What's The BEST Car For A FIRST-Time Driver? NEW vs. OLD vs. CLUNKER

Not a car, but a scooter/moped. Enough power and size to use in the city but not enough to really kill anyone else.

Used honda civic

A 2006 or newer because of safer crash standards, I must agree.

Wt does that hav to do with Civic

U could pick a Pruis etc

The civic is safer and cheaper, the Prius is better on fuel and slower, it probably is still relatively safe, but just not a top pick by the insurance institute..

Used low mileage Toyota camry late 90's to earyl 2000's with the bulletproof 5S-FE 2.2l 4 cylinder. Very simple, Very fuel efficient and super reliable.

A used mazda3 because the steering is very tight and easy to drive, nice quality and reliable. I would say the 2.3 litre engine def.

Drivers are very lucky to be in the US when shopping for a first car - compared to here in Australia, it's very cheap! Used, but low mileage Holden (Chevrolet in the States) Cruze is a good choice down here. Too many provisional learners hooning about in rubbish-boxes with big engines that wrap themselves around trees and die too often because the older cars do not have any safety features. Cruze here has EBD, ESP, ABS, 8 airbags, ASC, MP3 integration, leather seats, alloys, fog lamps, heated seats standard. Even then, we would expect to pay $15,000 AUD for such a car used here (basically $16,000 USD). Over in the States and even the UK you can pick up a 6-7 year old used car from a better brand that is probably safer (i.e. BMW 3, Mercedes C) for less than we pay for a Cruze! Be grateful!

A newer vehicle with a good crash standard , one of the top safety picks , as long as the vehicle isn't too fast.

A newer vehicle with a good crash standard , one of the top safety picks , as long as the vehicle isn't too fast.

Can you spell T-R-U-C-K !!!!!!!!

Forgot to mention that the T-R-U-C-K should have a manual transmission so junior or missy cannot talk on phone, tweeter, eat, put on mascara,
etc etc while driving !!!!!

Oh..but watch them try.

Good driver's training course and an old car that is safe, stable and reasonably fun to drive.

Whatever they can afford times two. I'm willing to double his down payment. But there is no way they are getting a car without saving/earning it. They simply won't respect it if they are given it for free.

I bought a 00' Ford Explorer with 150k on it. 2 years later, it still runs great. I paid it all by myself and take really good care of it. First time drivers don't need new cars, especially if friends and everyone in the world is going to be in and out, it'll only be ruined.

Any car with a manual transmission.
Best way to turn a first car driver to a good car driver.
The main activity is driving and becoming one with the car.
Not texting, not the radio, not make-up, not grooming, not the cellphone.