By Alex Hendricksen
Purchasing a new car can be a very difficult decision. It can be even more difficult to decide what to buy for a teenager. Ideally, a first car would be reliable and practical. You would also want to buy a car that you wouldn’t be worried about parking in the school parking lot. If you’re a parent buying a car for your children, you may also consider buying them something interesting so your child can have something unique to call their own.
Off the Lot
If you’re going the new car route, you can’t beat the price of the Nissan Versa. Though not the most interesting car, it’ll have modern-day reliability and creature comforts that most teenagers’s cars won’t have—all for less than $20,000 off the lot. This may also be intriguing for your child if they’re a car enthusiast because this car can be bought with a manual transmission. These cars also get good gas mileage at 32 city and 40 highway. The Versa is also a great size for a first car; small enough to easily park but large enough to fit everything you may need to carry.
As Much Accord as You can Afford
The Honda Accord is a staple in the reliable car world. This car generally gets excellent gas mileage, as well, even with the optional V6. Throughout the years, Honda has produced this car with countless body styles, engines, and transmissions to choose from, giving you plenty of varying and dependable options. Almost any combination would be good, but staying within the last 15 years would most likely be the best idea.
Is that a Cop?
If you want a reliable and comfortable car, then look no further than the Ford Crown Victoria. With many of these being police cars, they are known to be reliable because police need to be able to start the car and go at a moment’s notice. All of the cars on the Panther platform (frame and drivetrain of the Crown Victoria and others such as the Lincoln Town Car) have a reliable V8 that may not be the most economical but is smooth as butter. A Crown Victoria with around 100,000 miles would make for a reliable and practical first car.
I’ve Got a Lot on My Plate
If trucks are up your alley, then the Toyota Tacoma is one of the best options. These trucks hold their value for a reason—they’re reliable, safe, and very practical. Who wouldn’t want a truck with Toyota’s reliability? Though their fuel economy isn’t the best, and they’re not particularly fast, they can serve as a family workhorse, along with being a good first vehicle.
Safety is Key
Sweden is all about safety, and Volvo is no different. Specifically, the Volvo V-70 is a very safe and reliable car with a European feel. The V-70 boasts a 230-horsepower V6 that reliably powers the wagon. Wagons are potentially the best body style for a first car because they’re very practical and not too large to be difficult to learn how to drive. The fuel economy is somewhat middle of the road, but if the primary concern that you have for a first car is safety then the Volvo V-70 is your best option.
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