I just graduated college last year and saved up the money for a 2006 TSX which I just bought. Definitely an awesome car but I don't know if I would trust it on a college campus. My previous car got beat scratched up while parked due to bad drivers and my girlfriend's car got randomly egged. Just seems like not the best environment for a nice car. As far as reliability, both me and my family have been more than happy with Toyotas and Nissans (and I'll throw Hondas in there too). Any small to mid size sedan should be awesome.

I did a lot of searching www.autotempest.com. It will simultaneously search some big car websites as well as multiple Craigslist sites within a range that you specify (e.g. within 200 miles).

 

Not sure if you live in the snow belt or if she will be attending college in the snow belt but if that is the case, I'd stay away from the Mustang simply over the RWD. If snow is not going to be an issue it won't really matter that much.

 

A most excellent suggestion. I'll compile suggestions from here into a list, then have her do some research. Narrow down to an agreed upon "short list" and have her search the net for sales in the area.

 

Central NC area, so not much snow (usually). Good point though.

 

Use cars.com! Great site. My family has sold a couple of cars on there, and found my TL and my sisters old TL on there. It's simple and seems to have just about every listing.

 

Right off the bat, I'd recommend a TSX (though I may be biased, being a college student myself), a Honda Accord, or a 2007+ Nissan Altima 2.5. (some '07s were not sold with anti-lock brakes, so check to make sure the 07 models you look at have ABS).

Last year I test drove a Mazda3 and came away very impressed. Also, if she just wants a reliable set of wheels, there is no way to beat (in terms of value) a previous generation Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima.

In regards to the parking thing, personally, I feel comfortable parking my TSX on campus, but I have deck parking and the automobile pool here at Georgia consists of things far fancier than a TSX (though there are several others around campus... some of which are also NBP/Parchment). Just for some perspective, I've seen BMW X3s, RDXs, a plentiful selection of current-generation 3-Series (mostly 325 and 328 sedans) and the odd Range Rover Sport or Acura MDX.

A lot of it depends on your parking situation though. If I didn't know I would have parking garage access, I'm not sure I would have bought the TSX.

 

A 2002-2005 mazda tribute is a great car. i had that before my TL and the thing was bullit proof. I had the V6 version and it actually had great pick up and pretty good gas mileage, around 18-19 city. Also, its big enough inside to carry a lot of stuff, and small enough outside to drive like a much smaller SUV.

 

Accord
Mazda3
TSX

 

what about a Chevy Cobalt those are cheaper than Civic or Corolla and very reliable as well.

 

ford fiesta

 

And I was just starting to think about considering maybe getting around to introducing her to you.

Oh, well.

 

the new fiestas are nice

 

Oh. I didn't know they had new ones.



I thought you meant one of these:





So I might go back to starting to think about considering maybe getting around to introducing her to you.

 

haha no, they recently started remaking them

that would be pretty cool

 

Scion XB?

I just got one for my wife and she loves it. You can get an 08 fairly cheap and they're roomy as hell inside. They're easy to drive around, have the camry's reliable 2.4l engine and don't require much maintenance.

We get 23mpg now in winter, were getting 26mpg end of summer with regular tires on. I'm impressed with the car.

 

In my opinion, you should try to find the balance between a car she will like, and a car that's inconspicuous. It's inevitably going to take a lot of abuse at a college, and you can never be certain that someone wouldn't target a nicer car simply out of spite. If it were me, I would stay away from a brand new car in a noticeable color, or a nicer car like a TSX. Most likely, this won't be a car that she keeps for several years, so I don't see a need to make it super special. I back the votes for an Accord or maybe a Mazda3. Sedans and SUV's would be my recommendation as well, because hauling friends and belongings is INVALUABLE at school. Trust me, you'll be glad you went with something that holds a lot of stuff when you don't have to make half a dozen trips with her stuff every semester (It was nice being able to load all of my stuff at the end of the year and take it home in one trip without having to inconvenience my family). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I would REALLY consider a mid 2000's Toyota 4Runner. Reliable, easy to maintain, good cargo and passenger space, safe, available 4wd (if desired), not too speedy, acceptable gas mileage, and not too attention grabbing. It would be at the top of my list if I were in your shoes. Just my
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OK, I've been searching and quoting insurance, etc.

Frankly, I'm leaning toward one of 3 2005 Mustangs I've found. All similar price. Mileage between 50,000 and 63,000.

Similar priced Mazda 3's (hatchback) are significantly higher mileage AND higher insurance cost than either a 4 cyl Accord or a V6 Mustang.


Somebody tell me why, based on reliability and durability, I *shouldn't* get a 2005 V6 Mustang.

 

Surprised at the number of votes for the Accord. I love mine, but city fuel economy is nothing to rave about. 4cyl AT averages 21 in the city by current EPA standards. I get 20 in downtown Toronto. Highway on the other hand is nice, 35 mpg is easy and 40 not unheard of.

If she'll be packing a lot of stuff into it, beware the rear seat folds but doesn't split 60/40, and it's got gooseneck trunk hinges.

Otherwise, no complaints from this owner.

I think the Mustang would cost more to run, but I don't see any reliability/durability reason not to get it.

I think her opinion of the Mustang will change after a test drive, though. Mine certainly did.

What about a Honda Element? Don't know how much they go for, but it's a 4-cylinder, got a decent amount of space and those funky rear seats.

Maybe a Fit as well? It's got the same stuff as the Element, and they're both Hondas, so resale shouldn't be a worry.

 

3G Tl 2004.
E46 BMW 328i. (Can find a few with less then 50k miles in your price range).
Lexus IS300.

I am young also .

I drove a mustang and it drove horrible and it was SO uncomfortable. I would not get one. Are mustang FWD or RWD?? Is that even a issue where you live?

 

 

Have you looked at any Subarus? (you know this was coming)

An older Forrester has a lot of room, very safe, and mileage on base models is decent. They are cheap to insure too.

 

Purchased:

2005 Mustang V6. Shaker 500 6-CD w/MP3, Anti-Lock Brakes, Power Driver Seat, Rear Wing Spoiler. Pretty basic, I guess it's a "Deluxe" with some option package. Mineral Grey Metallic w/Parchment cloth interior.

72,000 miles, one owner. We'll, 2 now.

Like this:





All stock. I'll put some tint on first; maybe Monday or Tuesday.

No real plans beyond that, although it could use a drop, some 18" or 19" wheels and maybe a CAI for a little growl.

 

Clean!

Good choice!

 

It is very clean - never smoked in, never eaten in, very few passengers, etc. Some of that is from the owner, but the condition of the rear seats, front passenger floor mats, etc, bear out the story.

The guy I bought it from is a former local LEO and has 2 other Mustangs in the garage .... both '66's. One, a Fastback that he's owned since High School, the other a Coupe that he's restored (or nearly so).

I believe this car was well cared for and have a lot of faith that the old-school V6 will last quite a long time.



(fwiw - that's not our car in the pic; just a random pic of a similar car I found for posting purposes.)

 

Congrats BC. I'm sure your daughter will love it. Post some pics when you can.







Terry

 

Congrats, sharp color!

 

congratz ... im def diggin the color

 

Congrats

I'm sure she will love it!

 

Congrats to your daughter! Nice pickup for her.

I hope I can be as responsible and comprehensive in my search as you are, when my almost 5-year old son is ready to drive in about ten years.

 

Congrats!

 

Cool! Should serve you guys well

 

Only thing I am worried about now is, snow + teenager = phone call to daddy

 

What is this "snow" you speak of?

Is it one of these new-fangled "social media" things? Is it expensive? Where is the best place to get it at a good price?

 

Some people with their made up conspiracies.

 

 

He means of your daughter driving her new car...

ok maybe just I interpreted it that way...

 

Nice car. I'm sure it'll last her a while.

 

Nice, now she's going to get all kinds of ass in that car.

 

 

nice I wish i could go back and rethink my first car with the knowledge I have from here