My son (17yo) recently is expressing interest in a Dodge Charger. (cringe.. I know) I already set him up with a 2002 Avalon, which in my mind is more size and power than necessary as it is. Are there any Toyota made cars out there that might peak his interest, visually and style wise?
Toyota didn't and still doesn't make muscle cars.... They did make a small sports car in co-op with Subaru. Back when they first came out; it was marketed as a Scion FR-S. But since they did away with the Scion brand, it is currently is a model 86...
The reemergence of the Supra ( made in co-op with BMW). But it's got more power so if you don't want him in a high HP Charger; I don't see this as an option for a young first time driver.
Although Toyota isn’t known for making muscle cars or stylish cars, you could get a Toyota Camry TRD or an Avalon TRD. Pass the Dodge as their quality isn’t up to par with Toyota.
Toyota doesn't do speed or fancy design. Everything they offer is function over form. That is the one issue I have with them as I am a speed freak. Dodge on the other hand has excellent designs and big American V8 engines. But their quality is terrible.
The TRD Camry is a good looking car, but even with everything they've done to it it is not as quick as my 2020 Accord Sport 2.0T with the 10-speed. That said, it is more than enough for a 17 year old who just wants to go looking for trouble in a fast car.
Price insurance on that Charger and that will be reason enough to avoid it. The Avalon was a good choice as it is reliable, safe, cheap to run, cheap to insure...everything you want in a first car.
I don't think Toyota ever made a "muscle car". When I think muscle car, I think Mustang, Charger, and the modern Camero.
I really don't consider the Supra, 86, MR-2 to be muscle cars. The current Supra is a BMW, the current 86 is a Subaru.
The TRD sub brand of Toyota's are performance vehicles and probably most muscle car like in terms of performance, but they basically look the same as the regular lineup.
This is tough.
Not really, maybe the Toyota Camry TRD or Toyota Avalon TRD but those are not muscle cars or like muscle cars at all and their styling is a love it or hate it type of styling. Just stick with the 2002 Avalon for him - he is 17 years old and that makes an appropriate first driver than a muscle car with horsepower (insurance, tickets, accidents).
