When I came of age, Ford Pintos (firebombs), and Jeep CJ5's (roll over death traps) were common in our hs parking lot....none of us survived
. A new Jeep CJ5 is what killed me....except that I paid for it, respected what it was, and it didn't last.
Get the kid a Corolla, etc. if you desire, but kids who have skin in the game with their car will be more likely to preserve their own skin IN their car...YMMV.