Your first car. A big milestone in your life. Your first taste of freedom and adulthood. The first time you can go places without parents playing chauffeur. However, getting that first car can be a complicated process. Some kids get a brand new Mustang, while others inherit their parent’s rusty old truck.
This is true for CHS kids especially. Many different cars, new and old, are parked up and down Gainsborough and Tuckerman, and for many of these car owners, factors such as safety, reliability, appearance, fuel efficiency, and cost went into selecting their vehicles.
Many students and parents feel that safety is the most important factor in that first car. According to the World Health Organization’s website, car crashes are the tenth leading cause of death in the world, causing about 1.2 million deaths each year.
By the end of the whole process of picking out that first car, however, the most important factor for parents is often just finding a car that gets the job done.
“My parents want something that will not die on me, that basically works and gets me to where I need to be,” junior Kevin Shin said.
As for the students, while it would be nice to get a great car that looks nice, having a car that has four wheels is often the most important thing.
“The most important thing about my first car is that I want to get one,” sophomore Hope Kean said. “I would be really happy with any car that my parents would let me get.”
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The Observer has chosen and rated five popular cars that have been the first cars for several students at CHS. These ratings have been based on criteria considered by U.S. News and World Report, as well as the writers of this story.
Rishi Patel – Honda Accord
“I like how my car looks and I like how it drives,” senior Rishi Patel said. “My car gets all the [girls] and it looks pretty fresh.”
Alyssa Rhodes – Jeep Wrangler
“It’s a fun ride,” senior Alyssa Rhodes said. “My car is blue, and blue has been my favorite color since I was born. It’s also good in the summer and winter because you can switch between the different tops and even take the top off.”
Felipe Ros – Ford Mustang
“The Ford Mustang has always been my dream car,” senior Felipe Ros said. “The most important thing to me was mostly looks and performance in my first car.”
Danny Valero – Toyota Corolla
“I really like the outside, especially because it’s a sport,” senior Danny Valero said. “It has a nice body kit, so it looks better than the regular model. Also the interior is nice.”
Parker Saussy – Acura TL
“I like my car because it looks cool, it’s reliable, has no speed cap, has a big tank, the tires have good traction, it get me places, and everything is heated,” senior Parker Saussy said.
