S40 for a first car?

[Grog]

Would a 2000 Volvo S40 be a good first car for a my 17 year old son? He's starting College 1 year early, next year. We have 3 drivers right now and 3 operating vehicles, should be four after I replace the 944's clutch slave cylinder. Wife has a death grip on the Mustang. She abandoned the X5, which is the extra for what ever vehicle, that sucks gas (avg 15mpg combined). The truck gets better mileage, not good for in town, too big, rather have it do its job, not daily driving. My son has been taking the school bus, he could take it still since the college is right next to the high school, but he would be limited by it's schedule. (might have labs extra hours) I don't mind him using the x5, but it breaks every 3 months or 5000 miles. We use it we we all go some place together or Wife goes shopping for larger loads than the Mustang.

I would like him to have something his own to learn how to take care of and do the maintenance on. Looking on msn autos the 2000 s40 is reliable. Can't think of too many cars that size that would be safer than a Volvo.

2000 VOLVO S40 1.9 SEDAN LOW MILES!! 28-37MPG! VERY CLEAN! RELIABLE!

Also we live out of town, 18 miles to college/high school. He needs a car before he could get a job. He's a good kid, doing well in school. I always thought kids should buy their own cars, so I struggling with that, maybe it will be another family car, but I think that would take away from the responsibility of ownership. ack , I'm in turmoil.

[Sapporo Guy]

My half-brother had a GTi until he started doing rally work in the local mall parking lot ...
But at the same time he was working on a 66 Stang with a newly put in 351

A volvo is pretty cool but it's just soooooo soccer mom carish that maybe he'd be more interested in finding new ways to drive it creatively

What does he say?
What does he want?

Every car that I bought, I bought because I liked it. Still drive'm like a moron but since I'm invested in it I drive it knowing that I'd have to repair it if it breaks.

Regards to the buying side of it, have him buy in on a loan from you. 0% interest

volvo ... I'd like one today but not 20 years ago

[mattdavis11]

My parents took the family car approach with me and all 4 older brothers. We tore them to smithereens, then repaired them. Only one engine was blown, and we didn't service that failure. My folks bought most of the parts, but having a lifetime warranty on most parts was godsend. They sold the vehicle all 4 of us drove after I left for college. No cars, period, until your junior year in college. No one went to college within 200 miles of the nest.

The folks also picked up the insurance tab, but the oldest had his own policy by the time I starting racing around. 4 males aged 16-21, lol, that must have have been some damn premium.

They paid for gas as well. Things changed at age 21. They bought you a used car, or passed one down. It was ours, we had experience wrenching thus far, we were on our own.

I like the way it worked out, my parents probably do too when they need a little work done. All but 1 of the 4 vehicles given as gifts turning 21y/o could be serviceable in short order, but they are now hunting rigs.

It's certainly a conundrum, but I'll most likely do the same with my kids as I had been done.

[Hugh R]

One thing I'd do is run a comparison on insurance rates. Liability should be about the same, IF you want to get collision (probably not worth it on a $5K car) the rates vary wildly depending on brand and model. I looked at a Hyundai Tiburon about 12 years ago and the difference between it and a Toyota Celica was double on the Hyundai it was something like $1,800 more per year.

[Grog]

I would most definitely check insurance rates. Most likely the car would be under my name or both of us until he can or has to have his own insurance. Need to get an umbrella policy also.

His opinion of the Volvo was yuck. Says he likes sporty cars, not into Japanese, sure doesn't leave much. Maybe I should just let him have the 944. How safe are 944's?, not as safe as a Volvo. We found a bmw z3 about the same price. I like the looks of them, no reliability issues, (not sure I believe that after constantly fixing the x5). Safety on an Z3? It's really a small car. Told him it could be considered a chicks car.

[Bill Douglas]

A 10 year old Corolla is a very good car, or maybe a 10 year old Civic. If he feels he needs something more "suitable" it should get him to his part time job just fine and he can earn the money for it.

[rnln]

Not sure what others think. When I was young, I won't want a volvo nor a corola. I would love a Civic (so I can play with it). I would like to have a part time job and take care of it myself.

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

A 10 year old Corolla is a very good car, or maybe a 10 year old Civic. If he feels he needs something more "suitable" it should get him to his part time job just fine and he can earn the money for it.

[porsche4life]

Nothing wrong with a Corolla.... I drive my folks '06 all the time... Its an extra for them and I commute so it has become my DD... Great little car.... Plenty of pep... We are seeing how long it will go with only oil and filter changes.... 30k so far...

[HunterVonWurst]

Why not a mid-90's BMW? I can't imagine it being any more complicated or expensive to work on that a Volvo of the same era. He may not take much "pride of ownership" in a car he doesn't want to be seen in, but the BMW should motivate him:

[Bill Douglas]

I've had Corollas for the last 15 years. Probably the most reliable car ever made. My point is young kids don't need anything faster, or something to show off in. If they want to show off they can work then buy something to show off their achievements with.

[Grog]

I would just love to have him drive a M1A1 Abrams, about as safe as you can get.

It's more than just him having a car, I want him to take an interest in them. He is a very shy and reserved kid. He has a few kids he talks to, has just one that could be considered a good friend. Unfortunately this one is in a different school. He is not super smart, he has to work to keep his grades up, for someone that does not like school he is doing well. He has all his high school requirements done, only takes the honors classes and is starting college a year early. He could have more electives or open periods, but chooses more classes, he says he needs to know this stuff. I wouldn't say he is a geek or nerd, just very practical with good common sense. He likes wood working, has been a big help to me with all the rebuilding of my shop, horse stalls, land clearing, fire wood etc. Throw discus and javelin at school, been taking lessons and playing the eletcric guitar for 3 years.

Anyway, I always thought the kids should buy their own car. I'm very proud of him and think he deserves a little reward and he will work off some of the purchase price.

[Bill Douglas]

I had it all wrong. I assumed he was a full of himself, over confident, liked to show off to the girls, real little wanker - like me at that age.

[Grog]

Ha! Ha!,

You could be right Bill. He maybe pulling the wool over my eyes. There's a storm a brew-en.

[poorsche930]

Do a search for reliability. The first gen S40's if I remember had a lot of issues.

[Grog]

Thanks, but the s40 is not an option anymore. Now I'm thinking about getting me a Jeep wrangler, let him have it until he has the cash to get what he wants. I had a idea for him, we live right next to thousands of acres of state land. We could get a wood cutting permit and he can cut and sell firewood. I was planning on doing that some day when the horse pasture is finally cleared of our trees. It would be nice to have an extra 4x4 for winter. Got to run this idea by the kid

[porsche4life]

You do know about how easily those roll right? My mom narrowly missed tumbling hers....

Then there's the wind.... You can pretty much forget about driving one if its really windy....

[Grog]

I don't think they have a higher risk of rollover than any other suv. I would get a unmodified stock unit. No plans for lift kits. We talked about knowing the limits of the vehicle you are driving. Suv slow down for corners no sudden directional changes, hit the dog, deer, cat opossum, skunk, porcupine ect. Whats more dangerous, driving at a jeep limit or Porsche? jeeps have roll bars.

Haven't decided an anything yet, still looking at possibilities.

[gprsh924]

My friend's lifted xterra handled and rode better than my stock xterra, ymmv

[porsche4life]

They are worse than other SUVS..... they have a short wheelbase and are fairly narrow.... Just something to watch out for...