A Mercedes for a Teenager?
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A Mercedes for a Teenager?
All of us have been put in a hypothetical win-win situation. For instance: "Dude, would you rather sleep with Eva Mendes or Charlize Theron?" Forum member 2007CL63AMG's teenager son is in a win-win-win scenario. A very real one.
Our Benz-owning brother originally asked which one of the following three vehicles he should buy for his young car enthusiast, who is getting his license this month:
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Last edited by DShiekhi; Aug 20, 2014 at 06:47 PM.
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From: Montreal, Canada
2008 Saab 93 TurboX SC (BSR stage 1)/2014 E63 S Wagon (Rebellion Tuned/Renntech Sport Mufflers)
I would not put my son in any of these cars right after he got his licence. I would buy a used small-size car with 150'ish HP max for him to gain experience and responsability.
I remember one of the stupidest thing I've done at 16 was take my dad's eagle vision TSi (250 HP at the time was a lot!!) and go on a joy ride with some friends. I promised I would behave but testosterone and peer pressure had me going at 120 + mph before I knew it.
I know we always think our kids are smarter and more responsible than the rest, but in reality they are not!
You can argue that the cars stated are safer than a small-size used car but the temptation of pushing the limits and going over them is more present in a Benz or Audi or an SRT...
I remember one of the stupidest thing I've done at 16 was take my dad's eagle vision TSi (250 HP at the time was a lot!!) and go on a joy ride with some friends. I promised I would behave but testosterone and peer pressure had me going at 120 + mph before I knew it.
I know we always think our kids are smarter and more responsible than the rest, but in reality they are not!
You can argue that the cars stated are safer than a small-size used car but the temptation of pushing the limits and going over them is more present in a Benz or Audi or an SRT...
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Mercedes-AMG C63S Edition 1
I'd say buy him a VW GTI. Not too much power, not too crazy etc. It's a car that's just right. At the age of 17 I bought myself a 2013 VW GTI. This car gave me the speed I wanted for when I needed it, but it kept me calm, and prevented me from going crazy with it. A year later when I felt that I was ready for a better car, and knew that I wouldn't go crazy I decided to buy a CLA 45 AMG.(Paid for it myself) Perfect car for a young guy. Honestly don't buy him anything more expensive then a S4 or anything more powerful then it. It'll be pointless and might just end up causing the guy to go crazy with it to show it off to his friends. (Ton's of younger guys do it. Saw it every day while I was in high school). Although I must say I think it'd be best for him to buy a car on his own. It'll allow him to learn to be more independent etc. That's just my honest opinion, but either way whatever car he gets, I hope that he loves it, and treats it properly.
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2012 CLS63
I think it's odd that you'd use such a question in your article : "who would you rather sleep with (Bang)........"
that's classy man.........thanx for classing the place up for us, feeling very sophisticated
that's classy man.........thanx for classing the place up for us, feeling very sophisticated
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Depending on where he lives, it could be peer pressure to fit in. Where I live, its not uncommon to see the local high school parking lot filled with BMW, Benz, Porsche and a few bentley and aston's. That would be the student lot.
My next door neighbor has a kid in high school and they often have parties at their house. I see lots of MB, BMW, Audi, Porsche parked in front of their house all the time. During prom week the Aston's, Bentley's, RR's etc all show up.
My 7 year old 2nd grader is already asking if he can have a C63 AMG when he gets his license.
I won't give him one that's for sure. He will have to earn it himself. But I also won't throw him into an old beater.
I'd likely get him something similar to a CPO C250 or 320i when he gets his license. A decent sized, safe car with enough power to get out of its way but not outrageous, and won't make him "lose face" in school.
My next door neighbor has a kid in high school and they often have parties at their house. I see lots of MB, BMW, Audi, Porsche parked in front of their house all the time. During prom week the Aston's, Bentley's, RR's etc all show up.
My 7 year old 2nd grader is already asking if he can have a C63 AMG when he gets his license.
I won't give him one that's for sure. He will have to earn it himself. But I also won't throw him into an old beater.
I'd likely get him something similar to a CPO C250 or 320i when he gets his license. A decent sized, safe car with enough power to get out of its way but not outrageous, and won't make him "lose face" in school.
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There's nothing wrong with getting a brand new car IMHO as they're generally safer and less to worry about going wrong when he may be driving at speed for example.
That said a ridiculously high powered car for someone with no experience is insane. Buy him a reasonable engine C class or a normal a4 etc. they're still expensive, large and safe but not so overpowered he can do himself and others some serious injury. Just my 2 cents.
That said a ridiculously high powered car for someone with no experience is insane. Buy him a reasonable engine C class or a normal a4 etc. they're still expensive, large and safe but not so overpowered he can do himself and others some serious injury. Just my 2 cents.
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1990 190E
A brand new car for a kid?
I think a kid should start out safe, not flashy. Giving him the hot shot on the block car and attitude is asking for trouble as an adult. He will be overly entitled. Thats what I dont like about these cars for status purposes. I like them because they are solid, safe beautiful car. I bought a used 1990 190E for my kid, because it get a whole lot of car for the money and he will be safer. Just my opinion, not wishing to offend. 
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2001 E55 AMG
If he is buying his son a brand new Benz for his first car, it's a pretty safe assumption that money is not an issue. Therefore, if I had to pick for him, I would probably choose the 4matic. A new benz with all wheel drive will almost certainly be a safer car than say, a 10 year old toyota.
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My daughter was all set to inherit my 2007 C230 Sport when she turns 16 (in 2017). Only problem for her is that I got T-boned in that car, which is how I came to acquire my E55. Looks like she'll be getting a Subaru. ;-)
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From: Forest Lake, Brisbane
2014 C250 AMG + 2013 E220 CDi + 1994 E220
Having gone though exactly the same thing (parents wanted a decent 1st car that wasn't going to have massive un-reliable spats between being driven) we plumped for new car with a warranty. What I wanted was vastly different (either a W123 or a Miata - same price bracket at the time) what the parents wanted was something that wasn't going to break my heart if I binned it (corolla) along with learning some skills along the way (yep, did that). It took me 4 yrs but I was proud of getting a W123 (you know the drill, not underpowered, ok gas mileage, cheap to fix etc etc) Having said all that, I know why parents would have son/daughter in a new car, safety.
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AcuraNSX
I absolutely do not understand the need for such a gift. I remember how my parents only said that if I want something, then it's time to look for a side job. It seems to me that for teens, the best gift may be permission to read reviews on Essay Review Expert and use resources such as Studymoose or other educational programs. All the same, the main priority at this age should be education
Last edited by Ujarondu; Dec 24, 2019 at 03:36 AM.
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When my son wanted to drive (our cars) at 16, I said sure, but he'd have to contribute to the increased insurance cost. Turns out, driving right then must not have been that important, as he held off a year before doing anything about it. When he then wanted to drive, he'd saved up for some insurance, and we sold him my wife's used Mazda for less than half it's worth, while we got her a new car. He paid for it over time, and was thrilled to have it. (While normally a careful driver, he totaled it, of course.)
I don't believe in raking a kid over the coals to make him/her pay for something to drive, but I also believe that it is very important for them to at least help pay for their new ride, whatever the car. At the time, I could not have (at least with clear conscience) bought him a new MB, but even if I could have, I would never have done it. He'd still have started off on something used, but safe, and something he helped to pay for in some way. A 16+ year old being given a new luxury or sports car is NOT receiving a life lesson. At least not one I'd like them to have.
I don't believe in raking a kid over the coals to make him/her pay for something to drive, but I also believe that it is very important for them to at least help pay for their new ride, whatever the car. At the time, I could not have (at least with clear conscience) bought him a new MB, but even if I could have, I would never have done it. He'd still have started off on something used, but safe, and something he helped to pay for in some way. A 16+ year old being given a new luxury or sports car is NOT receiving a life lesson. At least not one I'd like them to have.
