is an ls430 a good kids car?
01-06-12, 12:19 AM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
. In all seriousness, the 430 only feels like a RWD when you really push it, or just give it a boot-full on slippery surfaces. If the kid isn't really into cars to start with (since the dad is picking the car), then I doubt he will get into too much trouble. If he does, there's plenty of electronic stuff to cut power and worst comes to worst lots of metal and airbags to protect him. I do see your guys' point in getting a worse car though....those high school parking lots were a breeding ground for door dings, plus he will be disappointed with most other cars after experiencing the 430.
01-06-12, 07:30 AM
#17
01-06-12, 07:34 AM
#18
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My wife does and I let her take the LS when I'm bored with it haha. She drives a 2004 V6 Accord coupe with a 6-speed manual that I like to take for a spin quite often. It's a quick car and lots of fun to drive. Actually, it would make a heck of a better first car then an LS.
01-06-12, 05:40 PM
#21
Gas......I would start worriing about cost of ownership in general on a 10 y/o luxury car with 300 hp ft/lbs of torque and the average teenager(gotta have 125k or more on it) Depends on yur pocketbook. Buy the kid a camry, accord, altima or as cad get a great deal on a Taurus or Impala.
01-06-12, 08:57 PM
#22
I have an 04 and I have switch to disable VSC. I have just done some great burnouts before replacing tires this week. My wife was ready to kill me. I would get a 4-cyl reliable car for a younger kid. You will save $ on gas and they will not get themselves in trouble with lack of driving exprience and having too much power to control.
01-07-12, 09:26 AM
#23
Lexus Test Driver
01-07-12, 11:28 AM
#24
Sorry but I have to rant a little here...
IMHO an LS430 for a 16 yo boy as a first car is completely ridiculous. What kind of life lesson would that be?
Instead a semi-beat but very reliable late 90's 4 cyl 4 door Accord or Camry for under $5k is a lot more appropriate for a brand new 16 year old male driver. Comes with great MPG and low insurance costs, low costs for tires and maint.
When he proves he can take care of the beater car, and that he can drive responsibly for at least 2-3 years, and after he has EARNED and saved some significant amount of his OWN money to put into an upgrade, then and only then, maybe Dad helps him with some extra $ to upgrade to something better he can take to college (or trade school). That's a life lesson that makes sense.
Rant off.
IMHO an LS430 for a 16 yo boy as a first car is completely ridiculous. What kind of life lesson would that be?
Instead a semi-beat but very reliable late 90's 4 cyl 4 door Accord or Camry for under $5k is a lot more appropriate for a brand new 16 year old male driver. Comes with great MPG and low insurance costs, low costs for tires and maint.
When he proves he can take care of the beater car, and that he can drive responsibly for at least 2-3 years, and after he has EARNED and saved some significant amount of his OWN money to put into an upgrade, then and only then, maybe Dad helps him with some extra $ to upgrade to something better he can take to college (or trade school). That's a life lesson that makes sense.
Rant off.
01-07-12, 04:33 PM
#25
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Hi guys, Thank you for all the nice replies. They went and drove the car today, and I think they are going to offer him 10k cash for it on monday. They just wanted to sleep on it and not do anything to fast.
I talked with the dad today and here is what he is thinking, and this will answer most of you. The dad said the insurance on this car is dirt cheap. The dad will keep the car registered in his name and add the son as a houshold driver. cameros and 4x4 suvs are the highest cost to insure.
The car is old enough and cheap enough they are not going to go full coverage, liability only.
The biggest reason he is liking the LS is the safety. Safety being the most imporant, and the fact that these motors cant really be made into a hot rod. His son is a car nut, and his friends all have fast lowriders like civics and stuff
AlexesAnja. LS's are slow and not able to be modified. We both agree if that kid gets a civic or accord that he will have that thing going so fast.
Stu: why would it be weird for me to fabricate parts for my friends and neighbors??? Thats what I have done for a living in the past, so why would I quit now I have lots of machines in my garage. I even make putters too if your a golfer I can make you the best putter you will ever have.
Stu, what do you think of skid plates? should they be abs or aluminum? does anybody make them? I could make them for all you guys if you want them, I will sell them to you if I make a jig from my neigbors car.
I talked with the dad today and here is what he is thinking, and this will answer most of you. The dad said the insurance on this car is dirt cheap. The dad will keep the car registered in his name and add the son as a houshold driver. cameros and 4x4 suvs are the highest cost to insure.
The car is old enough and cheap enough they are not going to go full coverage, liability only.
The biggest reason he is liking the LS is the safety. Safety being the most imporant, and the fact that these motors cant really be made into a hot rod. His son is a car nut, and his friends all have fast lowriders like civics and stuff
AlexesAnja. LS's are slow and not able to be modified. We both agree if that kid gets a civic or accord that he will have that thing going so fast.
Stu: why would it be weird for me to fabricate parts for my friends and neighbors??? Thats what I have done for a living in the past, so why would I quit now I have lots of machines in my garage. I even make putters too if your a golfer I can make you the best putter you will ever have.
Stu, what do you think of skid plates? should they be abs or aluminum? does anybody make them? I could make them for all you guys if you want them, I will sell them to you if I make a jig from my neigbors car.
01-07-12, 05:41 PM
#27
im sorry but a ls430 for a 16 year old kid is not something i will recommend. to the op. have you actually floored your ls430? its a fast car. yes the payment to own the car is cheap but to repair is a whole different story. have you looked into the costs of repairing the car and maintain it. you keep mentioning his friends modding cars. let say he and his friends have the idea of modding his car. if they mess up its a very expensive mistake. you know that they will try to modify it. i mean who is gonna pay for the repairs and gas for that car. i could only imagine how much the kid will ride around with his friends.
01-07-12, 09:04 PM
#29
Pit Crew
I barely let the wife drive my 430. I sure wouldn't buy one for, or let my 19-17 year old's drive it. The only way they are going to experience this, is to earn it.
01-07-12, 09:05 PM
#30
Moderator
That is a good point about safety - the LS because of size/weight and multiple airbags, ABS and SCS is a very safe car. But I still think a used LS isn't a good match for a new young driver. The LS is a very fast car, 130+mph limited by the speed governor. And maintenance can be relatively high - ex. approx $800 to put new tires on an LS. My main point is that a kid should drive a beater first -- a safe beater certainly but still a beater until they prove they can drive responsibly and also allow them to earn and save some of the money for a better ride later on. I learned the hard way that just buying your kids nice cars as a first car is a big mistake.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 01-08-12 at 08:42 AM.