BMW 325xi
 

Looking at this ride for the boy, Patrick, who gets his permit in a few weeks. It is a one owner, clean carfax - 2002 325xi with 65k on the clock, air bags and ABS. It passes the kool test for the boy, so he just may keep his paws off of the 14's. Also the kitchen lady ruled out sports cars and wanted something that can handle the snow belt for trips to visit her 89 year old mother.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...pscc238bf1.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps14677a43.jpg

Looks just like mine except the wheels.

Nice car. But don't know what price is involved. IMHO (humblest, off course...) it might be a bit too nice for a new driver. Plus, I'd be a bit concerned about "Bimmer" shop repair costs. Even though it may not have a lot of miles, its already an 11 year old car.

For the money, I'd be looking at a cheaper, easier/cheaper to repair beater car. I continue to be a big fan of the Ford Focus. Tough, roomy, relatively easy to repair. And with a 2nd set of cheap, skinny wheels with winter tires, its pretty damn capable in the snowy stuff. 2002 4-door model (ZX5) available for $5K and under.

Personally, I like the idea of a low powered BMW for a new driver. They're built like tanks. My neighbor got his kid an old E36 318ti, which I thought was just about perfect.

I'd prefer newer, with side curtain airbags.

Boy + fresh permit + first year of driving = high probability of body damage.

E46 is a rock solid platform, but has a couple of weaknesses. Cooling systems need to be refreshed around this mileage [water pump/thermostat/expansion tank/maybe hoses]. Check carefully for rear subframe cracking. Auto trans is renowned for dumping reverse gear.

Both of my older kids got a year of so in a beater before qualifying for a nice car like this one. Its was roundly beaten by both of them, and died in combat.

We had an '01 325xi wagon. Really liked it, but after about 40K miles the maintenance/repair costs turned it into a money pit, just one thing after another, so we had to sell it. But our experience may not be representative, so I suggest checking the reliability ratings on the '02.

Kool kid test? When I was 16, I would have been happy to drive a pink Gremlin so long as I was driving. I'll echo the comments about others of body damage being probable for the 1st year or two. I hope to find a Corsica or something similar when my boys are old enough.

Both my sons learned to drive in a 2002 Focus ZX5. They both had wrecks in it.

Son #1's wreck was fixed at a body shop, and he paid for it. And paid for the damage to the other car, too.

Son #2 also wrecked it, causing another car to be totaled in the process. Our insurance covered the other car, and I picked up body parts from the junkyard for the Focus. Was reassembled with Son #2's help, and he's still driving it today.

First car should be disposable. :cool:

AMEN X2

I see it every day in my business. I'd say the probability is 60 to 70% a kid beteween the ages of 16 and 20 will have some kind of incident during those years

I'd go for something safe that does not need collision coverage. I'd also tell them if they total it that it will be the last car I will buy . The next one is on them.