Top Ten Cars for Teens

[Neonspinnazz]

I like this list published by about.com:cars, there are no ricers and they're all cheap, reliable, safe (excluding the Fit), and fuel efficient cars. And not to mention most of them are slow.

And there are not any Prius (plural?) to mess it up.

1. Ford Focus
2. Honda Civic
3. Honda Fit
4. Honda Insight
5. Kia Forte
6. Nissan Versa
7. Pontiac Vibe
8. smart fortwo
9. Subaru Impreza 2.5i
10. Suzuki SX4

Now I would argue that the smart and the Suzuki deserve higher places on that list but I think it fits pretty well.

My only complaint is the comment about wind and the fortwo.

NOTE: If you live where it's windy, the Smart Fortwo isn't the best choice, as it gets blown around by crosswinds more than most small cars.

The list Top 10 Cars for Teens

The smart fortwo review 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion coupe - Test drive and new car review - 2008 Smart car - Fortwo Passion coupe

The Cheapest Cars in America Top Ten Cheapest Cars of 2008 -- Least expensive 2008 cars on the US market

Ten Small Cars You Can Live With Ten small cars you can live with -- an About.com Cars Top Ten

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

My only complaint is the comment about wind and the fortwo.

Why? It is the truth.

[jefferios]

I agree, I cannot call that a complaint. I think the smarts "tall" stance on the road makes it a bigger target for cross winds.

[Jordon]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

And there are not any Prius (plural?) to mess it up.

Because no respectable teen would be caught dead in a Prius!

[John_H]

Originally Posted by Jordon

Because no respectable teen would be caught dead in a Prius!

So there would be a zero mortality rate for respectable teens driving a Prius? Sounds safe to me!

[fastturb]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

Why? It is the truth.

have you driven the other 9 cars in the wind?

[ckgonska]

My kid can't wait to get his hands on my smart!

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by fastturb

have you driven the other 9 cars in the wind?

Exactly, I have test driven a smart on a windy day and it's not any worse than the other cars my mom is trying to coax me into buying. Heck, the Envoy's worse than that.

And don't talk about the Caliber, one gust and you'll find yourself correcting and putting the pedal down because wind slows it down like you just hit the brakes.

Most wind related comments about the smart say that a gust on the freeway will toss you into a truck or push you off the pavement violently. Sure, it may rock a bit when hit by wind but it doesn't seem any more affected by wind than other cars of its size.

[BigWarpGuy]

I agree. I have been hit by high wind while driving my little car and it did not move off the road but it did shake it a little bit.

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

Sure, it may rock a bit when hit by wind but it doesn't seem any more affected by wind than other cars of its size.

What other cars of its size have you driven? What other 1,800 pound cars are there on the roads in the states?

It's the nature of the beast, the car has a tall profile and doesn't weigh a lot. It does get blown around more than most other small cars - and yes, I have driven the Fit, Civic, Versa, SX4 Sedan, and the Focus. They all get blown around in wind, but the smart is worse. That doesn't mean it is not a good car or such - it means it needs to be driven and not loafed along in. Most people overreact when talking about it - no, it is not going to blow you off the road or into a truck - but in a gust you need to have hold of the wheel otherwise you weave like a drunk.

Furthermore, neonspinnazz, where is your information about the Fit being unsafe coming from? IIHS-HLDI: Honda Fit