Author Topic: Hows this for a first car for a 16 year old (Read 988 times)

spidey · « **on:** April 27, 2011, 12:51:56 pm »

http://medicinehat.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1984-volvo-760-GLE-W0QQAdIdZ278227836

Needless to say our oldest boy is getting to the stage of his license. Growing up my wife and I both had cars at 16, not nice ones, but more or less the $1500 type car. Myself getting one depended on my grades and things like that. Plus the fact I could be a gopher on the farm as well.

The same would apply here, grades would be a major factor in us deciding.

We are still toying with the idea though, all depends on insurance cost for him and if he has a job to of course support some costs for owining it

Guy wants $1500 for it, and while 25 years old, is in really good shape.

For a first car, I think this would fit the ticket.

Thoughts?

Mike · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:01:27 pm »

I don't know much about them, but I am sure it would be safe. Your son may think it is a bit dorky, but once the snow flies and he can test out the RWD, he'll love it!

vdk · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:14:27 pm »

I would get him something with a stick! He'd love learning to drive it.

spidey · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:14:39 pm »

Well dorky maybe, but really when your 16 your happy when you haver 4 wheels and a seat.

Plus the cool part is he doesnt have any hangups when it comes to that sort of stuff. Never been caught up in name brand things like clothes or what people think. So Im sure it would be the same as vehicles.

mrthompson · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:29:52 pm »

Who knows - perhaps a 25 year old Volvo sedan is now considered cool? Is the radio stock? If it is, it will be the first thing to go.

spidey · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:33:39 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on April 27, 2011, 01:29:52 pm

Who knows - perhaps a 25 year old Volvo sedan is now considered cool? Is the radio stock? If it is, it will be the first thing to go.

Actually when I saw it I thought it looked cool. Vintage maybe ;-)

Looks like everything is stock.

articsteve · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2011, 02:15:39 pm »

For a first car, I think this would fit the ticket.

Be a horrible purchase. Those things were/are JUNK with that mileage.

Did you see that engine compartment? Timing belt, drive delts, rollers, thermostat, TURBO!. Daunting task for even the most skilled mechanically.

Are you trying to KILL your kid

Those things are FAST.

You need the classic 240/ manual shift unit. That's a GOOD Volvo. Even a early 850 would be a 1000x better.

ktm525 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2011, 02:25:03 pm »

I would pass as well. My father had a 84 760 GLE and I always thought the 760 only came with the PRV V6 which was a complete nightmare. FWIW I subjected that Volvo to some severe hooning. It seemed to hold up until it's demise when the dealer burnt it to the ground.

My choice for a vehicle would be along the lines of a F150, standard cab, 2WD, 6 cylinder....

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2011, 02:44:51 pm »

I think the fact that is has a turbo will kill you on insurance (or at least it used to). The 240 series would be much better bet. A little mini truck isn't a bad idea either - slow and can't bring too many other people with him!

http://medicinehat.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1990-Mazda-B-Series-Pickups-Cab-Plus-Pickup-Truck-W0QQAdIdZ276671076

spidey · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2011, 03:05:02 pm »

I never noticed the Turbo until now actually, since I was just browsing. Defintly more headaches with that.

Will have to see, am in no rush, and just saw it and thought it looked like a good first vehicle. Posting on forums like this helps as you get a lot of different input

johngenx · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2011, 04:08:15 pm »

Tercel with a stick. Easy to fix, cheap parts, great fuel economy, insanely reliable, slow and cheap to insure. Echo if the price is right. Old Corollas are awesome too.

EV Dan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2011, 04:17:45 pm »

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Pontiac/Grand%20Am/BOLTON/Ontario/5_10330936_ON20071203110337631/

I'd kill for one like this as my first car.

I had a previous gen. 2.3L QUAD with a stick, two door. It was a bit more to insure but fairly reliable and fun to drive. This model year starts from a 1000 bucks.

Snowman · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2011, 04:57:16 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on April 27, 2011, 04:08:15 pm

Tercel with a stick. Easy to fix, cheap parts, great fuel economy, insanely reliable, slow and cheap to insure. Echo if the price is right. Old Corollas are awesome too.

Bought my daughter a 2002 Toyota Echo 4 years ago. After only routine maintenance the X's husband traded his Dodge truck for a Tundra.

spidey · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2011, 11:09:21 am »

Have decided against this car. Afetr thinking about it and the turbo, probably me a mainenance nightmare in the future. Plus a lot of power im thinking as well for a first car

Have talked and will probably get something that has a manual. My 3 first cars were manual and they just make you pay more attention and be more involved in driving.

Maybe do the compact truck thing like a B series, or a small tercel or civic, or an old 1993 golf like I had

I wish my car never got wrecked 3 years ago, that was going to be his car

tortoise · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2011, 11:25:16 am »

I had a 4 Cyl B-Series for a few years and agree that it would be a good first car. Simple to maintain, reasonably reliable, RWD but not a ton of power. It was surpisingly decent with some winter tires and a little weight in the back. Made it through a winter in Fernie without ever getting stuck. It's also decent on gas. Mine was a '98 with the 2.5. The newer ones with the 2.3 will have a little more power and get better mileage.

Plus when you need it, trucks are useful to have around.

Another good option would be a Protege5. They're quite reliable, fun to drive, practical, etc. In Ontario they're all rusting away (including mine) but in AB they might be better off. They depreciate a lot faster than any Honda or Toyota so you could get into something newer for the same price as a Civic, Corolla, etc.

mrthompson · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2011, 12:51:30 pm »

I haven't check but perhaps something like a 2001/02 Focus ZX3 would fit the bill? Being newer (relatively) it would have more safety features.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:54:02 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on April 28, 2011, 11:25:16 am

Another good option would be a Protege5. They're quite reliable, fun to drive, practical, etc. In Ontario they're all rusting away (including mine) but in AB they might be better off. They depreciate a lot faster than any Honda or Toyota so you could get into something newer for the same price as a Civic, Corolla, etc.

Second that. Protege5 would be an excellent 1st car, especially with a stick. No rust problems in AB.

spidey · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2011, 11:50:25 am »

Anyone ever see or hear of these

http://medicinehat.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd?AdId=302846924&MessageId=MSG.VIEW_AD.REPLY_TO_AD_SENT&mpname=R2S&mpname=Activity-R2S&mpuid=1700231%3B174%3B302846924%3B38934141%3B%3B&secev=AQAAATGAEKYAAM0AAAACACIxMzE5MDUwMzA3NC5hMjBiMjY2LjNkZmE3LmZmZmMyMTI1AAAAABINE8wBAAAAAgAAAACy0F4AVUJcjW1IrqiuQnFj6kafM2sX29A*

1992 Mazda Autozam Carol

Smaller car, and an import with right hand drive. But would be also good for me and my wife for small trips for the two of us instead of taking the family vehicle.

Low kms, and looks in good shape.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2011, 12:31:49 pm »

Never heard of one. Where would you buy parts?

tpl · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2011, 01:01:10 pm »

That is a kei car JDM only imported under the 15 year rule. Unless you are going to work on it yourself and are prepared to hunt for parts, don't even think about it!

These tiny cars were NEVER designed with ANY NA safety or emission standards in mind and I'd bet that even if it has not structural rust it would crumple like tinfoil if it hit anything.

Just don't do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Carol