Is this a no-brainer?

[tubwreck]

I need to get an inexpensive car for my teenager to learn to drive on, and I want it to be a manual transmission.



I can barely wrap my head around the idea that I can get a new car with all the mod cons (CarPlay and Android Auto, for example) for $17K. And a 7-year warranty.

Am I missing something?

[WPOZZZ]

There is probably only that one stock #, and all the others are loaded. See if they can find that model in their warehouse or lot.

[Alan A]

The S is the base model. Cloth seats and crappy radio.
Plus it’s a stick. And it’s a 6 not 7 year -powertrain- warranty. A clutch is a consumable and won’t be covered. $ to donuts the electrics will be the issue, not the engine.

[LWJ]

Nobody knows how to shift in 2019. They have to give it away?

[RedBaron]

Get him an old 944 for his first car. You can wrench on it together and he will spend all of his money maintaining it. No leftover money for chasing girls or any stupid stuff. That VW is a good deal though.

[speeder]

Yeah, it's a no-brainer, if it's still available and you can get it. That's really cheap. Also, I have a 2006 Jetta TDI w 150k miles that doesn't have any electrical issues and it's loaded w dual climate control, power seat, cruise, 6-CD changer, etc., etc...

[Zeke]

I would not give a new car to a new driver. All in my family have had accidents within the first year of driving. Not major accidents but bent metal nonetheless. I was the same back in '63 when a 90 YO man turned left in front of me. I had no time to avoid hitting him,

Or did I?

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I would not give a new car to a new driver. All in my family have had accidents within the first year of driving. Not major accidents but bent metal nonetheless. I was the same back in '63 when a 90 YO man turned left in front of me. I had no time to avoid hitting him,

Or did I?

You're making an argument for the safety conscious to choose a new car.

The passive safety of the design of a modern car when you hit something is greatly improved.

I lean on the older car side of things myself; but that may be because I started by saving/buying a 944.

No car guy, no passion, but needs to get around, a new car is a good choice.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I would not give a new car to a new driver. All in my family have had accidents within the first year of driving. Not major accidents but bent metal nonetheless. I was the same back in '63 when a 90 YO man turned left in front of me. I had no time to avoid hitting him,

Or did I?

I see your point but a new Jetta is a replaceable, fixable, safe car to put a kid in. At the price mentioned in the OP, depreciation and cost of ownership would be minimal. I get asked for car purchase advice a lot because I’m the “car guy” in my crowd, I always tell people that leasing a new Jetta or Carolla is a great choice for people who just need reliable transportation and don’t care about *cool factor* and the other stuff we car geeks care about.

[Neilk]

Daughter will be 16 in 3.5 years. I would prefer a used car, but will most likely get her a new car with all the safety features that will be available at that time, or I could just get her a stick shift so she focuses on driving more.

[JavaBrewer]

I'm on the other side of the fence and started my son off with an inexpensive used car with AT. He drove the first 2 years without incident but had a rash (2) of minor fender benders and a speeding ticket all happening in year 3. His insurance doubled - rightfully. Now another 2 years later and no more incidents...

I was driving an Audi TT with 6 speed manual and that is the car he learned to drive on.

Have you checked insurance prices for your son? New car registration and insurance is going to be spendy for a first time driver. Sure we want our kids in something safe - but there is, IMO, a middle ground.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

You're making an argument for the safety conscious to choose a new car.

The passive safety of the design of a modern car when you hit something is greatly improved.

I lean on the older car side of things myself; but that may be because I started by saving/buying a 944.

No car guy, no passion, but needs to get around, a new car is a good choice.

Originally Posted by speeder

I see your point but a new Jetta is a replaceable, fixable, safe car to put a kid in. At the price mentioned in the OP, depreciation and cost of ownership would be minimal. I get asked for car purchase advice a lot because I’m the “car guy” in my crowd, I always tell people that leasing a new Jetta or Carolla is a great choice for people who just need reliable transportation and don’t care about *cool factor* and the other stuff we car geeks care about.

I didn't say an old clunker. Cars coming off lease can be a real bargain especially if you can find one ready to turn in and offer a little more than the residual. Once the dealer gets his mitts on it, it will be on the used car lot marked up with a handsome profit. So that will put a new driver in a 2-3 YO car, not some danger wagon.

Denis, I wonder about the leasing advice. "Renting" a car does make a lot of sense dollar wise, but the restrictions and the fact that the car must come back in pristine condition can make for a difficult period for the person whose name is on the registration. You bring car back with a couple door dings and you will get dinged for sure. People I know have their lease return professionally detailed before returning. That might be unnecessary but they have had that fear instilled in them that they will pay hundreds for minor defects.

The dealer has his own built in insurance policy that the car will hit the lot with a minimum of needed work.

[Tervuren]

There are different kinds of risk.

When I got my Jaguar in 2015 time was important to me, I wanted something that wouldn't need downtime from needing work. Even if that work was paid for under warranty, I didn't want to make the trips to the dealer(s).

A new car has higher risk in that respect than a modern used car. Especially a new model.

Used car won out.

However, the financial risk of running without a warranty plays as a counter.

The potential for more problems , but they are paid for by the manufacturer, vs being on the hook for them.

[JeremyD]

My Son has a 2011 2.5l VW Golf

my daughter has a 2015 Scion FRS

Both are three pedal cars. Got both on the autocross course before their 17 year birthday - and I think both are better drivers than all their friends (Which is a pretty low bar)

And yes - check insurance rates - they are HUGE - no matter what you drive (although 4 cylinder cars NA cars are less expensive)

If you have a Teen Driver

https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirerack/desktop/en/events_sponsorships/street_survival.html

I'd highly recommend

[cabmandone]

I'd look into a Hyundai. The make the Veloster in a stick and you can buy one new last I checked for about the same money.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/765337022/overview/

Here's a manual.. My son has the dual clutch auto with sport mode and paddle shifters.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/750258775/overview/

[scottmandue]

Don't know what it is like where you live but here in Lost Angeles if you see a car advertised that is too good to be true... as they say... it usually is.
More often than not just bait to get you on the lot, "oh, we just sold that car... but let me show you this one!"

[pwd72s]

nevermind............