Looking for my 18 yo son....help?

[gr8smiles]

I am trading my son's 2000 Wrangler for a more 'roadworthy' car as he will be heading off to college next year. Very responsible, yada, yada, yada....I was 18 once too.

He has logged over 30k miles on his Jeep and my cars since he got his license 2 years ago. No speeding tickets, a couple of bumps that we paid to fix and did not tell State Farm.

We are looking at a white 04 coupe for 25500 with 41k miles. Also, I am looking at some sedans (although he MUCH prefers the coupe). Is this too much car? I am looking at something that will be reliable and last 7+ years while he away at school. Something sporty and fun, as well as decent mileage wise is a plus.

Any opinions? I know that this is the G35 board.

Thanks

Rick

[IronAnaconda]

What do you mean by too much car? If you mean too expensive for a 18 yr old I don't think so, I'm 19 and I got my G35 this year.. But I would definitely go with coupe, it looks totally different from the sedan and most people prefer the coupe look, and a coupe is much better for a college student than a sedan..

[infinititech1]

buy me one

i love the coupes

[9095240SXDUCK]

If its up to me, i say if he want it, he should get a job and work for it. not you buying for him!I would just buy him a Civic for about $3000

Dont get me wrong, my dad could of brought me one for my 21 birthday But he told me if i want it and I should work for it! When I was 16 I brought my self a brand new 98 Accord EX loaded to the roof for 26K and my dad did not ever pay a penny on anything for the car, I work my *** off from the time I get off school to around 12am!

its up to you, but I say yes it too much of a car! It took me 3 year to save to buy my car! Since I hate payments!

[l.i. bruce fan]

I think what you are asking is it too much of a car, as in, will he get himsefl in trouble with it.

I think most definitely yes! I looked at the coupe, ended up going with the AWD G35X sedan, but I have a totally different situation.

Again, if you are worried about what he will do with it, you should be, its fast, its small, its a great car, but in my opinion (father of four, oldest a 10 year old boy), it's too much car.

The whole should he earn it, work for it, etc., that's a matter of your own personal tastes, background, abilities, etc.

Good luck!!

[srdrps13]

damn didnt' we have a post just like this last month haha.

IMO.. if the kids stayign out of trouble, getting good grades, and helps monthly with payment of some sort he deserves it.

[gr8smiles]

The post previously was about a new driver...not that 18 is exactly a vet, but he has put over 20K miles on his Jeep. By 'too much car', I mean power and speed to get him in trouble. Not that you can't go fast and get in trouble with anything.

I brought home a 04 Sedan tonight to try for the evening. Pretty sweet car! Definitely lots of power and it tracks like it's on rails. Wow! I want one....thanks for the opinions. He does his share to pay for it..don't worry about that. I had a 73 AMC Gremlin that I had to buy when I was a teen.....I am still scarred from that!

[9095240SXDUCK]

The post previously was about a new driver...not that 18 is exactly a vet, but he has put over 20K miles on his Jeep. By 'too much car', I mean power and speed to get him in trouble. Not that you can't go fast and get in trouble with anything.

I brought home a 04 Sedan tonight to try for the evening. Pretty sweet car! Definitely lots of power and it tracks like it's on rails. Wow! I want one....thanks for the opinions. He does his share to pay for it..don't worry about that. I had a 73 AMC Gremlin that I had to buy when I was a teen.....I am still scarred from that!

The sedan is not has sweet of a drive has the coupe and the sedan only have 260HP if its a auto!

I dont think in 2 years and over 20K in a jeep will keep him out of trouble. since we are talking about apple vs orange! I think if you think he need something nice to drive and its a coupe. Your should look into something like a Lexus SC300,Toyota Solara,Acura CL. It has less power,I am petty sure cheaper on the insurance, and it will get him from point A to Point B for the next 7 years and it will be a much up grade on ride from the Jeep!

[C-Kwik]

Noone can judge your kid better than you. If you feel he is responsible enough, that's for you to decide. But do consider if he is away from home, he may get a sense of detachment from you. Perhaps a sense of freedom. I'm sure you are aware of many of the "temptations" in school at that age. It's a time when the ego can begin to take over reason and responsibility.

And before you say, that's not my kid, next time you see some kids goofing off on the road, just consider for a moment...do their parent's know how they really drive? Personally, if I had a kid that was ready to drive, I'd get him the slowest piece of crap that will run reliably. If he's got my blood in him, I know he'll get that piece of crap up to speed, let alone a car that can do it with ease. I can't imagine I'd still be alive if I had a car with more than about 150 HP when I was 18/19. hehe.

Consider the financial impact as well and think smartly with your money. If you do get him a car, perhaps put it in his name only. Make him pay for the insurance seperately. I would recommend higher liability limits, but whatever you decide, you want to protect your assets should he cause an accident.

I'd also think about the mileage factor again too. The VQ does not like to sip it's fuel. Unless you are certain he will keep revs real low and speed down to 65 and under, he'll probably be aiming for sub-20 mpg. Hell, I can't even get my 95 maxima to reach more than 20 mpg. Hell, I'm getting damn near the same mileage I was with the G35. I'll admit, I have a heavy foot though.

If he gets the G35 though, give him a box of condoms to go with it. He'll need it. =P

[JoshG35]

I am 20, and I bought myself a brand new 04' G35X at 19, stuck brand new 19 inch 5Zigen wheels and Yokahoma tires and an cold air intake. He will prob do that too in the future. Depends where you live, like I live in PA, so I bought myself an G35X, if you live in a place where you dont get snow, then get him a coupe. But remember, I was told by my infiniti dealer, that coupes dont have traction control like the seden has (its just a plain rear wheel drive car), and the coupe is cheaper in price.

[mikeatx]

I'm a 26 year old responsible adult. Own a house, 2 nice cars, have a great job, etc.

I can't resist all the temptations my G35 Coupe has to offer. It really is alot more sports car than most things on the road.

When I bought mine, the sales manager used to work at a Chevy dealer and said he'd take the G Coupe over a new Vette (C5) anyday for overall perfomance, handling and comfort.

I know if I was 18, no matter how responsible I was. There is now way I couldn't pull up at a light next to a Mustang that wants to play and not hit that throttle hard.

I would move down to the V6 Accord coupes or something in that price range. Buy something slightly used and let him get used to a fairly fast V6.

If you still want to buy him the coupe. Go with the 350z. Whats an 18 yo want with all that luxury? hehe

I've seen Zs with under 30k miles going for $19,999.

[joe603]

damn didnt' we have a post just like this last month haha.

IMO.. if the kids stayign out of trouble, getting good grades, and helps monthly with payment of some sort he deserves it.

ya...kindof deja vu....hopefully it doesn't turn into a flame war! I'd say that a college student is a good age for this car, though a 350Z seems like a better fit...

[rydwhite]

Sounds like a nice car and at a decent price. The coupe isn't too much of a car if you are smart and responsible. It sounds like you believe that he is. The care is very reliable, but it is a bit pricey to maintain. Not the best gas mileage in the world, but if you drive it conservatively you can get fairly good mileage out of it, somewhere around the 20-23mpg mark.

I honestly think that the sedan might be a better option if he is going to college. Hauling all that crap to and from college and laundry home every other weekend, he could probably use the space.

But the coupe is much more of a chick magnet.

[KA-Te]

Just make sure he appreciates it!

+10 million for being an awesomely understanding parent.

[The_Scooch]

That's a wonderul gesture but...

I have 2 daughters, both in college. My youngest is a freshman this year and I just put her on the plane this week. Both my daughters earned full athletic scholarships, got good grades, responsible... the whole deal. The temptation to award them with new cars was overwhelming. However, upon consulting with fellow students, coaches, counselors, etc, we all came to the conclusion that a car was not necessary the first couple years at school. Or, at least for the first year. Everything they need is close, on campus or can obtained with a bike ride or short walk. Parking on most campuses is a pain in the rear and/or very expensive. Care and upkeep of a car becomes last priority when studies, testing, and other college functions take precedence.

I made a deal with each of them when they were much younger. Get a full scholarship to anywhere for anything and I will buy you the car of your choice (within reason). They succeeded. Given all the of the above factors, they chose to wait until after their freshman year to decide if they wanted the car sooner rather than later. My oldest daughter is now a Junior and she still doesn't want the car yet. She has the used and abused Saturn that I got her for the "training" car at 16 and she says she wants to drive it until she graduates and get rewarded with a new car to start her new life with.

Just food for thought. Congrats on your son's continued success.

[J-Owner]

Yeah deja vu all over again and considering I expressed my opinion in the last months war on this issue I will refrain from adding to this one except to say the following:

The G coupe IS expensive to maintain (properly) if you take it to Jiffy Lube then you get what you pay for. More importantly, I did a large amount of traveling while in college (between campus and home was 4 hours each way) so depending on how much he will be traveling, the tires on this car are not cheap (about $900 to $1300 depending) and he will likely burn through those fairly quick. Also, if I remember correctly books, tuition, rent for that off campus pad he will need because living in the dorms is so yesterday, is not cheap.

So, what would you rather pump your money into? A solid college education and related expenses OR maintenance on a depreciable asset? (actually a car is only an asset if it is paid for, therefore, 90% of the cars out there are actually liabilities).

Just my $0.02. Do as you will

[JoshG35]

Your

I'm a 26 year old responsible adult. Own a house, 2 nice cars, have a great job, etc.

I can't resist all the temptations my G35 Coupe has to offer. It really is alot more sports car than most things on the road.

When I bought mine, the sales manager used to work at a Chevy dealer and said he'd take the G Coupe over a new Vette (C5) anyday for overall perfomance, handling and comfort.

I know if I was 18, no matter how responsible I was. There is now way I couldn't pull up at a light next to a Mustang that wants to play and not hit that throttle hard.

I would move down to the V6 Accord coupes or something in that price range. Buy something slightly used and let him get used to a fairly fast V6.

If you still want to buy him the coupe. Go with the 350z. Whats an 18 yo want with all that luxury? hehe

I've seen Zs with under 30k miles going for $19,999.

Your dealer was prob on crack when he told you that an G35 coupe was better then a C5.

[J-Owner]

Ummmm.......yeah......I would agree with Josh G35 that the G Coupe is not on the same playing field as a Vette. (although I would take the G over a vette anyday).

Having had three vettes in my family since childhood I can tell you that the vettes of today are very fast, well handling, high performance, plain looking, overrated, low to the ground pieces of tin owned mostly by old men in search of their youth and fat people that never seem to look comfortable in one.

They certainly are not the Vettes of yesteryear. Now if you are talking about a sixties Vette, well now that is an entirely different story.

gr8smiles. I am a 31 year old who has been driving since 14. Never a speeding ticket and never an insurance claim (knock on wood), judging by my monthly insurance rate of $125, I can't imagine what the rate would be on an 18 year old male. Enjoy that payment what ever it is

[SVTCOBRA]

I assume you are wanting to know what other parents do or would do if they had your money. I help secure the car for my kids (cosign or sign) and then they are responsible for the car payment. If they break the rules or do something dumb, I repo the car and sell it. I've done this with my oldest......twice.....seems to work. Now, the cars that we help them get are less than half the price of what your looking at, but if you are comfortable with that amount go for it. I would make sure he knows the consequences of racing and/or wrapping it around a tree. I might lean toward an automatic too......Would also consider a 350 since they are cheaper and if trunk space doesn't matter.Good luck!

[InfiG35Coupe]

I think what you are asking is it too much of a car, as in, will he get himsefl in trouble with it.

I think most definitely yes! I looked at the coupe, ended up going with the AWD G35X sedan, but I have a totally different situation.

Again, if you are worried about what he will do with it, you should be, its fast, its small, its a great car, but in my opinion (father of four, oldest a 10 year old boy), it's too much car.

The whole should he earn it, work for it, etc., that's a matter of your own personal tastes, background, abilities, etc.

Good luck!!

I Agree

[psedog]

Ummmm.......yeah......I would agree with Josh G35 that the G Coupe is not on the same playing field as a Vette. (although I would take the G over a vette anyday).

Having had three vettes in my family since childhood I can tell you that the vettes of today are very fast, well handling, high performance, plain looking, overrated, low to the ground pieces of tin owned mostly by old men in search of their youth and fat people that never seem to look comfortable in one.

They certainly are not the Vettes of yesteryear. Now if you are talking about a sixties Vette, well now that is an entirely different story.

gr8smiles. I am a 31 year old who has been driving since 14. Never a speeding ticket and never an insurance claim (knock on wood), judging by my monthly insurance rate of $125, I can't imagine what the rate would be on an 18 year old male. Enjoy that payment what ever it is

I must be extremely lucky, because my insurance cost is only 85 dollars a month. I'm 26 years old. Married with 2 children, am in the Navy and go to school full time. Without the good student discount I think I my monthly would be around 90-95. I don't remember off the top of my head how much that discount is worth.

[johnmully]

Oh man is it too much car! First In my opinion I woulndn't buy your kid any sports car for college. It's not practical at all with moving and trunk space in the coupe. This whole "deserving" thing our society places on everything makes me laugh! The word is "earn". If you feel you kid has earned it then yes buy them whatever you want. But if you have doubts, which it seems like you do or you wouldn't have posted I would go with a small less expensive car/truck. One that will take abuse and have a warranty while he is in school. Go for a civic, hyundai type of car. Hey they are crappy cars but at half the price! Then you tell you kid to stay out of trouble in college get good grades and graduate then you buy him a new g35 or whatever. I worked since i was 15 and was in the army for 6yrs my parents never gave me a car in my life. I worked and paid for my cars. People respect the things they buy more then if someone gives it to them. So if the tigers win the world series or the colts or whomever wins they didn't deserve to win it! They earned it because they worked their butts off for it!

[johnmully]

Your dealer was prob on crack when he told you that an G35 coupe was better then a C5.

I had a 96C4 Lt4(340hp) for almost 8 years. I have driven the C5's as well. I loved that car but oh my god there is no way I would take a C5 or C6 over my G35. Yeah looking at them and seeing what times they do at what, you would say the vettes are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Every american sports car I have owned(Irocz,gt,vette) all of them had crap break on them every 30k. Now my vette over the 80k I put on it I put at least 8k in her in parts some twice. Now the engine itself was strong and great but the other stuff (water pump x2, optispark x2, rear end linkage, shocks, clutch, radiator) and thats isn't counting the interior stuff that just warped or broke through time! The lack of engineering in american cars is why this happens. They are designed to break after the warranty is up. This is why I got in touch with my asian roots and got my G! There is a reason why american car companies don't make high satisfaction ratings year after year and their profits slide! They suck! Why are supra prices still in the same price range when they were new? They are works of art! No ones out trying to buy up all those firebirds and camaros!

[telcoman]

If it were my son, I'd go for the Honda Civic. It is a much more economical vehicle for a college freshman. There is plenty of time for him to step up to a G35 after graduation when he's working.My daughter's first car after graduating college was a 1999 Honda Civic Sedan 5 speed manual and she loved it

Telcoman

[C-Kwik]

I had a 96C4 Lt4(340hp) for almost 8 years. I have driven the C5's as well. I loved that car but oh my god there is no way I would take a C5 or C6 over my G35. Yeah looking at them and seeing what times they do at what, you would say the vettes are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Every american sports car I have owned(Irocz,gt,vette) all of them had crap break on them every 30k. Now my vette over the 80k I put on it I put at least 8k in her in parts some twice. Now the engine itself was strong and great but the other stuff (water pump x2, optispark x2, rear end linkage, shocks, clutch, radiator) and thats isn't counting the interior stuff that just warped or broke through time! The lack of engineering in american cars is why this happens. They are designed to break after the warranty is up. This is why I got in touch with my asian roots and got my G! There is a reason why american car companies don't make high satisfaction ratings year after year and their profits slide! They suck! Why are supra prices still in the same price range when they were new? They are works of art! No ones out trying to buy up all those firebirds and camaros!

The original statement was not about it's quality, but rather how their performance compared. The C5 will absolutely kill the G35 in this department.

I don't believe it's a lack of engineering nor do I think any car is engineered to fail after a certain mileage. Most engineers would probably overbuild a car to some extent if they were the ones making the decisions. But the ones that do make the decision determine at what cost point overengineering a car will not have enough value. Japanese cars have had a long term history of overengineering a car much more than domestics.

[johnmully]

When I bought mine, the sales manager used to work at a Chevy dealer and said he'd take the G Coupe over a new Vette (C5) anyday for overall perfomance, handling and comfort.

The original statement was not about it's quality, but rather how their performance compared. The C5 will absolutely kill the G35 in this department.

All I was trying to say was I was agreeing with the statement that for overall performance, handling and comfort I would much rather have my g over any c5 or c6 for that matter. Look at the cost difference and take that $ and get any add on you want to boost the performance to check and mate the vettes! The statement I made about the lack of engineering of american sports/all cars is what makes them break down is just that, if you build a car and after say 40-50k they break and you do nothing about it or engineer it to last longer then guess what you don't care and you are basically making crap to break down. Maybe it's just me or just my opinion but that happened to all the american sports cars(muscle cars lol) that I owned. If you watch top gear alot like I do Jeremy Clarkson hates the vettes cuz of the plastic bumbers and poor interior and lack of craftsmanship. Of course they rock performance wise but find one with alot of miles on it and take a look at the car inside and out. Thay are coming unglued everywhere. Japanese cars age well and last for decades. Take the supra, you can squeeze 700-900hp out of the stock top and bottom end. My god try that in any american car and it'll blow chunks! Look at ford. Their trucks are the highest selling vehicles in the world! They are losing sales because of the Titan and Tundra are better trucks and they want to buy nissan now and are selling aston martin to boot. I can't wait till the skyline and supra come back so all these retards in their vettes vipers cobras camaros and challengers get a taste of what a real sports car is. The only replacement isn't displacement, it's technology! Let me get off my soapbox now. Definately not trying to offend just preaching. amen