UPDATE- New car. New car for my sister?

[Vinsanity]

ah, thought so.

Maybe she should get a TSX, then...Hondas can take a pretty good beating

[CALL_911]

ah, thought so.

Maybe she should get a TSX, then...Hondas can take a pretty good beating

Perhaps. I think it would serve her well, and it's a good little car.

[the Teuton]

Pardon me for saying this, but your sister has genuinely not really shown an appreciation for what she has had in the past.  I don't care where she goes or what she does, if I had a daughter like her, I'd force her to keep on driving the Legacy and maintain its upkeep until she could prove she deserved better.  She sounds like a badge-snobby bitch.

[CALL_911]

Pardon me for saying this, but your sister has genuinely not really shown an appreciation for what she has had in the past.  I don't care where she goes or what she does, if I had a daughter like her, I'd force her to keep on driving the Legacy and maintain its upkeep until she could prove she deserved better.  She sounds like a badge-snobby bitch.

You're pardoned, and my Dad doesn't trust the Subaru on these trips. She's not badge-snobby, and my Dad thinks she deserves it.

[the Teuton]

You're pardoned, and my Dad doesn't trust the Subaru on these trips. She's not badge-snobby, and my Dad thinks she deserves it.

Has she ever been responsible with a car?

Answer this honestly. 

[CALL_911]

Has she ever been responsible with a car?

Answer this honestly. 

Reasonably with the Avalon. Oddly enough, she hadn't caused any of its damage. It was hit when it was parked (and it was hit pretty nicely too...), and the starter crapped out on her. The Subaru, not so much, because she was pissed that she had to drive that pile in High School, when all her friends were getting 3-series' and Jettas and A4's, and much nicer cars. She has matured since then.

[the Teuton]

Reasonably with the Avalon. Oddly enough, she hadn't caused any of its damage. It was hit when it was parked (and it was hit pretty nicely too...), and the starter crapped out on her. The Subaru, not so much, because she was pissed that she had to drive that pile in High School, when all her friends were getting 3-series' and Jettas and A4's, and much nicer cars. She has matured since then.

I think I will make my first-born child drive a Chevette in high school just to see what happens.  If they can handle it, they will receive much nicer than matching funds on their first "real" car.

[CALL_911]

I think I will make my first-born child drive a Chevette in high school just to see what happens.  If they can handle it, they will receive much nicer than matching funds on their first "real" car.

Is that sarcasm?

That's besides the point. My Dad thinks she deserves the car, and she probably does need the car, and we are buying it. Now the question is not whether one should be bought at all, but rather which one should be purchased. I say we stick to that question.

[the Teuton]

Is that sarcasm?

It would be a character-building experience.  I don't think a car is entitled to anyone once they get their license.  You have to deserve you can own and maintain one properly.

That's besides the point. My Dad thinks she deserves the car, and she probably does need the car, and we are buying it. Now the question is not whether one should be bought at all, but rather which one should be purchased. I say we stick to that question.

Then why is she only looking at luxury nameplates?

I say:

-Legacy
-Accord EX
-Acura TL
-Audi A3
-Golf

[Soup DeVille]

I think I will make my first-born child drive a Chevette in high school just to see what happens.  If they can handle it, they will receive much nicer than matching funds on their first "real" car.

My firstborn will probably get a junkyard special and a box of tools.

[the Teuton]

My firstborn will probably get a junkyard special and a box of tools.

I was planning on doing matching funds.  I had to buy my own car completely, but if I have a child who saves up $2,000 while getting a 4.0 GPA and being in a bunch of activities and doing well at them while working, I definitely feel they should have that kind of support if it's available.

You're a much better person than I am.

[CALL_911]

I say:

-Legacy- Fine, here's an example of brand-snobbishness.
-Accord EX- The TSX costs about the same, and is a better drive
-Acura TL- The TSX is more fun, and probably a better car. And that's a luxury name.
-Audi A3-We're still tossing around the idea or a Rabbit/GTI, although it's not likely. Once again, luxury nameplate.
-Golf-See Audi A3.

[the Teuton]

Your sister is a badge snob.

[CALL_911]

Your sister is a badge snob.

You have one example. And she lived with an older Subaru for some time.

That, and if a great car for her has a nameplate that happens to be somewhat prestigious, that makes her a brand snob? Nice logic, Teuton.

[the Teuton]

You have one example. And she lived with an older Subaru for some time.

That, and if a great car for her has a nameplate that happens to be somewhat prestigious, that makes her a brand snob? Nice logic, Teuton.

The GTI is a better car than the A3 for the money, and it's cheaper.  Yet she only wants the Audi.

Likewise, an Accord can have way more features for way less money than a TSX, and we've already established that your sister is not an enthusiast.  I think she's one of those, "But daddy, it's not a [insert luxury brand here]..." kind of people.  That's all.

[Vinsanity]

I did like the TL much better than the TSX I test drove. Your dad had a TL, right?

[CALL_911]

The GTI is a better car than the A3 for the money, and it's cheaper.  Yet she only wants the Audi.

Likewise, an Accord can have way more features for way less money than a TSX, and we've already established that your sister is not an enthusiast.  I think she's one of those, "But daddy, it's not a [insert luxury brand here]..." kind of people.  That's all.

WTF? Where did you read that she wanted an A3? I clearly just said that we were tossing around the idea of a RABBIT/GTI. I never once said that she wanted an A3. And don't even bother arguing that the Accord is a better car than the TSX. How much cheaper can you get an Accord EX for? The TSX we're looking at should come out to about $17K. You pulled half of that out of your ass, dude.

[CALL_911]

I did like the TL much better than the TSX I test drove. Your dad had a TL, right?

We did have a TL.

[CALL_911]

Oh, and Teuton, notice how she didn't want the BMW? Notice how there is no mention of a Mercedes here? Food for thought...

[Vinsanity]

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=9948.0

I do remember thinking that buying a Maxima or V6 Altima would be more worthwhile, but it all depends on the price you're going to be getting. Depending on the miles, $17k sounds like a nice deal.

[CALL_911]

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=9948.0

I do remember thinking that buying a Maxima or V6 Altima would be more worthwhile, but it all depends on the price you're going to be getting. Depending on the miles, $17k sounds like a nice deal.

I think the Max would be too big, but the Altima could be a contender.

NVM, the TSX we're looking at is $20K, but it has 18,351 miles, and is a 2005. I'm sure we can talk them down to about $17K. The site does not have a link, but if you go to vsacura.com (Valley Stream Acura in LI), and look in their pre-owned section, you'll find a grey one.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Your sister is a badge snob.

That's a bit of a harsh accusation. If a parent is willing to be generous, why not let them be? It's all in good health.

[the Teuton]

That's a bit of a harsh accusation. If a parent is willing to be generous, why not let them be? It's all in good health.

Speaking from an IFCAR position, better cars exist in the marketplace for the same money or less.  She's not an enthusiast, so a TSX is a moot kind of car that makes me wonder why a cheaper, better-equipped Accord wouldn't be a better choice. 

This is like asking for a Lexus ES350 just to find out that the Camry XLE is the exact same thing but a few thousand dollars cheaper.  I just question the motives behind liking some of these cars.

Honestly, the ideal chick car, IMO, would be an automatic RSX.  I have a friend who has one, and she loves it.  That, and it does stand out as a car with no direct cheaper alternative, as the Civic Si of that generation was a bread van that only came in stick with the same motor.

[Soup DeVille]

I was planning on doing matching funds.  I had to buy my own car completely, but if I have a child who saves up $2,000 while getting a 4.0 GPA and being in a bunch of activities and doing well at them while working, I definitely feel they should have that kind of support if it's available.

You're a much better person than I am.

No, I'm not. I'll fund his car to a certain degree, but I want him to appreciate the value of his own work, before he learns the value of a dollar.

[Northlands]

My firstborn will probably get a junkyard special and a box of tools.

+1 

We should all earn our way into our first cars I say. I sure treated my first car better than many of my friends getting cars for free on their 16th b-day. It was a heap too, but in the end, outlasted everyone else. Good times.

I don't have kids, but I can see the day I go out with my nephew to go look at cars and pick from what he can reasonably own.

[Colonel Cadillac]

If I end up having kids, I would make sure that the car is structurally sound and safe before I think about my wallet. Their safety should be a priority versus their deserving a piece of junk. 16-18 year olds have the highest crash rates and I believe the highest death rate from crashes, so that should be taken into consideration when purchasing a first car for a son or daughter.

[Cookie Monster]

Wow Teuton, you're being an ass...

That said, I want to buy my own car.

[the Teuton]

Wow Teuton, you're being an ass...

That said, I want to buy my own car.

I'm not spurning his father's decision to buy her a car, nor am I saying in this case that buying your own car should be the only way to go.  I am merely stating my opinion, like it or leave it.

[850CSi]

Your sister is a badge snob.

Everyone I know is a badge snob (or least would be). And only one of my friends drives a BMW.

[the Teuton]

Everyone I know is a badge snob (or least would be). And only one of my friends drives a BMW.

Just because it isn't a BMW or MB doesn't mean that you can't be a badge snob.  Badge snobbery is the act of believing something is better because of what is in front of or adorned to the hood, not what's under it.