I'm 16. What car should I get? 2011 Ford Escape or 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?

Get the Ford, it's a nice looking car and not too American looking :)

However, just an alert, my first car I shared with my mom and I crashed it into a sign post and almost wrote it off, so careful ... :)

You should buy a USED Car for around $3000 or less your first car.

I assure you that within the first 6 months you'll have at least one accident and wreck the car.

Your insurance on a NEW car would be over $1200 every 6 months!! IF you could find an insurance company that would even issue you a policy.

No 16 year old needs a NEW car... You need to buy something USED that cost less than $3000. Once you drive that for a year or so then you can move up to a better car.

I swear, I can never understand parents who go out and buy their kids NEW cars at 16... All this does is fill the kids head with ideas that they are superior to everyone else, entitlement, etc.

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but speaking from personal experience I would not get a brand new car at such a young age. My father talked me into getting a brand new car when I was 18 and it was probably the worst financial decision I've ever made. It destroyed my credit, I had to work my *** off to afford the payments and insurance, I never had any extra money because the car sucked up all of my money. I now have a car that's a few years old (but much nicer than my last one) and not having huge payments and super high insurance costs is so much nicer. Really think things through before making such a huge financial decision like this. New cars are great and are really nice to have but the financial burden isn't worth it, in my opinion. You could always get a car that's a few years old, still really nice but significantly cheaper. Used doesn't always mean it's going to be a piece of crap.

I have a Ford, and my friend has a Nissan. Same Year, about the same mileage. Hers never breaks and mine does ALL THE TIME. You'd better go with the Nissan. I'm never getting a Ford again.

Also, I'd maybe go down a little on the year...get a nice used or new '09. This will save you a couple of grand and still last you a long time.

I prefer 2011 Ford Escape.

I would definitely get the Ford Escape, even the new Ford Explorers are nice, If you go Nissan then i would look at the Maxima or Altima... Only Nissan vehicles that i like

neither.... an expensive car like that is NEVER good for a new driver. Get a beater and drive that until you really are experienced, and then get a new car. You may feel confident with your driving, but statistics don't lie. Most teens between 16-19 are involved with up to 28% of the USs motor crashes, EVEN when they only make up 10% of drivers.

You should buy a older car not a newer one. Because your not an experienced driver you are going to pay through the nose for insurance and even more because its a new car. But if your still set on either of these cars... i go ford.

I commend you for earning the cash to buy a new car. It is not found very often these days. Good for you.

Unfortunately the insurance is going to eat you up on new cars because of your age. If it were me I would find a good used car or truck and take care of it until you are older. The rest of the cash I would save and by all means keep up the good work with your jobs.

Imo, dont blow $thousands of your hard-earned $ on new car depreciation.

You'l have to pay about 15% of the vehicle's value to new car depreciation.

Get a creampuff used, 2-3 yrs old, low mi, excel condition and likely eligible for Manufacturers' Bumper to Bumper Warranty, the only worthwhile kind.

Call the brandname dealers' finance managers for details.

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Dont buy anything w/o reading Consumer Reports, CR. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm A non-profit testing organization. Free site for basic info. Also @ libraries & bookstores.

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Honda ranks #1 in Consumer Reports for 2011. Subaru, Toyota, Volvo & Ford follow in order.

BMW and Mercedes were down-rated for reliability, with Mercedes in 10th place.

GM & Chrysler were 12th & 13th.

Vehicles were rated for performance, reliability, fuel efficiency and other factors.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240527487046... Wall St Journal.