TXGrey wrote

I love Stelvios & Giulias (I know, blasphemy on this forum). I attempted to buy a Stelvio Quad three different times; all three deals fizzled out (one over a lousy $1500 that I prob should have just ate). They drive fantastic, and as you stated, can be found for an absolute steal these days. But the issues are so glaringly hit and miss (and horrible to deal with, i.e. dealer/mechanic support) it scares the daylights out of me. IF, and that's a big if, we decide to go the route of getting something only for the high school years (here around town), then that would open the door back up for something like the Stelvio. But if go down the path of one car, and that's it (college too), then he needs to be in something practical and that can be fixed & maintained more easily than an Alfa. Trust me, I have YEARS of research on this topic because I wanted the Quad so badly. That SUV is absolutely ridiculous... I've driven several of them, and each time you get out of the car with a massive $hit-eating grin. The sounds alone will make you forget about any issues that come with ownership.

Phillies8008 wrote

I come to the same conclusion every time I start lusting for a Jaguar F-Type, which is fairly often. At least I could get local servicing on that one, though.

LH44 wrote

26K on my F-Type SVR. It has never been to the dealer for anything other than scheduled maintenance.

Efthreeoh wrote

Like fishing to me. I live on a great trout river in Virginia. Literally can walk 100 feet from my front door and cast a hook into the water. ZERO patience for it.

Now, too, I can walk 200 feet over to my shop, lift a BMW on the two-poster and pull a transmission to replace a throwout bearing. Like transcendental meditation...

Phillies8008 wrote

Oh yeah? Well I live in the suburbs with an ever-increasing traffic problem stemming from out of control housing development sprawl in an ocean of chain stores and restaurants! So there!

Oh...

jaffles wrote

And that my friend is why EVs were created, to address respiratory concerns from emissions that ICE can't. Furthermore its easy to see Elon's dream of no one has a car, just dials up one of his driverless loaners.

Phillies8008 wrote

I do indeed drive an EV! But I also have exactly zero interest in having a car drive me rather than the other way around. And I have less than zero interest in driving one of Elon's cars.

jaffles wrote

Hear hear, my feelings exactly. I sense the idea of getting an E92 330d for the sons fist car is not that popular on hear, and I get it. However its only a few short years before EVs will be popular first cars. One of the kids at school drives a Tesla, and last time I test drove one before Elon came out, it kid of wasn't slow.

Phillies8008 wrote

I think EVs really need a parental control to limit at least the torque that EVs are capable of – IMO, it's just too much for a new driver. Ironically, I think I've been told that Tesla does have this, though I don't know for sure.

My primary concern about older cars would be the safety systems, which I think are probably the most important thing for a young driver. You'd have to evaluate that in the particular model in question. After that, I'd be concerned with putting a kid, particularly a boy, in a car with a lot of hp. They're stupid and are prone to doing stupid things; being able to do them very fast just multiplies the problem, lol.

silvermanor wrote

16 year olds having their parents buy cars for them seems to be common these days. Sad.

Phillies8008 wrote

I think EVs really need a parental control to limit at least the torque that EVs are capable of – IMO, it's just too much for a new driver. Ironically, I think I've been told that Tesla does have this, though I don't know for sure.

thebmw wrote

So many people here are dogging used BMW. Yet, they will buy an EV for their kid.

thebmw wrote

It is not HP that is the issue, it is torque!!

thebmw wrote

Plus, how is a kid going to learn how to drive when the newer cars that people are proposing are all stage 2 or 3 self driving?

thebmw wrote

This is why I bought a manual 3 series. It doesn't have much torque...much less than an auto and no self driving features.

TXGrey wrote

Love that car… never driven one tho. It’s on the list. Well, the small CUV is anyhow.

FrankL wrote

Ford Fusion 2006 to 2012 if you can find low mileage and get the 4 cylinder. It is peppy enough. Too many stories of parents getting kids a Tesla or sports car and bad things happen.

The car is essentially a Mazda. Very reliable. I still have a 2007 with a 5 speed. I can't sell it because it is so reliable. The paint is like new and interior is very good. Safe with loads of airbags.

afadeev wrote

Nice.
Which year/model did you get?

thebmw wrote

F30 335i. In comfort mode, it is "slow" with limited torque at lower RPM.

thebmw wrote

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. It's been heavily criticized for years, but a feature when you want someone to accelerate slower LOL.

afadeev wrote

That car comes with an N55 engine.
I think we have very differenet definitions of "slow" ;-)