My daughter will be a new driver at the age of 21. She graduated college and has now decided she is ready to drive, which is fine. I am reaching out because I hope you can help with your opinion.
She wants an older model Mazda Miata(20/25 years old) because she likes the way the lights are. She said she has loved Miatas for years. However, I am not so sure this is the best idea and I really would love your expertise. I tried to explain that features newer cars offer are going to help her get more comfortable driving.
Her father and I struggled most of our lives with cars we would be lucky would be reliable and safe. We worked hard for our kids not to have the same struggles with older cars. Yet here we are.
I would like my kids when chosing a car to do their research with safety as the number one on the list.
Her father said safety is not always a priority to people when choosing a vehicle. I disagree. Our kids are precious cargo regardless of age. So please if you dont mind chiming in I would appreciate it.
Also I would like to add that my concern lies in the fact that she will be driving in Florida as a new driver and on I-4 (a simple google search will show you it is not the most forgiving)
I was accused of trying to hold my daughter back because I wanted her to do her research and choosing a safe car over one that maybe asthetically pleasing to her. If late 90 early Mazda Miatas are safe reliable vehicles for first time drivers then yes please educate me.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.
You can research crash safety performance of those. Although not as good as something brand new with the latest features, some cars of the period had decent safety ratings and some did not. (When I got my first car lap belts and a padded dashboard we considered state-of-the-art safety features.)
Aside from any safety issues, unless she's a budding mechanic using a 20-25 year-old car as a regular driver is not a good idea. She'll be running to a shop to fix every little thing that goes wrong with it.
Yes. And also to fix every BIG thing that goes wrong with it, especially if the vehicle was not properly maintained by the previous owner(s) over it’s 20-25 years of usage.
I would like my kids when chosing a car to do their research with safety as the number one on the list. Her father said safety is not always a priority to people when choosing a vehicle.
I'm inclined to agree. A car first and foremost needs to fulfill it's function as reliable transportation, otherwise it's useless. Then comes the other stuff.
I wanted her to do her research and choosing a safe car
I didn't have the luxury picking a first vehicle. I just had to make do.
The best thing you can do for her road safety, is get her quality driving lessons.
I did, and I'm very grateful for it. I still remember a lot of what I learned
she will be driving in Florida as a new driver and on I-4 (a simple google search will show you it is not the most forgiving)
Obviously highways are the most dangerous due the speeds involved.
If late 90 early Mazda Miatas are safe reliable vehicles for first time drivers then yes please educate me.
A 30yo vehicle will be worn right out and does NOT fall into the "reliable" category.
As for safety, "might is right" in a collision. It's not hard to imagine what would happen to a bitty Miata in a collision with a Suburban or semi truck.
What other cars might she be interested in? And what is the budget?
Is she paying for it? Parents paying for it?
How about insurance, who is paying for that?
