A Real Question About My Brother's First Car

"macanamera" (macanamera) 01/23/2015 at 16:00 • Filed to: None

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So, my brother is 15 and as such, will soon be driving. My dad will be buying him a car, and I will probably have a lot of input on what that car will be. At first, I was trying to push him towards a BRZ, but I don't know if that's an excellent first car. I checked out some GTIs a few weekends ago and actually liked them a lot. My little bro likes GLIs more, but I'm curious...do you think that a GLI/GTI would be a good first car? Also, I am really pushing for him to get a manual, because 1) I think it's safer and 2) I want him to learn stick. Do you think that's a bad idea? Does a GLI/GTI have too much oomph for a rookie driver? Give me your opinions.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:01

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Your bro likes GLI. Get him the GLI.

Golf GLI right? With 1.4 TSI?

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:01

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(insert "why isn't Fiesta ST mentioned anywhere in this post" comment here)

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:04

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I knew you would say that as I was typing the post up. Idk, he isn't too hot on FiSTs. Don't get me wrong, I love me some FiST, but I think I would rather have a black GLI or GTI instead of a FiST as well.

mazda616 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:04

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Man. A sports car or even a sporty car as a first car? Jealous. I had a '92 Chevy Beretta three-speed automatic that cost a whopping $1,250.00. :D

macanamera > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/23/2015 at 16:04

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Jetta GLI or Golf GTI with 2.0

For Sweden > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:05

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He's 15. If you buy him a GTI, make sure it's 10+ years old and disposable.

davedave1111 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:06

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Are you trying to kill him off to increase your inheritance? If not, get him something slow for his first car. What's the base model Fiat 500 in the US?

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:06

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;_;

but that extra weight and not more power though

I'd much rather have a GTI over the GLI because VW puts much more effort into engineering the GTI than the GLI, this includes the engine and chassis. It's just the better car in every way.

coelacanthist > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:07

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I would try to push him toward the GTI for the simple reason that a hatch is infinitely more useful. Then again, I would think a regular old golf would be more than adequate for a 16 year old, might be a good idea to compare insurance rates.

Steve in Manhattan > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:07

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Your parents should get him the biggest, safest, ugliest Volvo they can afford. He's going to crash at some point during the first 2 or 3 years. He should not have a fast car, nor should he be occupied with shifting a manual. Let him learn car control in something big and safe.

jkm7680 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:08

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How about a cheap, Old car.

DoYouEvenShift > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:08

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Teens first car.

15 year old Ford Ranger 2.3 5 speed.

Good on gas, not enough power to get into trouble. Not enough room for idiot friends to coax you into trouble. Will run forever untill the timing belt breaks. Replace it and keep going.

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:10

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My thoughts exactly, and power to weigh ratio isn't that high on my list for a 16 year old kid's first car lol.

Alfalfa > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:10

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I knew kids in high school who were more or less responsible enough with GTI level performance, so if he wants the GLI or GTI, why not?

Of course, you know your brother better than I do, maybe it's a terrible idea.

macanamera > davedave1111 01/23/2015 at 16:10

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Really? I mean at least an Abarth...

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:11

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aventador only

macanamera > Steve in Manhattan 01/23/2015 at 16:11

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I totally disagree. I think learning on a manual makes you a more aware driver!

macanamera > For Sweden 01/23/2015 at 16:11

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Well it would be new, so...

For Sweden > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:11

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You don't remember being 15?

duurtlang > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:12

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GTI/GLI is too powerful. He should get something slow. Do you want to get him killed? It should be old and disposable, a new car for a 15 year old is a bad idea. A first car should be old, slow, small and communicative.

Manual transmission is a great idea. I believe a new driver will become a better driver when he learns on a manual as it requires more anticipation.

For Sweden > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:12

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I assume you're not paying for the insurance then.

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:12

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Obviously we are getting him an Aventador this whole post was just for fun.

macanamera > For Sweden 01/23/2015 at 16:14

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I do. What's the harm in an Abarth?

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:14

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GTI golf? That's good. But if you affraid of too much powaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah GLI is good.

*Fun Fact: JC bought a base model pre-aston martin Fiesta with 80hp for his daughter's first car.

AM3R shamefully returns > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:15

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GLI seems like a solid choice, thinking about having my younger sister get one.

I know a few high schoolers that drive new FRS's and BRZ's, they love the car and definitely enjoy the attention they bring. Fair warning, 2 of them got speeding tickets (and one a reckless driving here in VA) so if you don't think your brother is responsible enough, don't do it.

Another choice: E9x 328i. Can be had manual, RWD or AWD, and coupe/sedan/wagon/hardtop convertible. You can find them with under 40k for under $20k. The N52 is a reliable engine, and very smooth. I may just end up giving mine to my sister when I buy another car, and the insurance quotes were cheaper on the 328i for her than an Accord of the same year.

Also, the E92's backseat is actually usable unlike other coupes.

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:15

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just making sure

you should get him an STi

or Focus RS

or Civic Type R

or SICK Supra bro

or (insert stereotypical "my dad bought me that one car my friends told me to get" car here)

Klaus Schmoll > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:15

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As one of the older members (oh god, did I just write that? now I really FEEL old) around here, I think that giving him something too sporty as a first car isn't such a good idea. Get him something with enough ooomph to safely merge and maybe even overtake a slow vehicle but nothing more. If he wants something aspirational and hoonable let him work his ass off to pay for it on his own. As a fact. 16 y/o's brains aren't fully developed, risk assesment isn't exactly their strongest suit. Hence a lot of these fatal accidents with young drivers involved. As to the GLI, there's 16 y/o kid around here who got a GLI as a first car and takes it on 100+ mph runs on public roads at night while complaining that it is too slow. So why not give him something that looks sporty (hey, he has to look good in the school parking lot, I understand that) but actually isn't all that fast?

I applaud the idea of it being a manual. Makes texting and driving much more of a hassle and he will learn much more about basic driving dynamics and vehicle control.

davedave1111 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:15

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Really? You're depending that much on maxing out the inheritance?

Seriously, I know you lot in the US are pretty crazy, but over here the 800cc 500 is considered a good learner's car. Whatever you get as the slowest, the 1.4 or something, should be more than enough for him to get himself into plenty of trouble.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:16

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I like both of them, but the answer is a GTI 2-door. If that's coming to/in America yet. Because the MK7 looks amazeballs.

I wouldn't say 200 horsepower hot-hatch isn't too much for a new driver, unless they'll be irresponsible with it at all times. But hey, I'm 16 and going to look at an E36 M3 in a couple hours, so I have no room to speak on this front.

SlickMcRick > coelacanthist 01/23/2015 at 16:17

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I'm ok with this. If he wants a Golf or Jetta get him the base model. I wouldn't trust a 15 year old with anything that has a motor. Lucky him tho, my first car was a 1990 Escort GT.

macanamera > For Sweden 01/23/2015 at 16:17

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I'm not paying for shit. My father is paying for all. I just get input on what he gets because I'm the only person in this family that knows the difference between a turbo and a hairdryer.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:17

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Why not a TVR Chimæra?

macanamera > duurtlang 01/23/2015 at 16:18

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I def agree on the manual part...

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:19

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Because you can't autocross it.

davedave1111 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:19

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It's way too quick and powerful, not to mention sporty, for a beginner. Especially given your near-total absence of driving lessons and testing, any beginner's full attention ought to be taken up solely with dealing with the roads, traffic, and basic driving of the car.

Most kids hoon their first car whatever it is. Encouraging that rather than doing your best to discourage that is a very bad idea in my book.

Brian Silvestro > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/23/2015 at 16:19

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that's only the base fiesta

macanamera > AM3R shamefully returns 01/23/2015 at 16:19

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My second car was an E92 328xi, I loved it dearly.

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:20

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nah bruh koenigsegg

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:20

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I know of a certain BMW...

BeaterGT > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:20

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Saturn with a stick. No Fiesta ST unless he wants to roll it into a ditch.

Rory > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:21

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Not to sound like a grumpy Irishman , but what is it with buying new/powerful cars for teenagers in the states. Please tell me this is not a trend.
My first car was a 9 year old VW with a 1.2 Litre engine. Being the idiot I was I managed to slide that thing at 140kmh
Also dont get me started on Licences ... hooohoho no

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:21

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Lykan Hypersport only

macanamera > davedave1111 01/23/2015 at 16:22

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I did hoon the shit out of my first car...

macanamera > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 01/23/2015 at 16:22

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not awd

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:24

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well its too late now I just put the deposit down on a Venom GT

Steve in Manhattan > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:24

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He can learn to drive stick later. Volvo. Big. Ugly. Safe.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:24

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Get something old and crappy that's fun, but ultimately slow. Thought about Chevy Trackers? They're amazing. He can jump things in it and not die! Fieros? It is #FieroFriday after all. He can get a body kit and pretend it's a Ferrari before he crashes it. In fact, there's probably one already like that on your local craigslist for a grand or so! He's going to crash it into something. Wait til he knows how to drive to get him something that can get him into real trouble. By getting him something slow and fun, when he gets himself into trouble, it will be at a very slow speed.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:25

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Ok Lancia Delta S4 Stradale.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > For Sweden 01/23/2015 at 16:25

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Aren't all ten year old GTIs?

MysticStick > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:25

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But.. Miata!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DoYouEvenShift 01/23/2015 at 16:27

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Yep, perfect. Small trucks. You can run into things, jump things, and it will usually bounce right off.

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:27

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fuck it'll be like 2 years til he gets it too

xxstich666xx > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:27

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I fucking did this in a FWD 100hp automatic Chevy Cavalier at 18. That's the problem....

What do you think adding 100hp and some grippy tires to this equation would have done....

AM3R shamefully returns > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:28

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Glad to hear you liked it, I'm a really big fan of the E9x chassis. How was it in snow on proper tires?

335is or M3 would be a nice addition to my stable. Damn you lack of room!

macanamera > Brian Silvestro 01/23/2015 at 16:32

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you dont know my influence level brb about to hoon this venom gt that just arrived

Brian Silvestro > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:34

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wealth status: illuminati director

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:34

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Gli guy here. The gli was my first car.

I say get a 2013 or newer or2009 or older

I cannot recommend it enough. I love it!

PS9 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:35

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First car at 15 which will be purchased for him is a brand new GTI.

Lucky bastard.

Wurrwulf > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:35

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$5K max so that when he destroys it, it's not a huge financial loss.

jariten1781 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:37

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The GTI isn't a murder mobile or anything. It has enough power to get you in trouble though so it wouldn't be on the top of my recommended list for a first car. If he's exceptionally mature it'd probably be ok.

I do agree with starting people on a manual if they're willing to. It makes them better drivers over all.

If you have to have new I'd go with something like an Elantra GT with the stick. It has less of the racy image so he's going to have less people wanting to race in the HS lot. Anything to remove temptation. It's just as practical and will be more reliable than a VW product. It's not horrible and beige either.

But really, a 5-10 year old car is better for a new driver. They're extremely likely to fuck it up so putting them in something new is literally just burning money. Something like an older TSX with a stick would be my pick.

jkm7680 > Klaus Schmoll 01/23/2015 at 16:41

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^This exactly.

jkm7680 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/23/2015 at 16:43

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Huh, Does this certain BMW happen to be Boston green?

BeaterGT > mazda616 01/23/2015 at 16:43

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I got a 95 Firebird for 1300! T-tops and a 5 speed

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > jkm7680 01/23/2015 at 16:46

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Why yes it is.

davedave1111 > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:49

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So did I - and I had a 60hp Punto. Even that was enough to let me do stupid things, but there were probably more than a couple of times when if I'd had more power there'd have been a very bad crash instead of a near miss.

jkm7680 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/23/2015 at 16:50

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Ah, Very good!

signintoburnerlol > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:50

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He'll be fine, get the GLI.

Beware of the jealosuly factor you can get on Oppo, a lot of the guys on here had some pretty...normal cars for a first car. If he crashes it, then he can pay for it.

If he's gonna be the guy driving his friends around or has a lot of friends, then a GLI would be a better choice than a GTI.

Stay safe.

MultiplaOrgasms > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:52

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Considering that over here kids (not even that, we have to be at least 18 to get the full licence) get themselves killed in 75hp Golfs, something I have actually witnessed first hand, I'd say get him something that is SLOW and actually safe. Modern-ish GTIs/ GLIs may be safe, but they are still too powerful for a 15-year old. Teenagers like to explore the limits, so your brother will inevitably crash and I'm sure you'd want it to be a low speed crash with a safe car, unless you hate your brother that is.

My suggestion: Base engined Golf.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:52

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I'm sorry but does a 16 year old and first time driver need more than 200hp

jariten1781 > Rory 01/23/2015 at 16:54

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It's not a trend. I drive past multiple local high schools daily and the vast vast majority of the parking spots are filled with old beat to crap corollas/civics/mazda3s/CRVs etc. There's a smattering of new stuff and maybe a couple cars that I would call 'sporty', but it's certainly not the majority or even what I would call common.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Klaus Schmoll 01/23/2015 at 16:55

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Volvo P1800! Looks amazing, yet is pretty damn slow when stock.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/23/2015 at 16:57

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Yes, you can get the 2-door over here. They looks so much better than the 4 door!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 16:57

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Definitely manual.

I do think the GTI/GLI probably does have too much power for a first time driver, but think a BRZ is not a bad choice, unless he'd have to content with bad weather on a regular basis. I like the idea of a used BRZ as my son's first car (he's 8 - ha!).

Mazda 3, perhaps? Absolutely has to be new?

Confused Miata > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 17:06

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My first car was a 92 Pontiac Grand Am (2-door, v6, 5spd) and it was a true shitbox. By the time I was finished hooning around (2.5 years later) I had matched what I paid for it in repairs.
If something were to happen maybe a CPO GLI would be a less risky option.

B_dol > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 17:08

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My little brother (22) just purchased a used GTI as his first car. Great platform (inside and out), excellent value and a fun car to won. Smooth gearbox, great tech features and decent mpg / reliability. I would highly recommend it, in fact another friend of mine is looking at buying one.

It is arguably the WRX for folks that want to enjoy time spent on the inside of the car. German luxury in a performance hatch package. Also harder to get into trouble without RWD.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > Steve in Manhattan 01/23/2015 at 17:09

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Or get a Big. "Ugly". Safe. Manual . Volvo.

Klaus Schmoll > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/23/2015 at 17:15

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And he could learn basic wrenching! Changing spark plugs, checking the timimg, adjusting carbs, you name it. Good idea!

Steve in Manhattan > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 01/23/2015 at 17:18

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That's a possibility. However, if it were my child, I'd want them steering, braking, and paying attention. My eldest niece learned to drive on a huge, old BMW 7 series w/ slushbox. More power than she needed, but she was certainly safe in it. Much later, her dad taught her to drive manual on his 1 series. If it were my child, I'd look at what crash tests the best, is rated the safest, and get one. And probably another one when the kid totals the first one.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Klaus Schmoll 01/23/2015 at 17:31

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And as he gets older and thirsts for more power, a red block turbo would do the trick!

Alex B > jkm7680 01/23/2015 at 18:09

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But then you run the risk of looking poor.

Alex B > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 18:15

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Look into a manual Cayenne (first or second gen) there's a couple Cayennes at my High School (Not manual). They seem like a good car for high school kids. Maybe an Audi A4 or A3. There's two A3s at my school, the owners say they're good cars. The A4 is very common though...

Klaus Schmoll > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/23/2015 at 18:20

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Yes, but I wouldn't want to punish the car him for too long. Let him move on to a ............. after some time when he realises that driving such a car as a DD can be a lot of work. He has to decide whether he wants to keep it or sell it. Money for a new car or keeping the first car and storing it somewhere. Even more responsibility!

No Prius Needed > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 18:37

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The 2003 Lexus Es300 is the perfect first car...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > macanamera 01/23/2015 at 22:22

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Keep it in the family... GLA45

Rory > jariten1781 01/23/2015 at 23:19

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My Parents live in SW FL and im usually stunned at the cars kids drive over there. I guess I find it amazing since the car prices and tax here mean that the only new BRZ's and GTI's you see here are usually driven by young business men. Most kids are limited to 1.4 engines

JasonStern911 > macanamera 01/24/2015 at 00:10

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if I had a son right now, his first car would be a NB Miata. even if I was rich enough to go walk into a Subaru dealership and drop down $30k for a new car for a 15 year old, I wouldn't do it. Maybe if he was in college, which, none of my business, would be a better use for the money. But a high school kid's first car ultimately either gets neglected, into an inexperience based accident, or has some crazy high school hijinx happen to it. why trash a perfectly good new car for that?

flying lap > JasonStern911 01/24/2015 at 08:26

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We have similar taste. My son's first car will surely be an NA or NB miata. I won't explain why, you already know.

boxrocket > macanamera 01/24/2015 at 14:59

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Mazda2.

Fun, light, tossable, a good stick to learn on, economical, and looks OK, neither cheap/dorky or too masculine/feminine. Plus, as a first car, it will probably get beaten up, so something cheaper to work on and repair is best, rather than an expensive-to-work-on European car, especially Volkswagen Group's vehicles. Plus four doors for any friends or stuff, and a just-enough-sized cargo area.

Party-vi > macanamera 01/27/2015 at 09:55

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Yes please get your 15-soon-to-be-16 year old brother with zero driving experience a performance-oriented car. Also convince him to rob a bank so he can pay for the enormous insurance premium.

He needs an older Civic with a manual. Perfect first car.

macanamera > Party-vi 01/27/2015 at 09:58

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we already got him a first gen dodge viper, perfect first car

Party-vi > macanamera 01/27/2015 at 10:02

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Roadsters are safe because he can jump out in case of a crash.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > macanamera 01/30/2015 at 10:49

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What about a turbo and an alternator? Hurrr