Perhaps an almost ten year old Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Or a Honda Civic would offer the better compromise in roominess, safety, fuel economy, price, parts availability, and insurance for your teen. Yes, most of these choices are “dorky,” but probably easier on the family budget.

ABS typically carries a $1,000 premium in the new car market, so this is seen in the used car market, as well. Used economy cars are less likely to have this feature, generally 10%, because people shopping for a $12,000 new car don’t have an extra $1,000 to spend. Once in a rare while you might find such a car from a wealthy family that was bought new for a teenage driver, loaded with all the bells and whistles. I was lucky to find such a car in my local classifieds, a ‘95 Corolla with ABS and power everything for less than $3,000, a few years ago that was purchased by the original owner for the shared use of 3 teenagers over 10 years. If this is not possible for you, you should consider an older high-end car, which probably will have the extra safety features, and might still be in the same price range.

when thinking ahead of what specific car to purchase, i’ve always considered choosing not just the affordable one but the car with complete safety features just like with my ford. It’s been three years in me now.. and by now, I got even plans on having some modifications and changing my ford f-250 brush guard. thanks for this helpful info.

I’m with your husband on this one. Buy your son a used Crown Victoria or a Grand Marquis. They have seat belts,air bags,ABS and has alot of metal around it. I’m a woman and I wouldn’t put my teenage son in one of those small cars. Boys need to be boys and and learn to drive a real car.Your husband is also right about a bigger engine to get out of dangerous situations. Believe my V8 Gran Marquis has gotten me out situations wear I would’ve been side swiped and accelerated to avoid an accident.

Liz, You’re my kind of woman!Its refreshing to hear a woman say “Boys need to be boys” these days. Alot of Mothers are way too over protective of their teens,especially boys. I have two 16 year old twin,a boy and a girl and my ex wife is way,way over protective. My son wanted to go out for football,she didn’t want to because he’ll might get hurt.My daughter wanted to try out for cheerlesding,ex wife didn’t want her to because she might have boys trying to pick her up. When they’ll turned 16,they wanted to get their driver’s license,ex wife wanted them to wait till they were 21 to get it. My son & daughter got so sick of her over protectiveness that they asked me last Feb could they live with me. I let them move in, I tuaght them to drive and pass the driver’s test,my son is playing football and my daughter made the cheerleading squad and they both have good marks and do well in school. I can’t afford another 2 cars but I’m thinking about getting them a used Gran Marquis or Crown Vic that they’ll both have to share. They learn with a V8 and learned how to handle it.

Last year,my never married 88 year old uncle who had a 1997 Lincoln Town Car with only 50,000 miles on it decided to give up driving because of his sight. I was visiting him when he walked over threw me the keys and the title and said “Its yours”. So I change it over to my name and my 17 year old son drives it.It has ABS,air bags,all the safety features. Of course I laid rules,no speeding,if he gets a ticket,he pays for and loss of the car for a week,no drugs or booze,which he doesn’t do anyway and if he wants to give a ride to friends,he must call me or his mother and lets know who and where they’ll be going.

My son just got a 1997 Crown Victoria for $1300 from a cowroker of mine. A big car is safe and it has all the features. He is learning to get used to the big car after driving a Taurus and fusion for several months.