I cannot think of a safer vehicle for her to learn in. Looking for a loaded vehicle including bluetooth. Any idea on what price range I'd be in? Would I be better off leasing a new one?

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,

Jon

Check Kelley Blue Book. Why would you want bluetooth if safety for the kid is an issue? IMHO the last thing you want to do teaching a 15 yr. old to drive is encourage things like phones, radios, etc. that distract them from the chore at hand - driving. Giving her a fairly new, fairly expensive (for some of us) car as a set of training wheels also might put a lot of pressure on her and diminish the thrill of carefree young driving. That's what happened to my neighbor's daughter who wound up leaving her new MB home and always riding shotgun with my daughter in her 8 year old Corolla. If leasing, you might want to check if the terms allow a still-to-be-licensed driver of that age and experience. I wouldn't let such a person drive my car - maybe banks don't care, though.

Seriously that is too nice of a car for a 15 year old. Let her learn in a "beater" first, and to avoid any distraction do not encourage "bluetooth" phone chats when she is driving.

as for the bluetooth she is going to talk on the phone regardless.. If I had a daughter (or any child for that matter) I'd much rather have her using the bluetooth then holding the phone in her hand..

The plan will be to find a cheaper used Honda or similar with good fuel economy that's reliable , however, if we can delay at least another that would also be good. The statistics for accidents on young drivers are really scary.

A4 is one of the safest cars out there, no doubt...

I agree that she will at some point talk on the cell phone, so bluetooth is a better option than a cell phone in one hand.

Best thing you can teach her is to pay attention, which includes, among other things, minimal attention to the radio, not putting hot coffee on the seat, not eating fast food, etc, and NEVER applying makeup while the car is moving...... ;-)

her her take the best driver's education course you can find

(personally, I'm in favor of an 18 yo driving age)

as for leasing... i wouldnt know

Depending on how your insurance company works. I believe at that age you'd be paying mostly for risk associated with the age rather than the car, so not sure if a newer, more expensive car would have a higher premium than a second-hand one.

I would also look into Subarus.

As much as I love Audis, I do think that Audis tend more towards luxury than simplicity. I believe that Subarus also have excellent crash test ratings, the all-wheel-drive makes for incredibly stable driving, and ultimately I think that their simpler, less-luxurious nature means that their design is more robust.

Not sure what your family situation is, or how well-off folks in your neighbourhood are, but IMHO 2005+ A4 for a 15 year old is a bit overkill. Just my thoughts.

Im in Westchester County, NYS just north of NYC. Before deciding to go with my new '08 A4 2.0TQ Tip I had my insurance broker quote several other cars. The BMW X3 was the cheapest, then the A4, then the Acura RDX - the most expensive was an '08 Subaru Impreza 4-door with automatic and a pkg with stability control (not a WRX, just a 170 hp non-turbo). They re-checked the rates and the Subie was still highest (about $300/year more than the A4). I was pissed off at higher-end cars at the time and for a few days thought I'd just get a $20K Impreza since the new style is less toy-like, but that insurance number pisseed me off too. The BMW is only about $60 a year less than the A4. The RDX about $150 a year higher than the A4. FWIW.

Why spoil her now with such a nice car. Let her appreciate what she gets in life early. Being given such a new and premium car at that age is crazy.

A pretty recent build Civic or Corolla. or even jump to a Jabbit or Jetta will be a perfectly safe vehicle.

Talking on the phone irregardless of handfree should be a no-no at that age.

get over it.. its not your daughter.. its not your car.

go buy a corolla for yourself.

Get over yourself and grow up.

how does that mean I am the one who needs to get over myself and grow up? There isn't even any logic to a statement like that as a reply.

and that doesn't in anyway make you a realist.. just because you start with something nice doesn't mean you always expect it..

I gave my opinion on the matter to johnnyb1 who asked the question.

You are welcome to give your opinion, but don't direct it back at me...

your out of your mind...
Are you going to throw her a $300k bday party on MTV too?

Lol I hate that show

I went to a private high school where all the kids parents bought them nice cars (Yukon Denali's, Escalades, a few Range Rovers). I have nothing against that if you're financially able to afford it and feel that she is deservant of it because thats your business and not the forums. I would reccomend however, getting something else for her to start driving in, something safe, but not powerful, and with no Bluetooth or Navigation. I can't tell you how many of my friends have their license for a week and got in some sort of accident because their parents handed them the keys to a $60k SUV and just let them go.

There's a few ways to look at this. God forbid she gets in an accident, a different, less expensive car (someone below mentioned the Imprezza, I'll suggest a CPO Volvo S60 or S40) will be cheaper to repair (you'd be surprised how much it costs to repair something that you look at and go, "Oh, its not that bad"), and something like the Volvo will be equally safe.

In terms of the BT/Nav, I would not include this in a first car. 9 times out of 10, you can always add something later. The thing is, and I don't mean to sterotype, teenageers in general are constantly texting or whatever, and it distracts you from the road. BT/Nav will only add to this. So my advice is that you leave it out.

The biggest thing about driving is that physically driving on the road is not hard, but being aware of everyone else on the road is. I've had many close calls because someone on the road is doing somthing stupid, and I've had lapses in judgement before (how I totaled my first car; all becasue of a stupid mistake). So you should try to eliminate that as much as possible. Sorry this is a bit long, but I hope it helps.

IIRC $2k down, $500 security deposit or somehting like that. Premium pack (leather, 17's, sunroof) 2.0TQ Tiptronic. It seems lately that its cheaper to buy/finance an Audi then it is to lease one

DON'T POST IT!

its that simple.. don't cry when you post something people disagree with and tel you that.

Lol my dad is comtimplating going from an A6 to a Rabbit to wait for the B8 S4 to come out. He drove one an loved it.

to suck up exactly?

What's interesting too is that the Subie dealer's lowest lease rate on an '08 Impreza with that package ($20,400 MSRP) was $320/month for "0" down, 15K miles, sales tax in. My Audi had MSRP of $36,950 and the $502/month lease is the same "0" down, 15K miles, sales tax in and on top of that includes Audi Care full maintenance. The Subie would have required a Security deposit on top of that which I did not pay witht he Audi. The Audi lists at 81% more, but leases at only 57% more.
It amazed me as well that all the lease quotes I got for an '07 Honda CRV EX-L same terms were $440 to $480 no maintenance either.

I appreciate ALL your opinions. The reason for going with an Audi A4 is not to spoil but to keep her safe. I already have 2 Audis and absolutely love them. Nothing better in the snow and incredibly stable for a young driver who will probably make some crazy maneuver in the very near future.

The reason for bluetooth is simply so she does not need to fumble for a phone when it rings. No outgoing calls while driving until I say so. (I can check for compliance).

The radio will not be used for the first 2 months after she passes her tests. Only 1 friend in the car for the first six months.

Nice S8 BTW

Real snow tires would be the huge safety upgrade, and very little real cost (your summer or all-season set lasts longer).

The other is training and practice, as you already know.

Take care and good luck. Keep her safe out there.

You asked for suggestions and we commented.

they are kinda lackluster.

that's just crazy, just had my daughter and there is now way in HE!! i would get here such a nice car as her first...start with a decent/safe used car. but if you have the means (Money) than that is your thing... but then we ask as parents why are kids are so spoiled? and are never pleased for the things they have. just my 2 cents

if a teenager is grounded there is no reason they can't have a nice car.

My having nice cars didn't turn me into a horrible person.