<p>Hi,
We are thinking of buying our D an inexpensive car for a college graduation gift. Safety, economy and practicality are important. Not sure whether to go with a new or used but was hoping some of you might have some opinions. Price rage would be under 20k. Thanks!</p>
<p>Check out this recent thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1127271-car-d-economy-car-good-milage-good-safety-profile.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1127271-car-d-economy-car-good-milage-good-safety-profile.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks! Don’t know how I missed that.</p>
<p>Sounds like a wonderful and generous gift for a deserving daughter :)</p>
<p>There has been a wealth of newly redesigned or introduced entry level small cars to hit the market in the last two or so years. (Some of the most hyped cars in this 15-20k segment include the new Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Accent, Ford Fiesta and Focus, Chevy Cruze, etc.) The competition is fierce among automakers, so you’ll have plenty of models to pick from. Most of the new small cars can get close to 40 mpg on the highway, and virtually every car produced today for the US market comes standard with all the safety features: side/curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, etc. </p>
<p>Even with a price cap of 20,000 you should still be able to find a wealth of brand new cars with the latest styling and all the safety features. Have fun and best of luck in your search!</p>
<p>Didn’t post on the other thread but my company has owned several Chevy Malibu Maxx hatchbacks and we have been very happy with all of them.</p>
<p>Love my 2011 Hyundai Elantra. If I had the money I would happily buy one for each of my kids.</p>
<p>My advice is to look carefully at the repair incidence records as well as safety stats. What a pain in the neck to get a car that is needy.</p>
<p>Good point, cpt.</p>
<p>We plan to get a car for DD in her senior year because she’ll be student teaching and will need reliable transportation.</p>
<p>I would suggest either adding her to your AAA membership or getting her one of her own. My daughter will be in ruralish upstate NY so I will probably add Onstar for her (which I learned on Celebrity Apprentice can be added as an aftermarket option) although being down on LI, I don’t have it for myself. If Onstar doesn’t have a GPS, I will get her one of those as well since her navigation skills are not great.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link.</p>
<p>We have good luck with anything Toyota … my daughter’s Scion XA has been across the country twice with a few other road trips not quite as long. Nothing more than routine maintenance in the 6 years she has had it.</p>
<p>Check out VW Jetta TDI. We get about 38-41 mpg and exc safety rating (pretty sure). Diesel has been a bit more these days, so take that into account too.</p>
<p>I highly recommend the Hyundai Elantra. D just got a 2010 with 20k miles for $14k.
We just drove it cross country for her move to the west coast. Absolutely excellent handling, gas mileage, comfort, and safety. I was really impressed. Had enough horsepower for the mountain passes, the turning radius is awesome, and seemed pretty spacious with the 60/40 seating option. She had to replace her Honda civic which had been totaled. This car has measured up to it in every way thus far. Plus it had lots of great options/amenities–satellite radio capability, all the updated mp3 outlets, etc, cruise control, lots of convenient cup holders and cubbies, automatic windows… It didn’t feel like a cheap economy car at all.</p>
<p>Honestly, it was way better than I’d expected. I think Hyundai has really come a long way.</p>
<p>(1) Going back a generation my family has always relied on Consumer Reports for cars. (Edmunds.com is good too.)</p>
<p>(2) FWIW, my brother who researches stuff like this for fun passed on a while ago that the optimal time to buy a used car (if that’s the direction you’re going) is 2.5 years old (optimize declining value/increasing repair cost). In my own used car shopping experience, there tend to be a lot in the 2-3-year-old range–cars that are coming off lease (although didn’t I just see an article about the price of used cars skyrocketing because during the recent recession people were keeping their cars?).</p>
<p>My friend had a Kia and once it hit 50,000 miles it was literally in the shop on a weekly basis. They would say they fixed it and it woulld break down again, couldn’t drive it, d/t suspension issues. It was unsafe. We got out dd a Toyota Corolla and it has been wonderful.</p>
<p>If my D weren’t going to be going to college in the mountains, we’d be looking at the newly re-introduced Fiat 500. This is a very cool little car – at about $15,500 to start. Top Gear loves it. </p>
<p>[FIAT</a> USA | 2012 FIAT 500](<a href=“FIAT® USA Official Site | Crossovers and Cars”>FIAT® USA Official Site | Crossovers and Cars)</p>
<p>As it is, we’ll probably be looking at a second-hand Subaru.</p>
<p>We have bought 2 cars that were coming off of leases - first car was 2 years old, second was 3 years old. Both came thru dealers that “certified” them. No trouble with either car and saved 25 - 30% off the price of a new car.</p>
<p>Also look into Hertz Rent to Buy. Cars have been professionally maintained and are listed for below Blue Book. You can rent the car for 3 days - if you decide to buy it, they take the rental fee off the price of the car, so basically its a free 3-day test drive. If you don’t buy it, you pay for 3 days of rental but you don’t end up paying a lot of money for a car you don’t like.</p>
<p>I have been in the auto business over 38 years. Sold thousands of vehicles to young families and their kids. Their are cars I would put my kids in, and some that scare the hell out of me. Some considerations are: </p>
<ol>
<li>Where they will be driving? (climate, distance, etc.)</li>
<li>Are they going to be a bus service for the rest of the family or all their friends?</li>
<li>Front wheel drive or rear wheel drive?</li>
<li>Air Bags?</li>
<li>The bigger the car, the bigger the target?</li>
<li>Are you really safe with all those “air bags”???</li>
<li>Two or four doors?</li>
<li>SUV? Convertable?</li>
</ol>
<p>It really bothers me to see kids killed in accidents that get in simple accidents driving one of these “highly rated vehicles.” You should seek out a professional for their advice. </p>
<p>One more thing… I may be a bit old fashioned but my first car … I paid for. If a parent is paying, do the smart thing! Don’t give into a child just because they think it’s below them… if you’re paying, you choose. You are not being selfish. You are smart!</p>
<p>Just as an example… Putting a new driver behind a SUV with a high center of gravity is a reckless decision on your part, and puts your child in danger.</p>
<p>Ask a professional.</p>
<p>A big decision like this, the consequences of which your D will have to live with for years to come–I’d have her involved in the process. One of D’s friends’ parents bought her a car. Her response was “I wish they would have put the money to paying my student loans.”</p>
<p>I second (third) the Hyundai Elantra. Excellent new car with lots of features. Recently bought one for H and he loves it. Actually, ended up being cheaper than a good used car.</p>
<p>Oh! Yes, we will ask her first! She will be given choices and be part of the process. I would never buy a car for someone without their input.</p>