You sound like you want a Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, or Jeep Grand Cherokee. Drive all three and see what you like. All 3 offer good towing and off road capacity, they don't guzzle too much gas and they're not as big as the Suburban, but can still seat 7. (The 7 seat version of the Grand Cherokee will be the Jeep Commander coming this fall I think)
That's stupid. So the dealer wants me to arrange financing and everything for the car, and then after I sign the papers, they let me take a quickie test drive? Geez.
Don't get a Ridgeline expecting a fuel miser, CR averaged just 15mpg, 10mpg city. YMMV, but I don't think Honda fans are in a position to call another truck a guzzler.
Tacoma did a lot better, plus it was quicker. On top of that, you can get Tacoma with a 6 speed manual trans, which should be quicker and even more efficient.
Especially considering that for $16,821, what else can you get? A loaded Focus? A loaded Civic? A stripped 9-2X, IMO, is a better deal and a better car than a loaded Civic!
Not to mention its more "prestigious" and you get free service!
For me, if I bought one, I'd probably get the automatic and a sunroof, maybe the premium package, but that would make it less of a bargain than if I stuck with the cloth seats and a single CD player...
i have actualy done my research on the vue but as i said i have time to see if itll be changed;maybe theyll put a deisel in it like the liberty who knows;that was a question and a statement
i think someone's done a study and found a correlation between SUVs and teen driving and an increased likelyhood (or maybe severity or both) of accidents.
my suggestion is while saving up to purchase one of these vehicles, get as much practice driving as possible and then resist the temptation in giving your friends a lift. supposidly someone else has done another study and determined that there are more teen accidents when there are more teens in the vehicle. leave the cell phone in your pocket, and don't install an expensive amp and large speakers...avoid early hearing deficit and listen to the state of your vehicle, road conditions, and your surroundings.
Vue: Redline's powertrain is nice but steering is horrid and seats are the worst I've ever sat in.
Liberty: good choice if you need this kind of capability, it feels a little tall and tipsy but it's fun and affordable. Watch gas mileage and resale values.
Baja: there are better Subarus out there. This is based on the 2000 Outback. Drive a 2005 Outback instead, they are nicer in just about every way. Or try a Forester.
Maxx: engine is torquey, though a bit coarse at high revs. Lame tires on the one I drove made them squeel like crazy. Tons of rear leg room but cargo room is only so-so.
Forester: I own one and love it. I average 25.1mpg and the new ones are more efficient, 23/30 EPA for a base model. If you want a turbo wait for 2006, EPA ratings for the auto are up to 21/26, amazing for 230hp. Rear seat is tight but cargo capacity is good.
I have not driven a Colorado, Magnum, H3, or Solistice (obsviously).
Solistice keeps getting delayed, I'm not sure I'd want a v1.0 of that car. GM typically takes a while to get it right (then proceeds to cancel them).
Magnum looks fun, not my type of car, but if you like big full-sizers consider it.
Colorado typically gets last place in comparison tests and the H3 is based on that, with more weight tacked on. If image is more important than performance, check it out.
i dunno maybe if youre not gonna own it very long a toyota tacoma 4wd has super resale plus it has looks thats subjective and speed is okay of course you have to pay to get the 6 but even the 4 should be ok and the offroadability is great i hope this helps mathias
My real suggestion is to grow up a bit, "talk" like a normal person, even online, and take it a little easy with the $20k purchases before you hit 16.
Get an '01 Taurus, learn to drive. Just admitting to yourself that you don't really know how, yet, is a good first step. Life is short, but when you're 15, life is actually pretty long.
I already have a few old cars that i can use as starter cars, one of which is a 2500 deisel suburban that nothing besides maybe an International MXT can even scratch, so stick to the question and keep those kinds of opinions to yourself.
Noah Location: Savannah,Georgia,USA Bio: I am saving up enough money for either a chevy or a subaru for my first car when i turn .... >>>>16 ..
.. **so stick to the question and keep those kinds of opinions to yourself** ..
=============================
Oooh, get your feelings hurt..? .. you should have, your a kid .. if Mathias and the others are kind enough to spend a little time with you and answer your silly little 16 year old questions, then maybe there's something to it ... get a paper route and grow up.!
If you don't want to respond to his posts, please just ignore them.
arkitect, it does make your posts difficult to read when you don't use any punctuation or check spelling, and it takes a lot more time & effort to figure out what you're asking. Your best chance of getting good, complete responses occurs when you respect the time and consideration that it takes to help you, and part of that is writing easily understandable posts.
Everyone is happy to help you with your purchasing decision... just try to make it easy for us!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I will agree with what most folks here are saying ... we are here to help, and the "advice" we offer comes from years of experience. Some of us have had kids go through the process of acquiring their license and getting their first (second, third) vehicle.
Good luck with your first vehicle ... one of the things that you will find is that when you are financially invested in a vehicle, you will much more likely to take good care of it.
My son, who will be 19 in a couple of months, is now buying his first car .. the others have been provided by his mother and I. He is much more careful about who drives it and how it is taken care of.
Your first car should be something affordable, reliable, safe, and clean.
If you're not willing to drive a 2000 Taurus, that's fine. There are plenty of other good starter cars out there. You could try something like a used Nissan Xterra or Jeep Cherokee, if you want to drive an SUV.
Clean Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, RAV4s, Corollas, and Camrys are always great choices, in addition to the Ford Taurus.
Back to your question... A Nissan Xterra would be great, according to your criteria. If you want, there are some used ones out there...
Comments
Thanks!
Ali
Go to a different dealer.
I'm surprised since it's only a Liberty and nothing fancy or fast.
But a Liberty?
You can always go to a different dealer though...
Don't get a Ridgeline expecting a fuel miser, CR averaged just 15mpg, 10mpg city. YMMV, but I don't think Honda fans are in a position to call another truck a guzzler.
Tacoma did a lot better, plus it was quicker. On top of that, you can get Tacoma with a 6 speed manual trans, which should be quicker and even more efficient.
-juice
The incentives on the thing are piled sky high!
-juice
Not to mention its more "prestigious" and you get free service!
For me, if I bought one, I'd probably get the automatic and a sunroof, maybe the premium package, but that would make it less of a bargain than if I stuck with the cloth seats and a single CD player...
You didn't print that with a straight face, did you ...?
Terry.
Have you thought about the Saturn VUE? You can get that GM Employee Pricing, which makes it cheap...
-juice
my suggestion is while saving up to purchase one of these vehicles, get as much practice driving as possible and then resist the temptation in giving your friends a lift. supposidly someone else has done another study and determined that there are more teen accidents when there are more teens in the vehicle. leave the cell phone in your pocket, and don't install an expensive amp and large speakers...avoid early hearing deficit and listen to the state of your vehicle, road conditions, and your surroundings.
can u think of someone who that info could actualy help
help me narrow it down
the solstice is a mix of wish and hope
Among your list, I'd probably go with the Liberty, VUE, Malibu Maxx, Baja, Forester, or Solstice.
Insurance Rates on a Solstice should be very high though, since its a sports car and you're not an experienced driver.
Vue: Redline's powertrain is nice but steering is horrid and seats are the worst I've ever sat in.
Liberty: good choice if you need this kind of capability, it feels a little tall and tipsy but it's fun and affordable. Watch gas mileage and resale values.
Baja: there are better Subarus out there. This is based on the 2000 Outback. Drive a 2005 Outback instead, they are nicer in just about every way. Or try a Forester.
Maxx: engine is torquey, though a bit coarse at high revs. Lame tires on the one I drove made them squeel like crazy. Tons of rear leg room but cargo room is only so-so.
Forester: I own one and love it. I average 25.1mpg and the new ones are more efficient, 23/30 EPA for a base model. If you want a turbo wait for 2006, EPA ratings for the auto are up to 21/26, amazing for 230hp. Rear seat is tight but cargo capacity is good.
I have not driven a Colorado, Magnum, H3, or Solistice (obsviously).
Solistice keeps getting delayed, I'm not sure I'd want a v1.0 of that car. GM typically takes a while to get it right (then proceeds to cancel them).
Magnum looks fun, not my type of car, but if you like big full-sizers consider it.
Colorado typically gets last place in comparison tests and the H3 is based on that, with more weight tacked on. If image is more important than performance, check it out.
-juice
Try the two Hyundais too. Resale should be terrible though, but I think the ultra long warranty is now transferable.
I'm surprised because the brains behind the warranty strategy (Finbarr O'Neill) is long gone.
If so consider used, even 2 years old you'd have an 8 year powertrain warranty.
-juice
In the Sedona thread one person reported paying $15.6k on a new van. A 2 year old van probably won't be worth 10 grand!
-juice
BAD resale is a GOOD thing when buying used.
If ya gots to have a Kia -- and I personally don't -- ya ought to buy it used.
-Mathias
Speed and off-roading don't really go together well though..
For speed:
BMW X3 (not much of a truck)
For off-roading:
Jeep Liberty
Nissan Xterra
That's all I can think of right now. Any other possibilities out there?
Get an '01 Taurus, learn to drive. Just admitting to yourself that you don't really know how, yet, is a good first step. Life is short, but when you're 15, life is actually pretty long.
-Mathias
If you behave like that in the real world, you will get roughed up. Just a matter of time.
I've been giving you the benefit of the doubt. My mistake, won't happen again.
Take care and good luck,
-Mathias
Location: Savannah,Georgia,USA
Bio: I am saving up enough money for either a chevy or a subaru for my first car when i turn .... >>>>16 ..
.. **so stick to the question and keep those kinds of opinions to yourself** ..
=============================
Oooh, get your feelings hurt..? .. you should have, your a kid .. if Mathias and the others are kind enough to spend a little time with you and answer your silly little 16 year old questions, then maybe there's something to it ... get a paper route and grow up.!
Terry :mad:
arkitect, it does make your posts difficult to read when you don't use any punctuation or check spelling, and it takes a lot more time & effort to figure out what you're asking. Your best chance of getting good, complete responses occurs when you respect the time and consideration that it takes to help you, and part of that is writing easily understandable posts.
Everyone is happy to help you with your purchasing decision... just try to make it easy for us!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Good luck with your first vehicle ... one of the things that you will find is that when you are financially invested in a vehicle, you will much more likely to take good care of it.
My son, who will be 19 in a couple of months, is now buying his first car .. the others have been provided by his mother and I. He is much more careful about who drives it and how it is taken care of.
-juice
If you're not willing to drive a 2000 Taurus, that's fine. There are plenty of other good starter cars out there. You could try something like a used Nissan Xterra or Jeep Cherokee, if you want to drive an SUV.
Clean Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, RAV4s, Corollas, and Camrys are always great choices, in addition to the Ford Taurus.
Back to your question...
A Nissan Xterra would be great, according to your criteria. If you want, there are some used ones out there...