Mens Zoom Rival

The 10 Best Used Cars for Teens

The day your teenager becomes a driver is stressful enough for any parent. In 2009, some 3,000 teens were killed in automobile accidents and 350,000 were injured, according to the Centers for Disease Control. So what they drive shouldn't add to the worry.

Some teens will inherit the family car, while a few may be treated to something new (or newer). The good news for parents on the hunt for a safe and well-equipped used car is that great options abound. In compiling this list, we chose a price point of $15,000 to ensure that the cars met parameters typically set by parents, including multiple airbags, anti-lock braking systems, and other safety features that bring peace of mind.

"Safety, fuel efficiency and running costs are often big factors for the parents we see," says John Brooks, the third-generation general manager of San Francisco's long-running used car dealership, Brooks Ellis Auto Center. Brooks counsels parents to look for the newest car they can afford, as some may still be under warranty. He also suggests four doors over two (lower insurance premiums) and automatic transmissions (less for the new driver to worry about).

As with any used automotive purchase, favor cars with the least signs of abuse and the most complete maintenance records. Forthwith, we proffer nine cars that any parent would be proud put the kids in, and another that's more in the realm of childhood fantasy:

2000-2001 Porsche Boxster

And last but not least... So you say your prodigious offspring just got a full ride to Harvard? Or maybe you lost some first-car-discussion bet back with the kid was 10 and now you're on the hook for something really out there? A well-maintained (pampered and loved) early Boxster dishes up dazzling performance and poise that can rival a newer Porsche costing five times the price. And then when college calls, well, you just might have to watch over the car, won't you?

2005-2006 Ford Escape Hybrid

If you happen to be an SUV-loving family, this is one option that won't suck parental coffers dry at the pumps. With its hybrid engine, the four-cylinder Escape delivers around 30 mpg in the city and on the highway. Although this car got a sheetmetal overhaul a few years ago, its mechanical underpinnings remain essentially unchanged from its 2005 debut. Buying used also means you can often find premium options such as navigation and premium stereo at essentially no extra cost.

2005-2006 Subaru Outback

Skiing families know all about the four-wheel-drive prowess of the Subaru line. So if your teen plans to hit the slopes solo, the Outback wagon is one of the most affordable-dependable rides around thanks to its battle-tested four-cylinder boxer engine and sure-footed foul weather manners. Large enough to fit friends and gear alike, the Outback also enjoys a dedicated fan base that will snap the car up when you're ready to sell it.

2006-2007 Volvo S40

Volvo has always been synonymous with safety, often touting advances in areas such as frame integrity, air bag technology and blind-spot sensors far ahead of the competition. This particular model has the added benefit of bucking the Swedish company's homely-car tradition. Around 2004, the S40 got a make-over that rounded out its flanks and turned it into a genuinely stylish machine whose five-cylinder engine will deliver solid gas mileage at a leisurely pace.

2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz C230

Let's face it, some folks are die-hard European-car buffs, and for them this option from the metalsmiths in Stuttgart provides an affordable way to keep a young loved one in the family auto fold. Look for the Sport model with its 201-hp V6, which will help new drivers merge into the flow of highway traffic with ease. Safety and trim quality are typically solid Mercedes fare. As with any European car, the key is having as complete a service history as possible. With that, a 60,000-mile car can double that figure without too much fiscal pain.

2007-2008 Mini Cooper

True, this model bucks our four-door mandate. But simply put, the Mini Cooper is quite the little marvel, a BMW-crafted gem whose revvy four-cylinder engine provides practically hybrid-level mileage. Second, while it appears small it actually accommodates six-footers up front with ease while simultaneously providing ample room for rear passengers. The Mini also posts excellent crash safety scores that belie its physical stature.

2008-2009 Mazda3

Whatever you may think of Mazda's odd "Zoom Zoom" ad campaign, these Japanese imports do offer considerable zip and driver involvement best exemplified by the company's wildly successful MX-5 Miata. And that connection to the road will only help a new motorist settle into the art of driving. The Mazda3 is at its most practical in either sedan or Touring/hatchback configurations, with a four-cylinder engine that is as peppy as it is stingy.

2008-2009 Toyota Camry

The venerable - OK, some would say boring - Camry has been around since 1983, and it's just hard to find much fault with Toyota's four-door stalwart. With its nondescript looks and frugal workhouse of a four-cylinder engine, the Camry electronic gadgets are a kind of car that defines reliable while at the same time deflecting attention from everyone from car thieves to cops. If you're partial to other Japanese marques, Nissan's Altima and Honda's Accord fit very similar bills.

2008-2009 Volkswagen Jetta

If having your teen drive a Mercedes just screams too many of the wrong things, but you're eager for them to get a feel for that Teutonic engineering, VW's Jetta is a great intro to Euro autos. The Jetta tech gadgets have grown in larger over the decades and now accommodates rear passengers with ease, and, with its relatively docile 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, doesn't pack the license-jeopardizing punch of the GTI.

2009-2010 Hyundai Sonata

Like a racehorse that starts at the back of the pack and slowly charges to the fore, Hyundai's tenacious battle for its share of the U.S. market is starting to pay off. The Sonata is a good example of what's right with the brand, a mid-size sedan that offers the standard complement of modern safety features, 30 mpg from its four-cylinder power plant and styling that borrows liberally from Mercedes' handsome C-class. What's more, Hyundai's well-known affordability means that fifteen large gets you an almost new car for used car money.

Briefly, all of these cars are the best gadgets for men!

About the Author

I hope you enjoy my articles. If you want to know more information on the cool electronic gadgets, tech news, product reviews, and perfect gift ideas for gadgets for men, GiftsOrGadgets is your choice.

Nike - Zoom Rival Brother 2 (Metellic Silver/Volt Black) - Footwear $45.99 6pm.com is proud to offer the Nike - Zoom Rival Brother 2 (Metellic Silver/Volt Black) - Footwear: Run like the wind in these sweet kicks. ; Shiny man-made upper. ; Lace-up and zip front with hook-and-loop strap at forefoot for a secure fit. ; Comfortable man-made lining and insole. ; Trademark Nike swoosh at front, sides, heel and tongue. ; Man-made, spiked sole for traction. ; Weight: 8 oz ; Product measurements were taken using size 12. Please note that measurements may vary by size.

Zoom $5.99 Zoom

Rival / Rival FPRVEK00 / FPRVEK00 $22.78 Rival - Rival FPRVEK00 - FPRVEK00

Rival / Rival IR999 / IR999 $23.18 Rival - Rival IR999 - IR999

Nike - Zoom Rival S 5 (White/Bright Violet/Metallic Silver) - Footwear $24 6pm.com is proud to offer the Nike - Zoom Rival S 5 (White/Bright Violet/Metallic Silver) - Footwear: Are you the 400m star, the 100m hurdle pro and the long jump champ? Need a versatile shoe to keep up with your all star track record? If so, then the Nike Zoom Rival S 5 is just the shoe for you! ; A versatile track and field shoe with removable spikes. ; Lightweight, synthetic leather upper with mesh cutouts offers superior protection and support. ; Forefoot hook-and-loop strap helps to lock the foot down over the footbed, for a secure fit and enhanced power transfer. ; Internal speed lacing allows for a snug fit and better support. ; Lightly padded tongue and molded heel cup for plush comfort. ; Ultra-thin EVA midsole provides a low profile and feather light cushioning. ; Solid rubber outsole for lightweight traction and durability. ; Seven removable spikes encased in a nylon plate heighten traction for superior performance on varied track surfaces. ; Weight: 7 oz ; Product measurements were taken using size Men's 11, Women's 12.5. Please note that measurements may vary by size.

Guess Zoom Mens Watch W17536G1 $172.5 Gunmetal ion-plated stainless steel case with a gunmetal ion-plated stainless steel bracelet. Fixed gunmetal ion-plated bezel. Black dial with luminous hands and stick hour markers. Arabic numerals mark the 3, 9 and 12 o'clock positions. Dial Type: Analog. Luminiscent hands and markers. Seconds sub-dial above the 6 o'clock position. Quartz movement. Scratch resistant mineral crystal. Solid case back. Case diameter: 44 mm. Case thickness: 10 mm. Water resistant at 30 meters / 100 feet. Functions: hours, minutes, seconds. This watch is supplied in a black vinyl pouch with heart-shaped guess pendant - no box is provided. Casual watch style. Guess Zoom Mens Watch W17536G1. Resizable: Gift Box Chronograph: Black

Young Rival $10.49 Young Rival

Rival $9.99 Brooke I don't like Kathryn Pease. I could pretend everything's fine between us. I could be nice to her face, then trash her behind her back. But I think it's better to be honest. I don't like Kathryn, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Kathryn I saw a commercial where singers used their voices to shatter glass, but the whole thing is pretty much a myth. The human voice isn't that strong. Human hatred is. Anybody who doubts that should feel the hate waves coming off of Brooke Dempsey. But I don't shatter; I'm not made of glass. Anyway, the parts that break aren't on the outside. Brooke and Kathryn used to be best friends . . . until the night when Brooke ruthlessly turned on Kathryn in front of everyone. Suddenly Kathryn was an outcast and Brooke was Queen B. Now, as they prepare to face off one last time, each girl must come to terms with the fact that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had.

The Rival $6.99 Amidst whispers of treachery and murder, the Stanhope heir vanishes without a trace... After Lionel De Vere's mysterious disappearance, Garrick De Vere becomes heir to an estate shrouded in scandal. Blackmailed by his powerful father into returning to England after a decade-long exile, Garrick finds himself forced into confronting the past and defending his innocence against those who wished to see him banished forever. She dared to love the man all of London hated... Lady Olivia Grey and her daughter both possess the shattering "gift" of sight, and it is this vision which drives Olivia from a loveless marriage directly into the heart of a bitter rivalry between two brothers, placing both herself and her daughter in jeopardy-as lies, secrets and ancient passions threaten to destroy everyone involved. The were strangers and outcasts, thrown together by a past that would not die. Together they fought to expose a legacy of deceit and claim the love that defied their entire world.

The Rival Chieftains $19.99 The Rival Chieftains - Premium Poster

The Rival Shops $19.99 Tom Merry The Rival Shops - Premium Poster

Rival Attraction $34.99 George Goodwin Kilburne Rival Attraction - Giclee Print

Rival Beauties $19.99 Charles Dana Gibson Rival Beauties - Premium Poster

Easton Men's Rival Piped Pants - Baseball Pants $34.99 Features open hemmed bottom with piping down side. The baggy look of the pros. Pro-ribbed waistband with two sewn down back pockets. Stain resistant ad UV protection. inseam. Mens Sizes S - XL. Colors Grey and White body with Black, Navy, Royal or Scarlet piping. Baseball Pants - Baseball Pants

Tommy Zoom - In A Zoom $4.99 Tommy Zoom - In A Zoom

Motorola Rival A455 (Screen) $14.99 Motorola Rival A455 (Screen)

Assault of Final Rival (DVD) $9.93 Assault of Final Rival (DVD)

Rival / Over-the-ear / CBHR $34.7 Rival - Over-the-ear - CBHR

Rival / Polycarbonate - Chrome / IP4MC $24.64 Rival - Polycarbonate - Chrome - IP4MC

Rival / 18-QT ROASTER / RO180 $64.25 Rival - 18-QT ROASTER - RO180

At The Foot Of My Rival [Digipak] $10.49 At The Foot Of My Rival [Digipak]

Assault Of Final Rival $8.99 Assault Of Final Rival

The Rival - Widescreen Subtitle Dolby $12.99 The Rival - Widescreen Subtitle Dolby

Learning to Rival $131 Learning to Rival tells the inside story of college and high school writers learning to

Mens Nike Shoes - Nike Zoom Leshot Lr Sneakers $75 Take a shot at low rise stardom with Nike 6.0s Zoom Leshot LR Shoes. Straight from the Nike Zoom Collection, these sneakers have a classic feel, but switched up style. A tough durable toe and thick white walls and sole make this shoe perfect for bumming or boarding. Comfy enough to take a stroll in and tough enough to take a skaters toll. The white logo and back heel detail give this shoe some style. Sure-fit tongue straps. Honeycomb construction at midsole for lightweight comfort. Flexible vulcanized construction with sticky gum rubber outsole. Size 10 shown.

Tags: flickr, photo, photography, sharing, shoes

This entry was posted on Monday, January 31st, 2005 at 5:21 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.