You're buying your kid his first car? Isn't HE supposed to work part time and buy his own car? Seriously, kids don't treat cars very well, so it would be better to let him wreck something he bought himself. Maybe get him a nice car when he graduates college. ANY Lexus is definately not a starter car for a kid. Think more in the $500-$1000 range for a first car. Trust me you'll be glad you did....especially if he buys it himself. Gives you a sense of pride. I worked through 95-99 when I was in middle and high school so I could buy a car to fix up. If I could save $5500 working hard for only $5.75/hr back then, so can he....unless he's lazy. ;-P