Vehicle suggestions

[Beach Runner]

I am looking for a new vehicle for our daughter. I am tired of paying for the gas on a Toyota 4Runner. The requirements are:
1. Top safety ratings.
2. Price (preferably under $30,000).
3. A significant improvement in mpg as compared to a 4Runner.
4. Can't be too small -- she's slightly over 6'2" tall and is all legs.
5. Not too nerdy for a college kid to drive.

I have searched the Internet until I am blue in the face to find all of this info consolidated. Obviously points 4 and 5 wouldn't be included. Do any of you know of any websites that would help me? Thanks.

[pgurney]

I just traded in a big SUV, 13/17 EPA estimated city/hwy mileage, for a new Honda Accord. I just started a new project where I can't work from home any longer and got so tired of filling up so often. I'm loving it. It has air bags all around with great safety ratings and seems plenty spacious even for a 6'2" driver, although I'm only about 5'7".

You can also get top of the line for less than $30k, but if you go now before the 2009's arrive in August, you can probably do significantly better than that. They have good sized trunks and the back seats fold down if you need to carry something a little larger than fits the trunk.

PS: I start off as a big ole nerd, so YMMV on that point. LOL.

PM me if you want a referral for my salesman in Atlanta.

[tistheseason]

I just traded in a big SUV, 13/17 EPA estimated city/hwy mileage, for a new Honda Accord. I just started a new project where I can't work from home any longer and got so tired of filling up so often. I'm loving it. It has air bags all around with great safety ratings and seems plenty spacious even for a 6'2" driver, although I'm only about 5'7".

You can also get top of the line for less than $30k, but if you go now before the 2009's arrive in August, you can probably do significantly better than that. They have good sized trunks and the back seats fold down if you need to carry something a little larger than fits the trunk.

PS: I start off as a big ole nerd, so YMMV on that point. LOL.

PM me if you want a referral for my salesman in Atlanta.

We just bought a new Accord last week as well (also in ATL)! We traded in a VW Passat that I LOVED but it had just made the consumer reports used cars to avoid. The Accord really is a nice, albeit maybe boring, car.

BR - we used Consumer Reports on line for all of our research. An annual on-line subscription is pretty cheap! And is great when you are making a large purchase!

[Beach Runner]

Good idea. We need to renew our subscription to Consumer Reports.

I recommended the Accord, but daughter dissed it. She said it looks like a family car. It looks really nice to me. Yet she likes the Passat, Jetta, and the smaller VW SUV (not the Tourag but the other one).

And she likes the Toyota Highlander Hybrids. But they are in the 40's -- way too expensive. No way.

The Prius is in the right price range, and I found a dealer in South Atlanta who is getting some in in a few weeks. But the safety ratings aren't great. Like hubby says, the mass of a vehicle makes a big difference in safety.

[elgordoboy]

http://www.edmunds.com/

[ckhagen]

My little Scion xA (now discontinued and replaced with the xD) has a 5-star safety rating with side and side curtain air bags and hubby is saying it's getting about 32 mpg lately. Now... it doesn't really qualify for the last two points (maybe the xD would though...). My 6'2" BIL drove it on a long trip and said it was ok, but not really long enough for his long legs. My husband used to complain it wasn't "cool enough" for him, but now that the gas mileage has become paramount, he loves it! Funny how things can change.

[tistheseason]

Good idea. We need to renew our subscription to Consumer Reports.

I recommended the Accord, but daughter dissed it. She said it looks like a family car. It looks really nice to me. Yet she likes the Passat, Jetta, and the smaller VW SUV (not the Tourag but the other one).

And she likes the Toyota Highlander Hybrids. But they are in the 40's -- way too expensive. No way.

The Prius is in the right price range, and I found a dealer in South Atlanta who is getting some in in a few weeks. But the safety ratings aren't great. Like hubby says, the mass of a vehicle makes a big difference in safety.

She actually has a point (about it being a family car). I really liked the Passat -- it's much smaller than the accord and drives tighter. But they seem to have a lot of problems after 50K miles. And they certainly don't hold their value -- I couldn't believe how little it was worth -- and it was only 5 yrs old. But that's what happens when you land on the "cars to avoid list".

What about the Volvo S40?

[30A Skunkape]

Honda Civic. You can't go wrong.
If it needs to be sexier, Mini Cooper.

[Mango]

How bout the "if she ain't payin, she ain't sayin" car?

[kathydwells]

I have used 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan with 158,000+ miles on it. It has some steering problems that I plan to have fixed. I will make you a good deal on it.

Good Luck in your search!

[Britkiwi]

Honda Civic. You can't go wrong.
If it needs to be sexier, Mini Cooper.

I just bought an 06 Civic and LOVE IT. I am very picky. They are very roomy inside even they dont appear and rides nice. about 30mpg I have clocked.

The newer ones have some cool features and they definetly hold their value.

[TooFarTampa]

Are you looking at new or used? There is better value of course in a used car ...

[30ashopper]

For a college kid I'd probably go for something they'll enjoy driving around in. You might look at those little convertible cooper minis, they are arouind 20K, get pretty good gas millage (23-30). Plus it'd be great for parking around a campus. Not sure about leg room though.

[PeterFrohwein]

I am looking for a new vehicle for our daughter. I am tired of paying for the gas on a Toyota 4Runner. The requirements are:
1. Top safety ratings.
2. Price (preferably under $30,000).
3. A significant improvement in mpg as compared to a 4Runner.
4. Can't be too small -- she's slightly over 6'2" tall and is all legs.
5. Not too nerdy for a college kid to drive.

I have searched the Internet until I am blue in the face to find all of this info consolidated. Obviously points 4 and 5 wouldn't be included. Do any of you know of any websites that would help me? Thanks.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta (Diesel) 30 city/41 highway
- Newer Volkswagens are very safe.
- Plenty of room for bigger folks.
- Volkswagens are considered cool with the college kids.

[beachmouse]

2009 Volkswagen Jetta (Diesel) 30 city/41 highway
- Newer Volkswagens are very safe.
- Plenty of room for bigger folks.
- Volkswagens are considered cool with the college kids.

I was going to suggest that same vehicle. Crashes very very well, good mileage, and VW designs for tall drivers. My 6'2" husband has never felt too cramped in wither a Passat or a Jetta.

Also good cargo capacity if you need to haul things.

[klauricella]

I love my Jetta it's an '04, haven't had any major issues with it. My fiance is 6'3" and he is okay riding in the car too. Plus it gets really good gas mileage!!

[tistheseason]

[QUOTE=30A Skunkape;435842]Honda Civic. You can't go wrong.
If it needs to be sexier, Mini Cooper.[/QUOTE]

Of course, a MINI COOPER! They would be perfect!

[SHELLY]

.
THE SCION XB

[elgordoboy]

I have used 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan with 158,000+ miles on it. It has some steering problems that I plan to have fixed. I will make you a good deal on it.

Good Luck in your search!

I had similar problems with my truck. The problem was finally diagnosed as a "loose nut behind the wheel". Needs a therapist, not a mechanic to fix.

[scooterbug44]

BR- when I was shopping for a car we spent a lot of time doing "sit tests" in vehicles to make sure we fit.

[Johnrudy]

She actually has a point (about it being a family car). I really liked the Passat -- it's much smaller than the accord and drives tighter. But they seem to have a lot of problems after 50K miles. And they certainly don't hold their value -- I couldn't believe how little it was worth -- and it was only 5 yrs old. But that's what happens when you land on the "cars to avoid list".

What about the Volvo S40?

We currently have an Accord (& in the past a Civic). I agree it is definitely a family car. But they do make a 2-door coupe. Much sportier. I know several young single professionals who drive those. They look great in black, w/ leather interior. Maybe more of beach jacket's style.

I wondered about a vovlo too. Used to be one of the safest.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta (Diesel) 30 city/41 highway
- Newer Volkswagens are very safe.
- Plenty of room for bigger folks.
- Volkswagens are considered cool with the college kids.

Yes, my son thinks any VW is the coolest car around.
.

[Bob]

.
THE SCION XB

that is not a Toyota!

[Bob]

best car at it's price point

[Beach Runner]

How bout the "if she ain't payin, she ain't sayin" car?

You got that right, sister!

I'll go look at a VW diesel since it's on her list. She mentioned Ford Escape Hybrid, so maybe I'll look at that.

Thanks for all of the advice.

[maeby funke]

I have an '06 Jetta and I love it. It's fuel efficient and very fun to drive.

[PeterFrohwein]

I was going to suggest that same vehicle. Crashes very very well, good mileage, and VW designs for tall drivers. My 6'2" husband has never felt too cramped in wither a Passat or a Jetta.

Also good cargo capacity if you need to haul things.

Real World Crash Test for Volkswagon: I was riding with a South Walton District Fire
Chief about a month ago when we came upon a wreck on hwy 98. The woman had been doing 90+ mph when she lost control, slammed into a concrete ditch and flipped the car. She had only minor injuries. If she had been in a convertible mini, she would be dead! I think it was a VW Jetta.

[Beach Runner]

That's a great testimonial. We will definitely look at the Jetta.

[aggieb]

anyone have experience w/ saab 9.3? 4dr. not convertible.

[pgurney]

Real World Crash Test for Volkswagon: I was riding with a South Walton District Fire
Chief about a month ago when we came upon a wreck on hwy 98. The woman had been doing 90+ mph when she lost control, slammed into a concrete ditch and flipped the car. She had only minor injuries. If she had been in a convertible mini, she would be dead! I think it was a VW Jetta.

Wow, that is quite statement!

[beachmouse]

VW designs its safety features for autobahn speeds.

[Beach Runner]

I had a Volvo convertible for only a short amount of time because it drove like a truck. The steering was so stiff that I had trouble just navigating into a parking spot. The suspension was so stiff that I felt as if I were getting whiplash every time I went over a pothole. I mean, it was an upper-body workout just to park the darn thing. Very embarrassing. It looked great, but I hated the way it drove. And it was so noisy -- no one could hear me on my cell phone when I was in Atlanta traffic. Every time an 18-wheeler went by, there was a deafening noise.

Other than Volvo convertibles for the midlife-crisis generation, daughter says that the only women who drive Volvos are lesbians, and as Bridget Jones would say, daughter isn't interested in "batting for the other side."
EDIT: Don't mean to offend any Volvo owners. That's daughter's opinion. Actually I have had more than one Volvo; only one was a convertible.

[NOLA TRANSPLANT]

I bought a 2008 Honda Civic 2 months ago, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!
It gets 43 miles to the gallon and plenty roomy for my 6'3 frame.
I got the lx model which is the pretty basic one but the ex has more options and its still under 20.
There fun to drive, extremely efficient, and incredibly safe.
Happy hunting!