I am trying to buy a nice used car for my teen, and have no clue on what to look for, good gas milage and i know she wont drive anything unless is it some sort of "cute" any suggestions or ideas?

Honda or Toyota . They are both good bets.

My answer may be a bit unpopular, but it's what I would do for my daughter. She really will have no say in what she gets, and cute is on the bottom of my list.

It might be a horrifying thought for a teen to have to drive around in something that isn't "cute," but it's more horrifying to see what happens when "cute" gets squished.

I would pick an older full-size pick up truck or sedan.

A '90 or older Mercury Grand Marquis or Lincoln Town Car is a pretty hefty vehicle. Even with a 5.0 liter V8 they still get 20mpg or more depending on how they're driven. Repairs are cheap, most parts are easy to change and readily available. GM models will provide even better parts availability and prices (I'm just partial to Ford). Pick-up trucks may not offer the same type of gas mileage, but would limit the number of passengers a teen could carry. (As long as they NEVER allow people to ride in the bed.)

They may not have air bags, side impact curtains, and crumple zones, but they were made of STEEL. I'm sure many arguments can be made about those safety features, I only speak from my own experience in crashes. I have always fared far better in the older cars.

A deer I hit last year mangled my bumper a little bit. The cost of the repair was $85.00 (thank you eBay). Two years ago, my sister hit a deer in her '99 Escort. It was totaled, and she was injured (luckily, not badly). My deer was much larger than hers. I have plenty of other examples, but in the interest of space, I belive you get the picture.

Although, I personally avoid anti-lock brakes, anything around that vintage will have them, so if you don't trust your teen to have the right instincts in a skid situation, that's the way to go.

Of course, an older car will require some careful attention to condition, and may need some repairs before handing it over to a teen. The purchase price, however, will be MUCH lower than anything five years old or newer.

You can find a 1991 Grand Marquis, for example, for less than $2,500. Even if you had the entire brake system replaced, put on four new tires, and gave it a full tune up, your total investment will be less than $4,000. (Much less, if you can do the work yourself).

Even if you want to choose a newer car for your child, make "cuteness" the last item you look for. If she want's to drive, and she wants you to provide the car, she'll have to drive whatever you give her.

The importance of aesthetics often fades, however, when compared to the freedom of having an automobile. I drove around in a minivan, and later, a black pick-up truck with a green utility bed, simply because that's what was available. I was just happy to have something to drive.

If I was a teenager, I would want a VW Beetle.

Toyota's are really good made vehicles and have a good resale value. Maybe a used Camry or Corolla

Stay away from Dodge Neon's. I've had one and I loved it, but the insurance for them is sky high because they have a high theft rate, and on top of the price for insurance for a teen....

I had a Honda CRX for awhile, girls like it and it got 45 MPG.

i have the toyota yaris, it's super cute and it's really good on gas .. and it must be really cheap since my parents decided to buy it for me .. haha. i fully recommend it

Do not touch the pt cruiser it is horrible on gas!

as mentioned in other answers, toyota..
cute? mileage? VW bug gti diesel... up to 50 mpg

My cousin bought both of his teens 1999 Toyota Corollas. He recommends those because there's something easier to maintain...that model year had something good that was serpentine (chain or belt) that was preferable to the other. And the gas mileage kicks butt.

a vw beetle

I'd buy her the safest most reliable ugly car I can find and tell her as you hand her the keys, "Here is a car you can drive to work to earn the money to buy a cute car. Good luck sweetie!"

Something big, slow and safe. The less she drives, the better her chances of living to see twenty. The less her friends want to be seen in it, the less her chances of being distracted at the wheel or enticed into collective stupity.

My next door neighbor on the right side lost a "grandchild" (her son's girlfriends son) when he was riding in a Jeep with a driver who had just gotten her license. She turned the Jeep over and he was thrown out. My next door neighbor on the left side had a grandchild blinded in one eye (she lost the eye altogether) when she had just gotten her license. She dropped a wheel off the pavement, overcorrected and hit a tree on the opposite side of the road. My husbands boss lost his son in a firey car wreck on the weekend he got his license. A high school friend of mine, who has never had children, lost the closest thing to a child he and his wife had, a child she had been a nanny to since birth, when he had just gotten his license and crashed under the influence.

To heck with cute. Get her something that will keep her alive.

what car did you finally purchase?

the old vw bugs are cute and in style.

vw bug i think your daughter will think its cute

Toyota Yaris or a mini cooper

Honda Del Sol
Small, cute, cheap used, not that great of a car...

Honda Fit (Jazz outside USA)

sorry about saying this im a dodge truck man but ill give it to the toyota or mitsubishi vehichles they are a little bit more pricy but the hold up much better and parts are very accessable stay away from GM cars lots of transmission problems fords-taurus & sables also transmission problems at the 90-120,000K mark

VW beetle, definitely. Fun to look at, good gas mileage, and they are also very sturdy, which you'll need if it's for a teen.

a punchbuggy.

I am a bit biased here, but I am partial towards the VW Golfs (a.k.a. VW Rabbit, depending on the generation). They are also available in convertibles (the Cabrio has a reputation as a "girly" car) but those will cost you so stick with the hardtop Golf.

Older Golfs are dirt cheap, reliable, and mine gets respectable MPG despite my aggressive driving.

Honda. That is my suggestion. Any kind. They are cute, and the most reliable and fuel efficient cars you can get, in my opinion.

A new VW Bug.

Mabye a Honda?

I love my Mini Cooper... wouldn't recommend the Supercharged one for a teen though!

Wow ... lucky teen! I suggest a VW Rabbit. They even come as convertibles, if you really feel like spoiling her!

Suzuki SX4 loaded with AWD, climate control, 6 disc changer, and 16" wheels that look great, all standard equipment for 16K! Only Hyundai has a greater warranty!

I can tell you from experience that VW Jettas are very easy to maintain, and with the help of craigslist and a little research, you'll have no problems finding one with the mileage and the price you're looking for. I've had 3, a 1998, 1992 and 1995. Once they hit about 120,000 miles they kinda go downhill, but before that (at least my cars)they're great... AND very cute... desireable for the young girls.

ok i understand the cute factor every young woman wants something cute. sit down with her and discuss her dream car try to do the research if shes willing, most of all stress maintenence most cute cars are the hardest ones to repair and maintain.compare ask about her alertnate choices.

I have two daughters, I suprised the first with a car for her 16th birthday. My mistake, It was ugly. Take them with you. Save yourself the problems. Any 4 or 6 cylinder will be alright on gas. She is going to want a foreign car like a Jetta I guarantee that. It all depends on what you want to spend. But she has to look cool.
I was banging my head against the wall everytime we went car shopping.

We bought our daughter a Volkswagon Jetta, good gas mileage and just a great little car. It's kind a cute too. Hondas always make a very practical purchase as well.

A BMW 328i 1996-1998 good looking vehicle and costs about $6k
very cheap good gas.
Doesnt cause problems.

By now u most prob. found her a decent jammy ,if not i suggesr a 1970 -1972 opel gta as they are very cute,relayable,inexpensive,economical and if it is well looked after u can allways get ur money back when selling it after a couple of years.
O.O.A

i am myself in school and i own a 91 ford mustang with a 2.3 lt 4cyl...they are really easy to fix and mine is good on gas ..plus the hatchback type look awesome...

I drive a 99 Ford Escort that I got for around two grand. It has been great to me and gets great gas mileage.

Hondas and Toyotas are great, also.

I say that 'cute' isn't a number one priority and your daughter would hate me, I would make her get a job and buy her own 'cute car' if she was going to be picky. I had a 85 Camaro when I was 15 and, it was a cute car, but I thought I was going to die in that car, not the nicest thing in the world, now I have a 95 Taurus, not the cutest thing in the world, but it gets 25 MPG, has AC, a CD player, only 60,000 miles, clean interior, and airbags. You can score a nice Taurus like mine for around 1,500 all the way to a whooping 2,500. Not to mention back then, they were made of metal and they have a backseat and a trunk that will hold at least 4-5 of those dead bodies. Perfect for a Teen...

I am quite satisfied with my Nissan 200SX. Although they stopped making them in 1998, you can still find them around. Some even have moonroofs which can make the car "cute". I have been told the 200SX evolved into the Sentra (another possibility), but I consider it devolution.

If you want to save on gas, then a 4 cyclinder is indicated. VW beetle, PT Cruiser, Toyota RAV, and some of the old GEO models are also good bets. An older 4 cyclinder truck with a "cute" paintjob is another possibility. Offering a paintjob for a car which she marginally likes can be the deal sealer.

oooh! A Mazda MX-6 or a Ford Probe, comes in a 4cly and the Mazda version is a looker, hah. (The MX-6 and the probe are both on the same chassis that Mazda engineered) and you can get one for about $4,000. Mid 90's

Mazda is under appreciated, lol.

Before you even think if buying a car, check into Consumer Guide Annual car issue, which comes out every April...go to the library!! they cover ALL types of cars, and have a section on used cars; which ones are the most reliable, etc......Then you can make a really informed decision......also, my niece and her husband make sure their 18yr. old daughter pays for her own car insurance, and gas!!! then they help her with the cost of upkeep...but only pay part of it....these kids need to learn to be responsible for stuff!!! Lots to think about, huh?

Buy her nothing but a Toyota or Honda.

They are reliable.

They are dependable.

I own one, i know.

If you want to be "at ease", while your daughter is on the road, buy only a Toyota or Honda.

Next time you are out driving, just notice how many Toyotas and Hondas are on the street.

This should tell you something.

I would look at Honda Accord. Its not too expensive. Quite cute & very nice on miles per gallon :). Though your daughter idea of cute might vary than mine & your cost consideration might be different. You might want to look for cars online for a cheaper finding from owners directly on sites like http://www.mecarz.com & Craigslist.org

I hope that help. Please award points if it does.

Cute for me is yellow porche =D

Honda Civics ... the si model is cute, small, sporty and still affordable. If she does have an accident, parts are easy to find.

In regards to insurance 2 door models are more costly :(

At 17 I got an Eagle Talon TSI 5 speed!! I love it, it's not a common car, it's sporty and has turbo. ( However, I'm planning on racing so my love for a 5 speed might not be shared w your daughter. but if you can drive a stick u can drive anything)

Don't go for neon's there problematic cars.

If buying a used - older car, make the contract say ' upon premise that car passes e-test or safety' always check the rocker panels!

I race cars, my bf drifts cars and everyone i know works with cars so i always make sure i have a GUY with me when buying a car because even as modern as our society is guys usually dnt yipp other guys!

2nd Answer.

I bought a 2000 Toyots Solara brand new. it now has 239,000 miles on it. routine maintenance, a new radiator and three sets of new tires is all i have paid to have one of the best and safestest rides on the road.

I would check out a good used Solara. they are very dependable and road-worthy.

My vehicle gets 33 mpg on the open road and 30 mpg in town.

Considering the luxury and room inside this vehicle, thats pretty good gas mileage.

Its the only way to go.

Definitely a White Team Canada Aveo..Hatchback or 4 Door. Both are very cute and great on gas :D

Cute for me is yellow porche =D

I have been a car dealer over 30 years, and a vehemently disagree with the "FULL SIZE CAR" idea, that it is "SAFER". Today's automobiles has incredible crash test technology, front & rear crumple zones, intergrated roll cages, shatter proof glass, anti lock brakes, etc. In many ways, a HONDA CIVIC ( 2000 or newer ) is a better car to survive a wreck than a full size older GRAND MARQUIS, mainly because the impact is ABSORBED by the car, not the PASSENGER CABIN! Most of the newer vehicles all have superior braking / handling systems to help AVIOD an accident in the first place. AND, nothing wrong in buying her a "CUTE" car, no young person wants to lumber around in a full size TANK, ( would you have ). I agree with letting her use some of her money in the experience, even if it's just paying for MAINTAINENCE, which will also EDUCATE her of the car she / you own...Depending on what you want to spend, my advice would be a late model, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, import...MAKE SURE TO GET A CAR FAX! Takes all the risk out of buying a mistake. Any cosmetic damage over 20% of the car's damage must be disclosed, and ALL SERVICE history will be on CARFAX, as well as any warranty work the car had done. PLUS, you are ALWAYS better off buying from a LICENSED DEALER than an individual - IN ALL CASES!! Any way I can be of any help, let me know....tuttleman

Get her what you want her to have. If she won't drive it you won't have to worry about her getting into an accident.
I would be willing to bet that if you bought a car, any car, for her she would drive it. If not, well she can walk.

My parents got me a seven second 0-60 car...

Don't get that for your teen.
Please.