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sir pball

(5,025 posts)

12. I'd actually love a hybrid, too..

Fri Mar 21, 2014, 01:37 AM

Mar 2014

Just not the typical Prius

In all seriousness though, find a good mechanic and spend a couple of days learning the basics of what to look for and you should be OK. It's a lot easier than you'd think to at least know when you're being sold a piece of utter crap vs. something worth the money, and a lot different as well - I've had some major rustbuckets that looked horrid but ran like kittens, and that one that was utterly mint, low mileage, literally old lady driving it to church...and god what a mess the engine was. If I knew what timing chain noises were when I bought it, I'd have saved $1000s..

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First car for my 19yo daughter? [View all] Flying Squirrel Mar 2014 OP

At that price range I think you're buying the seller, not the car. LeftyMom Mar 2014 #1

Not true LoveMyCali Mar 2014 #16

My best friend has a Kia Soul. It's a nice car, and I'd recommend it if it were in the winter is coming Mar 2014 #34

The first new car Mom ever owned was a Hyundai KamaAina Mar 2014 #22

Subaru Impreza sir pball Mar 2014 #2

I was going to suggest looking for a Subaru in that price range. Fridays Child Mar 2014 #3

I really liked my GL, and the Forester blossomed into true love sir pball Mar 2014 #4

One of these days, I'm going to need to replace my current vehicle. Fridays Child Mar 2014 #5

I'd actually love a hybrid, too.. sir pball Mar 2014 #12

I would be very suprised if you could find a decent Honda or Suburu for that price BainsBane Mar 2014 #6

Have seen a few decent-looking ones at that price but Flying Squirrel Mar 2014 #8

It's a bad time of year to be shopping in that price range. LeftyMom Mar 2014 #9

Good point... but tell that to my daughter ;) Flying Squirrel Mar 2014 #10

Honda or Subaru.... Demo_Chris Mar 2014 #7

We have a 2007 Red Toyota Camry Hybrid with a moon roof, 74000 miles DebJ Mar 2014 #11

Volvos are the safest. grasswire Mar 2014 #13

Unfortunately, they are notorious for electrical gremlins. Gravitycollapse Mar 2014 #14

that's what finally did in my 240 fizzgig Mar 2014 #26

As a teenager, I did everything possible to destroy my Accord. The thing was a tank. Gravitycollapse Mar 2014 #15

"...definition of reliable." Raffi Ella Mar 2014 #21

Teach that young woman how to drive a stick shift. Frank Cannon Mar 2014 #17

i miss my manual fizzgig Mar 2014 #27

Better acceleration, more control. Frank Cannon Mar 2014 #36

Our 2008 Corolla 5-speed manual gets 38 mpg on the highway. Enraged_Ape Mar 2014 #39

My 15 yr old Honda CRV has 259k miles. Still going strong for my 17 yr old daughter riderinthestorm Mar 2014 #18

Homda just rolled it's UncleYoder Mar 2014 #19

Corolla MissMillie Mar 2014 #20

Yep. I voted for the Camry because I drive one and I love it, but Pool Hall Ace Mar 2014 #37

The earlier Saturns were pretty reliable and you won't find an inch of rust on them. Gidney N Cloyd Mar 2014 #23

The engines tend to run hot as they age, so it's good to always have some oil in the trunk. winter is coming Mar 2014 #35

This message was self-deleted by its author fizzgig Mar 2014 #24

It's her money, I'm only contributing about 200 or so as a birthday present. n/t Flying Squirrel Mar 2014 #28

gotcha fizzgig Mar 2014 #29

Horse and Buggy? LynneSin Mar 2014 #25

so would a bus pass... Callmecrazy Mar 2014 #30

Buses are too boxy ;) Flying Squirrel Mar 2014 #32

non-boxy Volvo marzipanni Mar 2014 #31

I have an '04 Camry that drives 840high Mar 2014 #33

What about Toyota Corolla? That's not on your list. cui bono Mar 2014 #38

Good point, added it Flying Squirrel Mar 2014 #40