What is a good starter car for a teenager?

Honda....any one.

Toyota...sedan.

A leased Scion, that way when he smashed into something/somebody there will be eleven air-bag protection...and being leased is easily replaced~

This articles has many choices. There will always be people that put your and your car down in an attempt to feel better about their shallow lives. Ignore them. Make your choice according to what your needs and abilities are. http://voices.yahoo.com/starter-cars-teens-college-students-1626381.html

My first buggy was an '80 dodge colt with the MCA jet engine which got 50 mpg, but did not have no power~....this was in the late '80's in Orange County, CA~ crappy car....but was fun to drive at that age~

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-first-cars-2012-1?op=1

Thanks for asking. It shows that you are a responsible person. http://blog.motorists.org/what-is-a-good-first-car-for-a-teen-driver/

yeah ten, those are upper echelon OVER $5000 critters~

underpowered would be advisable as you're dealing with an individual who most likely will step away from his video game controls onto the actual car controls.....and is going to have to WAKE UP! at that age always liked the small British sports cars, but keeping up with the needs of a sportscar will probably make this a viable alternative (but could find a $5000 one)...but NO airbags...the safety of airbags....we didn't need no stinkin' air bags back in the day~

Air bags! We were lucky to get seatbelts and a padded dash... Mothers would throw the right arm over against the kids chest when danger neared.

pop-and-win airbags, like click and clack used to say.

World war II caused all of the great looking designed cars (unsafe ones, granted) and melted them to make tanks, ships and weapons of war....some of these antique bicycles made it and a '39 Hupmobile (how rare is that one?) ---American know how~

Everyone I know would definitely like a projectile at bullet speed in their face...right?

Umm....NOT any Honda...forget the S2000 sportscar/convertible or the Del Sol for that matter @ Judge..LOL! My vote would be a used Volvo S40, S60, or S80 (not a turbo model on any of these..stick with N/A engine). All are safe and reliable and will protect your precious cargo in the event of an accident better than many cars out there right now.

thank you for your continued informed input on this topic...Hondas are kinda fragile (bit like a motorcycle somehow)~so yes was going to suggest a big ole police interceptor or full size motor sedan~...but under five? that's the zinger~

Volvos ain't cheap to fix...GM cars generally are~

You are correct in that Volvos aren't cheap to fix (as is the case with all European cars). But, they are very well built and with regular maintenance, won't break down nearly as often or nickel and dime you the way a lot of GM cars do. There's a very good reason you see a LOT of older Volvo models still on the roads today. Also, I would think a parent would want a car built with safety first and foremost in mind for a teenage driver. P.S. I was joking on the Honda comment...don't take me THAT seriously, Judge....just poking fun at ya :)

No Rex, the honda is cheap....and not korean....that's the only reason that I suggested that....in retrospect a FORD F-150, as olde as you can find it would be my first suggestion, now....I've changed it....I like the looks of the 1950's FORD trucks, just the I-beam and kingpin front end??? best chose a RWD FORD with independant front suspension (will have to research to find out which year this is) as usual am puttin' something down that only a select amount of people will be paying attention to~

Any Chevrolet car with the Ecotec engine. But stay away from Chevrolet HHR's because they are shit. However, choose from a Chevrolet Cavalier (1996-2005), Chevrolet Cobalt, or Chevrolet Malibu (2004-2006, 2008-2011). Most of these you can find for relatively cheap at used car dealers, provided the owner hasn't ran them to the ground, or riced it.