BMW X5
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-19-2020, 11:01 AM   #1
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
I need ideas for a $15,000 car for an 18 year old

Yes! Another "what car should I buy" thread!! But I am looking for ideas for something reliable for each of my younger twins for a HS graduation gift.
Twin M really wants a 2015 A3 convertible or a Tacoma or an F150, Twin G doesn't seem to care. $15k is our spending limit for each.

Any ideas are appreciated, I have looked at rav4's, crosstreks, Q3's, Mazda cx-5's. Anything to support or steer me away from those cars is also appreciated.
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 11:10 AM   #2
rcracin
Major
1238
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (3)

Tacoma so you can borrow it when you need a pickup
Appreciate 1
eluded2959.00
      05-19-2020, 11:26 AM   #3
plutnicki
Private First Class
75
Rep
178
Posts

Drives: 2024 M8C Coupe & 2019 X3 M40i
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

I don't know how they run in your neck of the woods, but trucks near me... 15k will get you a fairly beaten, high mileage Tacoma, maybe... Or really any truck honestly. They just hold their value too well.

I'm looking at 2016 - 2019 Honda Civics for my son. 15k will get you a nice one with next to no mileage. Highly reliable, great gas mileage, low maintenance costs, cheap to insure... He wants a red one, that's as fancy as it gets, and he wants a sedan or coupe (not the hatch, doesn't want an SUV). Only bummer is the CVT (and it's not that bad) but you can get a manual if you look hard enough.

Not exciting, but for a kid, keeping it cheap and reliable is the way to go IMHO.
Appreciate 4
Rmtt8206.00
Germanauto9665.50
eluded2959.00
      05-19-2020, 11:30 AM   #4
Burrcold
Brigadier General
5043
Rep
3,868
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW M3 Comp xDrive
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

A3 Convertible or a truck? Seems like a strange range but whatever. Truck for the practicality (for yourself if you don't have access to one already)...you can get a decently specd/condition F150 for $15k. Or like others have said, a newer Civic or Corolla (hold their value, reliable, and safe).
__________________
Current: 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive | 2022 Audi Q7
Gone: 2022 Audi RS5 | 2020 BMW M340i | 2019 Audi RS5
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 11:31 AM   #5
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

None, make them work for their own. And before you say, but they're good kids, worked hard, idc. I bought my own car, same with my wife, and we both agree that we appreciated our vehicles more.

I see my sister in law who got things handed to her "because shes worked hard in school and was a good kid". Well now she expects things to be handed to her. It was unbelievable hearing her complain that her sister (30s) got a new laptop from her parents recently and she didn't. Blows my mind considering she's married with 3 kids and is in her late 20s.

Parents paid for her 6 figure college degree too, only for her to literally never work. All 2 sisters did the same.

Of course all kids are different and it's your money. I would get twin M the Toyota and twin G a Toyota or Honda. Heck get them the exact same car down to the color so they can't complain or fault you. As some one who has had multiple Vw and Audi's I would steer clear. Seems like its always a 2k repair for this or that. I have multiple f150s currently. They are decent trucks but rust quickly, if that's of concern. The Toyota will get better gas mileage I would assume and is better looking truck. My 150s get about 16-20mpg with the small engines.
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 11:33 AM   #6
Unknown_Car
Major
Unknown_Car's Avatar
United_States
447
Rep
1,060
Posts

Drives: Few and diffrent
Join Date: May 2015
Location: All over

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcracin View Post
Tacoma so you can borrow it when you need a pickup
And what would you tow with that? Tacoma barely pulls itself. My friend has a landscaping company and he bought a tundra and what a weak truck, he had it sold the next year and got a RAM.
Appreciate 3
      05-19-2020, 11:33 AM   #7
Torgus
Slow.
Torgus's Avatar
United_States
3779
Rep
7,150
Posts

Drives: Single Turbo N54 on Meth!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2007 BMW E92  [10.00]
2007 BMW E90  [0.00]
2006 BMW E91  [0.00]
A $5k econobox is more than enough and more than I started with. Or spoil them and throw away your money.
Appreciate 5
SYT_Shadow11421.00
Dagamus_NM1639.50
stein_325i25051.00
Kelse921131.50
Mb7328831.00
      05-19-2020, 11:46 AM   #8
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6453
Rep
3,009
Posts

Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

IMHO the car should come with strings attached and ideally re-paid, they are old enough to drive then thy are old enough to work.

Kid needs input into what they are driving, sensible option is a 3 year old Camry or something but that will not go down well.
Appreciate 2
      05-19-2020, 11:52 AM   #9
rcracin
Major
1238
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roma_335i View Post
And what would you tow with that? Tacoma barely pulls itself. My friend has a landscaping company and he bought a tundra and what a weak truck, he had it sold the next year and got a RAM.
Sheesh, tough crowd. Just the bed for random shit. Most regular folks can use a bed. They’re usually not towing 6k+ lbs or running a landscaping business.


The tacoma isn’t too fast, very useful, and probably safe enough.
Appreciate 1
JDMSteven463.00
      05-19-2020, 11:53 AM   #10
rcracin
Major
1238
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Our03z4 View Post
None, make them work for their own. And before you say, but they're good kids, worked hard, idc. I bought my own car, same with my wife, and we both agree that we appreciated our vehicles more.

I see my sister in law who got things handed to her "because shes worked hard in school and was a good kid". Well now she expects things to be handed to her. It was unbelievable hearing her complain that her sister (30s) got a new laptop from her parents recently and she didn't. Blows my mind considering she's married with 3 kids and is in her late 20s.

Parents paid for her 6 figure college degree too, only for her to literally never work. All 2 sisters did the same.

Of course all kids are different and it's your money. I would get twin M the Toyota and twin G a Toyota or Honda. Heck get them the exact same car down to the color so they can't complain or fault you. As some one who has had multiple Vw and Audi's I would steer clear. Seems like its always a 2k repair for this or that. I have multiple f150s currently. They are decent trucks but rust quickly, if that's of concern. The Toyota will get better gas mileage I would assume and is better looking truck. My 150s get about 16-20mpg with the small engines.
I see no correlation between buying a kid a regular car and how they turn out. At 17+ they’re probably already who they are in terms of being spoiled or lazy.
Appreciate 1
davidr3447.50
      05-19-2020, 11:54 AM   #11
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
A good pick up truck with under 75,000 miles exceeds our budget. Those always seem to run over $20,000.
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 12:02 PM   #12
Mintsopoulos
Captain
Mintsopoulos's Avatar
United_States
664
Rep
606
Posts

Drives: '15 MW F80 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

I think your best bed would be something in toyota/honda lineup. Something that isnt going to break the bank if repairs are needed. You could probably get something really nice in either of those car lineups for 15k.
__________________
Appreciate 1
      05-19-2020, 12:04 PM   #13
vtown
Private First Class
vtown's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
132
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: CT

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Blood View Post
A good pick up truck with under 75,000 miles exceeds our budget. Those always seem to run over $20,000.
If you were look at a Tacoma, whether it has 75k or 125K it's the same truck. No worse. Might as well buy the one with more miles and save your money. These regularly run up and well over 300K with basic maintenance.

Bought my 09 Taco new. All these years later and at 120K it runs and drives the same. Test drove the new 3rd gen thinking about a upgrade....I prefer the old one. I Put in new Bluetooth stereo with Carplay and it's way better than the new one.
Appreciate 1
      05-19-2020, 12:18 PM   #14
chassis
Colonel
chassis's Avatar
6374
Rep
2,283
Posts

Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Einbahnstraße

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
For $15k price and reliable requirements I recommend against Audi, MB and BMW.

Look at:
VW Tiguan
(higher mileage) gasoline VW Touareg
Honda CR-V
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 12:18 PM   #15
9M71
Major
1233
Rep
1,164
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 | 6MT
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: NYC

iTrader: (2)

Are they going away for college? My first car after HS was a small SUV and it definitely came in super handy being to haul things to/back from school along with some friends. Came in clutch.
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 12:25 PM   #16
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roma_335i View Post
And what would you tow with that? Tacoma barely pulls itself. My friend has a landscaping company and he bought a tundra and what a weak truck, he had it sold the next year and got a RAM.
The OP is not in the US. A Tacoma is a big truck where he is.
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 12:35 PM   #17
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9M4N71U View Post
Are they going away for college? My first car after HS was a small SUV and it definitely came in super handy being to haul things to/back from school along with some friends. Came in clutch.
One is going to Texas A&M, about a 3 Hour Dr., the other one is going to Texas tech, about a 5 Hour Drive. Yeah, the one that wants the Audi, is making the long drive.
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 12:40 PM   #18
pikkagtr
Go Spurs Go
pikkagtr's Avatar
United_States
3847
Rep
2,866
Posts

Drives: 2022 GR Zupra
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (-1)

Toyota Corolla
Heard you beat
40mpg highway
Safe
And as reliable as a wood burning stove
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2020, 12:41 PM   #19
R N M
Colonel
R N M's Avatar
3620
Rep
2,048
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW M3  [0.00]
V6 Mustang from 2015-2016

Honda Civic / Accord

Subaru WRX / Legacy / Crosstrek / Outback
Appreciate 2
Kelse921131.50
      05-19-2020, 12:42 PM   #20
SYT_Shadow
///M Powered for Life
SYT_Shadow's Avatar
11421
Rep
10,294
Posts

Drives: E90M/E92M/M4GTS/M4GT4/X5M
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Greenwich, CT

iTrader: (2)

I say a manual car and make it a car not a truck/suv/crossover

A manual keeps people from being stupid. You can't drive it when intoxicated. Your jackass friends can't drive it either because they don't know how to. You can't eat pizza or do your makeup while driving a stick shift either

A car also helps avoid people from doing stupid things. In a car you have a better feel for your mortality when 18 wheelers pass you by.

There are plenty of cars with manuals in your price range, Mini Coopers, Civics, etc
Appreciate 5
Torgus3779.00
Kelse921131.50
exE36M3486.00
nicholasn261.00
      05-19-2020, 12:53 PM   #21
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow View Post
I say a manual car and make it a car not a truck/suv/crossover

A manual keeps people from being stupid. You can't drive it when intoxicated. Your jackass friends can't drive it either because they don't know how to. You can't eat pizza or do your makeup while driving a stick shift either

A car also helps avoid people from doing stupid things. In a car you have a better feel for your mortality when 18 wheelers pass you by.

There are plenty of cars with manuals in your price range, Mini Coopers, Civics, etc
I tried that approach with my older twins. The clutch. Did not work as planned.
Appreciate 1
9M711232.50
      05-19-2020, 12:55 PM   #22
Captain Blood
Banned
United_States
13866
Rep
14,519
Posts

Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Alph Ceti VI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Audi S3  [9.50]
2012 135  [6.83]
Quote:
Originally Posted by R N M View Post
V6 Mustang from 2015-2016

Honda Civic / Accord

Subaru WRX / Legacy / Crosstrek / Outback
The Mustang V6 is a great idea!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST