Help with a first car!!!?

Question

I'm about to turn 16 and i'm going to need a car b/c my parents are divorced. I saw the new Jeep Patriot and I thought it looked like a potential first car. It's an SUV, it had good crash test scores, gas mileage is 26/30. Does this seem like it would be a good choice???

Answer 1

I agree that a brand new car is a bit much for a 16 year old. If you're anything like the typical 16 year old, you're going to get some dents and dings while you're learning to drive and it is MUCH easier to live with those little accidents if the car you're driving didn't start "perfect". I cried the first time I dinged my first (and only) new car...I buy everything used now!

I suggest that you check with your mom or dad's insurance carrier (unless cost isn't a concern). The cost of insurance comes from two basic factors: liability for damage/injury to others and coverage for damage to your vehicle. ...and the rates can vary widely. In terms of damage to your vehicle, the primary influences on the cost are the price of the vehicle (replacement cost), and the typical cost of repairing damage (for example, American cars are generally cheaper to fix than German cars). In terms of liability, insurance companies look at things that affect the amount of damage the vehicle can cause such as the weight of the vehicle (heavier vehicles like an SUV, cause more damage in accidents and thus cost more to insure), safety features (cars with six airbags cost less because they protect your passengers better from injury) and other factors. A good insurance agent can give you some tips for choosing a vehicle that will minimize your ongoing costs for insurance coverage.

Personally, I'd stay away from a Jeep, especially a new one. They depreciate (lose their value) much faster than some other vehicles (a Kia is worse), but a Toyota or Volkswagen or BMW even retains a lot bigger percentage of its value over the life of the vehicle. I have a 1994 Toyota 4Runner (my beach vehicle)...it runs much better than the typical Jeep Cherokee of similar age and it is worth nearly twice as much according to Kelly Blue Book (I compared my vehicle with a Jeep that had virtually the same original retail value and my Toyota was still worth about $5000 while the Jeep would be worth only $2500).

Unless you become a loyal Jeep buyer (and thus are able to get loyalty rewards from Jeep), you'll get more for a Toyota (or similar) vehicle when it comes time to trade it in on the next one!

...and if your parents agree, check out eBay...I bought a BMW convertible on eBay two years ago and the price INCLUDING delivery charges was about $10,000 less than the price I'd have paid at a local dealership!...and it is a great car! If you do this, pay for a vehicle inspection before you buy...the $159 I paid saved me from a $1500 brake job (the seller had the work done before I bought)!

Answer 2

As far as I know, whoever "hits" has the liability or is "at fault". In other words, insurance companies and law enforcements viewpoint is, "If you are following all the rules of the road and safety, there is never any reason to hit anything." Now, if there was ice on the road, that might atleast make things lean more in your favor, but I think you have to have a photo taken that day of the stretch of road you slid on. That's why they say you should always have atleast a disposable camera in your car to take a photo of an accident and accident scene on the day of the accident, along with a cell phone, your insurance information, driver's license and registration. Hopefully you have car insurance that will pay even if it is your fault, or if not, a lot of friends and family that will help you in this time of crisis. There's a lot of other factors to take into account: was either of the drivers driving while impaired, or in a rush, did either leave the scene of the accident before law enforecement arrived, what kind of vehicles were involved, did both have car insurance-dl license-registration-etc... So hopefully, maybe there's other factors that are in your favor here. In either case, it's a wake-up call to always drive safely and defensively and keep as much space between you and other moving vehicles or objects as possible, have a seat belt on, and don't have any distractions like listening to the radio, eating, drinking, talking on a cell phone, etc... I know all this because I've been driving for years now, and have only been in a few accidents. In every accident except one, someone hit me and for some reason none of them even had a driver's license!!!! In the accident where I hit someone, I rear ended someone, just like you did. So since I "hit", it was my fault, even though the car in front of me stopped short and really fast, not giving me any time to stop. The only thing that saved me was that the car I hit left the scene of the accident, and, from what I understand, it was some kind of insurance scam on the part of the other driver.

Answer 3

Definitely get a used car. It will be cheaper to buy and the insurance will be affordable. You will more than likely get into a fender bender at some point and with a used car it won't matter. A used car will also give you an appreciation for any future cars that you may buy new or used (but in better condition). And trust me when I say that new cars are not all that they are cracked up to be...as soon as you drive it off the lot, it is used. And if you really "love" your car, any dings and scratches really p!ss you off.

Answer 4

THAT'S SO WEIRD! I just turned 16 and I bought my car. it's a honda accord 1992. I love it! it gets good gas mileage and it looks awesome for being 14 yrs old! =] I almost got a jeep and I'm glad I didn't b/c I would get really tired of it b/c of all the wind noise and my insurance would be really high with one of those! Just get a plan and simple car for your first one b/c then the insurance company wouldn't care as much as them caring for a jeep out on the road. Unless you're spoiled and you're parents are buying all of it for you then get whatever you want. =[ but hopefully you're paying for most of it. I have to....and my parents are divorced too. well Good Luck getting you're first car and driving it, it's a lot of fun!!

Answer 5

I would get a used car because you are new to driving, if you get into an accident, then you wont be depressed or worry about it. Until you get more driving experience, get a good used car about 5 - 10 years old. Then get a new one. :)
Also your insurance will be cheaper too.

Answer 6

i would go for a cheap car just incase u reck it or something that u dont think will happen but maybe will. my brother got his first car for $700 then 2 weeks after he got his license he rolled it 3 times n it was demolished. he neva thought that he would crash and nether did we. and also my are divored n thats when he crashed was when he was goin to my moms house. then he got a $1,000 car just incase he crashed again but now that hes 18 he has like a $15,000 truck.

Answer 7

It is probably a good car, but for a 16 year old to drive one, the insurance premiums would be unbelievably high.

Answer 8

try sitting in a few cars you will know when you find one that sits well.... get a used car for a first car will save your parent and you

Answer 9

get a toyota they are reliable and get good gas mileage look at the new rav 4 or highlander or 4 runner and if your parents are ballers get a land cruiser or a lexus sc 330 but always buy used just in case there is somthin you dont like about the car plus new it depreciates value as soon as you buy it not to mention the high payment and you will have to get full coverage insurance unless you pay cash

Answer 10

No, no and NOOOO... a 16 year old should not be driving an SUV. Get something small and compact. I find it funny that you mention that it has good crash scores... to put that in your question really makes me wanna think twice about getting on the road with a 16yr old in a SUV!!! Thank god I'm in Australia!!!