BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums General Automotive (non-BMW) Talk + Photos/Videos I need ideas for a $15,000 car for an 18 year old

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-22-2020, 11:19 AM   #67
GenXer
Major
United_States
1351
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: Like a bat out of hell.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: here and there

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Do you love your kid and value your money?

If yes
1. Used Toyota Corolla
2. Used Honda Civic
3. New Hyundai elantra

If no
1. Used Mercedes S class
2. Used BMW 7 series
3. Used Jaguar X Type
4. Jeep Compass or anything owned by FIAT at this point
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2020, 11:31 AM   #68
chenry
Colonel
United_States
2346
Rep
2,964
Posts

Drives: BMWs
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SoCal Huntington Beach

iTrader: (8)

My Sons first car was a last generation toyota corolla -
  • safe
  • reliable
  • not fast enough to get into much trouble
  • normally aspirated
  • decent insurance premium
  • great resale
  • cheap to maintain
  • great mpg

But it had a CVT...i truly despise CVT transmissions

Wonderful first car
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2020, 04:43 PM   #69
osteome
Major
osteome's Avatar
United_States
195
Rep
1,275
Posts

Drives: 2020 X5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Germany

iTrader: (4)

Honda CRV: they made and sold so many of them that they are easy to find in the used market and cross shop them at dealers. I had one as the winter car to my former M3 and our son has one now. AWD, reliable, safe, and adequately underpowered to keep the kid and the insurance company in balance.

If you want something with the same formula but with a stick, then look at a used Honda Fit. It will be a little smaller and FWD, but is incredibly well packaged.

Our first CRV was a stick, but alas that is not longer an option. Living in Germany at the moment, does make a tad bit jealous of the diesel stick CRVs that the Europeans got.
__________________
2022 M4 Competition ConvertibleDravit / Tartufo Full / Carbon Fiber Exterior...loaded
2020 X5:MW/Coffee Extended Merino, M Sport, B&W....loaded
2007 X3: Sapphire Black / Black loaded 6 speed
Gone: M3 E93 Silverstone II over Bamboo
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2022, 02:53 PM   #70
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
Update: I ended up getting one twin a Honda civic, gray, nice car. The other one got a Hyundai Elantra, A total cream puff with less than 20,000 miles on it. Dark red. And get this, when totaled last year by hail storm, we got $18,000 for it, and that would not buy as nice a car as the original. We went with the same car, except black, with 50,000 miles on it.
Appreciate 1
      05-24-2022, 03:15 PM   #71
M-technik-3
Major
2005
Rep
1,445
Posts

Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: western Ma

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1995 M3  [9.00]
2007 E91  [7.25]
1988 M3  [9.50]
Nothing special.
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2022, 06:12 PM   #72
Torgus
Slow.
Torgus's Avatar
United_States
3779
Rep
7,150
Posts

Drives: Single Turbo N54 on Meth!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2007 BMW E92  [10.00]
2007 BMW E90  [0.00]
2006 BMW E91  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Blood View Post
when totaled last year by hail storm, we got $18,000 for it, and that would not buy as nice a car as the original.
Do you mean with zero miles brand new because that is not what they are legally bound to do.

Most insurance companies have to by law give you the replacement value of the car. They say it is worth 10k a comparable one with your options and miles is 15k. If you have an option that is rare this really plays into your favor. They have to pay you 15k the replacement value of the car. That is why you have insurance. I have argued with insurance many time when they try to give you crap for your car. Another way they rape customers.

The question is literally find me the make model miles and options for the price you are giving me. They rarely do.
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2022, 07:59 PM   #73
StradaRedlands
Colonel
StradaRedlands's Avatar
United_States
4754
Rep
2,867
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [8.21]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ...  [7.90]
2013 BMW X5 35i  [7.63]
2011 BMW 528i  [8.75]
2006 Mazda3  [5.50]
Late to conversation, but three options I think of:
Mazda 3 w/ MT if they like dependable yet sporty.
Crosstrek w/ MT if they are into the REI lifestyle.
Finally, Prius: Ubiquitous, low maintenance, slow AF, great mileage, decent insurance costs.
That said, I did the exact opposite and got my kid a high mileage E91 slushbox.
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2022, 09:42 PM   #74
gunsmoker
Second Lieutenant
282
Rep
273
Posts

Drives: 2016 M3
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Mansfield, MA

iTrader: (1)

Toyota Corolla safe? Seriously? I was given such a loaner a few years back and on a twisty road I found myself driving on 2 wheels. Then I had a Scion tC. The rear end of that thing was so light that I spun on a highway once in dry weather and a couple of times in winter conditions. A stiffer ARB fixed the problem. I think toyotas are among the most unsafe cars due to compromized handling in favor of ride quality. I bought my son a Veloster Turbo for 15k when he got his driver's license.
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2022, 10:05 PM   #75
Drop the hammer
First Lieutenant
249
Rep
391
Posts

Drives: '17 F87 M2 AW, Dct
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Honda Civic SI manual. Start the kids off with something that develops their love of a manual transmission.
15k will get you a decent one in mint condition. My kid was reluctant at first with the manual, he didn’t understand why all vehicles are not autos. But after a month of driving it, he said he now understands how driving a manual is way more an engaging experience. Patted myself on the back when I heard that!
Appreciate 1
      05-25-2022, 12:23 AM   #76
dangerus_car
Banned
257
Rep
666
Posts

Drives: F30
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: earth

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Torgus View Post
Do you mean with zero miles brand new because that is not what they are legally bound to do.

Most insurance companies have to by law give you the replacement value of the car. They say it is worth 10k a comparable one with your options and miles is 15k. If you have an option that is rare this really plays into your favor. They have to pay you 15k the replacement value of the car. That is why you have insurance. I have argued with insurance many time when they try to give you crap for your car. Another way they rape customers.

The question is literally find me the make model miles and options for the price you are giving me. They rarely do.
question about insurance replacement, is it possible when a car is totaled, you can ask insurance to replace you with the same car year and model (probably different mileage and color) and not just accepting cash options?

so in his case, i would rather get the exact car with the same mileage rather than 50k mileage, definitely a loss on my end when my car is newer
Appreciate 0
      05-25-2022, 07:24 PM   #77
Hegge
Banned
880
Rep
790
Posts

Drives: 2020 BMW M2 CS
Join Date: May 2015
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drop the hammer View Post
Honda Civic SI manual. Start the kids off with something that develops their love of a manual transmission.
15k will get you a decent one in mint condition. My kid was reluctant at first with the manual, he didn’t understand why all vehicles are not autos. But after a month of driving it, he said he now understands how driving a manual is way more an engaging experience. Patted myself on the back when I heard that!
Terrible idea. New cars won’t be offered with a manual transmission too much longer.
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2022, 02:41 AM   #78
mdf
Private
279
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2018 230i
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Old thread but for anyone who might be shopping with a similar budget or for a teen: Consumer Reports has an article "Best Used Cars for Teens Under $20,000" available via MSN https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/rese...000/ar-AAXJTWa .
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2022, 03:58 AM   #79
Tambohamilton
Brigadier General
3045
Rep
3,899
Posts

Drives: E91 330d
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Herefordshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hegge View Post
Terrible idea. New cars won’t be offered with a manual transmission too much longer.
It's not like driving a manual prevents you from driving any other car...

Most of us drive cars with IC engines, and they won't be for sale that much longer
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2022, 04:41 AM   #80
e90335e36m3
M3
1426
Rep
725
Posts

Drives: M3s
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Earth

iTrader: (4)

I was looking for a DD back in 2015, wanted to spend as little as possible (ideally under $10K), for as low a mileage car as possible, features did not really matter, just wanted a DD that would be reliable for a while.
Didn't take me long to find a 2014 Chevy Sonic, 9K miles, 10K dollars. As base as it gets, no leather, no power anything (even windows), manual transmission (not my first choice for a DD). But it fit the bill, bought it in cash on the spot, liability insurance only.
This car is pretty practical, gets 37 MPG, has been reliable (maybe $1,000 spent in non-maintenance care). I'm sitting at 87K miles, the car was purchased in TX, spent a year and a half in CT and harsh winters, then Charlotte and San Diego.
Best DD ever and don't have any plans to sell. Will buy again, only in automatic form.
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 1
      05-26-2022, 08:03 AM   #81
Torgus
Slow.
Torgus's Avatar
United_States
3779
Rep
7,150
Posts

Drives: Single Turbo N54 on Meth!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2007 BMW E92  [10.00]
2007 BMW E90  [0.00]
2006 BMW E91  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerus_car View Post
question about insurance replacement, is it possible when a car is totaled, you can ask insurance to replace you with the same car year and model (probably different mileage and color) and not just accepting cash options?

so in his case, i would rather get the exact car with the same mileage rather than 50k mileage, definitely a loss on my end when my car is newer
I mean they are not going to buy and register a car for you.

They will give you the cash to replace the car. All you have to do is talk to them. Every time it was a VERY easy process. I picked a 200 mile radius and then looked for cars for sale with my EXACT options. Then sent them the links. They have tried to screw me by over 5k before.

Never take the 1st offer in almost anything in life. Everything is negotiable.
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2022, 08:11 AM   #82
SpacegrayMe90
First Lieutenant
130
Rep
364
Posts

Drives: 2010 e90M3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow View Post
I say a manual car and make it a car not a truck/suv/crossover

A manual keeps people from being stupid. You can't drive it when intoxicated. Your jackass friends can't drive it either because they don't know how to. You can't eat pizza or do your makeup while driving a stick shift either

A car also helps avoid people from doing stupid things. In a car you have a better feel for your mortality when 18 wheelers pass you by.

There are plenty of cars with manuals in your price range, Mini Coopers, Civics, etc
Spot on! However, you do have idiot drunks who have crashed a manual.
Appreciate 1
SYT_Shadow11421.00
      05-26-2022, 08:20 AM   #83
CarsAndGuitars
Lieutenant
2061
Rep
544
Posts

Drives: 2022 M240i
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: South FL

iTrader: (0)

The newest / best condition Honda or Hyundai you can find in your budget. Can't go wrong with a later model Civic, CRV, Sonata, or Elantra. Model is mostly subjective at this point to your likes and needs.

Someone mentioned the CVT transmission, which I also despise. That said, two of my kids (young adults) drive civics and are very happy with them. So beyond gentle suggestions, I've learned not to project my fairly strong car preferences / opinions onto my kids. I just limit my advice to guiding them towards quality and reliability, but of their liking.
__________________
2022 BMW M240i Portimao
Gone: 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T | 2018 Audi A5 SportBack | 2015 Challenger Scat Pack | 2011 Mustang V6 | numerous others..
Appreciate 1
      05-27-2022, 12:21 PM   #84
Sublime00
Banned
1129
Rep
662
Posts

Drives: Car
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Ny

iTrader: (0)

Honda Fit w/ stick.
Mazda 3 hatch
IS250/IS300/IS350.
Appreciate 0
      05-28-2022, 09:42 PM   #85
danny387
New Member
United_States
7
Rep
23
Posts

Drives: 2010 135i
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Miami, Florida

iTrader: (2)

Meh - too late to the party it seems, but Subaru WRX or legacy would have both fit well here.
Appreciate 0
      05-28-2022, 10:34 PM   #86
stein_325i
Ring Leader of G8X Haters
stein_325i's Avatar
No_Country
25051
Rep
8,761
Posts

Drives: A Car
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: All-Around

iTrader: (0)

Two years later and now in the current market $15k gets you jack s*** compared to early pandemic prices. I just saw a POS Fiesta with 60k miles on it for $16k today! They couldn't sell these for that brand new!
__________________
Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300
Appreciate 2
      05-29-2022, 12:21 PM   #87
StradaRedlands
Colonel
StradaRedlands's Avatar
United_States
4754
Rep
2,867
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [8.21]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ...  [7.90]
2013 BMW X5 35i  [7.63]
2011 BMW 528i  [8.75]
2006 Mazda3  [5.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by e90335e36m3 View Post
I was looking for a DD back in 2015, wanted to spend as little as possible (ideally under $10K), for as low a mileage car as possible, features did not really matter, just wanted a DD that would be reliable for a while.
Didn't take me long to find a 2014 Chevy Sonic, 9K miles, 10K dollars. As base as it gets, no leather, no power anything (even windows), manual transmission (not my first choice for a DD). But it fit the bill, bought it in cash on the spot, liability insurance only.
This car is pretty practical, gets 37 MPG, has been reliable (maybe $1,000 spent in non-maintenance care). I'm sitting at 87K miles, the car was purchased in TX, spent a year and a half in CT and harsh winters, then Charlotte and San Diego.
Best DD ever and don't have any plans to sell. Will buy again, only in automatic form.
Nothing wrong with that! Your post reminded me of this article just posted last week: https://www.theautopian.com/the-key-...r-is-the-king/
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2022, 07:33 AM   #88
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
16942
Rep
18,578
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow View Post
I say a manual car and make it a car not a truck/suv/crossover

A manual keeps people from being stupid. You can't drive it when intoxicated. Your jackass friends can't drive it either because they don't know how to. You can't eat pizza or do your makeup while driving a stick shift either

A car also helps avoid people from doing stupid things. In a car you have a better feel for your mortality when 18 wheelers pass you by.

There are plenty of cars with manuals in your price range, Mini Coopers, Civics, etc
I know this post is 2 years old but...What? Can't drive a manual when intoxicated? LOL. I beg to differ.
__________________
A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
Appreciate 1
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:24 AM.




bmw
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST