My daughter turns 16 next week, and I'm looking to buy her an inexpensive car. She's a good kid, gets good grades, has an afterschool job and doesn't give us much trouble, so I figure why not?
What she really wants is a Hot Orange MCC, but that ain't gonna happen. My budget for this is $2k, of which I'd like to hold some back for repairs/upgrades.
Today's likely candidates from Craigslist are an 84 Volvo DL wagon (waiting for a callback from the seller for details) for $1300 and an 86 Fiero GT V6 for $1800. I have zero experience with either car, so I'm hoping some of you may be able to point out some things I should know (known problems, past experiences, reliability, etc).

I know I could spend all night reading everything on the web, but I trust you folks; I already know you have excellent taste in cars.

 

I had an '88 Pontiac Fiero. I bought it new. Fun little car. I learned to drive a stick shift on that car ~ the salesguy taught me...because I just "had" to have that one.

But at the time, a bad reputation for engine fires. Since the car you're looking at has survived this long, I doubt you'll have that issue. Mine broke down alot. Pontiac fixed it - pretty cheap. I can't recall specifics, but I remember insurance costing me "alot" at the time.

I have a (almost) 16 y/o son. In your shoes, I'd probably go for the Volvo. Not to punish your sweet young daughter, but for safety sake. If we're talking about the same type of Pontiac Fiero - it's a 2-seater, engine in the rear, low to the ground, fiberglass panels.

The thing as ZERO storage. A 8"-ish wide slot in the back behind the engine, and a tiny bit of space up in the front compartment where the spare tire is stored.

Like I said, it was a fun car. I gave it up when I was 6 months pregnant and could no longer get in/out of it.

 

I'm having similar feelings about this: we already have 2 small cars, so having the third one with some utility value makes sense. And Volvo has a rep for safety. Good thing for a new driver. And since I'm planning on teaching her to look after the maint. stuff, a conventional layout will likely be easier than a mid-engine.
Now I just need to hear back from the seller to find out the finer details, like how many miles, what trans it has (some people have no clue how to write a for-sale ad).

 

Just for the record, the Fiero fire problem was resolved after the first model year - 1984. The Fieros are also very safe cars because it is a unistructure with fiberglass body panels bolted on. Of course the wagon has the safety aspect too, and also the ability of to carry more than a backpack.

~ Derek

 

how about a used Protege or Mirage, Civic or even a COUGH!!! rolla?


did i just say cough rolla? oh no... im turning into a chows.

 

16 y/o first car. 1975 Dodge Dart Slant 6 engine. Basically indestructible.

 

Oh yeah, agree with you jabell. My first car was an 1981 Malibu. All steel with chrome steel bumpers...couldn't kill it if I tried.

~ Derek

 

Ken, around here when a Civic or 'rolla (in my price range) comes on the market, it usually has 200k+ miles on it.
Mazda, maybe, but parts seem to be more expensive than Hondas or Toyotas. Mitsu? NFW. Don't need the reliability hassles.

Had a 75 Dart; they are destructable! Mine was hit by a garbage truck while parked. Not a bad idea, if I can find one in reasonable condition.

Derek, I'm really liking the idea of the Fiero, but that may just be because I would want to drive it! After doing a little reading on them, it seems that they have a somewhat complicated suspension system. On a 20+ y/o car, I might be setting myself up for some very expensive parts replacements.

Hmmm...maybe a nice Gremlin?

 

The entire engine cradle rear suspension can lead to higher repair costs and less repairs you can do yourself. That is a trade-of for having a unique and fun little car.

~ Derek

 

hummm... maybe you can find a Tsuru from mexico.... (sentra).

 

I vote for the Volvo, 3c...from all that friends with Fieros went through with theirs, they are money pits. Volvos are safer, too.

 

At 16, my son (He is now 20) bought a 92 miata. I was reluctant until I realized that every accident that happened with my friends kids, happened with several kids in the car. (1 old volvo, 1 old mercedes sedan, 2 SUVs). Fortunately no one got seriously hurt, but kids tend to "egg' each other on, and multiple kids are a distraction. Well, you can't cram more than 2 in a miata and the early series was pretty gutless. Easy to work on, it was a great learner car.

 

My son is 16, he's got a 1970 Dodge truck. When I think of what kind of trouble kids get into in vehicles, I think I would go for the Volvo. I would hate for him to get injured in a wreck, plus he doesnt get that great of gas mileage=less driving. Dani

 

I had an 84' fiero for my first car. It was fun, but not very reliable or safe.

 

Don't really think I'd go for either. Never owned a Fiero but never heard good things about them. Had an '82 Volvo and it was constantly needing work. Bought it with 108,000 but had all the receipts and it was well cared for. It was safe but not nearly as reliable as the reputation I had. Might be worth looking at eBay and driving a little for just the right car. Honda and Toyota are obvious choices. I had an old Saab 9000. It was surprisingly easy to work on and parts weren't the easiest to get but not impossible.

 

Very true of the SAAB. They are really really nice cars, and the 900 turbos we had were tanks. Bet you could find an older one in good shape for next to nothing. They are a bit more sporty than the Volovos too.

 

Volvo and saabs are good buys, but parts and service are very expensive and that can get hairy with high mileage. If you have a friendly family mechanic in the neighborhood then you might be good to go.

 

When I had my Saab I was afraid the parts would be expensive but the parts I did replace where surprisinginly reasonable. The Volvo's were expensive. Don't know what the difference was - maybe the parts I had to replace.

 

Brother's first car was an 88 Fiero GT. Fun car. Volvos are tanks, but if I was a 16 y/o girl I'd be pissed to get a volvo for a first car!

I just picked up a 1990 Honda Civic hatchback for $900. Sure, its high mileage, but its a honda! Plus the early ones were so light that they are kinda fun to drive. Parts are cheap as can be and great gas mileage to boot.