Good first car???

[mh_mini2]

I am currently looking for a first car for a 16 year old. Would you recommend a smart car as a first car? Thanks!

[forestacademy]

Yes.

With the ability to ONLY carry One other person it is a great way prevent trouble. Just like a graduated License.

THe Safety is great too.

[SmartTech]

the size of the car helps reduce accidents (ie the running in to posts ect) easy to park, simple to drive (not a ton of buttons and distractions in the car).
Cheap and easy to replace body parts when the accidents do happen.
Safe! this car is one of the safest cars out there, its actually just one big roll cage. We have a car in our shop right now that was in a 4 car pile up. A city bus hit a subaru, the subaru hit the smart and then the smart hit a 4 runner. The hit was so hard you could read the impression of the subrau's license plate in the rear body panel. With all that for and being crush in between two cars there was no damage to the Tridian Cell. in fact the car is being repaired and did not total out! Its just truly impressive to me how well these cars are built

[kwagar]

I have mixed feelings about your question.
The smart has a low initial cost, low fuel costs and is reasonably safe and there are benefits to putting a teen in a i passenger car.

On the other hand I would prefer my teens have a spare tire and know how to change it and I would prefer they have a car with less of a blindspot problem as they learn to drive safely.

Otherwise it becomes an issue of how will it be used. Is cargo area an issue, Lot's or little Highway driving? Are snow and wind big issues in your area etc.

Like many issues with 16 year olds it may be less about the car than it is about the teenager!!

[blackbeagle]

I have to say with a resounding NO to this question. As much as I love my car, I would not recommend it as a first car to a 16 year old. Why? I'll give some reasons:

1. It's a new car. There's a lot to learn about this car. Even we are learning that this is different than what we're used to.
2. Hard to find replacement parts unless you go to a dealer. Less aftermarket parts means more expensive parts compared to other popular cars.
3. If the dealer is far away, then you're SOL
4. Reliability is not proven here in the states yet.
5. Too much of a distraction for new drivers. This one is kind of silly but I don't want a 16 year old that is learning to drive to have to face people waiving, pointing fingers, and yelling at them while they are driving for the first time.
6. Expensive first car. I say this w/o knowing your finances. I would never buy a 16 year old a new car even if I had a million dollars. That's just me. A used Civic, Accord would do just fine.

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

I would never buy a 16 year old a new car even if I had a million dollars. That's just me. A used Civic, Accord would do just fine.

I agree. Get a good used car with a couple of dents in it. Have you ever seen the parking lot at your local high school when all the kids are trying to leave at the same time. You don't want a new car anywhere near it. A pre-dented car won't depreciate as much when somebody backs into it.

[forestacademy]

Well I agree it may be best to get a good used car for a first time driver but not everbody does. There are plenty of parents who get there kids NEW cars when they are 16.

While BlackBeagle may have some points, Most of them would go for anyone not just new drivers. THere are lots of new cars I would be able to get nearby Service for unless they were American Made. I went with the Smart because They are simple to work on.

I think the smart has lots of advantages.
1) not a hot rod.
2)No back seat and the front seats don't recline all that much (You would have to do it sitting up)
3)Only Two Seats. Your Kid and only 1 more, Less Distraction (I used to drive a Conversion van as a teenager with a gaggle of kids rocking the van as I drove through town) but you may need to worry about kids outside the car doing this.
4)The sound system will not keep you from hearing what is around you. Not a powerfull stereo
5) Will not be asked to help move, a lot of these benifits could come from a pick up but why carry more steel around than you need
6) Safety. Its a Walnut, not a watermellon
7) Safety, ABS
8) Safety, EPS (unless your one of those folks who beleive you should learn to drive a car without it first)
9) Safety front and Side airbags
10) Easy to Park Always room around the car to get in and out


When I think back to my youth and what were the dangers of driving (what I shouldn't have done) the Smart would have prevented me from doing lots of those naughty things that I'm lucky to have survived.

Any body else with me willing to add to my list?

[headless]

I love my smart, but would not recommend a 16 year old drive one as a first car, they need to learn how to drive properly in the real world, without an istructor beside then, so get an old banger to start them off, they statistically will have a crash in their first year anyway, so an older car will be less of a shocker when they do it, it also in this day and age especially, shows them a sense of value, if they get a brand new car as a first car, where do they go from there.
As somebody else stated, the smart is a new car in America and it is completely different to drive than any other car I have ever driven, so would not help a new driver, get them a "normal" car first, thats just my twopenny worth.
Whatever you decide, I hope they like it.
Headless

[smark]

No way ever!!!!!! I have my daughter in a bigger safer car. She's 18. She's in a Honda Accord. Easier to drive. Parts easy to obtain. She feels safer and loves her Accord. Teens have too many distractions. I don't care if this little car got 6 star crash rating. Lots of big SUV's and trucks, out to get her. No way!!!!!!

[bentoutofshape]

He/she would be the laughing stock of the school driving a smart.
I'd suggest a used civic or yaris and give the person some money to upgrade the wheels.