BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   7Post - 7 Series Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General Automotive (non-BMW) Talk + Photos/Videos

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-16-2019, 01:59 PM   #1
UglyBuzzard
Colonel
UglyBuzzard's Avatar
United_States
6354
Rep
2,329
Posts

Drives: F90 / M5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

First car for new teen driver - Dodge Charger V6?

Thoughts on reliability, safety, etc... ?

Getting a V6 version for son's first car. Seems like a solid car and not too fast or slow with V6.

Can these be tuned or modded for more than show? I know it's not a V8 but for 16 year old, could be fun.

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 03:36 PM   #2
TrAcK TRaP
bOrN To DiE
United_States
413
Rep
1,738
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Honda civic? V-tec FTW
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 03:52 PM   #3
pikkagtr
Go Spurs Go
pikkagtr's Avatar
United_States
3847
Rep
2,867
Posts

Drives: 2022 GR Zupra
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (-1)

Mk7 gti
Super fun
Cheap
And quality is top notch for a sub $27k car
Can be had for less than $25k if you look around
Appreciate 3
      06-16-2019, 04:25 PM   #4
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pikkagtr View Post
Mk7 gti
Super fun
Cheap
And quality is top notch for a sub $27k car
Can be had for less than $25k if you look around
General rule of thumb is "30/30" as in if you are under 30 years old and/or looking to spend under $30K get a GTI. It is the right answer 99% of the time.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon
2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
Appreciate 4
pikkagtr3847.00
Red Bread4462.00
gatorfast4969.00
P111541.50
      06-16-2019, 04:40 PM   #5
yco
i'm just saying
yco's Avatar
5723
Rep
2,634
Posts

Drives: E71 X6M '10 (sold)
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Istanbul & Kyiv

iTrader: (0)

i dont think its a right for a 16 year old.. something more nimble and holistic will be better i believe.. GTI can be a nice choice..
__________________
"Race car driving is like sex. All guys think they're good at it." Jay Leno
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 04:45 PM   #6
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

something with maximum safety and tolerable but NOT high performance. I would not give a new driver a charger. I would look for something around 200 HP.

During my son's first year driving his car was hit when another teenage blew through a stop sign and went into my son's Elantra. The Elantra in turn hit a jeep flipping it over. It turns out the major injury was to the teenager who blew by the stop sign (broken arm). It wasn't my son's fault but a more experienced driver might have been better monitoring the side streets even though they had stop signs.

My point is that there is more to safety than just trying to be a safe driver. Experience matters and until that experience is developed, I would look for something like a Honda Civic or Accord, a Toyota Camry or Corolla or Rav4, etc.

Too much HP at an early stage of driving experience can be problematic.
Appreciate 2
      06-16-2019, 04:57 PM   #7
Suds
/M Enthusiast
Suds's Avatar
United_States
1596
Rep
1,617
Posts

Drives: Responsiblish
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Lone Star State

iTrader: (1)

My kids first cars were used, no need to spend too much money on a car that's deemed to get scraped or dented.
__________________
2019 M2 Comp, Alpine White, DCT, track car build, 1/2 cage, AP Racing Brakes & Nitron Coilovers, BM3 Stage 1 93 Oct.
2018 Porsche Cayman GTS, Night Blue Metalic, PDK, COBB tuned 93 Oct.
2004 Audi A4 Avant USP 6mt, RS4 clutch, built motor, Garrett GT3071r "Big Ass Turbo" Motoza Tune
Appreciate 5
ItsGary1456.50
King Rudi13152.00
vtown99.00
alex23642846.50
      06-16-2019, 05:09 PM   #8
UglyBuzzard
Colonel
UglyBuzzard's Avatar
United_States
6354
Rep
2,329
Posts

Drives: F90 / M5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

I guess I am bias. My first car was a 66 Mustang GT HiPo. Wish I still had it.

We need a full size as he is 6'3 and still growing. All his friends are lineman as well.

Not buying new. Probably a 2015. I was impressed with how well the charger drove and it seemed tight.

Regrading RAV4 or any SUV, prefer lower center of gravity for first time driver.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 05:26 PM   #9
RTPenland
Lieutenant
394
Rep
552
Posts

Drives: Many BMWs
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: East & West Coasts

iTrader: (0)

F30 328
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 05:40 PM   #10
Relegate
Track Addict
United_States
29
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: 2012 135i, 2013 X5 35d
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Philadelphia Area

iTrader: (0)

Some insurance companies will wallop a young driver in a GTI on rates. It depends on the kid. My first car was a 1980 MGB because that was the spare car. Unsafe money pit but the girls liked the convertible aspect... my next car was a Jeep Cherokee.

E36 325is.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 05:50 PM   #11
Mason Hatcher
Captain
United_States
1033
Rep
651
Posts

Drives: BMW 230i
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FW-TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
something with maximum safety and tolerable but NOT high performance. I would not give a new driver a charger. I would look for something around 200 HP.

During my son's first year driving his car was hit when another teenage blew through a stop sign and went into my son's Elantra. The Elantra in turn hit a jeep flipping it over. It turns out the major injury was to the teenager who blew by the stop sign (broken arm). It wasn't my son's fault but a more experienced driver might have been better monitoring the side streets even though they had stop signs.

My point is that there is more to safety than just trying to be a safe driver. Experience matters and until that experience is developed, I would look for something like a Honda Civic or Accord, a Toyota Camry or Corolla or Rav4, etc.

Too much HP at an early stage of driving experience can be problematic.
Can't say this loud enough
Appreciate 2
      06-16-2019, 05:51 PM   #12
RTPenland
Lieutenant
394
Rep
552
Posts

Drives: Many BMWs
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: East & West Coasts

iTrader: (0)

ps- for insurance buy a thrasher car a 1995 mazda as an example (something less than $1000) - put liability only on it and make your teen the main driver on that vehicle. Buy the new car (your kids car) under your name and the insurance company will allow your teen to drive "your car" whenever they want with your same coverage - you will save thousands
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2019, 06:13 PM   #13
natahoa
Retired soccer mom
natahoa's Avatar
United_States
252
Rep
937
Posts

Drives: x5 40i 2019
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Rural Eastern MD (Eastern Shore/Delmarva)

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
You give new driver your oldest beater and then buy yourself a nice new dream car. Tell him/her that is he/she wants a new car, or a Dodge Charger, get a job.

That is how you build a responsible adult.
Appreciate 5
King Rudi13152.00
vtown99.00
DETRoadster11446.00
jninja514.50
      06-17-2019, 07:48 PM   #14
Crimson92
Smiling Politely
Crimson92's Avatar
United_States
1380
Rep
29,118
Posts

Drives: Like a boss
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Whales Vagina

iTrader: (3)

E46 330 could be had for a few grand.

Easy to maintain.

Grab one with a manual and teach the kid how to really drive and one day he can turn it in to a race car.
__________________
Quote:
Some people are like slinkies...not really good for much but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs"
Appreciate 1
vtown99.00
      06-17-2019, 08:10 PM   #15
JohnnyCanuck
Major
Canada
1254
Rep
1,352
Posts

Drives: 2018 Audi RS3
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (1)

Doesn't have to be a GTi, but buy something with a stick while you still can. Simply put, being a new driver with a stick will make him a better driver forever. There are other Golf/Jettas with sticks. Mazda 3. Ford Focus.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2019, 09:11 AM   #16
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck View Post
Doesn't have to be a GTi, but buy something with a stick while you still can. Simply put, being a new driver with a stick will make him a better driver forever. There are other Golf/Jettas with sticks. Mazda 3. Ford Focus.
I disagree. Driving is not easy and requires lots of attention not only to the car and its behavior but to what others are doing as well. I think adding shifting a manual transmission is not a good idea for a new driver.

I would stick with an automatic. After a couple of years, then I would teach him to drive the manual. If you want him to start learning earlier, buy one with paddle shifters.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2019, 09:40 AM   #17
UglyBuzzard
Colonel
UglyBuzzard's Avatar
United_States
6354
Rep
2,329
Posts

Drives: F90 / M5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by natahoa View Post
You give new driver your oldest beater and then buy yourself a nice new dream car. Tell him/her that is he/she wants a new car, or a Dodge Charger, get a job.

That is how you build a responsible adult.
I am financing a small portion so he can see what payment obligations are like. If he does not work in some way, for us or external, to make the payment, he does not get the keys that month.
Appreciate 1
ntg442887.50
      06-18-2019, 09:44 AM   #18
King Rudi
Lieutenant Colonel
King Rudi's Avatar
13152
Rep
1,965
Posts

Drives: Meat Suit
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Planet Earth

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by natahoa View Post
You give new driver your oldest beater and then buy yourself a nice new dream car. Tell him/her that is he/she wants a new car, or a Dodge Charger, get a job.

That is how you build a responsible adult.
This. My first car was a 1976 El Camino, two tone brown. It was kinda cool though. Most everyone made fun of it until they tried to race me. Their new Honda's, Toyota's, Infiniti's etc. were no match for the 350.
Appreciate 1
Run Silent15127.00
      06-18-2019, 09:59 AM   #19
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6453
Rep
3,009
Posts

Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

IMHO a 2010 Saab 9-3 Aero is damn near perfect so long as you have a Saab mechanic nearby. Looks great for it's age, cheap as chips, was built like a tank passive safety wise, cheap to maintain compared to other euro marques (because it shares a lot with malibu), 210 HP, not bad on gas.

If safety is an issue you could do a lot worse.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2019, 10:03 AM   #20
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

If looking used and you have a decent mechanic in your area you'd be hard pressed to find a safer value car than a 3 or 5 door 9-3 Saab anything up to 2002. Saab still had their hands in design up until then and the cars are INCREDIBLY safe but still fun to drive and very fun / quirky. Also with the hatch design it's perfect for just about anything a kid could need to use a car for. $4-5K, survive high school, if needed get something newer for college or skip a car those 4 years and get newer with warranty upon graduation when work commute becomes a necessity.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon
2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2019, 10:04 AM   #21
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfisti View Post
IMHO a 2010 Saab 9-3 Aero is damn near perfect so long as you have a Saab mechanic nearby. Looks great for it's age, cheap as chips, was built like a tank passive safety wise, cheap to maintain compared to other euro marques (because it shares a lot with malibu), 210 HP, not bad on gas.

If safety is an issue you could do a lot worse.
HA! You typed your Saab advice faster than I did. Volvo always got the press but Saabs were as safe if not safer.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon
2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2019, 10:05 AM   #22
JohnnyCanuck
Major
Canada
1254
Rep
1,352
Posts

Drives: 2018 Audi RS3
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
I disagree. Driving is not easy and requires lots of attention not only to the car and its behavior but to what others are doing as well. I think adding shifting a manual transmission is not a good idea for a new driver.

I would stick with an automatic. After a couple of years, then I would teach him to drive the manual. If you want him to start learning earlier, buy one with paddle shifters.
Completely disagree. Driving a manual teaches someone so much more about car control than any automatic ever will. More importanly, driving a manual requires attention and concentration meaning a more focused and attentive driver. Far less likely to be distracted by phones, infotainment systems, etc. Every one I drive with who learned on a stick is invariably a better driver and feel a whole lot safer as a passenger with.
Appreciate 2
3798j11168.50
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 01:54 PM.




7post
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