So my son is getting ready to turn 16 and get his license, and of course like most 16 year old boys he's looking at "fast cars". I wanted to help get him something that is sporty looking but at the same time is cost effective (gas, maintenance, insurance, etc) for a young driver to have. I can find a fair number of Dodge Darts nicely equipped for just over or around 10k which is just at the Max of what I was willing to spend. My questions are
1. How would you rate the reliability of the dart?
2. Would it be a good first car?
3. Anything we should stay away from (I've read that the 2.0 is pretty safe, but that the 2.4 had oil leak issues, etc).

 

I'm in the same situation looking for my son a 1st car. Any advice is much appreciated!

 

We bought both our kids $1500 beaters for their first cars.

 

My son has saved up his own money and buying it himself. Im just doing the research on used cars and he likes the look of the dart, just curious of the reliability of the darts.