Cost of your first car?

[disneysteve]

As for the death rate, I'm not sure but I suspect more teens skip wearing a seatbelt because it isn't cool, so when there are crashes, they are much more likely to die, be ejected, suffer serious injury, etc. Teens aren't known for their good judgement afterall.

I think that is a big contributor. Inexperience--over correcting little mistakes with disastrous results, speed ( a biggie) and peer pressure also come to mind.

Another possibility, which goes to the topic of this thread, is that new drivers are probably more likely to be driving old cars and junkers that may not have all the up-to-date safety features, ABS, traction control, side curtain airbags, etc.

[spicy14lingo]

My first car was almost 4 years old and it cost $2,100 which I paid the payments on. Kids are too spoiled when they get extravagent cars right off because let's face it.... they'll prob wreck sooner rather than later for lack of experience if nothing else - I did.

[globetraveler]

First Car?

1988 Suzuki Samurai @ age 15.

Paid $2,500.00 for it used in 1994.

Pretty fun to drive, but terrible safety ratings.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I don't even remember much about my first car. It did not seem terribly important to me, I guess. Fist car was bought with my husband. I was about 28. The car was a Toyota Tercel, used, but I don't recall how old or what year. Maybe three years old. Don't know how much we paid.

Don't really have an opinion on how much to spend on a teen's first car. May I just say, "It depends"?

[maat55]

My first car was a 68 Olds Cutlass Supreme. I paid 500, painted it Viking Red, put air shocks on the back with a set of 60 wide tires. I bought it with 53k miles on it.

[raygong2000]

I am looking forward to my dream car!

[wraddylan]

My car is 2500$.

[Brad VanGuard]

Well we just bought our family a stick shift Chevy S-10 so that our kids could learn how to drive one. We got it for about $3000. It's a '98 and in excellent condition.

[Dirty-Max]

My first truck was a brand New 2008 duramax paid with my own money very good truck!!!

[Copper]

I live in a country where cars are expensive so affording a new car is a tough job. I bought a 15 years old Japanease Toyota Corolla- 1996 model cost about US$7500. But believe me, I drive this car in 150+ speed and it has no problem.

[PSF]

My first car was a 1994 Daihatsu Charade I paid $1200 for it and bought it in 2006. More importantly, my second car (I still own) was a 1991 Daihatsu Charade and I paid $1600 for it (it was in way better condition then the first one) and bought it in 2011.

There is no need to pay big dollars for any car at any stage in your life. All they do is lose you money which can be spent on more important things such as your future. The most important thing about a first car is learning the difference between price and value.

And the reason why I got another Charade - one of the most reliable cars around, cheap on fuel, and easy to fix. The first charade had no major problems, until 2011 when the gearbox died on me, though with 350,000km these things happen.

So research which car has the most value for money (and if it's for you child teach them about value vs price), I did, and I really love my car.

[sweetlady2k]

My first car was bought in 1993, it was my step fathers restored 1974 Chevy Nova SS. It was 3000. I financed it for 3 years. Got rid of it in 1996 when my daughter was born.. 2 door, no A.C. in Florida. Worst mistake ever! Sold it for 1600 and paid cash for an 87 chevy celebrity with AM radio .. now of course 20 years later my wish list car is the Nova lol. You can barely find SS's anymore! For my 16 yo daughter I bought her a 94 jeep cherokee for 1300 cash.

[maynard]

$400 for a 78 mercury Cougar. It lowered the property value of my parents neighborhood. Ha

[rinamontella]

My first car was Tata Indica vista. My dad presented it for my 25th birth day. I was really excited for that moment. The cost of the car $3000