Hypothetical First Car Thread

[Franco Cozzo]

Good afternoon all,

Thought this one could be some fun to get some different perspectives on this one, no doubt we've all been asked 'whats the best first car for my child' scenario by family friends in the past.

The scenario is:

• 17 year old 'non binary' child (about to turn 18 to get Ps, we're playing VIC rules)
  
• You can spend up to $15K maximum, but bonus points for saving dollars where possible.
  
• Play in a price bracket - IE sub $5000, $5000-$10,000, $10,000-$15,000, so we cover a range of budgets.
  
• Has to be Carsales links - no Facebook Marketplace.
  
• You have to explain why you have promoted what you did

The below are my entries into the hypothetical first car challenge ($10,000-$15,000, premium first cars for the discerning P plater)

VEII Commodore (straight LPG):

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...21345083/?Cr=0

VEII Commodore Ute (straight LPG):

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...21438339/?Cr=0

BF MkII Wagon eGas:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...14120721/?Cr=0

FGII G6 Ecoboost:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...14023327/?Cr=0

$5000-$10,000 entrant:

SY MKII Territory:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...4276655/?Cr=16

Right off the bat I'm putting the VE Commodore straight LPG jobs up the top, they generally have a lower buy price than their Falcon equivalents.

VE sedan doesn't have the same rear suspension issues as the BA onwards sedan, compared to an eGas their vapor LPG setup is superior, although it loses out compared to the superior EcoLPI on power/torque it has a cheaper entry point, although exchanges suspension problem for potential timing chain drama.

The VE ute is thrown in, benefits of only being able to carry one passenger instead of a car load of their friends, good for a budding tradie to get them through their apprenticeship, although the load capacity of the VE ute isn't as good as a Falcon ute.

BF MKII Wagon, eGas is down on power compared to their Holden equivalents, but the wagon doesn't have the sedans problematic rear suspension, generally faultless aside from the common niggly B series Falcon problems, good option for a budding tradie as these things can take some serious weight in the back with a bit more security than a ute as a bonus.

FGII G6 Ecoboost is my option for the car enthusiast P plater that slides one past the parents and the police, you take on the rear suspension problem + the niggly Falcon issues, but gain a mint tuning platform in the form of forced induction 4 cylinder. A FMIC (painted black), intake, exhaust and a tune and you'll break over 200KW/wheels, EFR6258 and you'll go over the 250KW+ mark all while flying under the radar of your local police.

SY MKII Territory for those who want an SUV, you might as well as have the one with the best driving dynamics and cheapest to repair, with the downside being suspension troubles and a thirst for fuel, this one seems cheap to buy, deceased estate job.

All local cars, all with their set of foibles but you can buy parts from your local IGA for all these, safe and solid options for a first car that your child is going to come out of if they have a mild stack or someone drives into them.