Is a minivan a good first car for a teen?

So I'm 17 and just got my license and I'm an excellent driver, according to myself and anyone who's ever rode in a car with me… My parents are going to give me their minivan which is a Honda Odyssey 2007. Not that I'm unappreciative of them giving me a car for free, but I wonder if this is safe? Since it's such a large car would it be safer to drive a sedan like a Civic or something?

Yea a mobile one but an older model

Size of car doesn't matter if you are/aren't comfortable driving it. Also have to take into account mpg gas wise, safety features etc.

Oh HELL NO! I hate mini vans they're ugly!

Free is good.

Any free car is a good first car. Learn how to drive in it. Let it get you through High School. Buy your own car after you graduate.

New drivers can't always be too choosy about their first vehicles. Take it and be thankful. You won't have to drive it forever, you know.

Not really. Vans are had to park and maneuver sometimes. You probably have driven it before, so you'd know better than me. At least you could get a lot of people in there.

For a teen, the price is right.

Safety wise the Odyessy is probably slightly better than a Civic, being a larger vehicle. On the road it won't be any different to drive. Might be a little more difficult to park, but that's not really a "safety" thing, it just needs more care.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but beggars can't be choosers. 8^) My first car was a Studebaker that nobody else in the family wanted!

It's not really that much bigger than a medium-sized car. The wheels are all near the corners, not a lot of 'overhang', and that makes a vehicle easier to park. A van is definitely safer in a big accident, like rolling over or getting hit at full speed.

Plus there will be times when you and 6 or 7 friends want to go somewhere and you'll be the only one with a big enough car. There will be times when a mini-van comes in handy, like if someone needs to move a couch, or if you go camping or on a long road-trip.