Good First Car??

Yeah you’ve seen lots of posts from people who’ve crashed cars and haven’t died. That’s as good as an engineering degree. You’ve got science figured right out.

 

Brother, you have no clue of what I am. And no clue of what degrees I have

 

Definitely scoop up a 2023 before they’re gone! Depending on what features and capabilities you want her to have, I would think a SR5 with the technology package (blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert) would be just fine!

 

I'll keep that in mind...

 

The guys that die can’t come on here to post about it, just sayin…

But yes the Tacoma does seem to be pretty safe as far as I can tell. Im sure the ‘24 will be even safer and hopefully get better gas mileage if that’s something of any concern. Only need to weigh the back down in snow but I don’t even do that and we get a lot of it where I live. I would get 4wd if it will see any snow/heavy rain or even if not cause it can get a bit squirrelly. She’ll have to learn how to properly operate the 4wd system but beyond what some people make it seem like on here it’s really not rocket science. Drives nicely on the highway and It’d be good for hauling sports equipment and friends around. I’m sure she’d probably be super excited to have the latest and greatest of the ‘24 but couldn’t complain about a ‘23. Plus I’d rather buy the last year of an older generation than the first of a new generation. They can be a bit more tricky to park or back up than some other vehicles I’ve owned and driven, kind of have low visibility combined with a few blind spots and it can be a bit hard to tell where you’re at if that makes any sense. Plus I don’t love the side mirrors. Something to consider when talking about a new female driver.

Either way, I’d have been stoked to have one in high school, plus your daughter will look like a bad ass.

 

Second this

Maybe a 4 cylinder 5-Speed Manual as well

 

Counterpoint, dead people don’t make posts.

 

Honda accord, Toyota Corolla.

Unless you are also giving her an unlimited gas card. Id say those other cars would be better.

Get something used, then hit it w a baseball bat a few times. Thia way its already pre dinged.

 

That’s what the soon to be New 24 Taco owners are here for to figure out the problems and report

 

If I had to choose again for my first car, a RAV4 would be great, that or a subaru. The Awd is really good for a new driver, plus being lower to the ground is great for handling, better on petrol to.

 

Well, since you are asking. First of all I would not buy her brand new car as first car.. You know its the first car, they need to understand how car works etc. So just get used 4runner or Taco, they have great value.

Now as far as the car, I think 4runner is way better choice than Tacoma. 4runner is way safer because it has boxed frame , they are like tanks really. Pickup truck for 16 year old first time driver is very odd, its long and has empty bed.

4runner has great capabilities and overall is more up to date. Doesn't matter which gen you get, they are all great. Just make sure check frame for rust.



( Not mine, from google )





If you do go with pick up truck, remember to always keep tailgate locked. They steal those, it comes out very easily.

 

agreed, but also the 24 will have more power - the slow 2023 may be better for a 16 y/o

 

Tell her to get a job and buy a beater like an proper teen

 

The more I think about it, the more I think ... used Corolla. My 2007 was replaced because I wanted a Tacoma ... that and I somewhat exaggerated the traumatic loss of the accessory belt (95% chance it was the tensioner which is a cheap fix). 250K miles. 32 MPG on most days of the week, tires are a 2-for-1 bargain over Tacoma. Insurance is cheaper, registration in states that charge based on vehicle value is less.

If she wants better, let her pay.

 

Is this a joke? Your buying her a new vehicle that is $40k + and she is trying to dictate what you get? First, stop with the new car buying. Get her a used car that is at least a few years old. Have her help pay for some of it and if she doesn't have the money make her get a job. America and her future husband will appreciate this. Wow, just wow!!

 

Give her 2 options

Option 1 ... 2016 Corolla
Option 2 ... 2023 moped

 

It's risky buying a brand new $40k+ vehicle for a 16 year old with no driving experience. But, if money is no object, a Tacoma would be a good choice from a safety and reliability standpoint. It's certainly better than any type of sports car where quick acceleration and speed is a concern.

 

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Not a counterpoint. That was the point I was making.

Saying every post on this forum about collisions is a post about people surviving crashes is a dumb way to conclude the vehicle is safe compared to other vehicles on the road. Think it through and use common sense. There are way safer vehicles out there. Doesn’t sound like money’s an issue. The bigger the better.

I’ve never read a post from someone who’s died in a car crash regardless of what vehicle they were in. If I died in a crash tomorrow, my wife sure as shit won’t sign on here to let you muppets know about it

 

Between the RAV and the CX30, the CX all day every day.

The way my parents and grandparents figured, the only reasons why a pickup was a good first vehicle was that it was cheap and that us kids couldn't be too distracted if there was no backseat to stuff our chatty friends into. But they are neither the easiest nor the safest vehicles to drive. Granted, the Tacoma of today is light years ahead of the used cars that one could buy in 1995 for a few hundred dollars, but it's also three times as powerful.

I was taught on the biggest cars in the family. Because if I could pilot a Bronco or a dually through traffic, I could drive anything. However, when it came time to solo, I was handed the keys to a small underpowered sedan.

This is my recommendation. CX30 with the slightly underpowered 2.5 natural. It's cute, it's reasonably priced, you can find very clean gently used examples, and it has a stellar safety rating. Keep in mind that whatever car a 16 year old has, the odds of that same car making it to the first year of college is quite low.

I was on my second car at the beginning of my freshman year, and my third by my sophomore. And that wasn't by choice. Keep that in mind when budgeting for a car, because there just might be another one needed immediately after.