Was: Re: Audi = stupid? ....plus WRX drive Is: Teenager First Car

[Mike Veglia]

Best teenager first car, IMO, at least for those of us who are on a very limited budget (think three teenagers and home ownership on a modest salary in an area where the median home price is still hovering between 700-800k) is a Volvo 240 hands down. Even by today's standards a reasonably safe body shell. 50% F/R weight distribution. Excellent brakes. Not enough power to allow a boisterous youth to get too carried away with. Legendary longevity. Easy to learn DIY maintenance on. Cheap to maintain. We just bought a '89 240 with ~190k one owner miles for our first teen driver in very nice shape for $1400. If I lived in snow country I would have thought quattro. In fact, we even have a "spare" 1986 4000 quattro (in our current fleet of four Audis) which would have been a good bet too, but the Volvo is a good fit and my son was thrilled when he got it a few weeks ago. A type 89, such as the 1992 80q sport I picked up on ebay a year ago for $800 (but have
 well over $2k into now) would also be an excellent choice, but not as easy for the teen to learn how to work on or nearly as economical to operate. Don't get me wrong, I love my Audis, but my criteria for a first teen car makes the old brick a perfect fit.

Mike Veglia