I've been searching, test driving, 2004 through 2006 Toyota Tundra's. I'm purchasing this for my son, who will be 16 in September. He is to begin his driving experience in our 2001 Jeep Cherokee and if all goes well, after 90 days, I plan to put him in a truck. This truck will need to last through 3 years of high school and 4 years of college. We both duck hunt and fish. He is an Eagle Scout and is working as a lifeguard this summer.

I have located a 2006, 4door, sr5, 4wd, with 37,500 miles. Clean autocheck, one owner. I have also located another 2006 with the same options, but has 100,000 miles and is $5000 cheaper.

Knowing my circumstances, which would you purchase? I presently own a 2000 4Runner and have had exceptional service with this vehicle.

Thanks!
Creech101

 

I'd buy him the cheapest thing I could afford for him to total. Definitely not something that new. Drive the J*** until he goes to college, then buy him something newer.

:wabbit2:

 

I'm with Wabbit. Also the Tundra is a rather large truck for someone new to driving. I would stick to at least a Tacoma. At 16, he shouldn't need the 4dr option either. And hopefully he won't need it at college. Also keep in mind, there is also there is a few Colleges out there that don't let freshman drive on campus. So keep that in mind when your paying insurance on a vehicle for a year that is won't be driven often.

On a side note for insurance, I also wouldn't be buying something you have to make payments on where you have to cover full coverage either. It tends to keep the insurance premiums higher. Not saying you don't want to have the vehicle fully cover and just take liability, but insurance is usually higher on a vehicle your making payments on vise one that is fully paid for.

 

I agree with wabbit. I bought my son a Volvo wagon for his first car.He knew everything about driving.He even knew how to clean out a ditch,run over a mailbox,and run from the scene in front of four people.
Your son will use the truck off road, kill the drive train and cause you more head aches than a father deserves. I did at that age.
But I paid for my truck and the repairs.
Buy him a safe volvo to learn how to drive in or something cheap,but safe.

 

give him the Jeep and keep the Tundra for yourself.
When He graduates college, give him the tundra and get something cool for yourself.

X2. My daughter gets awesome grades and liability insurance is expensive enough for her, teenage boy..add some more to that.

 

Buy an old 2nd gen. 4Runner or 3rd gen. truck. The 2 of you can put in some time together working on it (maybe even do a 3.4 swap - it's not that difficult and gives great results) and when you are finished the kid will have something that he can pride himself on for having built with his own hands.
This is exactly what I did with my 16 year old and he loves driving it.
His is a 3.4 powered 92 4Runner body sitting on an 85 shortbed truck chassis with 3" lift and 12.5 x 35 BFG's.
The insurance is cheap and with the price of 2nd gen. 4Runners as cheap as they are, should something happen to the body - it's an easy and inexpensive fix.

 

I agree with Ride... and no matter how responsible, every 16/17 year old is going to do something to screw up their first car.

Personally, I would tell my kid to get a job, and buy at least half of whatever if he wants something nicer than the standard.

 

I have to agree with most, the Tundra is a larger vehicle to handle as a first time driver. I'd stick with a smaller truck, not a volvo because we all know how 'cool' it is for a 16/17 year old to be seen driving one of those around and I'd say they would get stuck pretty easy when you go out hunting and want to have some fun.

Your a good Dad wanting to do this for your son. I would imagine you know how responsible he is and the decision came easy for you.

 

I know I've posted this before, but if I were to buy a car for a teenager, I would make sure it was a 5 speed with no power windows. It's darned near impossible to text while driving one of those.

I also echo the sentiments of those who say to get him something older. I graduated in the top 10 in my class, never got in trouble-never got caught-and can honestly say that my 22re pickup saved me from going fast and causing vehicular mayhem.

Any Tundra you buy him will end up with all kinds of parking lot bumps and bruises by being at college anyway. Half the spots at my alma mater are Prius sized at best, so a smaller rig is a bonus.

 

I'm 28 years old. When I was 17, I totaled my parents car on my way to see a friend who lived outside of town. Not drinking, not doing drugs, didn't have a cell phone even... I just wasn't paying attention. Worst of it was, my parents are dirt poor. Talk about growing up real quick. Seeing how a stupid, immature mistake can really put a strain on the lives of the people who love you most? No price tag. A junky car however that will teach your son (no matter how responsible or trustworthy he may be...)? Priceless. No sense in punishing him in anyway, but no need to spoil him and give him a false sense of security.

IMHO, if he can learn to handle a pos car/truck, WITH the guise and support of his dad (among other people) along the way, his experience with vehicles, driving, and responsibility will be further along than any of his pimply face friends or girls could even hope for.

Best of luck!

 

Buy him something with airbags, a fixer upper.Then spend the big bucks later.