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SUV’s are becoming less popular among teen drivers and performance cars don't make the list. (http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/07/autos/teen_cars/index.htm?postversion=2007060810)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_Honda_Civic.jpgCNNMoney - June 8, 2007

The Fuel Efficient non-hybrid 2007 Honda Civic is not only a very safe vehicle for teens; it is a very fuel efficient one at 30/40 city highway per the EPA.

NEW YORK -- Honda Civics, both new and used, are the most popular cars among teenage drivers, according to a recent survey.

The most popular new car among teens is the Civic, and the most popular used car is a seven-year-old Civic, according to a national survey conducted by Quality Planning Corporation (QPC), which helps insurance companies verify policy holder information.

The survey looked at cars that were primarily driven by, but not necessarily owned by, teenagers.

The survey also found that the average price of teenagers' used cars in the U.S. is $7,410. The average used vehicle driven by a teenager is 9 years old and the average teenager drives about 9,307 miles a year.

Large SUVs, once a popular choice because parents thought they were "safe," are no longer popular, according to QPC. Its study attributed the drop to higher gasoline prices as well as awareness that a large, heavy vehicle may not be the safest choice for an inexperienced driver.

Sports cars don't appear among the top ten in either list, presumably because of the higher insurance costs and higher risks presented by the aggressive driving performance-oriented cars invite, according to QPC … http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/07/autos/teen_cars/index.htm?postversion=2007060810

Wow. I hope it's a sign of things to come. We really really need this.

One other thing to keep in mind is loyalty. If Honda can hook a customer on their first car, they may never switch. But if they botch it (see no signs of that), those kids will stay away like the plague.

My first car as a Chevy, after the steering wheel, right front brake and wheel, and the oil pan all fell off the car (at different times), I swore I'd never get another Chevy. So unfortunately the Volt is out for me.

Second car was a Mustang that held up fine. I drove it real hard and got rid of it around 70kmi. Don't know how long it would have lasted, but it lasted long enough. The assembly of the interior (used plastic screws) soured me on Fords, but not enough to swear off of them forever.

Next car was a Mazda (US owned and assembled, Japanese design). It was of 90's vintage and made it 10yr / 100kmi so if I need a Mazda I'd still get one.

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On our electronic bulletin board at work, at least monthly I see an ad placed by a parent looking for an "...economical, reliable, safe car..." for their kid who's about to get their license. And what's mostly for sale there are full size pick ups and SUVs.

My daughter is driving my wife's old 97 Mazda Protege with over 175K miles on it. We almost got rid of it when the A/C went out recently, but decided to spend the $400 to fix it since it seemed to be OK otherwise. At first she complained because it's a 5sp manual, and we told her, you can either learn to drive it or go out and buy your own car...