Finding a car for my 17 yr. old, Sean

[Kennan]

When I was 16, I got my first car, my current e34, a 525i which was a hand me down from my mom. It's always been slow, but I thought the world of it. Recently I moved up to an '04 545i six-speed and couldn't be happier.

Out of those two cars, I would get the low mileage one without a doubt. Since you already have an e34 in your stable, maybe look into a different car all together. Possibly an older 3 series or maybe an Integra or a Jetta. Since your son is driving, maybe give him the leeway to have final choice on the car.

[warton]

DAMN!!! I wish I had a Bimmer when I was 17!!! hehehehe

Tell me about it... I was driving "Wookie" at that age - a '76 International Scout Traveler (that was the "wagon" version of the Scout) - 2-door, extremely unreliable, very slow, prone to engine fires, serious gas hog. But it was huge in the back with the seats folded up!

Ah, the good old days. ;-)

Peter

[DrewT]

I went through this about 1 year ago. I decided I would buy my son the safest car my son would drive for under $10,000. I decided on a 1994 525. Insurance test shows as very safe and consumer reports show the M50 engine to be a very good and dependable motor. I also like the fact that the M50 is not all that fast and good on gas mileage.
I found a 525 that had a spolier on the front and back which made my sone very happy. My car had 72,000 miles on it and I paid $8,500. which included a warranty to 100,000 miles.