Why this coupe makes a great first car for your teenage driving enthusiast

Published Aug 12, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. A sports car probably isn't the first thing most parents think of when shopping for a teenager's first car. Reliability concerns, maintenance costs, and the risks that come with giving a new driver too much power can make even an affordable performance car a questionable choice. But for a teenager who is genuinely passionate about cars, there is one lightweight coupe that offers something unusual: an engaging driving experience without a huge price tag or excessive power. Buying an older example also means you don't have to spend a fortune to give your kid something they'll actually enjoy driving. This particular coupe is relatively simple, inexpensive to maintain, and has earned a reputation for reliability, while its modest power output makes it far less intimidating than many modern sports cars. It isn't particularly practical or packed with technology, but for a young enthusiast learning the fundamentals of driving, that simplicity may actually be one of its biggest strengths. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. The Toyota 86 is cheap, cheerful, and reliable A good-looking coupe that won't drain your bank account Teenagers love sports cars, but it doesn't often make sense for them to own one. They are usually expensive to buy, unreliable, and cost a fortune to maintain. In truth, most teenagers shouldn't have access to a ton of horsepower either. However, if your kid loves cars and driving, the Toyota 86 might be the perfect option, as counterintuitive as it might seem. A 2017 Toyota 86 won't break the bank Models Starting MSRP Base $17,764 After the Scion brand was retired, their little sports car, the FR-S, was rebadged and sold under the Toyota umbrella as the 86. Since then, it has become an icon in the motoring world as one of the most entertaining cheap sports cars that you can buy. Obviously, you don't want to shell out a ridiculous amount of money on your kid's first car, which is why an early model year 86 actually makes a lot of sense. In the long run, these cars have proven to hold their value quite well, which is rare for a sports car. This means when it comes time to sell and move on, your money won't go down the drain. There are a lot of young petrol-heads out there with a passion for cars, and we think feeding that passion is great. The 86 is one of the best driver's cars out there, and it will teach any young car enthusiast a lot about driving. As well as being a lot of fun, it is also more sensible than you might expect. It's also reliable and affordable to maintain Toyota is considered to be one of the best brands on the market when it comes to reliability, and for a good reason. This reputation definitely applies to the 86. Owners report very few common issues. Some models have been known to burn through oil, though, so be on the lookout for that when buying used. Being that it is quite mechanically simple, it also doesn't cost a ton to maintain. Because it is so popular, there is also a lot of aftermarket support, meaning parts are readily available. It offers a pure driving experience without being dangerously powerful Old-school engagement without the risks Credit: Toyota The automotive world is moving into a new era where driving engagement is quickly being pushed to the sidelines. Young people with a passion for cars have fewer fun and affordable options to choose from than ever before, with hybrids and EVs quickly taking over the market. For those interested in a more analog form of driving, cars like the 86 might be the last of their kind. Fun to drive but too slow to cause havoc Engine 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder Transmission 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic Horsepower 205 HP Torque 156 LB-FT Driveline RWD 0-60 MPH 6.4 seconds The 86 is an incredibly engaging car that offers a fantastic starting point for someone wanting to learn how to drive sports cars. It comes with a naturally aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual. While we think the stick shift offers the most enjoyment, those that are averse to shifting their own gears will find the automatic transmission doesn't ruin the fun. While your kid will love the 86 for its character, you can rest easy knowing that they aren't driving something with a ridiculous amount of power. It's a coupe that feels great behind the wheel even though its acceleration figures are decidedly humble for a sports car. It is a car that wants to be grabbed by the scruff of its neck all the time, and one of the last modern cars that is actually fun to drive even at legal speeds. The 86 is more practical than you'd think Yet too small to haul around tons of people Inside, the 86 is pretty simple. It gives away its budget-minded nature fairly easily, but it still comes with a lot of the features that you really need. It doesn't have a lot of passenger space, which we think a lot of parents will actually like, as it means it won't become the dedicated friend carrier, but it still has enough space in the trunk to be practical. The rear seats are mostly for show Front row headroom 37.1 inches Front row legroom 41.9 inches Second row headroom 35 inches Second row legroom 29.9 inches Cargo capacity 6.9 cubic feet A lot of parents don't mind their kids giving friends a lift, but they don't want their kids carting around tons of people all the time. The 86 might have back seats, but they are extremely cramped. We think that they are better folded down to extend the trunk, which actually makes the coupe pretty practical in terms of cargo space. Toyota has kept things very simple in the 86, and if your kid is after cutting-edge modern tech then you'd probably be better off looking elsewhere. It comes with a seven-inch touchscreen, but even back in 2017 it felt a little outdated. That being said, you do get things like Bluetooth, navigation, and a USB port. The Toyota 86 is a sports car that won't get your kid into trouble Every teen begs their parents for a sports car, even if they know that they're being overly optimistic. While we don't think the 86 is the perfect answer for everyone, we think that it is a fantastic option for kids with a passion for cars. It looks great and is a ton of fun to drive, which will please them, but it is also affordable, reliable, and too slow to get them into any real trouble, which will give you some peace of mind.