Maxima, not a car for teen drivers
Maxima, not a car for teen drivers
Consumer Reports, April 2008
Hmm... Why didn't Maxima make the list? Too fast?
Dr J
Cars for teen drivers
Find a suitable vehicle for your young motorists
When buying a vehicle, safety and reliability are important considerations, especially if it’s for a young driver, since they usually do not have a lot of driving experience or money. When shopping for a car for that young driver, look for ones with advanced safety features and good crash-test results. Generally speaking, bigger and heavier vehicles perform better in crash tests. But larger vehicles can have unwieldy handling and offer poor fuel economy.
Large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for young, inexperienced drivers because their high centers of gravity make them more prone to roll over than other vehicles. Sports cars are also a poor choice for young drivers. They beg to be driven too fast and have a higher rate of accidents than other cars.
Acura RSX
Acura TSX
Ford Focus sedan (2003 or later)
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)
Honda CR-V EX
Honda Civic EX
Honda Fit
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., 2006 or later)
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Optima (2006 or later)
Mazda 3 (with side airbags)
Mercury Milan
Pontiac Vibe (2006 or later)
Scion tC
Subaru Impreza (not WRX)
Subaru Forester
Toyota Camry (4-cyl.)
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Matrix (2006 or later)
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4 (2001 or later, non-3rd row)
The list is based on our test results, and government and insurance-industry crash-test results. These vehicles also showed average or better reliability.
We did not consider autos with 0-to-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 ft. in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores. Many vehicles that have been tested in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-crash test without side air bags have been rated poor, the lowest rating. Therefore, we recommend that you look for a vehicle with head-protecting side air bags. Vehicles with electronic stability control may also provide benefits for less experienced drivers.
Newer models generally offer more safety features and provide better crash protection. Try to buy the most safety that your budget can afford, since no one needs these safety advantages more than a teenage driver.
CR'S RECOMMENDATIONS
The best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford. If your budget can handle a newer car with multistage advanced front air bags, side and head-protection air bags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control, so much the better. The assistance these systems can provide in an emergency situation can be especially beneficial to an inexperienced driver.
The older a car gets, the more its care and maintenance history will affect its overall performance and reliability.
Find a suitable vehicle for your young motorists
When buying a vehicle, safety and reliability are important considerations, especially if it’s for a young driver, since they usually do not have a lot of driving experience or money. When shopping for a car for that young driver, look for ones with advanced safety features and good crash-test results. Generally speaking, bigger and heavier vehicles perform better in crash tests. But larger vehicles can have unwieldy handling and offer poor fuel economy.
Large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for young, inexperienced drivers because their high centers of gravity make them more prone to roll over than other vehicles. Sports cars are also a poor choice for young drivers. They beg to be driven too fast and have a higher rate of accidents than other cars.
Acura RSX
Acura TSX
Ford Focus sedan (2003 or later)
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)
Honda CR-V EX
Honda Civic EX
Honda Fit
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., 2006 or later)
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Optima (2006 or later)
Mazda 3 (with side airbags)
Mercury Milan
Pontiac Vibe (2006 or later)
Scion tC
Subaru Impreza (not WRX)
Subaru Forester
Toyota Camry (4-cyl.)
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Matrix (2006 or later)
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4 (2001 or later, non-3rd row)
The list is based on our test results, and government and insurance-industry crash-test results. These vehicles also showed average or better reliability.
We did not consider autos with 0-to-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 ft. in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores. Many vehicles that have been tested in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-crash test without side air bags have been rated poor, the lowest rating. Therefore, we recommend that you look for a vehicle with head-protecting side air bags. Vehicles with electronic stability control may also provide benefits for less experienced drivers.
Newer models generally offer more safety features and provide better crash protection. Try to buy the most safety that your budget can afford, since no one needs these safety advantages more than a teenage driver.
CR'S RECOMMENDATIONS
The best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford. If your budget can handle a newer car with multistage advanced front air bags, side and head-protection air bags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control, so much the better. The assistance these systems can provide in an emergency situation can be especially beneficial to an inexperienced driver.
The older a car gets, the more its care and maintenance history will affect its overall performance and reliability.
Dr J
Last edited by ThurzNite; Nov 4, 2008 at 10:35 AM.
lol
I am not a fan of Consumer Reports.
And yeah I think an 00-01 Maxima will do 0-60 in like 6.8?
And I'm 18 yet the my 20AE is a great car for me
We did not consider autos with 0-to-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds...
And yeah I think an 00-01 Maxima will do 0-60 in like 6.8?
And I'm 18 yet the my 20AE is a great car for me
Same here. I started with Maximas in 11th grade. And I used to look down on cars on that list (their equivalent for the era when I was a teen).
What's interesting is that list is making a comeback w/the rising gas prices.
Dr J
What's interesting is that list is making a comeback w/the rising gas prices.
Dr J
I would not want my 16 yo driving either of my Max's for her first car. They are too fast for her, she will be driving my wife's 02 Sonata, that's plenty big and plenty slow, which is exactly what a teen driver needs. They don't need anything that will get them thinking they can pull and take corners at speed. Not to mention the fact that is would be a waste of a good max to let some teeny-weeny driver abuse what I consider to be the finest reasonably priced sports sedan on the road. Your first car should be big and slow, a max is neither.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 393
From: Connecticut
Ok well I have my daughter who is going to get her license and I am probably going to wait to see how well she drives to begin with. At that point when I decide to give her a car I am considering either my 1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5 or my wifes 2003 Maxima. I have heard that SUV's are not good for teens, I also know that the Crash Test ratings for the Maxima are better. Then I saw this article and am not sure what to do?The 4Runner happens to be on this list? What do you guys suggest:
http://www.autoextra.com/firstride.php
http://www.autoextra.com/firstride.php
Well I got my 96 5spd in April of '03 when i was 16. The only reason my parents would let me get it was because we got it CHEAP. They were reluctant because they new it was a 'fast' car for a 16yr old (my dad previously had a '93 max se). I got my 01 AE 5spd in April '07 and I'm now 22, and loving every minute of it!
Ok well I have my daughter who is going to get her license and I am probably going to wait to see how well she drives to begin with. At that point when I decide to give her a car I am considering either my 1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5 or my wifes 2003 Maxima. I have heard that SUV's are not good for teens, I also know that the Crash Test ratings for the Maxima are better. Then I saw this article and am not sure what to do?The 4Runner happens to be on this list? What do you guys suggest:
http://www.autoextra.com/firstride.php
http://www.autoextra.com/firstride.php
i've have my maxima for almost 2 weeks and it still hasnt grown on me. i feel like a damn soccer mom/grandma when i sit down on the drivers seat. the only thing that impressed me was the performance of the motor (even at 205K miles), but its not the same as my swapped integra
but this wont stop me from modifing the maxima to my taste
^^^i doubt that, but good thing its not on the list cause then the insurance rate on it would be higher...
^^^IDK if i wasnt in the situation i was in right now, i would of picked an rsx or tsx over a maxima
i'm suprised the altima coupe wasnt on there...
but this wont stop me from modifing the maxima to my taste
^^^i doubt that, but good thing its not on the list cause then the insurance rate on it would be higher...
i'm suprised the altima coupe wasnt on there...
I got my 04 maxima wen i was 16 (paying monthly ofcourse) and im still alive! 
im 18 now but i will admit that i did do some stupid things with it wen i first had it. really depends on the maturity level of the person.
im 18 now but i will admit that i did do some stupid things with it wen i first had it. really depends on the maturity level of the person.
I would not want my 16 yo driving either of my Max's for her first car. They are too fast for her, she will be driving my wife's 02 Sonata, that's plenty big and plenty slow, which is exactly what a teen driver needs. They don't need anything that will get them thinking they can pull and take corners at speed. Not to mention the fact that is would be a waste of a good max to let some teeny-weeny driver abuse what I consider to be the finest reasonably priced sports sedan on the road. Your first car should be big and slow, a max is neither.
This was how the car was when I got it, see sig for progress after a year of ownership.
Since then, I've taken care of it like I've never taken care of anything. Modified it, and have done religious routine maintenance to it with obsessive compulsive tendencies.
Point being, Just because someone is young doesn't mean the maxima won't be a good car for them...
Last edited by Pearl93VE; Nov 5, 2008 at 11:05 AM.
^^Very true, but you obviously appreciat a nice Max, I'm just generalizing, and I'm also thinking of my daughter, she appreciates nothing and will abuse whatever car she has, she is a knucklehead, and so are most of her friends that I know. I would not allow them to have a nice car.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 281
All I have to say to that list is:
hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, thats GOLD.
Rather than spend $20'000 on one of those cars, why not spend a few hundred bucks on an Advanced Driver Training course (whatever everyone calls them), you know the courses that teach you how to control your car in emergency enviroments, loss of traction, quick braking, etc.
I havent done any of those, but driving like an idiot, killing my first car, seing my mates kill their cars and in some cases kill themSELVES has shown me how to drive and how NOT to drive, and that has literally saved my life more than once. not face/chest/groin/legs/feet airbags, ESP, traction control, speed restrictions, etc.
I think the only thing that can protect young drivers, or ANY driver on the roads, is experience and sensibility, not money.
hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, thats GOLD.
Rather than spend $20'000 on one of those cars, why not spend a few hundred bucks on an Advanced Driver Training course (whatever everyone calls them), you know the courses that teach you how to control your car in emergency enviroments, loss of traction, quick braking, etc.
I havent done any of those, but driving like an idiot, killing my first car, seing my mates kill their cars and in some cases kill themSELVES has shown me how to drive and how NOT to drive, and that has literally saved my life more than once. not face/chest/groin/legs/feet airbags, ESP, traction control, speed restrictions, etc.
I think the only thing that can protect young drivers, or ANY driver on the roads, is experience and sensibility, not money.
Last edited by Niccos89; Nov 6, 2008 at 12:47 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 189
From: houston tx
Electricity on the other hand....
im gonna be 18 and my old car was a 1992 pontiac grand prix. it was a piece of crap. i love my maxima it is super fast and i love going down to the races in hartford. it rapes everyone except for turbo 350z's dont let your friends be ****s and line up races to make you look like a fool. haha.
I would not want my 16 yo driving either of my Max's for her first car. They are too fast for her, she will be driving my wife's 02 Sonata, that's plenty big and plenty slow, which is exactly what a teen driver needs. They don't need anything that will get them thinking they can pull and take corners at speed. Not to mention the fact that is would be a waste of a good max to let some teeny-weeny driver abuse what I consider to be the finest reasonably priced sports sedan on the road. Your first car should be big and slow, a max is neither.
It's also not the smallest car...atleast my 03 is a pretty big car. I always liked smaller cars though...thats why I'm selling.
Not that it matters but my first car was an 01 Honda Prelude 5 speed. I loved that car. It was "fast" when you wanted it to be but otherwise it had just the right amount of power. God I miss that car
do you guys seriously think the maxima is a fast car? From a beginner's point of view, maybe. But it seems like you guys are talking about the car being fast in general. I def. do not think so. Quick? Yes. Fast? Eh...
It's also not the smallest car...atleast my 03 is a pretty big car. I always liked smaller cars though...thats why I'm selling.
Not that it matters but my first car was an 01 Honda Prelude 5 speed. I loved that car. It was "fast" when you wanted it to be but otherwise it had just the right amount of power. God I miss that car
It's also not the smallest car...atleast my 03 is a pretty big car. I always liked smaller cars though...thats why I'm selling.
Not that it matters but my first car was an 01 Honda Prelude 5 speed. I loved that car. It was "fast" when you wanted it to be but otherwise it had just the right amount of power. God I miss that car
But as the poster above said, proper training goes a long way. Those people I taught w/my car walked away wanting to trade their accords and camrys and 3series for a Maxima.
Dr J
I bought my Maxima when I was 18. I had experience from my first car, which was a 03 SE-R, but it really depends on your maturity level and driving experience. The Maxima is a quick car, but it all depends what you compare it to. Compared to higher end cars, not so much, but compared to the majority of what is on the road, it is a quick car.
Ok but really, Celica's transmissions, from what I've seen in forums, have issues. I would not want my kid stranded.
That manuals seem to fare better, but there's prob more autos out there.Dr J
Last edited by ThurzNite; Nov 7, 2008 at 01:44 PM.
e^10