Get a normal economic car like a Corolla to kill his or her ego to race. Speaking of racing, stay away from American muscles like Mustang and Camaro regardless how old the car is. Don’t get him a big SUV or a truck. First of all, he won’t be able to park it and will ruin a hard working mom or dad’s precious vehicle. Secondly, he will kill someone on the road.

I’d advice you to stay away from the newer Civic as well. I know they are reliable but they are sporty. Sport feeds them teeny driver’s urge to race.

Civic and Corolla 

Get something big and heavy like a Grand Marquis, Chances are, He'll wreck it, [ according to statistics, nothing personal,] and all that extra metal will help keep him safe. Just my two cents.

Get one where he/she can afford to pay the insurance. That way, they have a good reason not to get tickets or crash it if they drive recklessly. Be sure to explain how insurance rates work to them!

NO!

My first car was a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with the 3.3 V6, I got it when I was 16 for $500 and I still have it today. A Buick Century or Oldsmobile Cutlass from the 90s with the 3.3 in my opinion is one of the best cars to get for a first time driver. Reasons why are:

1. FWD midsize sedan so they are easy to park.

2. The 3.3 is one of the most reliable and low maintenance engines GM ever made, but it also packs a punch with 160HP so they can still pass someone safely and quickly.

3. They are cheap and easy to find, you can pick up a decent one for under $2k.

5-10 year old Civic/corolla (ones without a timing belt), preferably single owner. Also, if interested, a manual transmission would be awesome if not too much city driving is involved. Just my 0.02 dollars.

anything with lots of airbags, most folks crash their first