Most of us have partial memory of our first gondola . More likely than not that car was less than glamorous . In a bunch of cases our first fomite may have been a patch of junk , albeit an inexpensive piece of junk . It may have been 2d bridge player , rusty , and the doors may not have come together properly . But regardless of how nerveless or stylish our first railroad car was , we still loved owning it and get many hr of use out of driving it . Really , there ’s no railway car like the first one we own . So , as young citizenry everywhere contemplate corrupt their very first car , we take a look at the 10 best first cars for students or untried professional enter on their career and for whom money is tight .
10. Volvo S60
There ’s a understanding why Volvos have make a reputation as the car driven by old hippies : they last for friggin ’ ever . Volvos are one of the safest and most reliable cars on the route , nominate them idealistic for adolescent and young grownup . We especially care the S60 , with the poser made in the 2000s — particularly between 2004 - 2007 — being particularly great selection . And while a new Volvo will sic you back quite a bit of money , an elder model with 80,000 positive miles on it can be had for under $ 5,000 . A right rule of thumb is to look for a Volvo that is 8 to 10 years old . We have it off that age might become some multitude off , but trust us , a 10 - year - old Volvo is ordinarily safe and more true than newer models from most other manufacturers . Many models are uncommitted in a turbocharged version too !
9. Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Known as the “ the great unwashed ’s car ” in its aboriginal Germany , the Volkswagen Jetta TDI is another railcar that has a retentive shelf life . The turbo diesel version of the Jetta is very reliable and will run middling much forever and a day , and is also great on fuel thriftiness . Look for a Jetta work up between 2000 and 2010 . With that kind of eld , you could likely pick one up for under $ 5,000 , depend on the mileage . Many Jetta TDIs are currently being sold online for less than $ 4,000 . For a sportier , more compact Volkswagen , you might also want to look at an sometime model Golf . Those cars have also test to be resilient and long long-lived , and the Jetta and Golf have consistently high safety equipment valuation .
8. Ford Focus
It ’s not the sexiest gondola on the cube , but the Ford Focus is reliable , good , and is actually jolly fun to drive . To its credit , Ford has outfitted even its canonic mannikin Focus with hatful of bells and whistles that are likely to be attract to young driver , including GPS and satellite radio . The hatchback interpretation of the Focus may be appealing given its pep and torsion . We recommend buy a 2002 - 2004 model Focus , which can be found for as little as $ 3,500 in some marketplace . Keep in intellect that Ford has dramatically upped its secret plan in full term of safety and durability since the later 1990s . The Ford vehicles on the route today are not your grandfather ’s Ford ; they are much safe and more reliable than Ford model of the past tense .
7. BMW 3 Series
A blast from the past here with the vintage BMW 3 Series . Manufactured in the 1980s , the 3 is a classic car with some old schooling magic spell . They ’re like a John Hughes movie ( Sixteen Candles , Pretty in Pink ) that you never get stock of spending clip with . Many Beemer aficionados consider the 3 - serial publication to be the ultimate BMW . Most 3s have rear wheel movement and a manual transmission , making them an authentic driving experience . Many driving schools actually urge learn to take on a BMW 3 . And while most BMW 3 Series are more than 30 years previous , they do n’t look dated and keep lead like the energizer bunny rabbit . For less than $ 5,000 , how can you go wrong ? The only real issue may be prophylactic , as these vehicles predate airbags , so that ’s something to give birth in nous if you ’re in the securities industry for one of these rides .
6. Mercedes-Benz Diesel
Naturally you ca n’t have a classic BMW on this list without also including a vintage Mercedes - Benz . For our money , we care the Mercedes - Benz Diesel , which , like the BMW 3 Series , was made in the 1980s and other 1990s . More tank than car , the Mercedes Diesel truly is a workhorse vehicle . Many of these vehicles are still on American roads with more than 300,000 geographical mile on their odometers . Especially impressive is the railway locomotive in these car , which have a reputation for never breaking down . Even if other parts start to go on this car , the repairs should not be more than $ 1,000 . That ’s a good deal when you consider the eld of these vehicles and that you’re able to grease one’s palms one for as slight as $ 2,500 . And although the visual aspect of this car may seem a fiddling boxy , at the remnant of the day , it ’s still a Mercedes .
5. Hyundai Sonata
Probably the least cool auto on this lean is the Hyundai Sonata , what with its “ erstwhile man car ” aesthetic and all . Despite the appearing , the Sonata gain a spot here for its durability and safety . While this cable car does not offer sex appeal or merriment manipulation , it is first-class in terms of overall caliber , to the point where these vehicles seem to be unconditionally rust-brown validation . We recommend models made between 2006 and 2010 ; not too old , but old enough to be purchased for around $ 4,000 . The railway car wo n’t come with a warrantee but it likely wo n’t weigh , as , like most machine on this list , Sonatas have a reputation for almost never needing to be service in a garage . Take care of this car and you’re able to await years of hassle - costless driving .
4. Subaru Impreza
This is the fun - to - drive car on the lean . An older example Subaru Impreza ( 2005 - 2007 ) furnish a lot of enjoyment thanks to its all - cycle drive action , while still being affordable at under $ 5,000 , $ 6,000 top . The 2.5 r model of the Impreza is really near for northerly climates and snow . The 2.5 liter level four engine create the car drive as stubbornly as an old tractor , and the all - roulette wheel crusade is perfect for driving on snow and in polar conditions . And , if you call up the young driver in your business firm can handle it , there ’s always the Subaru Impreza Turbo WRX example , which is just a entire blast to drive . ring in the parking lot , anyone ?
3. Mazda 3
For a smaller , peppier railcar that is still extremely dependable and will not be a slew in term of repair , it is hard to beat the Mazda 3 . This car is know for its play handling and solid engine dynamics , precede many people to bask driving this tiny Panthera tigris of a car . A model work up between 2004 and 2009 can well be had for less than $ 5,000 , with first-class refuge evaluation and crash run public presentation . This is a double-dyed first car for young driver who want some of the thrill of drive , and whose parents want peacefulness of brain roll in the hay that their baby is safe behind the wheel . Mazda ’s lineament is top notch and more of these cable car are appease on the road longer . It is not uncommon today to find a Mazda 3 from the mid-1990s still chugging along safely .
2. Toyota Prius
Teens and twentysomethings ( read : urban hipsters ) have always been the target market place for Toyota with the Prius . It ’s hard to believe that the Prius has been with us since 2004 . However , we urge buy a newer model of this gas / electric hybrid vehicle – one that was build after 2010 . This is because the batteries in onetime edition of the Prius tend to break down and pass , resulting in an expensive fix for owners . A 2010 Prius , depending on the gasoline mileage , can be bought for around $ 5,000 . You might bear a little more for a model made after 2012 , but you may withhold that cost with all the money you ’ll save on fuel . Not having to vaunt up as much at the heart is one of the many advantages of owning a Toyota Prius . It ’s in spades a car worth considering for a first time fomite possessor .
1. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a popular vehicle with young people , and not just because they care to trick them out with custom rims , fenders , and stereo systems . No , the Honda Civic is one of the most pop and wide push auto in the world ( notably with people under the historic period of 30 ) because of two factors – its price and dependableness . Most Civics will go more than 200,000 Roman mile before needing a repair of any kind , with many Honda Civics manufactured in the late eighties or other 1990s still on the street to this day .
With so much length of service , there is a robust after securities industry to affirm this secure and trustworthy machine . We urge masses to consider a Civic build between 2005 and 2010 . Those model can easily be bought for under $ 5,000 and they are not so old that they will cause their owner problems . you could expect age of concern loose drive with a Civic that is 5 to 10 yr honest-to-god , or even quondam . This is a motorcar that you’re able to count on . Additionally , the hatchback version is really fun and may be appeal to first time car owners , so check it out .
