Is it worth getting a new'er car?

[nmikmik]

My son is driving an old (relatively) 95 Carmy LE with over 200k on it. It has it's own issues, but nothing serious imho. All of a sudden, after we bought a car for my daughter it became unsafe to drive - according to my wife
So now she wants to replace it with the same car we got for my daughter - a 2000 Volvo S40.
I am not sure if it's a such a good idea.
a. It's going to cost a lot more than we can ever get for his Camry
b. It's going to cost a lot to maintain compare to Camry
c. It's got a turbo that could be a detrimental factor for a 21 y/o kid.
d. Although it has a better gas mileage it will require a premium gas

The only real benefit i see is the safety factor that I agree is very important, and possibly having to maintain two cars of the same breed
Now, does that outweigh the rest of them?
Your opinion please.
Thanks,

[nmikmik]

Hey there, knock knock
Is it everyone afraid to voice their opinion or my post went to low on the page?

Let me rephrase my question a little.

For a 21 year old kid (if it would be your kid) what would you let him drive and hopefully sleep better at night when he is out and about?

a. 2000 Volvo S40 1.9 turbo - 160hp/170 lbs torque (turbo is a turbo)
b. 1997 Lincoln Town Car 4.6 - touring - 190hp/265 lbs torque (has it when U need it)
c. 1995 Camry LE 2.2 1/2 beater - 125 hp/145 lbs torque (surprisingly still has some pickup)
d. 1998 Saturn wagon! - 124 hp/125 lbs torque (has it ONLY when you really hit it)

[Herk_FE]

Originally Posted by nmikmik

Hey there, knock knock
Is it everyone afraid to voice their opinion or my post went to low on the page?

Let me rephrase my question a little.

For a 21 year old kid (if it would be your kid) what would you let him drive and hopefully sleep better at night when he is out and about?

a. 2000 Volvo S40 1.9 turbo - 160hp/170 lbs torque (turbo is a turbo)
b. 1997 Lincoln Town Car 4.6 - touring - 190hp/265 lbs torque (has it when U need it)
c. 1995 Camry LE 2.2 1/2 beater - 125 hp/145 lbs torque (surprisingly still has some pickup)
d. 1998 Saturn wagon! - 124 hp/125 lbs torque (has it ONLY when you really hit it)

I would opt for a 1999 or newer town car the body style is much more attractive. You can't go wrong with town cars their drive train is one of the most common in the country with all the police vehicles and cabs that share common parts with them. They have a smooth ride and are very safe. Not to mention they are very affordable.

[MagicRat]

There are a couple of issues here:
1. What car will produce the most mature and safest driving attitude for your son,

When I was that age, I fixed and maintained my own vehicles, because I had little money to pay someone to fix them. I treated them well and generally did not abuse them, because if I drive like a fool and crashed/broke it, I would be without wheels until I fixed it. So, I drove responsibly........ and this was with a fast '79 Mustang with a 302/4spd that I modded.

So, given this logic, the Camry is the most fragile, I guess and so the one to instill the greatest respect.

Another theory IMO is the reward for fast driving. The Camry is slow and not sporty, and does not lend itself to fast driving. The Volvo is the opposite. IMO the kid will go a lot faster in a Volvo than the Camry (I know I would!!), and IMO excess speed equals danger.

2. Which is safer in a crash?

Volvo has an exaggerated reputation for crash-worthiness. Yes they are safe, but no more so than other cars of the same age, size and price. Generally, the older and/or smaller a car is, the less crash-worthy it is. Newer cars, regardless of brand, are engineered to be safer, and larger cars tend to be safer than smaller ones.

So, the Volvo is safer than the Camry if you actually hit something. However, the Camry may be travelling somewhat slower, so there is an offset, somewhat.

So, IMO if you really want a safer car, buy a newer, larger, boring car, like a Toyota Avalon, or a newer Buick..... but not a turbo Volvo.

If you don't want to get another car, imo have him drive the Camry until it breaks then let him drive a Lincoln.

[nmikmik]

Thank you very much for your helpful opinions/suggestions.
I completely agree that continuing driving the Camry is probably still best option for him. There is couple things I forgot to mention here, not the deal barkers but could influence the final decision somewhat. I have a problem, hey admitting it is what they say is the first step to recovery I love cars and most of a time end up buying a "sleeper" that was somewhat abused by the previous owner, restore it to the point that I like how it looks and feels and drive it for a couple of years until I get bored with it. I like keeping my cars clean all around. My son (actually my daughter as well) is a slob. I know it's my problem of not upbringing them they way I should have, but believe me it's to late now It really hurts me to give a nice looking, driving, smelling car to my son that I am sure will end up making a pig stall out of it. I had a "pleasure" of driving his car yesterday and made a mistake of opening his trunk Now I know why we are missing so many towels in the house, half of them are in his trunk, along with all other junk he is driving around with.
The other issue is that regardless what he drives I feel that he is not a very safe driver, I know I expect too much from a young kid, but none the less it worries me a lot. According to his sister, and for some reason I believe her, he is:
a. texting while driving - my biggest concern
b. likes weaving in the traffic
c. speeding a lot - above speed limit + 10 and then some

Note, he manages to do all that while driving his Camry, I know it's not easy but he manages. My Lincoln is actually a faster or at least has a better pickup than his Camry, and so I assume will any newer Panther body vehicle. Volvo will be even faster in that respect. I could get him a newer PI from one of the local auctions it shouldn't cost too much 3-4k I am guessing. The problem with both Lincoln and Ford is that it's a lot harder to park than his Camry.
So I am back to thinking that Camry is still the best car for him.
Thanks again for your help & sorry for the rant, like I said, I have a problem

[tony111]

I dont think so.
Bought my Porsche in UK from lhd car dealer in Leeds.
Check it out spam link removed by moderator

[MagicRat]

Wow, what a useless spam link, tony. Enjoy your vacation.