[The__J__Factor]

I'm just saying the kid is gonna get a lot of crap his way.
Kids dont think "ow wow u got a brand new car"
They think "the mini cost $xxxxx why didnt you get this (insert car here) instead?"

OP you should just give your kid a set amount of money and some criteria to follow, such as must have air bags front and sides, must be under so many kms, must be xxxx build date or newer, must not exceed xxx power and let him research his own info and let him find what he thinks is best for that criteria and whats gonna make him happiest.

To me a car is a very personal choice and i would rather buy a cheap car with my own money that i 100% me then be given a car i didn't like by my parents and that's the bottom line really it should be what he feels comfortable in and what hes gonna love.