What's a safe, unique car for a teenager?

Question

I am 16 years old and will be getting my license in a few months. As a first car, I would probably get a 4-door sedan. However, I would like to have a unique car, like a Volkswagen "Hippie Van" or a Mini Cooper, but the Volkswagen might be too old to keep up with safety features and the Mini is too small and more prone to injury. How can I have a safe car that I am satisfied with? I was thinking about getting a regular sedan and just giving it a paint job. Are there any car models that fit my desires?

Why are you guys being so judgmental? Why should I wait until I'm older? Reaching 18 doesn't all of a sudden mean that one receives a jolt of maturity. Why do so many people perceive teenagers as irresponsible and ignorant? They're not all like that. I've seen many adults make bad decisions. It won't make a difference whether I start driving now or later because either way I'll start out inexperienced. Why don't you tell adult driving students to ride bikes? Young people are just blamed to be bad drivers because typically people start driving as a teenager. Obviously I'm getting lots of practice before I get my license. It's not like I'm going to get drunk and then decide to operate heavy machinery like so many adults in this world. If you don't think I should drive, write a letter to the DMV instead of complaining to me.

Answer 1

I just went thru all this with my nephew he is 18 and is driving his first car a 2000 VW Jetta TDI His parents would not let him buy a car until he started university...........When he was 16 I tried to argue that he had been doing a very good job on the tractor for 2 winters he had been snow blowing a 1000 yds of driveway by himself without incident......his father rolled it once and ditched it another time so bad i had to borrow my friends 20 ton crane to get it out.....but i had taught my nephew on the tractor how to stay out of trouble when i tried this with his dad he did not want to listen to me he already knew it all........so you face one hell of a bias even from morons that are not as safe as u seem willing to be.

Now here is a kicker....... a lot of people NOT ALL in the auto business love to screw kids they know you want it and they know you haven't yet gained the experience to negotiate a good deal so after they sell you the Lot's cream puff (lemon) The repair shops r going to put the screws to you too.

But all is not lost there is a solution but your gonna have to do some leg work and research first!

If you want safety get a good used P/U or SUV.....the reason they have a chassis the body sits on and that adds strength to the truck and it can withstand a harder hit from another car or truck.

The downside is that they cost more in every respect fuel insurance and repairs.

If you don't want to go the P/U SUV route you still have plenty of options there are plenty of good safe cars out there I like VW's that's why my nephew got his I introduced him to my mechanic who will not take advantage of him. I steered him away from Japanese imports they are great cars but parts and repairs are very expensive but if you have a good contact that works on Japanese imports and know how to get aftermarket parts take advantage I would rather have an honest good mechanic than great one if they were someone i did not trust......or start taking shop class if your not already.

So pick the right car for u and the resources you have as far as unique goes find a solid st ocker and go shopping for aftermarket parts to spruce it up a little.....wheels, stripes, want ever you like.Oh yeah stay away from hippy vans they are gutless and don't steer for beans that is the only VW I would not buy but they r kinda groovy my nephew says there 'sick'

There are lots of sites with opinions from car owners find one and check out the cars u may want first....... same for saftey ratings.

Get advice from friends that are in the auto biz or find out about,ppl they trust.

And I know you have heard this 1000 times but I am still gonna say it...DONT GET WHIPPED UP AND DRIVE...but it is the easiest way to end your open road freedom dreams

Good Luck

Answer 2

I'm only 20, but my first car was an 84 Dodge Diplomat (good luck finding one). It's still running to this day, I drove it 1,400 to a new city with a heavy load, and all the way back. It has a 5.2 liter v8 318 mopar Chrysler engine; it got me that 1,400 miles back on only 6 of the 8 cylinders without blowing up. So it's safe (all steel), reliable (22 years and running strong), it's unique (I've only seen one other like mine), and it has enough bite to represent its bark (200-300 lbs of torque). It's my baby... along with my 93 Celica Gt.

Answer 3

Try to find a more cost-effective way to prove your individuality. No offense intended, but this kind of thinking is what get many people into financial trouble. Find the best car that you can afford, or if you're still in high school, no car at all.
From experience, when I bought my first car at seventeen; my grades fell one full point. Your job if you're in school is to get an education, not have a car. Any other way is self-defeating. I know I'm not winning any popularity contests here, but good grades can help you get to college and into a better job. Then you can buy the car of your dreams.

Answer 4

You sound like a very intelligent and reasonable teenage girl. I'd have to say a Volvo 240, 740, or 940. They are all extremely safe, and definitely unique since nothing else is like them. They are also very affordable compared to what else you can get for the money. Very reliable cars as well.

Answer 5

It depends on the price. I recommend a 2005-2007 BMW 5 series
It is a sporty car, very luxurious, VERY, VERY SAFE plus it's fun to drive. Im not sure if it is the 07 model or 08 but one of them has automatic parallel parking.

Answer 6

M1A1

Humvee

Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Schwinn

Answer 7

There are some interesting cars from VOLVO.
I dont of any car that has a better safety rating.
If you want "different" then customize it with ordinary
paint. Get creative !

Answer 8

There is no such thing. I you put a teen in a tank it might save them from themselves but then there is still the rest of society to worry about. Teens are timebombs - let's face it. Their cars (or tanks) should be regulated so they cannot go faster than 20 m.p.h.. hmmm..... that may be too fast...

Answer 9

Wait till your 18 years old before driving would be the safest.

Answer 10

find a 1963 dodge dart with a slant 6 engine. it has great body lines and the engine is simple enough for you to learn proper maintenance and repair