Research International USA's TRU branch has polled the youth of our country and discovered that they'd like a fun, stylish car more than anything (duh) -- namely the Mustang. Twenty-somethings posed the same question picked the Honda Civic above all else, mainly because they've had a dose of reality, and are now paying their own insurance and fuel. So what exactly does this study say? As you mature, your experience leads to more practical decision making, perhaps? That there's a whole subset of spoiled brat high schoolers who have their insurance and fuel paid for and also expect that being handed the keys to a 3,500 pound wheeled liability is a birthright? Probably a bit of both, we suppose, but the fact remains that the Mustang is a flashy, fun car that even non-car people could point out in a crowd and undoubtedly has decent youth appeal.
The rest of the teens choices weren't earth shattering. Besides the Mustang, the cars that young drivers most desire are posted below the fold.
[Source: KickingTires]
- Honda Civic
- Honda Accord
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Toyota Camry (what?)
- Toyota Corolla (double-what?)
- Chevy Impala (triple-WTF?)
- Ford Focus
- Ford F150
- Jeep Wrangler
- Chevy Silverado
- VW Jetta
- Nissan Maxima
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
HotRodzNKustoms @ Feb 29th 2008 7:41PM
That's because teens still have hopes and dreams then after your parents stick you with the 300k mile 82-84 Civic all you can hope for is a slightly newer one and all your hopes and dreams have been crushed and there is no life left in you.
geo.stewart @ Feb 29th 2008 11:42PM
ahh, 'getting stuck with a Civic'
must be nice.
My first car was a 1971 Mustang Fastback with a 302, Cragar SSTs, Eagle STs (GTs didnt have the traction) and dual glasspacks.
That I paid for with my own money, along with paying for my insurance with my own money. not that I had a choice :-) but was proud of doing it myself.
Want a bitchin car? Earn your money. Save your money. take your money and pay for your opinion. Otherwise, remember that in nature SPONGES DONT HAVE A VOICE!!!!!
geo.stewart @ Feb 29th 2008 11:44PM
and just to be clear, the car was 15 yrs old and 'my own money' came from mowing yards and bussing tables, not family gifts so I can get a new Vette.
TwinTurbo3000GT @ Mar 1st 2008 1:16AM
Mustang and civic??? really??? God damn the next generation is boring!
You know, i'm 25, and if i was given $30k to spend on a car, i would probably go buy an old Evo or an old NSX. Maybe not as SMART as buying a civic or camry...but you only live once...
Alex @ Mar 1st 2008 8:52AM
@ TwinTurbo3000GT
That's funny. When i was 25 i bought a '98 Jaguar XJR. It was the smartest decision i ever made... for about three months. I couldn't afford to drive it but i couldn't bear to part with it either. Now i drive a '92 Maxima and the Jag sits in a rented garage uninspected, uninsured and no longer registered. One day she'll back on the road. One day.
My next car? I'm hoping the Maxima will run me until the Mazda2 makes its NA debut. Yeah, i've gone pratical.
geo.stewart @ Mar 1st 2008 9:22AM
sad to say, they havent changed. those werent the golden years. my insurance alone was more than it was for both my parents and their cars. and after my first wreck, it doubled and I paid that.
nardvark @ Feb 29th 2008 7:42PM
I'm pretty surprised by the Maxima. I can't believe there are more teenagers who would rather drive a Maxima than a WRX or an EVO.
psarhjinian @ Feb 29th 2008 8:42PM
It's decently sporty, reasonably stylish and has--and this is important--a back seat. It's fairly moddable, too.
Personally, though, every Maxima I've ever seen was driven a by a fifty-something senior manager (as opposed to partners and execs in 5/7/E/S or young up-and-comers in Jettas, IS/3er/G35)
digitalzombie @ Feb 29th 2008 9:33PM
dude you know the insurance price on the Evo and the Sti? I think that's a huge deterrent for teenager. I'm also surprise with the maxima part.
almost Dr. G.. @ Feb 29th 2008 11:26PM
i bought myself a 2003 maxima when i was 21 years old. i loved that car! 255hp 6sp manual and it cost me $22k out the door! (2004 models were in the showrooms). the insurance was dirt cheap too.. i paid $100 less a month than my friends with accords and civics believe it or not.
Alex @ Mar 1st 2008 8:56AM
YEAH MAXIMAS! I'm still pushing a 92 Maxima. I told myself i'm going to drive it straight into the ground. I honestly get the feeling the damn car will be 20 before it dies. Bulletproof and dirt cheap to insure.
Nick Vrana @ Feb 29th 2008 7:48PM
I owned two of the vehicles on that list when I was 16. I had a jetta as my first, got bored with it quick, bought an F150, and by the time I was 17 I was bored with it as well.
So I bought a C5 Vette. It was faster, sexier, had better gas mileage, and is just a bitchin' ride in general.
Thank you 100% disposable income. (Insurance only went up $13 a month compared to my ford)
ALEXDB9 @ Feb 29th 2008 8:10PM
Started with an Escalade, yes I took my drivers test in it....then went up to the car I will keep forever....at least until a DBS becomes available.
Great taste in avatars by the way.
Seoultrain @ Feb 29th 2008 8:12PM
ok, vette at 17? i hate you.
BowserUSC @ Feb 29th 2008 10:09PM
ah yes, spoiled rich brats. what a surprise.
Nick Vrana @ Mar 1st 2008 2:06AM
I paid for it myself thanks, no parental help needed. Worked between 35 and 45 hours a week at a CompUSA for $8.50 an hour + commission. I was number one sales guy in the district and I paid for the vette with cash and a trade in of my F150. It was a 2000 model just under 50k miles on it for $22,500.
Now at the time I was not paying for a place to sleep at night, or food, and for that I am incredibly greatful to my parents, they gave me the opportunity to make that much money.
Sorry for the rant, I just really hate it when I get the rich boy BS. I am paying for my house, I am paying for my college, and I paid for my car.
Nick Vrana @ Mar 1st 2008 2:12AM
And AlexDB9 are you still in college, cause there is a guy that cruises around my college (SMU) in a nice black DB9 that looks like the one in your photograph. Your age fits about right too. (just curious)
Threader @ Feb 29th 2008 7:51PM
Honda Civic - Sure, no surprise
Honda Accord - It's Honda ok
Volkswagen Beetle - Must of been Teen Female
Toyota Camry - The appliance generation?
Toyota Corolla - Must be the one with the ground effects, right?
Chevy Impala - Time for an intervention!
Ford Focus - Redneck Kid's Honda Civic
Ford F150 - Sure 4" Lift and monster tires.
Jeep Wrangler - I dreamed of this one when I was a teen, ok
Chevy Silverado - Same as Ford150
VW Jetta - A preppy Standard but today it's surely a TDI
Nissan Maxima - I can't figure this one out? Why?
Mercury Mountaineer 06 @ Feb 29th 2008 7:52PM
My first car was a 1987 Mercury Cougar XR-7 I loved that car.
AlexP @ Feb 29th 2008 7:54PM
I'm willing to say that the respondants that selected the Corolla were females.
Not pulling a stereotype or anything of the sort, it just happens that most of the people who even think of the Corolla as car they could own are women.
I don't understand the Camry, Accord and Impala (or the pickups), though.
People who voted for the Focus probably haven't seen the new one... Probably... That or they want SYNC.