Teen drivers
- Thread starter Footofgod
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I would be afraid to buy a lifted light weight suv for any new driver. If she's not careful it will roll easily if she has to swerve for any reason. Personally, if I were to get a vehicle for a new driver it will be something that turns into a big bubble of airbags when necessary. Cars can be easily replaced, sons/daughters cannot... it takes a little effort on the mom and dad side, but then you gotta wait 9 months for the little munchkins to bake 
Just my .02
Just my .02
KidVermicious
New member
I'm hoping my son will get my 1st gen when he gets his license. But my son is 6 right now and will have plenty of trail time under his belt by the time he's 16.
I'd buy it for yourself. Aren't you planning on lifting and locking, and wishing yours had a removeable top?
I'd buy it for yourself. Aren't you planning on lifting and locking, and wishing yours had a removeable top?
Under no circumstances would I allow/purchase a lifted high centered vehicle for a new driver. The 15-21 year old driving group represents the single largest accident causing demographic in terms of sheer ratio. That number lowers as they age obviously. Giving your 15/16 year old daughter an off road vehicle with a high center of gravity is very dangerous.
One of the reasons Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Etc. lowered their SUV's was in response to the onslaught of accidents in the late 80's and 90's caused by high centered vehicles. A lifted vehicle is safe, if the person driving it knows how to drive. I don't consider it appropriate for a new driver. Buy her a 95 Honda Accord or something low and squat that is very stable.
Also. Have you see the crash test ratings for the 1st and 2nd gen 4runners? They were horrid. Those doors offer 0 protection. I was flipped by a heroin addict who fell asleep at the wheel and came into my lane. The doors crumpled, and he hit at an angle with most of the damage deflecting to the front quarter panel. The cops later told me that if he had hit head on (tbone), I would be dead.
I work in a place where it is my job to digest news, data, statistics to brief my employer (I work in Congress, don't hate!) and I can tell you. Deadly crashes are decreasing. Safer cars and better laws (DUI, Speeding) are helping. Except for 1 age group. New drivers. That 15-21 year old age group is actually seeing a increase in accidents and we speculate (research is developing) it is a result of new drivers with more on their plate. Cell phones. Car Nav's. Headunits that are uber complex.
When my child reaches driving age, until he is an adult (or in his own car) he will not be allowed to drive with his cell phone. I have seen to figures. The moment you place a cell phone in a youths hands, their risk of accident jumps through the roof. Right now cell phone makers are developing programs to lock down the phone. When the phones GPS chip senses movement, it locks everything but 911 functionality.
Driving is tough and to ensure the best chance they not get into an accident when first learning, I intend to block as much distraction as possible.
Anyway. Sorry for the tangent. No, an older higher centered, lifted vehicle is not appropriate or safe for a new driver. Many accidents in years past were a result of inexperienced drivers being placed behind vehicles for advanced drivers.
One of the reasons Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Etc. lowered their SUV's was in response to the onslaught of accidents in the late 80's and 90's caused by high centered vehicles. A lifted vehicle is safe, if the person driving it knows how to drive. I don't consider it appropriate for a new driver. Buy her a 95 Honda Accord or something low and squat that is very stable.
Also. Have you see the crash test ratings for the 1st and 2nd gen 4runners? They were horrid. Those doors offer 0 protection. I was flipped by a heroin addict who fell asleep at the wheel and came into my lane. The doors crumpled, and he hit at an angle with most of the damage deflecting to the front quarter panel. The cops later told me that if he had hit head on (tbone), I would be dead.
I work in a place where it is my job to digest news, data, statistics to brief my employer (I work in Congress, don't hate!) and I can tell you. Deadly crashes are decreasing. Safer cars and better laws (DUI, Speeding) are helping. Except for 1 age group. New drivers. That 15-21 year old age group is actually seeing a increase in accidents and we speculate (research is developing) it is a result of new drivers with more on their plate. Cell phones. Car Nav's. Headunits that are uber complex.
When my child reaches driving age, until he is an adult (or in his own car) he will not be allowed to drive with his cell phone. I have seen to figures. The moment you place a cell phone in a youths hands, their risk of accident jumps through the roof. Right now cell phone makers are developing programs to lock down the phone. When the phones GPS chip senses movement, it locks everything but 911 functionality.
Driving is tough and to ensure the best chance they not get into an accident when first learning, I intend to block as much distraction as possible.
Anyway. Sorry for the tangent. No, an older higher centered, lifted vehicle is not appropriate or safe for a new driver. Many accidents in years past were a result of inexperienced drivers being placed behind vehicles for advanced drivers.
BucknutBob
New member
I concur--FAR too risky for a newer driver. Lifted is for experienced drivers, not kids.
crutchy
New member
Not to continue to beat the dead horse, but the two things i wouldn't get a new driver; a lifted truck/suv or a lowered car. On has too high of a roll over tendency (rolled one of mine on the highway) and the other will get beat the hell out of by impatient driving and showing off for friends.
I have had the wonderful experience of being in a few wrecks, some much more violent than others, and can tell you that some of the newer cars are just unbelievable the amount of damage they can take with the occupants being relatively unharmed. However all of that fancy safety equipment is nearly useless if they don't use their seat belt.
I have had the wonderful experience of being in a few wrecks, some much more violent than others, and can tell you that some of the newer cars are just unbelievable the amount of damage they can take with the occupants being relatively unharmed. However all of that fancy safety equipment is nearly useless if they don't use their seat belt.
thatoneguy
New member
I'm a pretty new and inexperienced driver - I've driven ~40,000 miles and had my license for three years. I can say that even from my point of view that's not a good idea. When i first got my license, I made some preeetty stupid moves on the road. I'm happy i learned how to 4wheel and properly drive an off road vehicle well before i bought one.
Granted, teen girls don't make as many stupid driving moves, or try to "show off" as much as teen guys, inexperience is still an issue. Even if she doesn't cause the accident, getting tboned or hit head on in a 1st or 2nd gen is dangerous. Crash test ratings are a 1 star drivers' side rating, which i believe means something like 45% or better of being seriously injured in a 35mph crash.
If she decides to get an offroad capable vehicle one day, let her. For now, I'd just buy something safe that gets good mpg's in this economy.
'94-'97 Honda Accords are remarkably reliable, have excellent crash ratings, and the one i just sold routinely got 29mpg city/ ~35 highway.
Granted, teen girls don't make as many stupid driving moves, or try to "show off" as much as teen guys, inexperience is still an issue. Even if she doesn't cause the accident, getting tboned or hit head on in a 1st or 2nd gen is dangerous. Crash test ratings are a 1 star drivers' side rating, which i believe means something like 45% or better of being seriously injured in a 35mph crash.
If she decides to get an offroad capable vehicle one day, let her. For now, I'd just buy something safe that gets good mpg's in this economy.
'94-'97 Honda Accords are remarkably reliable, have excellent crash ratings, and the one i just sold routinely got 29mpg city/ ~35 highway.
Footofgod
New member
This may likely be the plan!
cztheman64
New member
anything that cheap has problems! with that said, im with everyone else. buy it for you, fix it up and wheel it!!
wingsnhammers
New member
If you can find a Volvo 240, that is the absolute best first vehicle for a new driver. It only has 120 hp. It will last forever if even basic maintenance has been done. There are no fancy gadgets inside to occupy a person with. And, they are built like a true Swedish tank.
My dad sold Volvo vehicles in the late 80s and early 90s, so we had an 87 wagon and a 89 sedan. The sedan got traded in 03 still running. The wagon is in the driveway now. It has 35x,xxx and has lived through 3 new drivers. It has been in several "fender benders", been jumped through cow pastures, leaned up against a tree, put in a few ditches, and basically driven hard and put up wet. It still drives just fine, but is pretty ugly now. They are getting pretty hard to find now, though. I wish you the best of luck with your new driver and finding her a ride.
My dad sold Volvo vehicles in the late 80s and early 90s, so we had an 87 wagon and a 89 sedan. The sedan got traded in 03 still running. The wagon is in the driveway now. It has 35x,xxx and has lived through 3 new drivers. It has been in several "fender benders", been jumped through cow pastures, leaned up against a tree, put in a few ditches, and basically driven hard and put up wet. It still drives just fine, but is pretty ugly now. They are getting pretty hard to find now, though. I wish you the best of luck with your new driver and finding her a ride.
nashville67
New member
and its easyier to maintain a manual tranmission
Just get something with a 5 speed, keeps cell phones and radio adjustments harder to become a distraction when you have to shift:
Or makes driving harder when you're making a phone call or messing with the radio.
the great him
Elite Member
i would not get a new driver a first gen only because its inevitable, they will wreck it, and parts for them are getting harder to find in good shape. get her a second gen. but the price on that first gen is good so i would scoop it up and keep it for myself if i was you
