Now I am finally getting my first car as I am starting my second year of college and I am trying to figure out what I should get.
My parents gave me a budget of around $10k and… I should get it unless I fail my driver test -_- uh… well that is besides the point.
I don’t want something big but I do think I want something with 4 doors / 5 seats… unless you guys and persuade me not to… My brother got a 2 door/ 4 seats (2013 Fiat 500 if I remember correctly) just recently.
Whatever's decent around your local craigslist, but whatever it is make sure it's a 4 door truck, or a nice jeep.
I don't want a truck... those are too big. Thinking something like a hatchback or something. Something like the kia soul actually would work if it doesn't suck. But honestly I don't know all that much about cars.
4WD is my only need for a car
both me and my drive 4x4 trucks because we get alot of snow in the winter.
But car shouldn't be any different than a computer. What do you need it to do?
cargo
people
RWD FWD 4WD AWD
big powerful motor
gas sipper
My sister drives a Soul and its kickass just be sure to get the 2 liter instead of the 1.6. Its got more get up and go than my staight 5 cyl chevy colorado truck
If the Fiat 500 is what your looking at I'd avoid the current model as it's lowest end engine is pathetic (can't go up a hill!).
Personally for a small car I adore the Mini Cooper. It's got rally heritage, decent MPG, BMW engine and like most small cars holds it's value well (so you'll still get a pretty penny when you sell it on!).
For under $10,000 you can get a 2009 model (with new tires, new brakes, new battery) and that's before you've haggled it down!
but I'm an opinionated fellow ;) worth a consideration though, I'm sure!
Some information on depreciation and a few more cars for you to consider:
I think for me one of the most important things would be to get some cargo space and low gas usage. I am in California so I don't really have snow here.
No, my brother got a 2013 fiat 500.. I don't.. like it..
Good gas millage and actually having some cargo space is important for me as I might need to lug computers around sometimes.
edit: Thanks for the video I'll look at it now.
I'd personally go for a Mazda 3 or a Suburu Impreza.
Perhaps I just suck at looking for it looks like those cost more a bit more for what I can find then $10k
Really, you should easily be able to find relatively low-mileage used for around 10K
Ive had a 2004 Mazda 3 for a couple years now, great little car, cruises at 70 just fine, big trunk,back seat legroom is npt that great but its great on gas. I usually get about 15-18 mpg in the city, and about 20-25 on the highway (i have the 2 liter)
Is 18 mpg actually considered 'great'?
My first car as an automatic 1995 Mitsubishi 3000gt.
I loved that car. Even though it was an automatic, I absolutely loved it. Drove like it was on rails, had a good sound system put in it, pioneer door and back speekers and head unit, a kicker 10in. sub, kick 470w amp, and later a pioneer 12in. sub I got from walmart. Plenty loud enough for me.
Had it for 6 years until some @#$%#$&%$&$%@$#%#$^$%&#$%$@#$^%$%&%$^&$#%%@#$%#$%&^%&(&^$%$^%%w#$w#q@%$#%^$#%^&%^&^%&%$^$%^$#%^$%^&%(#@$$@#$%$#%&^& head-on'ed me when I was delivering pizza.
He was driving a plymouth neon (yes plymouth, that's how old his car was, it wasn't a dodge neon). His car was absolutely totaled from the damage, each of us going about 35mph. My car was totaled because the insurance company wouldn't pay to actually fix it, because the damage was greater than the value of the car. But it was still salvageable. Started back up and backed away from his car for the tow truck to get in there.
When I get the money to buy my next car, it will definitely be a 3000gt. I absolutely loved everything about it. The way it drove, the way it rode, the way it looked and sounded etc.11/10 will buy another one. Although this time I will be getting it in 5 speed. No turbo though, I don't have a death wish. The automatic was fast enough lol
Not sure if that is a suggestion or just a story.. but thanks .. I guess?
Definitely both. It's a great car.
For a budget of 10k, you could definitely get a nice one and put some work into it and have a superb car. Although be wary of mustang owners, they will try to race you, and they will be upset when you blow them out of the water.
Well for an older run down car id say so, lol sorry, nobody in my family has bought a new car recently, i geuss my veiw is skewed because i get the best mileage in my family.
My 3000 got about the same in the city, a bit over 20 on the highway.
One thing I will suggest to the OP, regardless of what they get, synthetic oil + K&N synthetic oil treatment. Don't listen to the redneck morons that tell you synthetic will harm you engine, they're wrong. The only thing that goes wrong with synthetic, is if you try to switch back to regular oil, you get a bunch of oil leaks. But you don't really have a reason to switch back because regular is just crap by comparison.
Baby your engine, it will pay off in the long run. Also, if you plan on getting a sound system, an optima battery can't be beat. I got one after I thought my battery had died. Turned out it was my alternator instead, but I still somehow drove around for a week on that optima.
where do live? if i may ask
It also depends a bit on your budget of course.
IMO you probably want to stay clear of Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Chevy, Chrysler. Mostly just because they tend to be more hit and miss and usually don't like to be abused. Ford cheap cars usually don't hold up, their trucks do. Chevy makes decent cars but tends to waste space in the design. Dodge cars tend to be good but degrade pretty quick. Chrysler is beyond my comprehension, they have been doing really odd layouts on their cars for over a decade now and it seems to lead to more work and higher maintenance cost. Everybody I know that owns a 2000+ Chrysler ( Literally everybody ) has spent more than the value of the car keeping it going. Also mid 90's through early 2000 VW's had lots of electrical problems. A really solid car the 2000ish Subaru impreza turbo wagon has power, is pretty cheap to maintain, is a decent hatchback/wagon design and if you find a good tuning shop can be tuned to get good mileage at the cost of power and be good for anything from cruising on highways to being able to handle driving at high elevation.
On the bright side U.S. cars are getting better again but good luck finding one for 10k. Don't got experience with Kia or Fiat so I can't really give any kind of advice on them.
So you want a mini-van?
