Son Wants Vehicle

[RUSSELL5000]

My son is turning 15 - he is learning to drive now. I remember being that age and waiting for legal license time, but as a father I think it is coming much too fast. I suppose that is because it reminds of how fast the years of my life are gong by, but also because I am not all that excited about my son driving around with all the unsafe idiot things I see on the road every day.



Anyhow, my son really likes the truck - we got it in February of this year. He thinks it would be great if I got a new truck and let him have this one - sorry, not happening. :{



So, we have been talking and he says: how about a first or second generation used truck? I can see why that appeals to him. On the other hand, he does not have anything to haul beyond a bicycle, skateboard, pair of skiis, etc. He doesn't have anything to tow. Most significant issue: his father is not buying fuel for him!!!!:-laf



It looks to me like the only other used diesel vehicle option is a volkswagon TDI (new vehicles are out). I saw three TDIs at the TDR rally in Columbus, IN and see a number of folks on here have them.



Is it realistic to think we can find a good used Jetta or Golf diesel?



Is it realistic to think we could do whatever work is needed to get the vehcile in proper driving shape?



What do folks think of these vehicles?



I would think mileage would be in the 18 mpg to 22 mpg range for a first generation or second generation truck wit the Cummins; I assume the VW TDI would be in the 30 mog to 35 mpg range - does that seem about right?



Anybody else been down this road - how severe is the pain in the wallet?



Thanks!

 

[mwilson]

Will add more when I get home Monday... BUT for now the TDI should bring 40-45 mpg to the table in a Jetta, Golf or New Beetle.

2000-2003 with a standard transmission in any of the three configurations above is what I would swing Dad and Lad towards.

Mike.

 

[jgillott]

Everyone that I know that owns a TDI have had great luck with them.

With that said, I think you should listen to your son and look in to some type of full size truck for him, especially if he is buying the fuel (Think about how often he will be jamming his buddies in that little 40+mpg runabout). Nearly 25 years in the fire/ems gig has me very leary of brand new drivers in small cars. There aren't enough airbags or safety features in the world that can make up for lack of experience and the laws of physics.

 

[CBari]

Being a new parent I am sure my views will change in the next 14 years but for now I would go with the truck several reasons.



1. Unfortunately most kids get into some sort of accident some are their fault but many are because of the millions of drivers on the road who shouldn't be on the road. I would much rather have an accident in a truck as a car.



2. If said wreck occurred the likelihood of totaling the truck is a lot less, which should me you don't have to go hunting another bargain on an used truck like what you found the first time.



3. Most of the older trucks have deprecated their value where they will be worth about the same amount you spend on it now as when you sell it in 4-5 years.



4. Regular cab trucks won't haul as many people as Car with a back seat. Less peer pressure that way. Also no back seat maybe you wont have to be called Grandpa till it is truly time.



Best of Luck

 

[Tractorat]

Maybe a little different perspective, but.

I have 4 kids. The oldest just turned 37. We didnt let her have her own car until she was a senior in high school. She got her lic (as did the other kids) when she turned 16. But we limited her driving time, especially at first. As she got a little older, and her skills improved, we started the conversation about her own car. We finally got her a smaller 10 year old ford for Christmas of her senior year.

My son also got his lic as soon as he turned 16. And we limited his driving when he got his lic. I let him drive my car somewhat. At the time I kind of needed an old pickup just to go to the dump, haul lumber etc. So I found one for under $1000, and let him drive that (once again, limited driving, and the truck belonged to me). When he was a junior, I got him a 1992 buick century. It got pretty good milage, and was bullet proof. He really didnt like it, but it was free to him. By this time he had a part time job, paid for his own gas, and we let him drive a lot more. After he was out of high school for a year, he found a car he wanted, and bought it himself.

Now I had two more daughters coming up so I kept the buick (drove it myself alot). One of my daughters got her lic when she turned 16. Once again, we limited her driving. And, btw, the buick was at this time considered my car. As her skills got better we let her drive more. When she was about 18 or 19, she found a car that she wanted to buy. It was about $4k and she only had $2k. It was a pretty nice 91 honda accord. So I gave her the other $2k and she bought that car. She eventually paid me back (her idea). She drove that car for maybe 8 or 10 years. It had over 100k when she bought it, and just under 300k when she sold it last year. The only thing we ever did to it was change the timing belt a couple of times.

 

[EGroeneveld]

I think the first question is really what is your budget? To me $5K or 10K or 15K makes a huge difference in choices to be made... . and also is he (and you) planning on doing all the vehicle work yourself? Pick a budget then look at the vehicle choices available...

 

[Wingate]

What worked for me and my son was a 2004 Ram 1500 regular cab. It had bucket seats and a center console that did NOT flip up to make a 3rd seat. I wanted to limit the amount of passengers that could get in the truck with him.
It had the hemi and 3:92 gears. . I worried about it at first, but he didnt act up too bad with it. .

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks much. Viewpoints are invited.



I go back and forth in my mind on the large vehicle versus small vehicle issue. There is no doubt the large vehicle is safer. Pretty much every teenager bashes a car at some point -I did, but it wasn't bad, nobody hurt. There is also no doubt that the more kids in the car the dumber they act - the only time I ever drove like an idiot when I was a teenager was when the car was packed full of buddies. On the other hand - these trucks are expensive, there are no two ways about it. I also wonder if the little trips would be hard on a first generation or second generation truck - the Cummins would still never come up to temperature, would it?



My basic idea is to try to find something used that my son and I can work on to bring to a state of being confident in the vehicle. The expense issue on the trucks comes in again at this point.



I have not given thought to budget yet - trying to understand what the alternatives may cost.



As far as the back seat goes - lot bigger issue than a vehicle!! Talking to him, faith, and (a lot) of prayer on that one!

 

[jeepit]

When our children turned of age to drive we had an extra vehicle for each of them. We didn't have a lot of cash at the time. Vehicles were titled to my wife & I. My wife got a used Jeep GC and I think our daughter had our old Explorer. Then when she went off to college we purchased a used Saturn. The vehicle didn't need comp or collision anymore so that held down the insurance cost. Did the same with our son just different vehicles.
After each graduated from college we gave them the cars they were driving.
Wife has a VW Jetta TDI and average 43 MPG. It has 132000 and handles like the day we bought it. Other than the mandatory timing belt and fuel filter and oil changes it has been a great car. I would buy another.

 

[JJPage]

It's a really tough decision. Diesel, car or truck... Not unless you have the time to do all the maintenance, I would pick a simple gas vehicle.

Truck/Car ??? Truck is safer for the operator. . maybe, also capable of doing more damage to others and their property. I witnessed a group of teenagers from CDA in a 47 flatfender 4wd Jeep(six kids in the bed) climb the Widow Maker at Fernan Airstrip, Jesus Christ!!! No 4wd's for my kids.

My wife and I found a 92 Nissan Sentra for my son when he turned 16, and a 97 Honda Civic for my daughter when it was her time. Both were easy on fuel, reliable and reasonably priced, also less expensive to license and insure.

Just my thoughts, good luck with your search and final decision. Jess

 

[Tractorat]

Another thing to keep in mind for the new driver. Trucks just dont stop as well as cars. Especially on wet pavement.



And as far a 4wd goes, it tends to make folks (who in reality probably dont really need it) just drive faster in snow and ice. And 4wd doesn't help you stop.

If snow driving might be an issue, personally I wouldn't let the new driver drive in snow at all for the first year. Then I would want him to learn how to drive in the snow without 4wd. Someday, if he ever really needs 4wd and gets it, that will have improved his skills so he is just that much better with the 4wd.