Is a BMW 5 Series the right car for my 17 year old?

Question

I'm looking to buy my 17 year old (soon to be) a nice car, please none of the "are you crazy" or "you have too much money". It has to be a nice car, he likes the BMW 5 series, would it be a good car for him? Any other suggestions? Must be BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Lexus, Porsche, Audi or any other quality makes.

Additional Details

I think I already said about the "spoiling" and the "money business". I'm just on to ask about the car, he's getting a nice car. END OF. I don't know whether it's jealous with you people, or what.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I'll try a reply without the preaching!
Yes, a BMW 5 series is a fantastic car - beautifully made, reliable, even surprisingly economical for such a large car, they're also safe & secure.
Have it serviced at an independant specialist - BMWs require very little maintenance to stay on top form, and the mechanicals are surprisingly simple. A BMW dealer will absolutely rob you for servicing.
As for other answers, suggestions such as Ford & Mercedes are a joke - The Mondeo in particular has serious reliability & economy problems, and to suggest it's in the same league as a BMW is ridiculous to anyone that's ever owned both - me included; Merc just don't have the build quality & reliability they used to enjoy.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks!
:)

Answer 2

The 5 Series is fantastic. Get him the base model one so he doesn't get too tempted with a powerful engine. The 528xi has all-wheel drive which is also great in the snow and ice (if you live someplace cold). I would not recommend a Jaguar because of their notorious reliability problems. Also, if you decide to buy him a BMW, which is a true driver's car, get him one with a manual transmission. He'll love it, I promise. I also think the Audi A4 would be a good choice. It's a bit smaller and more affordable, but still sporty and cool.

Answer 3

Well yea its not jealousy, its just the fact that if you really
cared for your child you wouldnt be buying him a porche with 400+hp under the hood, because all teenagers want a fast car....

Just a bigger chance for him to get killed....

IF you were smart, you can still buy him an expensive fast car but i would take it to the shop first and get it governed down so he isnt able to hit the 160mph the porche reaches too.

Answer 4

I think the best choice would be an Audi A3 it is small enough for him to get the feeling for driving whilst still possessing the qualities that you need. p.s. don't listen to the idiots on here that are jealous, it is much better to buy a quality first car than some deathtrap that's gonna end up costing a small fortune in spares and repairs.

Source(s):

Motoring journalist

Answer 5

Man that is one lucky kid of yours. Its not jealously dude. But you are coming on Yahoo Answers to ask a question like that. If you have the money to buy your son an expensive luxury car, then you should have the brains to know whats a good car for him. Nobody is jealous but the truth is not everyone is brought up with a silver spoon in their mouth.

Answer 6

new c class cheaper and more reliable. if you you have uber money, get the C63 amg. you know 450hp always good for 17 teenager. I am a tech at a Benz dealer right across the street from BMW and Lexus, We also house the Jag dealership in our building. I dont hold newer Beemers in high reguard my friends 540 broke down too many times to count. Same with the Audi's. Jag... nope they are just crap. Now Lexus is a great car, but when you think luxury what do you say in your head first... Mercedes. the rest of the line is very unreliable but the c class is the only one thats a really good sound car. to bad its the lowest of the line. you could wait for the new E class. Oh and there is the G wagon whick hasnt been changed for decades. very reliable. good luck. lucky kid

Answer 7

A bmw 5 seies is a great car for a 17 year old. Its not a sports car so i dont think he will be racing it. its very dependable. BMW has some of the best warranties around. I wouldnt go with mercedes ( to much of an old person brand) porche are badly made cars i do not like them. Lexus is just a nice toyota. Get him a good german made car, the 5 series

Source(s):

BMW owner

Answer 8

Teens + powerful car = trouble.
I've seen too many bad accidents involving teens to suggest anything better then a used 4-cylinder mid-sized car for a teen. He has to prove he can be responsible with a car first then reward him with a nice car later. Maybe when he is doing good in college.
Sorry, can't suggest anything over 200 HP for a teen to drive.

Answer 9

How about a Lamborghini instead, no i got an idea, wait for the next bond movie and get him one of those.

There is nothing in the world he could have done to deserve that nice of a car at 17 year's old.
Spoiling kid's does them no good as a adult's

Answer 10

Really, an M6 is a lot better car.

Just kidding. It's true - you are being a total idiot. How could you be smart enough to be rich but dumb enough to ask this question here? This will be one of those famous forum questions eventually.....

Answer 11

I'm not sure why you are even asking. If he likes the BMW 5 Series, sounds like he gets what he wants, regardless of whether it's a smart buy or not. If I told you that Lexus was better, would it make any difference?

Answer 12

hes a lucky lad, but i think bmw 5 series is to big (body wise) for him.
i think out the list the lexus is the best. he could move on to a bmw once hes add some experence in driving.

Answer 13

i would so get him a lexus I.S 300 it is a very cool and safe car.. but any guy would love to have it. its sporty to. i am a car and truck freak! :D

Answer 14

How about a Ford Mondeo, they're much better built that A LOT of 'luxury' cars nowadays.....And your son obviously won't have a clue about the value of money, will he?!

Answer 15

One problem you may run into if you are buying used, repair work and maintenece can run into some big money

Answer 16

yes

Answer 17

Why such an expensive car?????????? Make your son get a job and buy it himself, or he won't take care of it. If he has to buy it, license it, and insure it himself he will take better care of it, than if parents buy it for him.

People need to stop giving their kids every damn thing they want. Make them get off their *** and work for it.

He needs a vehicle to get from point A to point B, so a car say $1500-$5000 area would be just fine.

You go buying a $20,000+ car for him and the insurance will be through the roof especially for a BMW.

Why does it need to be a nice car. Like I said above it needs to get him from point A to B. A Ford Escort or older model Toyota Camry, or a Honda Civic would do just fine.

Waste of money to buy a teenager a car worth more than $5000 because most likely in their time of they know everything they'll wreck the car anyhow.

Lexus is the luxury models built by Toyota, very reliable and good looking cars.

the rest are just over-rated piles of crap that cost a fortune to repair or replace when your son wrecks it.

Answer 18

I've owned plenty of BMW's and they are heavy cars. I would say go for a 135i or 3series..the 5's are ugly... Also the 3series holds it's value well.. I would recommend the hartge m3.. It's more exclusive! At the end of the day, driving a heavy 5 series at high speed can be difficult..i was in my mid 50's when the e36 m3 came out and i thought i would drive it up to 140mph..the car got into a skid and i only just managed to recover the thing from a slide..and a serious accident..so the lighter ones are a better choice..you really have to fight the steering..ANY real high performance BMW owner will tell you that if they actually drive the car and don't just push it around town..and do only 55mph! Merc are posh taxi's! Lol. Even better than a GERMAN wagon is a jap car.. Like Acura or or honda..(same manufacturer) the rsx type-r is a seriously nice car..dc-5 in white or black. Get your kid some racing lessons if you go for a BMW as I doubt he is use to drifting on the m25 at circa 155 mph.. Nothing wrong with a lad in a nice car if he knows how to handle it..

Source(s):

71year old man.. Been in motor trade for over 50yrs and have owned bmw's and all the prestige names..