Whatever it is it should be the best car in the family. The one with the most up to date safety features, airbags, antiskid computers etc. We found a car with all the airbags at the guvvy auction, ~ $14K. It was an ex police car but it goes well despite a misspent youth. It's still the best/safest car in the family.

Maybe let her drive your car if it has more than $10k of safety features and buy yourself a cheap runabout.

Hyundai Getz

DJ's car that's a perfect girls car imo

Ian K said...

Whatever it is it should be the best car in the family. The one with the most up to date safety features, airbags, antiskid computers etc. We found a car with all the airbags at the guvvy auction, ~ $14K. It was an ex police car but it goes well despite a misspent youth. It's still the best/safest car in the family.

Maybe let her drive your car if it has more than $10k of safety features and buy yourself a cheap runabout.

Our family has only ever had one car. Currently it's a 2001 5 series BMW. We've had it for about 8 years and we just get the regular services etc - it's a fantastic car and has served us very well. Nothing major has ever gone wrong with it, except now it's starting to leak, the top transparent coat is fading, and a few electronic things are going bung - I think it's time to update.

In the past we've had toyotas - great cars, but my experience is the interiors and paint stuffs up on them in the Aussie sun. I've also had numerous fords - will never go there again.

So we are really looking for two cars - a new one for us and one for my daughter.

I have a figure of $50K for both - $40K for us and $10K for daughter - there is no way will she get something more expensive than what I've worked for.

Personally, all my life I've wanted a big arse Jag - those leather seats, V12 and the walnut dashboard, but I don't think that is ever going to happen, cause at purchase time my brain suddenly kicks into action.

I think I'll be pretty happy with an updated 5 or 7 series or maybe an M3 or M5 BMW - I'm pushing 50 and if I can't get a Jag - I want some f'ckn carbon emitting V8 - cause I'm set in my ways and I've been way too good for such a long time now.

My daughter is falling into the same trap that I did when I was young. Fords/Holdens/Toyotas and other pedestrian cars. She thinks logically, that parts are cheaper, servicing and petrol etc. However, age has told me to buy a well made car that doesn't need so many parts and servicing.

I really don't know where I'm heading with this. But I reckon she should go for a BMW also - only cause it's been the best, most reliable make of car I've ever owned. But I really don't have any idea.

doggie said...

Hyundai Getz

Exactly what I am starting to look at for my soon to be 18yo daughter... Economical, safe, easy to park and plenty around so cheap to pick up a relatively late model and plenty of spares...

Plus it's not likely to be a thief magnet...

I'm looking to spend about $8k.

Good point about the hands-free car kit. Got my wife a pretty decent bluetooth job for about $125 from DSE - clips onto the sun visor.

I'm also going to get her into one of those advanced driver training courses - teaches you how to get out of a slide and how to do a (real) emergency stop etc...

oliver said...

Ian K said...

Whatever it is it should be the best car in the family. The one with the most up to date safety features, airbags, antiskid computers etc. We found a car with all the airbags at the guvvy auction, ~ $14K. It was an ex police car but it goes well despite a misspent youth. It's still the best/safest car in the family.

Maybe let her drive your car if it has more than $10k of safety features and buy yourself a cheap runabout.

Our family has only ever had one car. Currently it's a 2001 5 series BMW. We've had it for about 8 years and we just get the regular services etc - it's a fantastic car and has served us very well. Nothing major has ever gone wrong with it, except now it's starting to leak, the top transparent coat is fading, and a few electronic things are going bung - I think it's time to update.

In the past we've had toyotas - great cars, but my experience is the interiors and paint stuffs up on them in the Aussie sun. I've also had numerous fords - will never go there again.

So we are really looking for two cars - a new one for us and one for my daughter.

I have a figure of $50K for both - $40K for us and $10K for daughter - there is no way will she get something more expensive than what I've worked for.

Personally, all my life I've wanted a big arse Jag - those leather seats, V12 and the walnut dashboard, but I don't think that is ever going to happen, cause at purchase time my brain suddenly kicks into action.

I think I'll be pretty happy with an updated 5 or 7 series or maybe an M3 or M5 BMW - I'm pushing 50 and if I can't get a Jag - I want some f'ckn carbon emitting V8 - cause I'm set in my ways and I've been way too good for such a long time now.

My daughter is falling into the same trap that I did when I was young. Fords/Holdens/Toyotas and other pedestrian cars. She thinks logically, that parts are cheaper, servicing and petrol etc. However, age has told me to buy a well made car that doesn't need so many parts and servicing.

I really don't know where I'm heading with this. But I reckon she should go for a BMW also - only cause it's been the best, most reliable make of car I've ever owned. But I really don't have any idea.

The only thing going against something like a BMW is that they are expensive to run (as in service) once they get to that age where stuff starts going pop, which is hard if your kids have to pay for that stuff. And to be honest i'd expect a 2001 model car not to leak or have electrical stuff start to go up the shizer; particularly on something that cost well over 100k new (5 series).

Say what you will about Commodores and Falcons but they are cheap to run and cheap to fix which is once reason they are so popular, particularly with younger people and models post say 2001-ish are pretty damn safe. I own a commodore and my brother owns a BMW so I know both sides of the coin, both have full leather, cruise, climate, elec seats, front/side airbags, etc etc, his cost 90K, mine cost 50K(new), his last set of tyres cost him $3200, mine cost $1000, when he has to buy brake pads for it (it has 6 piston calipers) i'm pretty sure he's going to need finance

Don't get me wrong i'd buy and M3 in a heartbeat if I had the cash lying around but i'm not sure a BMW is the best first car for someone. I'd be more inclined to go with something small, focus, impreza, mazda 3, corolla, accent etc.

have 23 & 25y.o. girls (OK woman - until something goes wrong [}:)])

1. Tell them to turn phone off or do NOT use or answer when driving, & that includes stops.

2. Get them to pay for car & it's running cost (pay you back if necessary). They may take it &/or you for granted. (yes, I'm a hard ar$e)

3. Try for safety ie. airbags & not tiny tin can size. Ultimately it is their driving ability (can't buy experience unfortunately) that will determine how they will go/survive.

4. Just sold my 95 Subaru Liberty sedan auto for $2900. Good safe-ish (min airbags), reliable. But go a bit later models for more safer + all wheel drive.

Ian K is on the money there also.

Thanks breezers.

This discussion has woken me up to the reality of this. I would love to be able to put this whole car thing off and make her pay for it etc. But I can't see it happening.

I know she will prang it, so a safe car is really important. ABS brakes are great, and think the side airbags are also a good thing - hope they never have to be used. The phone thing with her is a real worry - instead of installing a hands free kit, I think I'll just make it clear to her that a condition on the car is that her phone is not to be used under any circumstances while she's in it.

Her teen years were difficult enough without this new worry.

oliver said...

But I really don't have any idea.

thats pretty obvious thinking you're gonna get a reliable ten grand bmw...

get the getz, or give her my number and I'll take her to places she never dreamed existed..... (as long as she pays for the fuel)

theDoctor said...

oliver said...

But I really don't have any idea.

thats pretty obvious thinking you're gonna get a reliable ten grand bmw...

get the getz, or give her my number and I'll take her to places she never dreamed existed..... (as long as she pays for the fuel)

reliable and bmw should never be said in the same sentance anyway

I have a beautiful 84 XE Fairmont that would be just the ticket for her.

Style, performance, reliability and economy.

It is worth $20k+ but as you are a member of the Seabreeze community, I'll cop $10k for it as long as you don't tell anyone how cheap I have sold it.

seafever17 said...

...... The thought of her breaking down at 2 am and walking for help bothers me more than her crashing (within reason). ....

Consider getting her membership with RACQ (or whatever it is called in your state). Even the most reliable car built can still get a flat tyre, flat battery or run out of fuel...

Good luck..

Might cost a bit more than 10 k

MIKO said...




Might cost a bit more than 10 k

Sold an original one of those in 1987, Orange, full stickers, 253, 4 speed for $4,500.