Perfect Cars For First Time Drivers

Ford For many young people and their parents, buying a first car is a major step.
One good option is to look at used cars, which could often be had for a fraction of the price of new versions. We came up with 15 used automobiles we believe are the very best for the youthful car buyer on a budget.
To make our record, we focused on cars that are available on the market right now for under $15,000. We looked for ones that are dependable, fun to drive, comfortable, attractive, economical, functional, and first and foremost, secure.
For safety, we checked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) moderate front Door crash test ratings for the cars we picked.
Rates are based on current costs on Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest price we believe a decent example may cost.

1998-2004 Toyota Tacoma

Starting price: $5,900 and up IIHS crash test rating: Acceptable Why buy itToyota's Tacoma pickup creates our list as the sole representative of this pickup segment. The Tacoma offers rocky off-road capability along with Toyota's strong build quality. The truck's available four -and - six-cylinder powerplants offer good functionality, but some may find them to be a bid thirsty when it comes to fuel.

2011-Present Volkswagen Jetta TDI $13,500

Starting price: $12,500 and up IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy it: The sixth generation Volkswagen Jetta offers buyers a pleasure European sports compact sedan with a decidedly upmarket feel. For the value-minded client, the diesel TDI engine alternative provides great range and fuel economy in a powerful package. However, just like any technologically innovative European automobile, take your time to look for a well maintained lower mileage example, as out-of-warranty repairs to the automobile might become pricey.

2005-Present Nissan Xterra

Starting price: $8,900 and up IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy itNissan's second generation Xterra SUV hit the marketplace in 2005 and continued the first generation version 's theme of ruggedness, and simplicity with a concentration on an active outdoor lifestyle. The Xterra has seen few significant changes from the decade it's been in production and all automobiles are powered by a 4.0 liter version of Nissan's award-winning VQ-series V6 engine which produces 265 horsepower.

1999-2006 Toyota Celica

Starting price: $5,500 and upward IIHS crash test evaluation: Great Why buy itThe Toyota Celica sub-compact sports car is fast, fun to drive, reliable, and offers a surprising degree of utility. Powered by either a 140 or 180 horsepower lookup motor, the Celica's spirited performance does not diminish is elevated fuel economy ratings. As a sports car, beware of duplicates which were abused by boy racers or have experienced low end after market modifications, as they may diminish the long-term durability of the automobile.

2001-present Honda Civic

Starting price: $5,000 and up IIHS crash test rating: Good Why buy itThe Honda Civic is bulletproof. If properly maintained, the car can go for well over 250,000 miles without any issues. As one of the most popular cars in the world, spares are easy to come by and repairs are comparatively inexpensive. Getting popular means that there's large aftermarket support for your auto, so kids can customize a Civic to their liking for not much cash. Also, the sporty and practical Si hatchback in the early 2000s is currently available for under $10,000. And because it was only available with a manual gearbox, it teaches a fantastic lesson.