Thoughts on a Car for a Kid.

[Clewisiii]

My nephew is finally looking at getting his first car. He knows i like Cadillac and I think he was looking around for some to suggest to me. I want to stay around $6000 for a car that might get him through college.

He sent me this as a proposal/question. At 189,000 miles i am iffy. I know the maintance on my Cadillac at that mileage was bad. $3000 for a trans, $2500 for magnetic shocks and struts, $1700 for a cracked Catalytic convertor.




This one is actually less mileage. And with the price it would be replaceable quicker.




Less mileage but also a V. At 17,18 years old he may get killed on insurance.




A 2 door. Maybe not as practical. And might still be an inseance problem.




Though I have enjoyed my Cadillacs, I have to admit that my Ford Focus was the most reliable car that i ever owned. All I did was brakes tires and two batteries in nearly 300,000 miles.
What are your thoughts. What would you suggest to a kid who has no resources yet and will need a car to get a job.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Frankly, I wouldn't recommend any of those for a college student whose first priority should be reliable transportation with minimal expected maintenance and running costs. Electrical gremlins tend to be common with these Cadillac models, especially with age, mileage etc. 

Funny you should mention the Focus (pre-2012 generation I assume you mean) which I've found to be every bit as reliable as most any Japanese car. Wholeheartedly recommend going with something in that direction for now.

[dn010]

I agree with Eric. And if this is a car that will be driven in Michigan, I'd be looking for something front wheel, all wheel or 4-wheel drive for a newer driver on the road. Here in Florida, I'm looking for an SUV for my son, I've seen some very nasty 'car' crashes compared to SUV crashes, but that is only because our volume of vehicles on the road is outrageous compared to other places.

Most reliable car I had was a 09 Nissan Altima. I had to put some new ignition coils in it and other minor things. I went past 230,000 miles on it even with the CVT transmission that is still somehow holding strong. I gave it to a relative and it is still going!

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Find yourself a low mileage Chevrolet Cavalier.  Bulletproof if well cared for.  While not a Cadillac it'll provide that reliable transportation needed for your nephew.  They can be had cheap and you can use the rest of the funds for something else, like books .

[Carfreak]

Don't forget to consider insurance costs also which take into account complex systems featured in a vehicle, cost of repair parts, theft rates, crash safety, etc. 

Agree on suggesting a Cavalier or even a Malibu, Impala, Buick similar size/body style or even a Furd.

Definitely NOT a Chrysler - have heard they are incredible simple to steal and very popular with car thieves. 

We've had good luck with some retired municipal vehicles through the years for our kids and extra vehicles.  They are usually well maintained although engine hours may be higher than normally expected based on mileage. 

[smokuspollutus]

I agree. All are not a good choice for this situation. 

I will third the pre 2012 Ford Focus as a super reliable, economically operable/repairable vehicle. Almost as good as a Honda Civic at a fraction of the price on the used market.

Important factor to consider is if you have emissions testing in your state, and at what age (if any) a vehicle becomes exempt. OBD2 vehicles have much more in depth monitoring systems that can cause a car to fail inspection for non-essential functions that can turn into very expensive repairs for someone with limited means. At this point I don't think I could recommend a OBD1 car for age sake alone but if you do live in an emissions area and happened into a super clean low mileage 3800 powered car at the right price you wouldn't be out of your mind to pick it up. I wouldn't consider this option if you don't have to deal with emissions though.

That said I think everyone on here has made some pretty questionable choices in transportation at one point or another and lived to tell the sometimes interesting tales that resulted from it.

Good luck to your nephew! 

[Clewisiii]

This is Michigan. There is no emisions testing or any type of inspections.

I passed this on tge road a couple of weeks ago.

[smokuspollutus]

Have to wonder-at what speed does the loss in aerodynamics outpace the weight reduction for fuel economy?

[59-in-pieces]

I agree, a lower mileage J car would be best.

I'm surprised That a college kid would consider a Cadillac.
Unless he is going Ivy League where image is every thing, a Cadillac carries a stigma of "show off" at most colleges - "who do you think you are, anyway".

Just one man's opinion, and who was offered my mother's hand-me-down Cad from my father for my high school/college car.
No thanks - for sure.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[TJ Hopland]

What are the most important factors or features on his list?   And does he have any interest or ability including tools and a place to work in doing any work on cars?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Not me!    Ever since I got my license, I proudly drove Cadillacs whenever and wherever possible. But Caddys were a lot simpler and generally more reliable in those days.

[Clewisiii]

We are from Flint Michigan. If you blend in with the drug dealers no one messes with you. Case in point years ago I had my Cavalier broken into. Never with a cadillac.

[Kevin M. Parkinson]

My oldest drove the 2006 DTS until he finished his freshman year of college at SVSU, coming home to Swartz Creek each weekend for work with no issues. (He then bought himself a 2018 XTS) Of the options you listed, the DTS is the most "Cadillac" of the four and the CTS coupe is probably the least expensive to keep full of gas. My recommendation is a Chevrolet Cruze or Malibu. Two of the boys had those for first cars in high school and both were reliable, economical, had nice features, and were inexpensive when we bought them.

[gkhashem]

If you look hard, since these are getting long in the tooth now but a GM car with a 3800 is your best bet. (Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue, Rivera Olds 88, 98, Pontiac Bonneville, Chevrolet etc)  A car with under 60,000 miles and in good condition can be had for about $5000-6000. You want a rust free example and one that has had the intake manifold gasket and plenum replaced, along with the heater hose connector tubes replaced with aluminum ones (not the plastic original design) If not these should be done especially in a Dexcool car. Then you are adding $750-$1000. Then you have a car good for 4-5 years and it will get almost 30MPG on the highway and 23MPG in the city.

I drove a 1999 Buick Lesabre for 5 years 2019-2024 before it rusted out on me. It still ran like a top but it lived a hard climate life in the rust belt.  (it cost me $3750 put another $1000 into it, but not getting it for that anymore). I ran it about 5 years not bad for $5000.

I just bought a 1995 Olds 98 for $5750 with 53,900 miles. Car is like new. I then changed all fluids, new pan gaskets, plugs and wires. Bled brake fluid. Even the AC works.

The only fear I have is the age of the cars left now and the durability of the electronics. While most parts are still plentiful some parts are getting harder to find. This engine is one of the best ever built by GM and I wished they were still being made. They beat all that turbo junk and even the Cadillac 3.6. Once you fix the weak points I have pointed out you have one of the most bullet proof engines ever made by GM. The only thing that stops these cars is rust. You still see many for sale with 175,000 to 200,000 miles. Too many miles for me but they are out there still.

So if you are patient you can find a nice one, many dealers are asking a lot for these cars. I have seen some asking up to $9000-$10000. However keep looking and you will see some for a price in your range.

[James Landi]

I too drove a Cadillac during my college years... A kid driving a Cadillac was then and likely still is a "stand out" car on campus today.  No one, virtually no one else owned one when I was in college... and in those days, a car with electric windows, air conditioning, (not to mention the six way power seat), ensured that I had a very active dating schedule.  My fellow fraternity brothers with sports cars and bucket seats were envious.   As Eric states, my '56 and '61 were simple machines, so repairs and maintenance were not challenging. My recommendation: Purchase something that is especially safe and reliable.  If my son were handy and wanted a Cadillac, I'd consider a down sized 79 Cadillac... I've owned several 76-79 Cadillacs...especially in snow country, if you can find a decent 79 Eldorado, they are great in snow and have a modern suspension and driving dynamics, and they will attract a good deal of positive attention,.   

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I recall two Cadillacs that were driven by other students during my college years (1982-1986): A 1976 CdV in Blue Firemist, white leather/roof and a 1981 CdV in Mary Kay Pink, white leather/roof w/4.1 V6. Nobody seemed to notice either of the cars nor did they attract any special attention as far as I could tell.

I'd try to watch the reaction of students to other interesting cars and Cadillacs that happened to be parked on the street as they walked by on their way to class. Never a blip. Everyone just passed by as if they were walking past air. There was even a funeral home adjacent to a major college building that we always passed. Once there was an absolutely mint 3x black '77 Limousine parked right outside the home on the street that made my jaw drop. The car almost made me late to class. For all everyone else knew, it could have been anything from a Yugo to a kid's tricycle. On another occasion, parked in the same space was an impeccable 1973 Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance in 3x dark blue. That I never forgot because up until then, I never even knew such an animal existed!   

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

My brother has a 2006 STS with the V-6 and has had good luck with it, but hasn't driven it much the last few years as my sister-in-law has eye problems and hasn't driven it much. I wanted to buy it but he wants to keep it "for a spare." He's driving an Equinox himself right now.

I also had leased one CTS about that time. I think it had the four in it. No particular problems while under warranty.

When I was a teen-ager, I lusted after 1947 Cadillac convertibles, but didn't have the $300 that they were going for at the time in Indy. Best of luck in his choice.

[Chris McBride]

fwiw, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and Consumer Reports periodically publish "Best Used Car for Teens" articles.
 

"All listed vehicles have a curb weight greater than 2,750 pounds and earn good ratings from IIHS in the original moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the driver-side small overlap test. If rated by NHTSA, they earn 4 or 5 stars overall.

In addition, all recommended vehicles have above-average reliability scores from CR (4 or 5 out of 5) for the majority of model years listed and CR emergency handling scores greater than or equal to 3 out of 5. They also have dry braking distances (going from 60 mph to zero) of 145 feet or less.

Prices, provided by Kelley Blue Book and rounded to the nearest $100, are average U.S. values from April 19, 2024, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year. The estimates are based on the following criteria: vehicle in good condition, typical mileage and private party purchase."

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/safe-vehicles-for-teens

hth

Chris