Best option for teen first car?
Posted by Wanderlustify@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 75 comments
I’m a minivan mom buying a first car for my oldest kiddo (responsible straight A student athlete). We have a budget of around $10-12k to buy the vehicle and get any initial repairs done. I also plan to have a pre-purchase inspection completed. We want something reliable, low maintenance, good gas mileage. Of the cars listed below, which would you recommend (all are private sellers if that makes a difference). I’d appreciate any and all advice!
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2017 Subaru Outback premium, 107k miles, clean title, hail damage (dents), $10,000
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2021 Toyota Corolla hatchback, 85k miles, salvage title, $10,000
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2013 Subaru Impreza, 69k miles, clean title, $9000
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2008 Subaru Outback sport, 39k miles, clean title, $12,000
Spare_Blood2838@reddit
Kid just needs a 4k scion not a freakin 10k car
GeologistDismal4681@reddit
Check out a 2015 Corolla or civic for 8-9k and save the remaining 3k for any emergency. I would do that.
Monster51915@reddit
A Subaru was my first car and my current and I’ll say it’s a really good option. I’d say opt for the 2017 Outback because I know older model Subarus had head gasket issues around 120k miles and I’m not sure what years they stopped but it’d be best bet to avoid the older years because of that issue.
If you don’t think they’ll drive a ton though the Impreza still could be a really good option and is the perfect size. People will say the CVT’s are unreliable but that’s because Nissan made bad ones in the past.
Porolover@reddit
Either of the Subarus they have great reliability. I personally cant recommend anything besides Toyota, honda, or Subaru. Within that price range. But subarus are gonna be a lot less miles
CarScope@reddit
Quick breakdown of each:
Option 1 - 2017 Subaru Outback, solid choice. Hail damage is purely cosmetic and actually works in your favor on price. 107K on a Subaru is not concerning if maintained. The 2017 does have the EyeSight driver assistance system which is great for a teen. Just make sure the pre-purchase inspection checks the CVT fluid history, Subarus need it changed regularly.
Option 2 - 2021 Toyota Corolla, avoid. I wouldn't recommend buying a salvage title as a first car for a teen. You don't know what was actually repaired, how it was repaired, or what structural damage exists. Airbags may have been replaced incorrectly.
Option 3 - 2013 Subaru Impreza, best value on this list. Low miles for the age, clean title, Subaru AWD, and leaves money in the budget for the inspection and any minor repairs. This would be my top pick.
Option 4 - 2008 Subaru Outback, the low miles are tempting but a 2008 with 39K miles means it most likely sat a lot, which is actually hard on cars. Old rubber, old fluids, potential fuel system issues. Also $12K is a lot for a 17 year old car regardless of mileage. The age alone makes this risky.
My thoughts: Option 3 first, Option 1 second, Option 4 third, Option 2 last.
Wanderlustify@reddit (OP)
Thanks for this thoughtful reply!
nakanisalad@reddit
Get awd if it snows where you are
Bend_Zealousideal@reddit
2001 Toyota Tacoma w/ a manual transmission.
Street_Gap_3429@reddit
Anything with a detroit dd16 motor
No-Oil6517@reddit
1996 Toyota Corolla. Only right answer
PovertySpecMk3Supra@reddit
Mazda 3
ProbablyNotaCar@reddit
the newest Toyota you can afford, if you pick the right platform mileage doesn’t matter
TylerDurden2748@reddit
With these prices the newest toyota you can afford is a 200k mile 2001 corolla base lol
ProbablyNotaCar@reddit
It’s not that bad, i bought my 08 4Runner with around 200 for like 8 grand you fan definitely find something that’s either nicer or newer for 10-12
TylerDurden2748@reddit
You got scammed brother. Anything 200k miles or more should be $1k max.
ProbablyNotaCar@reddit
nah it’s just the market, ended up making money on it too
UsefulBookkeeper482@reddit
Any bmw or Audi, even cheap Mercedes
MeesterCHRIS@reddit
Miata
SJ9172@reddit
Get the Corolla.
Whole-Roof-8310@reddit
Don't do a salvaged title! Id take a look for some other Toyotas if you want the most reliability for your buck, same with hondas. If you can do some research on cvts and decide if you do or don't want that for yourself(I personally never will buy a car with one).
ArcticSlalom@reddit
We’ve bought (2) salvage title cars & they’ve been great. Honda Fit & A Subaru Forester. Kid in college daily drives Fit & my SO daily drives the Forester.
Why the hate for salvage title cars? We have a reputable, local guy who fixes them up and has them inspected.
JCC114@reddit
They vary a lot. Look up the book value of the car and then find 70% of that value. And picture how much damage that is. On a 10k vehicle 7k is a small collision with no airbag deployments. That’s a good salvage. On a 50k suv that’s 35k in damage. No thank you.
GrogRhodes@reddit
It’s so YMMV but you’re the exception not the rule.
Whole-Roof-8310@reddit
Depends, do you know why it was totalled? Can you trust the repairs of all crash detection, seatbelt and airbag systems? Does this guy fully repair all frame damage and do you know how to tell? Does your insurance give you a difficult time insuring a new driver with a salvaged title car? Are you positive it's not flood damage?
I stay away from them cause there's a whole lot of unknown. Im glad yours have worked for you though.
StreetKhorne@reddit
If you want to put him in an Outback, find a 3.0 EZ30 motor with an auto 5 spd. That'll probably outlive him, with some good maintenance
Emergency_Present_83@reddit
1 all day, mileage is right what you want to see on a \~10yo vehicle (\~10k year is likely driven regularly but not excessively)
can probably haggle more with that one too because people overvalue looks and people are delusional about how valuable "low mileage" is (protip: it's not unless you're talking about a showroom piece)
ridebikes365@reddit
Tend to agree. Low mileage is actually a detriment when it’s to the extremes of option 4. Rubber dries out and cracks(like motor mounts), exhausts rot away, things become seized from lack of use, things get neglected simply because it’s low mileage. Unless it was properly stored (show piece) low mileage is worse than regular mileage IMO. All the vehicles you’re gonna see with a million miles are driven and maintained regularly.
My advice is to buy the cheapest one with the best service history. They’re all gonna need something, every car does if you know where to look. And chances are your athlete is gonna crash it before a bookworm.
slider1387@reddit
Is AWD really a need?
Wanderlustify@reddit (OP)
We live on a bumpy dirt road and our cars always end up needing engine mount repairs so I was hoping to avoid that with this teenager car since it’s so expensive to fix
slider1387@reddit
The Subarus are the best options but you can't beat them to death and expect them to survive. Maybe check out a Forester if you can find one in your budget for extra ground clearance. I grew up in back woods WV so I've seen very smooth, well maintained dirt roads and I've seen literally the opposite. Maybe your road needs some maintenance so it could help maintain your investment. Or look at at 4x4 Tacoma or a Nissan Frontier Pro-4X that has upgraded suspension but then you're sacrificing fuel mileage for a more capable vehicle.
ridebikes365@reddit
You absolutely can beat a Subaru and expect it to survive. All of the listed Subarus are weaker choices, but there is a reason the MacPherson based Subarus are the most popular grassroots rally car on the planet.
Cornelius-Figgle@reddit
Oh no, a bumpy dirt road! Whatever shall we do!
As the other commenter said, AWD is about having grip, not about protecting the suspension
JuanTheMower@reddit
Having AWD will not fix your issues with rubber bushings wearing out. AWD sends power to all 4 wheels at the same time, it doesn’t prevent your car from bouncing around on a dirt road.
ZucchiniAlert2582@reddit
Do you own a home or rent? If you own your home consider a used EV. Very low maintenance and much cheaper than gas to operate if you can charge at home.
Wanderlustify@reddit (OP)
I already drive a PHEV minivan and we don’t have the space to charge two vehicles otherwise that’s exactly what I’d be looking at
ZucchiniAlert2582@reddit
Gotcha. We’re a two EV household and lucky that our parking setup allows the charger to reach 2 different parking spots.
BossNearby8721@reddit
Not sure why the downvote... it's not like a lot of details for use case was given, but if someone wants low running costs, you can't beat a cheap EV.
Successful-Coffee717@reddit
STAY AWAY FROM SUBARU
Look into older corollas 2008 to 2012
Honda fits are also pretty cool especially in manual
If he wants something cooler id suggest civics and accords
Samsonlp@reddit
Do the impreza.. salvage titles make me super anxious . Impreza is a great car.
jbochsler@reddit
Manual transmission. They can't text and drive, and their friends won't be able to borrow the car - with all the gas and insurance hassles that go with that.
grod1227@reddit
88 Chevette 4 door.
Damn_you_taco@reddit
Automatic Miata, no one is getting laid in that.
Kseries2497@reddit
Without saying anything about these cars specifically, I would say you should limit your budget to an amount you're comfortable seeing wrapped around a tree within a year - and then something reasonably safe within that budget.
Wanderlustify@reddit (OP)
Good advice albeit anxiety inducing
NoSteak3322@reddit
Definitely the Subaru Outback. Keep the oil changed regularly and do a differential service now and every 30 k miles. You’ll have that car a long time. Second choice would be the Corolla.
BreakLegitimate5845@reddit
The only correct answer is a Honda fit
BreakLegitimate5845@reddit
The only correct answer is a Honda fit
NeedsPaint@reddit
Clean title and hail won't mix
experimentalengine@reddit
Surely those aren’t the only four options? If so, the Corolla if it wasn’t a salvage title.
Subarus aren’t nearly as reliable as their (unearned) reputation would suggest. You have two with CVTs about to pop and one with head gaskets that are on borrowed time.
Find more options. Don’t be impatient. Cross Subaru off your list. Add Honda and probably Mazda to your list. Consider Lexus too, the ES from the years you’re considering was a Camry, and the IS was not particularly fuel efficient but dead reliable.
jtfarabee@reddit
Get them a manual transmission. A) everyone should know how to drive one. B) they’ll be so focused on trying to do it well that they will drive better and are less likely to try to eat, text, etc.
Honestly, there’s a lot of room for Mazda in your budget. My 2013 3 Hatchback has 221k miles on it without any surprise major repairs. That or a Corolla hatch with a manual would be great first cars.
I’ve owned too many Subarus to recommend them.
gjk14@reddit
Honda civic. Do research. You’re welcome. Ex tow truck driver. We don’t touch those cars unless they forget about the timing belt.
Connect-Ask-3820@reddit
2013 Impreza is considered by many to be their best model year. Plus clean title, low mileage, and a reasonable price? I’d take that in a heartbeat.
Captkarate42@reddit
All of those years of Subaru have significant mechanical issues at higher (sometimes even lower) mileage ranges, and are sensitive about having multiple thousands of dollars of maintenance done exactly on schedule. They are fine if you are footing the bill and aware of these things, but the the 2.0 in the outback and impreza both have significant oil consumption problems, and could cause issues quickly if your kid doesn't pay close attention for slightly too long. They're also nearing the age and mileage ranges where you'll need things like timing done in order to prevent catastrophic failure. I suggest looking up how much that costs to do.
If I were shopping for cars in that price range for a 16 year old I would be looking for a manual transmission Honda Fit.
SparkeeMalarkee@reddit
A Honda fit
TikiTribble@reddit
The 2017. It’s already nicely discounted for the dents.
_EnFlaMEd@reddit
IROC Camaro
Kseries2497@reddit
Coolest kid in school, guaranteed.
Aggravating_Fact8112@reddit
It’s definitely between one and three here I think
Pretty_Lime6252@reddit
get him a corolla or a civic, dont buy them a unreliable car like subarus. toyotas and hondas such as camrys, corollas, civics last long, have good gas mileage, and are cheap and easy to find
Acrobatic_Crow_6366@reddit
Whatever you choose, prepare for it to get dented, scratched, and perhaps even totaled due to an accident. Nothing can take the place of experience, but unfortunately, experience is not gained without making a few mistakes along the way.
Shot-Counter7607@reddit
Second generation (2004-2009) Toyota Prius with a crap ton of miles for less than $5K. You're welcome.
ZergvProtoss@reddit
Yike. No Subaru if you care about reliability. I don't need to know anything else to say go with the Toyota.
LavishnessOk6635@reddit
2
mpython1701@reddit
Honestly, something just outside the shitbox beater territory. You want something reliable but any new driver is going to get bumps, scrapes, and make a few errors. Once that’s behind him/her, get a little something nicer to send off to college.
RedOakNinja@reddit
I think the Corolla hatch is an excellent first car, but I’d look for one without a salvage title. I don’t know enough about the Subarus to say good or bad, but I do know enough to know there have been certain models/years with some known issues (e.g. head gaskets/premature engine problems), so I’d just advise digging into the specific models/years before buying.
Crowlady77@reddit
Corolla
Equana@reddit
IdiotSerena@reddit
yeah, that was in the peak ej head gasket issue era
Jerkeyjoe@reddit
A brown 1988 Volvo 240
lumpiawrappers@reddit
Based
twelfthfantasy@reddit
With about 320k. It'll still have more miles in it than anything on this list
LankyJeep@reddit
This guy knows what’s up
Sparky62075@reddit
Stay away from salvage. The damage would have been pretty extensive to write off a 2021 Toyota.
The 2017 Outback would be my pick. Smooth ride, grips the road.
nerobro@reddit
Corolla. Salvage title or not, it's the best option on this list, by a wide margin.
ZymurgyBro@reddit
Of those 4, the Outback far and away. Had a 2015 and miss it bad. Just not big enough for us. Only down side for a first car is he will become the ride giver because of the room.