new car for Daughters 3rd year in College?

SOUNDMAN5000

SOUNDMAN5000

Joined
May 16, 2022
Messages
829
Considering trading a 17 Ford Fusion Se 2.0L for a new car for my Daughter. Car is starting to give trouble...
She is a Full time student, works 30+ hours a week, student teaches all holding down that 4.0 GPA so I need to help keep her moving if possible.

So at this point considering Honda Accord, Civic or whatever and a Subaru Impreza ( open ) to other model Subaru but budget price, I do wonder iF the non turbo 2.0 will be dog slow for her?

Not sold of Hybrid ( may consider may not ) as I worry about long term car battery and resale when it gets to that 10+/- mark and hybrid may put her over budget? I hope to buy a car that will hold resale better than most.
What do you folks think?
Thanks for any suggestions.
 
I know the Honda Civic will resell easier because I have owned several of them through the years. The only reason I replaced mine with a Maverick hybrid was because I like the truck bed and the concept. I have always had the best luck with those Civics. Accords are good too but a little more expensive and a little money to own and maintain because they are larger.
 
We are in the same boat, looking at used X3's and comparable, with our qualifications being safety, capacity and general reliability being a somewhat distant third, more a reflection of pretty much most cars being generally decent in that subject. Safety is obvious, but capacity is directly related to us having to drive 7+ hrs to move in/out....

I'd choose the Suby of the those mentioned; practicality as one can always use more capacity.
 
SOUNDMAN5000 said:
Considering trading a 17 Ford Fusion Se 2.0L for a new car for my Daughter. Car is starting to give trouble...
She is a Full time student, works 30+ hours a week, student teaches all holding down that 4.0 GPA so I need to help keep her moving if possible.

So at this point considering Honda Accord, Civic or whatever and a Subaru Impreza ( open ) to other model Subaru but budget price, I do wonder iF the non turbo 2.0 will be dog slow for her?

Not sold of Hybrid ( may consider may not ) as I worry about long term car battery and resale when it gets to that 10+/- mark and hybrid may put her over budget? I hope to buy a car that will hold resale better than most.
What do you folks think?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Click to expand...

You nailed it.

The Impreza is the most flexible with AWD.
This, with one set of 3 peak tires will get her anywhere outside of level 4 chain controlled situations.
She can live, or visit anywhere with as much impunity to weather as can be had.
If Suzuki was still around their little AWD was also excellent and affordable.

The Civic or Corolla would be the next set of benchmark cars.
Shell likely need a tire change in the winter for best effect and that typically takes space kids dont have to hold the swapped out set of winter vs rest of season wheel tires.
Of the two Id pick the Civic. Im unwilling pay the Toyota tax, especially for a gift car.

A third choice would be the excellent Mazda 3 like my younger boy picked.
It's got a real 6 speed and a peppy NA 2.5 and is nicer car inside than the other two and I think better looking.
This is a really nice car.
 
Last edited:
Is there a budget in mind and a minimum need for features? I've read about how the nissan sentra and chevy trax are one of the few cars that offer safety features, remote start, heated seats, and steering wheel for under 30k which are really nice to have. The corolla is never a bad option but it's due for a refresh in a year I think. The mazda 3 and cx 3 look like good options too. The sentra just got redesigned and looks nice. The trax has a wet belt but it will likely not be owned long enough for it to matter.

The Mitsubishi outlander sport is a fantastic car though dated but in good ways. It doesn't have a heated steering wheel or remote start but does have heated seats and awd is standard for those that like it. That ancient 4B engine is very reliable and when I look into the engine bay of the 2016 outlander sport which has the same engine as the 2026 it feels as if i'm in 2006 with how empty the engine bay is and that's refreshing.

I've seen the engine bay of a rental rav 4 with the a25a and for an NA engine it's complicated in comparison. The jatco cvt is a great transmissionmission after owning one with almost 120k so far if maintained which none ever are but even when unmaintained they still do 150-200k. When maintained they can do far beyond that. The transmission still feels strong and new.

So far it has had a grand total of 0 parts replaced unless you count the serpentine belt and tensioner just because the belt was cracking but not making any noise and the tensioner might as well be changed with it. But all of the suspension,steering, the alternator, water pump and everything electrical cabin, engine bay, and everywhere in between is still factory. I was nervous about those LED tail lights failing and being expensive to replace but they work like brand new still. Not dimming flickering or showing a dead mini light like i see in some older led tail lights. Haven't changed the hid lights either, just the filament bulbs. I think i'll change the thermostat because after almost 120k it's making me nervous but the temp still goes up and stays in the middle as always. There isn't a single seepage on anything either.

It's been a very surprising little car for this has been the most reliable new vehicle i've ever bought. Even the great 03 and 05 gmc's weren't as reliable in the first 120k. i'd buy another even without being able to get remote start or a heated steering wheel but if these got those it's a no brainer. I'd avoid the eclipse cross altogether that new age turbo gdi engine is a concern although i've heard zero issues out of them I still wouldn't get it over the old but solid 4B engines.
 
Last edited:
JavierH19 said:
The Mitsubishi outlander sport is a fantastic car though dated but in good ways. It doesn't have a heated steering wheel or remote start but does have heated seats and awd is standard for those that like it. That ancient 4B engine is very reliable and when I look into the engine bay of the 2016 outlander sport which has the same engine as the 2026 it feels as if i'm in 2006 with how empty the engine bay is and that's refreshing.
Click to expand...
I concur, I've maintained a few of these in the past; they're called the RVR here.
 
Get a new Crosstrek. They ditched the 2.0. The 2024 was a complete redesign so the odd bugs should be worked out if you buy a 2026. It might cost a little more initially but the Crosstreks hold their value. My wife and I once owned a Corolla Hybrid. She was disappointed to find out a Camry was cheaper to insure after we bought the Corolla.
 
You would do well with a Honda Civic, a Toyota Corolla, or a Mazda 3. Buy the one she likes best. They'll all go a very long time and it would be better if she likes it so she doesn't have to "get rid of it" in 5 (or 10) years. Any one of them could be a 15 - 20 year keeper. They're all front wheel drive so quite good in snow (but should have a set of snow tires for deep snow).

A small Subaru would be good too. Even better in snow if winter driving is an issue. And as my friend says, Subarus are designed for ease of engine replacement. ;)
 
when each of my girls started their second year of college I leased them a new car they had their choice of either a CRV or Civic because they had $169 leases...the deal was as long as they got good grades I would pay the payments and insurance. when they graduated they could either turn the leases in or buy their cars..both finished on time and both elected to buy their cars..the buy outs were like 10K so they each started after college life with 3 year old cars for 10K. both still have them one a 2014 CRV with about a million miles and the other with a 2017 Civic. it worked out well doing that for me as I did not have to worry about them having reliable cars while I was a distance away from them.
 
Thanks all i'm taking ALL this in as we are headed out in a few hours to talk numbers on something.

Funny, when you try looking out for your kid we do turn into practical thinking "DAD". I do realize she is a young 23 year old Girl that wants something more in a car than possible future resale value but she accepts dad and his over practical thinking when it comes to most things!

Y'all get it, First on the list is Apple CarPlay and a good sounding stereo, Rear Camera is a must she says and good on gas... The rest is up to me...

I do like Subaru, I owned a then new 14 WRX once but the 0-60 numbers on that non turbo 2.0 is slow ( may be okay for her, I wonder, we may go drive it today ) but she has been driving that 2.0 Ford fusion turbo and that will get up and go.

However we all know that Impreza will last forever!

As of now we live in the South and seldom ever see snow / off road so as much as I love all wheel drive, its not a top requirement but who knows she may move to the hills with show after graduation?

As of now our local Honda is most convenient, Subaru is a bit of a drive and so is Toyota but a non issue but Honda is very close.

I am also looking at low % rate options, promos with-in the brands...

I have always liked Mazda but I don't have a clear picture as to future resale value with the brand, long term reliability etc but I owned one once, ran like a well oiled sewing machine!

I have not researched the Korean Car brands and I have a bunch nice new dealers in my area and good promos but I still remember the early days of Kia etc and question resale value years from now so doubt I would consider Kia, Hyundai unless you folks say i'm missing out...

Not a hatter but have not considered Nissan in years, going back to my 77 280Z...
I may need to move kinda fast with my decisions today, Something I never do with a car purchase so I thank you folks for offering help and pointing us in the correct direction!
 
  • Like
Reactions: RBT
What is the price range? :unsure:

Hybrids are no problem at all, especially from Honda and Toyota :)

The Corolla hatchback is a great choice, so is the Fit, HRV, even the Clarity PHEV
 
When you or her test drive it, don't mention the Fusion's "power". See if she notices any shortcoming and if she says nothing, it's a non-issue. Honda is my preference but a) the current Accords are just ugly (IMO) and b) the 1.5L engines have a real issue with the head gasket and some indications that the 2.0L has it too, though not as common. Next preference is Toyota (wife has a Grand Highlander) but there's that Toyota "tax". I've even considered a Corolla but they're so small.... I don't need space either so it's not an absolute deal-breaker.

I like the plan jadmt had - he leased them for his girls and when the lease was up, it was time for them to be grown-ups 😆 Buy them out or turn them in, but they'd have to buy something themselves at that point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

rstsco
Daughter needs new car
2
Replies
39
Views
881
PandaBear
B
Car buying scenario for daughter
3 4 5
Replies
86
Views
3K
TimeFlies
R
Starting to Plan for New Car
2
Replies
25
Views
844
surfstar
SOUNDMAN5000
Moving from a 2023 VW Taos 1.5SE, to a new 2025 Honda Accord SE 1.5
2 3
Replies
44
Views
2K
ddown
A
200k report 2018 Tiguan
2 3
Replies
57
Views
3K
andrew_j
Back
Top Bottom