To the Dads out there. What advice would you give....

[BobKincaid]

I echo those who have suggested the Jetta, especially if you can get it with a diesel engine. I assume fuel mileage is an issue and the VW diesel engine gets superior mileage. It will also defeat any urges the young man in question may have to peel out from the traffic light. A diesel engine with 150K miles on it is barely broken in and often comes at a nice price.

[El Presidente]

Great stuff

Artie has put me in touch with a mate who clears 1200 cars a month to dealers. have been looking this week.

Found a Honda Integar GSI 2001 with logbooks and 34000 km. Neat/tidy but $3000 over what I want to pay.

I also keep remembering my first car....a Holden Premier 3 on the tree. I don't want anythig too good.

[Maron76]

Another vote for the VW Jetta. They are fantastic cars which share 90% of their parts with the Audi A4. Very safe and reliable plus as said before your son could save up for aftermarket parts, performance and aesthetic, too make it his own. One bit of advice, do not get black, VW's black paint is very soft and scratches horribly. Just drying it with a towel will instill swirl marks from hell.

[LeafLover]

Last November, I bought my son a beater. Ok, not so much a beater:

A two door Honda Civic 1997, coupe, five speed

176,000 miles on it

Gets 30mpg, 10 (or 12) gallon tank

We got lucky as the previous owner maintained it well and kept it in good running condition.

He just graduated high school last week. We told him to work hard, get a job, and buy himself a spanking new car when he graduates college. Basically, we wanted something that would serve its purpose while giving something for him to reach for.

Good luck Prez! Frankly, the buying of the first car was a huge dilemma for us. Sure, we could have bought him a brand spanking new camaro, but we didn't feel it sent a good message. And frankly, **** I would buy that for myself and give him my car.

[NitrousPurger]

I drive a 97 Jeep with the 4.0 inline 6, Bullet proof engine. Amazing offroad. Sucks for gas though.

[Fuzz]

Rob, instead of the Integra, how about a Mitsubishi FTO? Much better looking and you should be able to find a mid 90's one for less than $8000.

Found this on Unique Car Sales Will defintely turn some heads if he rocks up in this.

[mazolaman]

I drive a 97 Jeep with the 4.0 inline 6, Bullet proof engine. Amazing offroad. Sucks for gas though.

Get any car with an indirect injection diesel engine,and a bosch mechanical pump.

Then collect used vegetable oil from pubs and restaraunts and filter it.

70% veg oil,30% diesel......cheap as chips!

I've run a Delica on this for years and years...

downside is,you won't probably be able to get anything too stylish that'll do this.

[Fuzz]

70% veg oil,30% diesel......cheap as chips!

Does it also smell of chips as you drive by?

[Kangaroo495]

Rob, while we have always been a "Ford family", me and my brother both had 90's model Holden Commodores for our first cars. Our budgets were $5k.

I think they are absolutely perfect for young blokes. With a 10k budget, you can get something newer. My first car was a 1990 model. They do pack a bit of grunt though.. I was out-dragging most other cars at traffic lights. Even out-drove the cops once in this car.

[Fuzz]

Rob, while we have always been a "Ford family", me and my brother both had 90's model Holden Commodores for our first cars. Our budgets were $5k.

I think they are absolutely perfect for young blokes. With a 10k budget, you can get something newer. My first car was a 1990 model. They do pack a bit of grunt though.. I was out-dragging most other cars at traffic lights. Even out-drove the cops once in this car.

IMHO, though the Falcon and Commodore are great cars, they shouldn't be given to young P platers. There's just too much temptation to put the hammer down. Same goes for the 4 cyl turbos or hot hatches.

I had a V6 too when I was younger (Berlina VR SRII), though it was several years after driving around in an old Daihatsu Applause. Those extra years taught me how to handle a car better, before getting behind a more powerful vehicle.

Oh, and if he can, make your son take the test in a manual. Not sure about QLD, but in NSW if you take the test in an auto, you can't drive a manual until after you get your full license unless you re-take the test.

[bolivr]

Been thinking about this too since my son is 17 soon.

I would say the ideal Rob is a front wheel drive (or all wheel drive) car with ABS, plenty of airbags and non-switchable ESC . I have lined up a 2008 Holden Astra for my son as it has these features. Ben doesn't want a hatchback which is a bit limiting and so as others have said would lead me towards the VW Jetta. Other choices in mind are Subaru Impreza or Liberty.

ESC or stability control is a brilliant feature on modern cars. It does a hell of a lot to prevent side impact and that's the one to take most measures to avoid since it is the hardest to deal with from the vehicle structure point of view and airbag effectiveness.

I have some colleagues who have worked on vehicle safety in the past and I will run the question past them too. Will come back to you Monday.

EDIT - Like the other guys here, I agree, older Volvo S40, newer Ford Focus (quite a surprising nice ride). I guess Toyota Aurion / Camry is not anywhere near cool enough though sensible

[mazolaman]

Does it also smell of chips as you drive by?

Yes!

When I start up in the morning,there's a definite take-away tang to the air!

This has become quite popular over hear now,as fuel is now £1.40/litre.

Even if you have to buy waste oil,it's only 65p/litre.

[Maron76]

Hey Rob. Cigars for a 2000 Mustang? Your son would be the coolest kid in school driving a Mustang straight from the States!