Originally, it was hey, let's get a nice used Tacoma and put a lift on it. I shopped that market for over half a year. Stupid/ridiculous pricing on the used market... and just not worth it.
Then I went to normal bland-mode... a nice used Civic or Accord perhaps. Still like this idea, BUT, as most know, they are also certainly proud in the used market (with good reason for reliability and low overall issues), and most are boring (again, it's a Honda).
Then for a bit, I went dead opposite... well, what about something fun to drive for a few years? I nice used 2 series with relatively low miles or something of the sort. Or what about a used Alfa Romeo Stelvio? Super depreciation and a helluva drivers car. We can tackle our own maintenance... no biggie. Then I thought about electrical gremlins... I'm not chasing that dragon.
Then I went back to Toyota stupidity... what about a high-mileage 4Runner? I've owned three of them... reliable dinosaurs. But in my price range (basically 20K), it'd have to over 100K on a basically 10 year old Runner. That seems totally nuts and is a really tough pill to swallow.
I'm literally all over the map... One day, I'm searching used Macans (the 4 cylinder base can be found really cheap with 70-80K miles)... then next, I'm back to trying to find a nice Civic.
Not afraid of DIY maintenance... I do half the maintenance on my cars (currently BMW and Porche SUVs). But we all know the price to play for used Lux German or Italian machinery. It can be steep. Fine for a few years while he's here in town for HS.... but not applicable for leaving off to college.
Life is too short to drive boring cars... I know, I did it for years. BUT, there also has to be some practicality and sensibility in this situation. We are blessed to be in a scenario where I can brainstorm different options. But I'm not blind to the fact he'll be a new driver and will most certainly have some mishaps early on.
For those who are parents with freshly-crowned drivers... what did you all choose and why?
