First Car?
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 147
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From: North Jersey
2007 C230 Sport manual
I bought my own car when I was 16. It was a 1972 coupe deville (back in the early 90s). The thing was a damned boat and weighted like a million tons. I don't really understand the mindset of parents that spend a lot of cash on their kid's first car but far be it from me to judge .. 
With that said, I would really really really consider the C240 idea if I were you. Here's why:
You can get one for song these days still under warranty
Its a great looking car
It's extremely safe
Insurance is about as low as they get
And its not a rocket like the C32 so she'l stay out of trouble
She'll still be the envy of all the kids at her school cause her daddy bought her a benz
Just make damn sure you buy the extended warranty cause now matter how well she drives, teens just have a way of destroying cars that's beyond me.
Good luck and make her work for it
With that said, I would really really really consider the C240 idea if I were you. Here's why:
You can get one for song these days still under warranty
Its a great looking car
It's extremely safe
Insurance is about as low as they get
And its not a rocket like the C32 so she'l stay out of trouble
She'll still be the envy of all the kids at her school cause her daddy bought her a benz
Just make damn sure you buy the extended warranty cause now matter how well she drives, teens just have a way of destroying cars that's beyond me.
Good luck and make her work for it
I agree about Manual transmissions being liberating...I drive one myself...I just think a brand new driver should have a number of years of experience first. Enough of my Editorializing....Good Luck on the new car...now matter you decide to get your daughter she is lucky to have a father who cares enough to put a lot of thought into it....
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,767
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From: Arizona
BMW FTW
Just a tip. Dont give a new diver a manual transmission. They are distracted enough and tend to panic when the going gets tough..
Facts are..
She is going to talk on her cell phone and drive when you are not around.
She is going to speed
She is going to have friends in the car and will be distracted
She will try and put makeup on or look in the mirror at herself a lot.
Trust me I was a teen once just like you but the difference now is we have electronics and junk that distract us...
Probably my best recommendations for a 1st time driver.
1. ML or X5
2. X3
3. 3 seires.
The reason I put the ML and X5 above the X3 is since the ML and X5 are 4wd and that is basically a fool proof thing for new drivers, 4wd are some of the easiest to control on the limit. Both the X5 and ML will not fishtail (unless you are going crazy fast on the verge or rolling over) and the have mild under steer at the extreme limit. Probably the biggest advantage to the 4wd cars is control in the rain and bad weather, feeling confident while driving is very important when you are a new diver. And being a new driver she will be inexperienced in the rain and will probably drive a little to fast since you are not in the car, well the 4wd is a big safety feature in the rain and bad weather.
If it was my daughter I would get either an ML or an X5 whichever one you could get a better deal on, usually the x5's tend to be more than the ML's.
Facts are..
She is going to talk on her cell phone and drive when you are not around.
She is going to speed
She is going to have friends in the car and will be distracted
She will try and put makeup on or look in the mirror at herself a lot.
Trust me I was a teen once just like you but the difference now is we have electronics and junk that distract us...
Probably my best recommendations for a 1st time driver.
1. ML or X5
2. X3
3. 3 seires.
The reason I put the ML and X5 above the X3 is since the ML and X5 are 4wd and that is basically a fool proof thing for new drivers, 4wd are some of the easiest to control on the limit. Both the X5 and ML will not fishtail (unless you are going crazy fast on the verge or rolling over) and the have mild under steer at the extreme limit. Probably the biggest advantage to the 4wd cars is control in the rain and bad weather, feeling confident while driving is very important when you are a new diver. And being a new driver she will be inexperienced in the rain and will probably drive a little to fast since you are not in the car, well the 4wd is a big safety feature in the rain and bad weather.
If it was my daughter I would get either an ML or an X5 whichever one you could get a better deal on, usually the x5's tend to be more than the ML's.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,116
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From: NY/NJ
2012 W212 E350 Bluetec
Probably my best recommendations for a 1st time driver.
1. ML or X5
2. X3
3. 3 seires.
The reason I put the ML and X5 above the X3 is since the ML and X5 are 4wd and that is basically a fool proof thing for new drivers, 4wd are some of the easiest to control on the limit...
1. ML or X5
2. X3
3. 3 seires.
The reason I put the ML and X5 above the X3 is since the ML and X5 are 4wd and that is basically a fool proof thing for new drivers, 4wd are some of the easiest to control on the limit...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
BMW FTW
I disagree. It might be one thing to start on an auto for the 1st month or two, just to get the basics right re: accelerating/braking/turning/merging/etc. But if you give them an auto and they drive it the next 1, 2 or 3 years, chances are they will never learn stick in their lives. Just my $0.02...
X3 is AWD (and also available on the 3-series for that matter), so what's your point?
X3 is AWD (and also available on the 3-series for that matter), so what's your point?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
BMW FTW
I disagree. It might be one thing to start on an auto for the 1st month or two, just to get the basics right re: accelerating/braking/turning/merging/etc. But if you give them an auto and they drive it the next 1, 2 or 3 years, chances are they will never learn stick in their lives. Just my $0.02...
X3 is AWD (and also available on the 3-series for that matter), so what's your point?
X3 is AWD (and also available on the 3-series for that matter), so what's your point?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 1
From: McAllen, Texas
2017 E400 CAB 2007 BMW 650i CONV
well im hunting for an older stick car .. 911TT 
she wants a truck though .. maybe a 2500 series with a manual tranny would be cool to go to high school in ....
thanks for the great input, I got to do something fast before she takes my CL out for a spin and I have to kill her ...
I will keep you guys posted ...
thanks again
she wants a truck though .. maybe a 2500 series with a manual tranny would be cool to go to high school in ....
thanks for the great input, I got to do something fast before she takes my CL out for a spin and I have to kill her ...
I will keep you guys posted ...
thanks again
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 797
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From: Southern Methodist University
2001 C320 (purple), 2002 BMW 540i
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 328
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From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
it is a sad state of affair that kids drive luxury cars (used or new). it is warped their outlook and they probably thought that "this is normal."
i am sure the teachers' lot is full of corollas and camrys
i am sure the teachers' lot is full of corollas and camrys
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
From: Southern Methodist University
2001 C320 (purple), 2002 BMW 540i
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 1
From: McAllen, Texas
2017 E400 CAB 2007 BMW 650i CONV
lots of accords too ...
not a problem
went shopping did spot a 3 series 4 door prb pull the trigger on that one
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
E500
I'm 18, my first car was a 740iL - now a E500 - which i still consider to be a great car, not extremely practical for a young person, but I sure as hell had many people in the car often, and they enjoyed the backseat comfort.
I don't drive fast, and never got into an accident with the car, she clearly enjoys sport tuned car as the E55 would indicate and it seems as if she will go a bit too fast. I don't agree w/ the idea that young people shouldn't drive luxury cars. They're safely designed and many people are mature enough to treat them properly.
My suggestion would be to get her a SUV. It seems women enjoy SUVs...it provides ample shopping bad room. I think they're safer due to their higher seating as FTW mentioned. If i had a daughter/wife I sure as hell would want her to have AWD it helps with safe driving.
I'd definitely do my best to avoid getting her a speedy sedan...it is the teenage years, I'm in them and I do know how many of my peers - even the "nerdy, studiers" get the urge to speed for thrills. If she persists for the speedy engine, get her the ML AMG. But a good V8 will provide her a comfortable ride and satisfaction.
BTW, I commend you're dedication to your daughter, you obviously care about her safety and her wishes - you seem to be a good Pops.
Hope all goes well
I don't drive fast, and never got into an accident with the car, she clearly enjoys sport tuned car as the E55 would indicate and it seems as if she will go a bit too fast. I don't agree w/ the idea that young people shouldn't drive luxury cars. They're safely designed and many people are mature enough to treat them properly.
My suggestion would be to get her a SUV. It seems women enjoy SUVs...it provides ample shopping bad room. I think they're safer due to their higher seating as FTW mentioned. If i had a daughter/wife I sure as hell would want her to have AWD it helps with safe driving.
I'd definitely do my best to avoid getting her a speedy sedan...it is the teenage years, I'm in them and I do know how many of my peers - even the "nerdy, studiers" get the urge to speed for thrills. If she persists for the speedy engine, get her the ML AMG. But a good V8 will provide her a comfortable ride and satisfaction.
BTW, I commend you're dedication to your daughter, you obviously care about her safety and her wishes - you seem to be a good Pops.
Hope all goes well
