Help an 18 yr old pick her first vehicle!

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I'd get the airbags. I've never used mine, but I've also never been in a gunfight in the US. Still carry my CCW...

[Hunter213]

Majorhavoc: I'm only 22 and my truck is quite large. It sit on 35s and has a v8 350. My first vehicle was a 72 Chevy k when I was 14. And I grew up driving my dads 70s jacked up ford. So yeah why not? Just make sure you know your youngins know how to be safe. I've never been in an accident that's my fault yet and I am no where near safe when I drive it's all about teaching your kids.

That being said I wholly agree with tperkins. It's the same with anyone. If you grew up in the city and never learned how to drive or if you've only ever driven compacts don't get in a lifted truck or Ferrari and expect to be great at it

[Tater Raider]

Check out a VW Rabbit pickup. Yes, there is such a thing.

[Dawgboy]

How about an Isuzu Trooper or truck. They imported a lot of diesels. The truck was called the "pup"... Not real gutsy, but 30MPG in a trooper ain't bad. They were great off road too.

Or a Volvo diesel. Not cheap to repair though.

Gave my boy a Volvo for a first car and he hated it, but none of his friends had a car, so he was the leader of the pack. It got totaled when he got rear ended on a ski trip and nobody in the volve got hurt, but the chick in the ford ranger went to the hospital with a broken face from the impact. No airbag is a real talking point to bring up...

[Hanzo]

Make her drive something crappy that she doesn't like, this way when she gets a nice car she will love and appreciate it.

[hkusp1]

I'm gonna tell you what my parents told me "I want in one hand and shit in the other see which one fills up first" take what you get and be happy about it.

[Scout308]

Okay, here's the deal...
My step-daughter is about to turn 18. Her dad plans to give her one of his cars that he currently does not use.
Problem: The ONLY thing he drives are Mercedes sedans built between 1968 and 1986 and they HAVE to be diesel.
He plans to eventually convert her sedans into alternative fuel vehicles (greasol). He has 3 Mercedes sedans.
That's cool and all,but the kid wants something a bit more...."fun" and appropriate for her than a heavy tank,lol!
She really does not like these old,bulky sedans.
Her dad has told her she can sell/trade the Mercedes IF:
Vehicle she gets does NOT have the "computer brainbox",etc. It has to be from pre-1986.
It MUST be diesel.
She is open to small pick-ups,cars,vans,whatever.
Suggestions we can research? We have until the end of March.

Yikes - ahh 1980-1983 Toyota FJ40 - The the 4.0L diesel (HJ47) - Possible Cool factor - diesel, not fast but it will get out of it's own way (more or less), useful, there's a whole after market industry for these as well. Beyond that - I'm stumped. the pre-1986 + diesel requirement makes it hard.

[alptraum]

I'd get the airbags. I've never used mine, but I've also never been in a gunfight in the US. Still carry my CCW...

I'm with you, though I have had my airbags deploy on me once. Modern cars are generally much safer with airbags, crumple zones, and other various modern safety tech then a well made large older vehicle. Most newer cars are substantially safer then cars of even 20 years ago. As to the car selection it's pretty restrictive. With modern diesels becoming more common that isn't such an issue, but the pre '86 computer thing is a pretty big restriction.

[Tater Raider]

Modern cars are generally much safer with airbags, crumple zones, and other various modern safety tech then a well made large older vehicle. Most newer cars are substantially safer then cars of even 20 years ago. As to the car selection it's pretty restrictive. With modern diesels becoming more common that isn't such an issue, but the pre '86 computer thing is a pretty big restriction.

Agreed.

I also wanted to add that like many others I had to buy my first vehicle.

The thought keeps popping in my head that once the title is in her name and she hits 18 she can sell whatever it is she has and get something different, and that would be the direction I'd lean were I in the girl's possition.

[Shoden]

A Suzuki Samurai with a VW diesel swapped in could be a fun and efficient, if not exactly safe, option. Check out these links for some info on them:

http://acmeadapters.com/index.php

"What is the best VW engine to use?
The most common of the 4 cylinder VW engines are the 1.8 gas, 1.6 diesel turbo and non-turbo from 1981-1992. Acme recommends the 1.6 non-turbo for the best fuel mileage (as much as 43 mpg)"

http://www.rocky-road.com/diesel.html

You could also look at the 90's Suzuki Sidekick/Geo Tracker twins, which can take the same swap as the Samurai, but which are a bit less tippy and slightly safer, but I honestly don't know what electronics are replaced when doing the swap. I'm guessing swapping in a pre-86 VW engine would take care of that issue though.

[colinz]

The two prime criteria for a teen's first car, as outlined by no less an automotive authority than Tom and Ray Magliozzi, AKA Click and Clack the Tappet bothers, are as follows:

1) It has to be really, really safe.
2) It has to be really, really uncool.

Why 2)? Because if she's with friends doing things you really don't want to know about, and there's a choice of vehicles, any choice at all, they won't be in her car, which means she won't be the one who's driving.

I'd add to the list 3) reliable and 4) cheap to repair. This conundrum screams a well worn Toyota Camry sedan. She'll thank you for it some day.

I'm with this.

If she was my daughter I wouldn't want her driving a big, heavy, bad handling, takes-ages-to-stop pre-1986 Mercedes Sedan. Regardless of how 'apparently' safe they may be.

I think that the 'no computers' requirement is a bit insert appropriate adjective here, seeing as;
A. An 'EMP' is a pretty unlikely event (IMO), and
B. If it's because of the cost of replacing a burnt out ECU, stop and think about how much the old Merc parts cost, and how often things will break on it.

If you want safety stick with the Benz. I was in a rollover in a mid 80s benz. That car barley had any dents in it. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt but was perfectly fine and the car rolled three times and ended up side down in a 5 foot ditch. I walked it off and was fine.

Anecdote != Anecdata. Your ass was lucky it didn't get thrown out of the vehicle during a rollover while not wearing a seatbelt.

[Mad_Maxx]

If your old Mercedeses are heavy to drive and breaks down all the time, you are doing it wrong Unless its an S-class riddled with 80`s electronics, then it sounds about right

[DarkAxel]

I know this doesn't fall within your parameters, OP, but what about and old VW Bug? They are stupid simple to work on, handle real well, and can run on woodgas as an alternative fuel.

[Shaper]

1. Chevy K5 Blazer with 6.2 liter Diesel.

2. The paranoid or over protective parent could then add a 5 point harness and a roll cage. (Air bags, schmair bags)

3. Winning!

...Only a Bradley fighting vehicle would be slightly safer, and more awesome.

[VeniVidiVici]

(Cringe) A Dodge PU with a Cummings diesel comes to mind, but then my idea of fun may not be the same as a 18 Y/O high school kid. However, you are in Texas, land of big hats, big belt buckles and big trucks.

There were no Dodge pickups with the Cummins option from 1968-1986. All Dodge pickups with the Cummins diesel have an ECM or a computer from the factory. The older first gen trucks are pretty expensive for what they are and don't meet the criteria for a small pick up either. They sit up far to high for most females even without a lift. I'm over 6ft and have long legs. My truck is difficult to get into with 33's on the stock suspension. These trucks are pretty difficult to drive and don't turn very well with decent sized tires. The ride is absolutely terrible and they don't stop very well. Nearly all old trucks have been beat up from working for the past 20 years and are extremely uncool.The only US made Dodge trucks worth having as a daily driver are the 1994-2002 Dodges with a Cummins but, they don't meet any of the OP's criteria either.

[88sport]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

this video shows that just because it's older and bigger and heavier, it doesn't automatically lead to safety. because you are looking at older cars, be mindful of the advances in technology that have occurred since the car was built.

[MaconCJ7]

1. Chevy K5 Blazer with 6.2 liter Diesel.

2. The paranoid or over protective parent could then add a 5 point harness and a roll cage. (Air bags, schmair bags)

3. Winning!

...Only a Bradley fighting vehicle would be slightly safer, and more awesome.

^ That, plus a turbo and it'll be alright. The 6.2 is a giant pos, imho, but that's because of the lack of turbo. The 6.5 turbo was still gutless by today's standards, but was awesome when it came out (0-60 in 18 seconds with my Dad's 6.5 2500). A good cage and harness are where it's at if you're stuck with an old vehicle. Just remember that a cage is a single use item. If she rolls it, she needs a new cage, even if it 'looks' fine.

[Shaper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

this video shows that just because it's older and bigger and heavier, it doesn't automatically lead to safety. because you are looking at older cars, be mindful of the advances in technology that have occurred since the car was built.

This is true...but nothing is safer than a 5 point harness and a properly built roll cage.

[Blackhawk_tactical]

I know I'm a bit late, but did you say FREE!

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

[Shaper]

1. Chevy K5 Blazer with 6.2 liter Diesel.

2. The paranoid or over protective parent could then add a 5 point harness and a roll cage. (Air bags, schmair bags)

3. Winning!

...Only a Bradley fighting vehicle would be slightly safer, and more awesome.

^ That, plus a turbo and it'll be alright. The 6.2 is a giant pos, imho, but that's because of the lack of turbo. The 6.5 turbo was still gutless by today's standards, but was awesome when it came out (0-60 in 18 seconds with my Dad's 6.5 2500). A good cage and harness are where it's at if you're stuck with an old vehicle. Just remember that a cage is a single use item. If she rolls it, she needs a new cage, even if it 'looks' fine.

Yes! The 6.2 is a solid, yet gutless motor...which is exactly why it would be perfect for an 18 year old girl.

[Valarius]

http://www.craigslist.org



No need to thank me. I'll be one of the things your daughter doesn't want you to know she's doing.

[nyarlotep]

I'm giving my son the car I bought from my brother when he upgraded. Cheap, reliable, not flashy (Chevy Cavalier), decent mileage. Has airbags. And not enough room to fit many friends in.

[Tater Raider]

Have you reached a decision on this, Lambykins?

[Viper shtf]

This may sound a bit harsh and im ok with that. If she don't like it tell her to fuck off.. Who the fuck bitches about a free Mercedes?

This.