Recommendations for a vehicle for a 17 year old for under 15K

Incredible. You mock your own government as being communist for offering a free lunch, even as you line up for one yourself.

 

Nothing wrong with someone getting some of the money back that was stolen from them.

 

Toyora anything as base search...

Opposite end of spectrum... Dodge

 

Easy now, stolen is a strong word there, son.

 

Toyota Corolla. Other than that I would say a 3rd year and up 3rd gen Tacoma with a 4-Banger, but he probably isn't going to find one for $15k unless it has excessive miles on it. Second choice would be an Accord, but only if it came with records confirming 5,000 mile oil and filter changes.

No Ford's, No Chevy Impalas, No Dodges.

 

Used Mazda 3 hatch. Edit: A while back I found a used Focus ST in great shape for less than 10.

Altimas are for people who hate their own cars.

 

Toyota corolla would be way better imo. Mine has 230k miles on it and its still awesome!

 

My daughter absolutely loves her 2010 Prius. We bought it for her as a college graduation gift with 100,000 miles on it 6 years ago. It has needed nothing but tires, brakes and CV boots. It’s somewhere around 225k now. It still runs and drives like new and it hasn’t rusted at all. She’s moving to Poland this summer, and I think my younger daughter is going to buy it. Style? Meh… 50+ mpg though? Lots of room? It’s been her friend-group road-trip machine since she got it. My coworker has one too. It’s been all over the USA on snowboarding and mountain biking trips. A Thule roof rack and some sports gear stickers make it oddly cool.

I worried about expensive hybrid repairs, but it’s been fantastic.

 

Lexus GS 350

 

We bought an 18 Impreza limited w/ tech package. The headlight are simply sifi! I don't see how they could ever be improved. They even track you turning. The lane control and advanced braking are UNMATCHED.The wife did trade it in for a soul crushing Prius, so what ever, at least its a Toyota

 

There are options at that price point...

 

One grandson just bought a 2000 one owner Camry with 200k on it for $2k. Everything works, interior decent shape and has a 10' paint job. No rust, no pending mechanical issues, maintained at an Indy shop the last 10 yrs or so.

Another grandson just bought a 2008 Altima 2.5SL with 115k for $4k. Sunroof, alloys, leather. Has a couple small bruises on the bumper covers, but again, everything works. It needs TPMS sensors and front rotors turned.

There are good values out there if you are patient and persistent.

BTW I had 0 to do with either choice. They wanted practical, reliable and low TCO starting by paying cash. At 16 and 17 I did think that was pretty savvy.

 

I’ve actually really come to like the Prius after initially thinking “soul crushing” was a good description. It’s like a Tacoma in a the way that it’s the perfect tool for a particular job that not everyone is interested in.

 

Insurance and gas prices come to mind.

Stay with Honda or Toyota, 4cyl and avoid cvt transmissions.

 

Yeah I'll admit 70 mpg is good. I never realized the hard core electric "greener than thous" absolutely despise gas/electric hybrids... that brings me joy. That and my pre DPF diesel pickup

note to o.p., this thread and the fact gen z's could care less about the cars they own remind me what an insurance agent once told me. You really need FULL coverage as there is a 100% chance of an accident. That advice has served our sons well

 

Wait, what, no more $500 Mustangs

 

That’s the problem.

In ‘85 sub-$1,000 cars were everywhere. I had Caddys, Camaros, trucks, vans… Plus, since I have always been decent with a wrench and bondo, I rarely kept them long, and I rarely sold them for less than I paid. It was almost like paying a security deposit on a free rental. My $1,000 ‘79 Fleetwood with the lifter tick was still a $1,000 car 6 months later, and the cash got me a ‘77 F150. I think that was before my Pontiac wagon? I had something like 20 cars in 10 years. Plus, you could fix them for $50 and your dad’s tools with photocopies from a library Chilton manual. lol!

 

Yeah, $500 for an 10 year old car with a V8/4 speed. as a 16 year old with a set of wrenches and a summer along with an additional $100 of paper route money. (clutch and bell housing was pre granaded).
Yes, the primer and flares went on a beautiful black paint....

 

i would buy back the outback, and run it. a 17 year old needs reliable wheels. not pretty wheels.

 

doesn't work for me! i've also eaten fast food, while texting, and shifting.