Also, and I'm asking here so don't mock me bc I have zero automotive knowledge, but are hard top convertibles as safe as regular coupes?
Insurance premium increase says hello
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10andBOUNCE
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4:41p, 2/5/25
AG
Also, just buy that Sequoia posted a few threads down. Plenty of cool factor.
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TxLawDawg
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In reply to AgEng06 • 5:18p, 2/5/25
AG
AgEng06 said:
atag said:
So my daughter is turning 15. I know i have a year but I'd like to start the process of research now. I have a budget of 20k. Obviously I want something reliable and safe but I would also like to get something with a little bit of a cool factor. I'm looking at Volkswagen and bmws. What are some thoughts?

Also, and I'm asking here so don't mock me bc I have zero automotive knowledge, but are hard top convertibles as safe as regular coupes?

I'm coming here because it was this board that I decided on my acura rdx which was a fantastic decision. Had my car almost 40 years and not one issue outside of standard maintenance
I mean... if you have a current car that has lasted you 40 years, I'd get another one of those!


I didn't realize Acura made the RDX in '85.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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5:25p, 2/5/25
AG
Spend ten k, buy a used Altima, and use the other ten k to buy another used Altima when she wrecks the first one.
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04.arch.ag
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7:02p, 2/5/25
AG
Wants something "cool"… gets Toyota recommendations.

For a little more around 22-23k you can get a 20/21 3 series with 40-50k miles. Could get it CPO and have warrant for another 2 years and 25k miles.

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Tim Weaver
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7:05p, 2/5/25
Just fair warning. The first car usually gets wrecked. Buy used and cheap (but safe) and let her get 2-3 years under her before moving to something nicer.

Graduation is a good time to surprise her with a new car. Not the 16th birthday.


That being said, the Subaru Crosstrek is a nice safe car with some "cool" factor. Decently reliable and there's a million of them out there so parts and service are easy.
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SnowboardAg
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7:26p, 2/5/25
AG
Used Lexus RX350 - search estate sales (somewhat kidding)
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Redstone
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In reply to atag • 7:27p, 2/5/25
AG
My first vehicle in 1996 was a Chevrolet truck, and then I switched to a Tahoe in late 2000.
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dodger02
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7:34p, 2/5/25
AG
My oldest got a hand-me-down JK. A year later, I bought a CX-30.

My youngest just turned 15. She gets my ND1…
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zooguy96
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7:43p, 2/5/25
AG
Get them something reliable and bigger. SUV or truck. They're likely going to wreck it. Get them to have some skin in the game. I.e. they have to contribute "x" percentage of the price in $$ or chores around the house, etc.

Teenagers take care of something that they had a part in purchasing.

As a former teacher, this is just my anecdotal experience.
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Teslag
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In reply to zooguy96 • 7:47p, 2/5/25
AG
Was once told by a personal injury attorney that SUV's and trucks are terrible for new drivers because of the rollover risks. And there's some truth to that.
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GrapevineAg
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In reply to 04.arch.ag • 8:01p, 2/5/25
AG
04.arch.ag said:
Wants something "cool"… gets Toyota recommendations.


Well that's a bit disingenuous. He said "Obviously I want something reliable and safe but I would also like to get something with a little bit of a cool factor."

Generally speaking, reliable = Toyota/Honda/Mazda. Not German. "Cool" is more subjective, but you can get the sport version of a Japanese sedan/crossover with nice tech.
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AggieDruggist89
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8:06p, 2/5/25
AG
I bought my then 16 year old daughter a Toyota Prius. It was plenty cool. She drove it off to college, law school.. Then gave it back to me because she now lives in NYC and doesn't need a car.
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Aggie95
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8:09p, 2/5/25
AG
Might want to double that budget for a 16 year old in a convertible….insurance will be outrageous.
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04.arch.ag
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In reply to GrapevineAg • 8:13p, 2/5/25
AG
I am only half serious. It's the OB version of recommend me a shotgun $1000 budget and the first 20 replies are 2500 over unders.

That and the minivan is an obvious choice
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TxLawDawg
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8:14p, 2/5/25
AG
Lexus IS250
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Choward4
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8:19p, 2/5/25
Toyota FJ Cruiser. We actually just did this for our 15 year old. She loves it!
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f2foxes2001
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8:52p, 2/5/25
AG
Cx-30, cx-5, used suburu or Altima.
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SnowboardAg
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8:55p, 2/5/25
AG
Garage spot at 15 - I was never so lucky
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Choward4
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9:04p, 2/5/25
It's true. My car sits outside. She kinda has me wrapped around her finger.
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CanyonAg77
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9:07a, 2/6/25
AG
Side issue. Does your daughter's definition of cool line up with yours? I've seen some parents buy cool cars for kids, that the kids proceeded to treat like crap, because the kid didn't like the car
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Tim Weaver
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In reply to Teslag • 9:20a, 2/6/25
Teslag said:
Was once told by a personal injury attorney that SUV's and trucks are terrible for new drivers because of the rollover risks. And there's some truth to that.


Yes! Bigger does not equal safer. Big heavy trucks have biggly tall CoG which likes to roll over and crush that roof right down.

Crossover SUV's are the sweet spot right now. Its where all the R&D money is being spent to make a safer better vehicle for families to drive.
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atag
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 9:49a, 2/6/25
AG
CanyonAg77 said:
Side issue. Does your daughter's definition of cool line up with yours? I've seen some parents buy cool cars for kids, that the kids proceeded to treat like crap, because the kid didn't like the car


Yeah pretty much. Unfortunately German cars are high up the list on cool factor. I do like Subaru tho....I also like that rav4.

As far as insurance goes, I'm buying the car and her dad is paying for insurance lol....so that's less a concern.
proudest member of the fightin texas aggie class of 2005.
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Absolute
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2:24p, 2/6/25
AG
Considered giving her the rdx that sounds like it's been good and probably paid off or close? Then you get something for you.

I have done both the buy something and pass something down routes with our two kids and feel like the pass down route worked out much better. Even though it took the pass down kid a few years to understand she had gotten a really nice car.

Otherwise, stay as low mileage as you can in something reliable so that it will get them through college. Make a graduation gift be from college , not hs.

Stay away from something with premium gas if you can and if you want them to pay for their own gas.

Civic si models are fun, probably make them learn to drive a stick and last pretty well.

ETA: my kids were both good in not wrecking them. The boy did get rearended at school but not his fault. The girl has been great on accidents but was REALLY rough on keeping it clean and the wheels while in Hs.
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Tim Weaver
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In reply to atag • 3:49p, 2/6/25
atag said:
CanyonAg77 said:
Side issue. Does your daughter's definition of cool line up with yours? I've seen some parents buy cool cars for kids, that the kids proceeded to treat like crap, because the kid didn't like the car


Yeah pretty much. Unfortunately German cars are high up the list on cool factor. I do like Subaru tho....I also like that rav4.

As far as insurance goes, I'm buying the car and her dad is paying for insurance lol....so that's less a concern.
Golf/Rabbits/Jetta with the 2.5L are pretty reliable I think. The 20-teens models are a lot nicer on the inside vs most anything else from other car makers. VW has been doing a pretty good job on interior fit and finish.
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