Suggestions on a first car for my 16 year old daughter
- Thread starter skidoolis
- Start date
stormbringr1
New member
In that class of car...2 door or 4 door is not going to matter on insurance...
Honestly--I'd go with whatever is out there that you can afford with the best reliability ratings...
For example a 10 year old Honda Civic or Accord is still more reliable than a 3 year old Chevy Lumina or other POS like that. An older Camry would also be a great choice. Because of the reliability factor primarily--these cars retain their value much better--so they cost a bit more--but you get it back again for the same reasons when you sell...
Honestly--I'd go with whatever is out there that you can afford with the best reliability ratings...
For example a 10 year old Honda Civic or Accord is still more reliable than a 3 year old Chevy Lumina or other POS like that. An older Camry would also be a great choice. Because of the reliability factor primarily--these cars retain their value much better--so they cost a bit more--but you get it back again for the same reasons when you sell...
Honda,Honda, Honda. As a fireman I've been to lots of wrecks and it seems each time we pull up on a 'bad one' and it's a Honda, the occupants are always out, walking around. I don't have any data to back this up, just the experience of seeing it firsthand, but I think the Hondas have good 'crumple zones' and absorb the impact, thus protecting the occupants. Plus I've owned 3, and the current Civic has 225,000 miles, still get 34 mpg and has been very little problem. Safe, reliable and fairly cheap.
booondocker
New member
When I put my daughters in cars, I NEVER considered a two door because of the safety factor with having a pillar in the middle of the car or not having one. They ALWAYS wanted the two door cars because they thought that they looked "cool".
I told them when they could afford to buy and maintain the car themselves they could buy what they wanted...but for now, I buy what I think is safe and reliable and they either live with it or they can go without. One took my advice and one kicked up a storm and would NOT drive what I brought home...so the NEXT car was a definite junker and she LEARNED to listen to dad.
I also believed that a few dollars saved on gas was NOT worth the safety of a bigger piece of iron around them. Anti lock brakes, air bags including side curtain are things I would have high on my list, because statistics say she WILL likely get into an accident and when that happens you can't be in a big enough machine.
Other than that....you can buy what you find to be decent and go from there. There are tons of good deals out there all over s/e michigan and a few weekends hunting around should do the trick.
Whatever you do...make sure those keys, have strings attached to them so that if she does do what she is supposed to do...the string can be pulled and it is an effective tool to get where "you" are going....cupppish?? But the time to lay down the rules, is before the keys are handed out.
I told them when they could afford to buy and maintain the car themselves they could buy what they wanted...but for now, I buy what I think is safe and reliable and they either live with it or they can go without. One took my advice and one kicked up a storm and would NOT drive what I brought home...so the NEXT car was a definite junker and she LEARNED to listen to dad.
I also believed that a few dollars saved on gas was NOT worth the safety of a bigger piece of iron around them. Anti lock brakes, air bags including side curtain are things I would have high on my list, because statistics say she WILL likely get into an accident and when that happens you can't be in a big enough machine.
Other than that....you can buy what you find to be decent and go from there. There are tons of good deals out there all over s/e michigan and a few weekends hunting around should do the trick.
Whatever you do...make sure those keys, have strings attached to them so that if she does do what she is supposed to do...the string can be pulled and it is an effective tool to get where "you" are going....cupppish?? But the time to lay down the rules, is before the keys are handed out.
76 ford f 350 with a 460 stick with buckets.1 bad millage cant go to far from home. 2big safe you know deep down she will smack up that 1st car. 3 bucket seats with stick shift we all know what can happen with a teen and a big seat.ps no topper no van no suv.3you dont need air bags with all that steel.4 can be had cheep so you dont feel so bad after she smacks it up.4 she will hate it and want a fancy car so it will give her a reason to get and keep a job to save money for the car she wants.5 when it breaks down you can make her go to the junk yard with you bitching all the way and show her how to fix it so she is not helpless little girl on the side of the road with no clue what the prob is latter in life and knows how to chaneg a tire or jump a car.I bet most kids now days could not open the hood.
mezz
Well-known member
2 dr, 4 dr, not really a huge impact on the insurance. The fact that the driver is 16 is the big issue as far as the insurance rate is concerned. The other factor to consider is with smaller cars, injurability to the occupants increases. Keep in mind, the big difference in foreign & domestic auto's are the price of parts, cost to repair should be a consideration. My advise to you would be to check the rate on the vehicle(s) you are considering & make your decision from there. Too often I come across the scenerio of premium shock when a customer goes out & picks up "a real great deal" & finds out later the insurance is going to set them back. This is especially true when your talking about a youthful driver. Shop the car & check the premium before you decide.-Mezz
Here's the thing with insurance, don't do anything. Don't add her to your policy and don't have her get insurance in her own name. Get her a car and insure it under your policy. If she's a licensed driver, driving your insured car then she's fine. Here's an example, if you let your friend borrow your car and he smashes it, is your insurance company going to cover it? Yes, because you're insuring the car and not the driver. So the same would apply with your daughter. I've got a 15 year old with a permit and 2 neighbors (both police officers) gave me this advice.
Pat,
While that is perfectly legal, the insurance company isn't getting their premium for the exposure. In the event of an accident there will be a lot of red flags with an unlisted driver. the policy will probably be non-renewed and the person will have a hard time findig insurance at a reasonable rate in the future for some time.
While that is perfectly legal, the insurance company isn't getting their premium for the exposure. In the event of an accident there will be a lot of red flags with an unlisted driver. the policy will probably be non-renewed and the person will have a hard time findig insurance at a reasonable rate in the future for some time.
mezz
Well-known member
pat, being in the business of insurance, it is too risky to take that chance, especially in today's enviroment. Furthermore, you are incorrect in the statement "your insuring the car and not the driver". In Michigan, the No-Fault law covers the the driver as well under the PIP (personal injury protection) coverage which is your medical coverage. This coverage is unlimited in medical expense thanks to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Assessment fee that is charged on all policies in the state of Michigan. If the insured has a Primary Medical Policy i.e. Blue Cross Blue Shield, it will coordinate benefits as well as take care of Co-pay's & Deductibles. If the primary medical coverage does not pay for auto related accidents, if coverage were to be denied, you could find yourself in a world of hurt with a life-time injury. With technology utilized today, most companies will find out about the youthful operator, and if they don't, is it really worth taking the risk of possibly having coverage denied in the event of an accident? Are your neighbor Police Officers professional insurance agents? Because they are Police & giving this advise, does it make it right? Will that change the insuring companies mind in the event of an accident resulting in bodily injury, property damage &/or a lawsuit? Not good advise to follow.-Mezz