Saturday, 02 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Car Buyers' Guide: Cars for teens

By Jack Biddle
22 Feb, 2013 04:30 PM3 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
The Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris

Test passenger and luggage space when choosing cars for teens

The dilemma

Carolyn has double trouble. Her teenage son and daughter are learning to drive, but she's after one automotive solution.

"We are now looking at getting a small car for them to commence their hopefully safe and sound driving instruction," says Carolyn. "We want a unisex-style car, petrol, automatic with low kilometres and a late model."

She'd prefer a hatchback and wants something reliable.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"As we aren't 'car' people we are more likely to buy from a dealer. I would probably be less comfortable dealing with private sellers."

Carolyn, don't be put off buying privately. In your price and car size range, I'm sure you could find some very genuine sellers of one-owner, low-mileage and well-maintained vehicles.

Buying from a dealership is definitely worth a good look as the team may be selling a vehicle sold and serviced from new, where the previous owners have updated to a later model.

To keep the male member of this partnership happy, try factory-fitted alloy wheels or a mild body kit that can make a standard road car look a little more special.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

You may also need to look closely at interior space (including luggage) to ensure both driver and passengers have adequate head and leg room. Rear passenger space is often overlooked when buying. It always pays to carry out an actual bum-on-seat check.

Small cars are great for around town but if your family needs regular highway driving and carrying a bit of gear, you may not want to drop down below 1.4-litre in engine size - especially if buying an automatic.

The budget: $15,000

Mazda2

Related articles

New Zealand

Car Buyers' Guide: Enthusiasts for European models

25 Jan 04:30 PM
New Zealand

Car Buyers' Guide: looks or grunt?

08 Feb 04:30 PM
New Zealand

Car Buyers' Guide: double-cab utes are a perfect fit

15 Feb 04:30 PM
New Zealand

Best new buys for your bucks

01 Mar 04:30 PM

The Sport variant has a few subtle body accessories that give it extra appeal without being over the top. A proven and reliable vehicle. Nothing complicated or high-risk engine- and performance-wise. Safety features may differ a little. For example, I did notice some models in the 2007 range advertised with up to six airbags, while others had only two.

Nissan Micra RX

The 2008 RX is very well specced including climate air-conditioning, alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and handles. Safety is a standout feature of this New Zealand-new vehicle with multiple airbags, including head protection for front-seat occupants. A fun and easy car to drive.

Toyota Yaris

Your budget with stretch to a 2010 version and you will get a very good five-door hatch with a well-proven reliability history. The CD player stereo with USB and AUX input will no doubt appeal to both son and daughter.

Driven recommends

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

If you can get your son over the line, the Yaris will serve all parties very well.

For car advice, email driven@apn.co.nz

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

CrimeUpdated

'Natural for a girl': Mum prostituted her 16yo daughter for $50

01 Dec 08:00 PM
New Zealand

Paroled murderer banned from Palmerston North

01 Dec 07:45 PM
New ZealandUpdated

One dead, two injured in Taranaki crash

01 Dec 07:37 PM
New Zealand

Celebrating a decade of artistic vision

01 Dec 06:35 PM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

'Natural for a girl': Mum prostituted her 16yo daughter for $50

'Natural for a girl': Mum prostituted her 16yo daughter for $50

01 Dec 08:00 PM

'Just do it, I love you,' the now-sentenced mother told her daughter.

Paroled murderer banned from Palmerston North

Paroled murderer banned from Palmerston North

01 Dec 07:45 PM
One dead, two injured in Taranaki crash

One dead, two injured in Taranaki crash

01 Dec 07:37 PM
Celebrating a decade of artistic vision

Celebrating a decade of artistic vision

01 Dec 06:35 PM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP