new car for Daughters 3rd year in College?

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Thanks everyone, let me fill you in and update you on our interesting day today.

The daughter and I spent most of the day at a Subaru dealer and she and I both drove the 2026 Impreza 2.0. Very Solid feeling car. has that low to the ground boxer engine feel, I missed the Ford turbo 2.0, its not slow but you know you don't have that turbo under the hood but was NO deal breaker for her.

We looked at the 2026 Crosstrek in detail, she sat in it as did I but didn't drive it. We both like that little Impreza! Its a made in Japan car too...
Attempted to purchased the Impreza but received a dismal offer on her Ford trade. To be exact was about 45% lower than the Carvana offer I have in hand. We had to leave it with I sell my Ford to Carvana and come back and talk...

So we then hit the Honda dealer. We did a detailed extended test drive of of the non Hybrid 2026 Civic Sport. we also test drove a 2026 HR-V 2WD LX. She liked both I liked the Civic so we run numbers on the Civic and the trade offer for her Ford was a VERY even more DISMAL trade value that was 1/3 the Carvana offer. Crazy right? Yes I showed them my Carvana offer... The one guy ran my vin himself through Carvana and said I was correct in my value but he could not pay that and I should sell it to Carvana...

Tonight after thinking about the Subaru I asked my daughter don't she want to consider the Subaru? Her response was she likes the large screen but she likes the interior better of the Hondas...

He mom just purchased a new Accord so perhaps thats it but I will admit I too like the Honda dash, cool looking AC vents with the Honda but i'm a guy and I learned today, whats important to my young daughter is not important to me and vise versa and thats Okay.

I recently had a fantastic first experience selling to Carvana 2 weeks ago as I sold my 9 year old first year Hellcat. It was a smooth, no surprises experience and was a strong offer! so looks like I will be selling her Ford once again to Carvana and trying to do a deal from scratch in a few days but with a cash deposit and no trade.

Someone asked my purchases price, these cars we drove all come in at the $29K to $30K minus a proper trade value for her payed off Ford.

She liked all three cars with the Hondas wining out for her personally. I liked the Impreza and Civic. I think we all know those Civics have always appealed to a younger group. I can see her in a Civic as it looks like her IMO but its her choice with Dad having the VETO option, I think we all at one time would have liked to have owned a Civic when younger. My thought was after driving all the cars, she could not go wrong in any. I thought the HR-V had a older persons vibe ( like my age ) was top heavy like many SUVs are but I'll admit I am a CAR PRSON, I have always like the feel of a Civic going back to 1978!

My daughter liked the HR-V and that car may not be off the table, the dealer stock limited color choice and interior choice pushed her back towards the Civic. At this point I think a better or best "deal" on any of these cars may be the deciding factor and I think she and I would be happy with any or all of the cars. My guess it may end up being the Civic but it all depends on the #'s as everything is still on the table.

The Honda I'm sure will cost more to insure but will be less expensive to own and maintain as far as service and ease of service as our preferred Honda dealer is just down the street when the Subaru dealer is a distance away across town and not in a area we visit often...

I would love to know she has that all wheel drive of the Subaru but chances are in a five year period unless she moves the car may see les than 1" of show if any and my girl is all young Lady and not what I would call the outdoor adventure type.. She jokes about wrapping her new car in "pink" if that tells you anything... So no roof mounted Kayaks or Canoes in her future as I see it...

So looks like I may have a few days till Carvana comes and buys the car. I may now go look at the Mazda?
Honestly, my gut kinda tells me any of the cars we looked at today would make her a fine car?

I'll keep reading the suggestions and we will head back out in a few days and try to buy her something nice!
I appreciate everyones suggestions.

 

[Legs4Arms]

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.

+1 on the Mazda 3. Great driving little units, more a driver's car than a Civic or Corolla and hold their value well. The 6spd manny just ups the fun factor

 

[andrew_j]

All good first or commuting cars but in the end let her decide, all good flavors of ice cream just personal choice what’s best.

I will throw this out there, my first car was a Civic and as it aged regrets not buying more comfortable Accord initially which in higher mileage of that happeds wear better.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

All good first or commuting cars but in the end let her decide, all good flavors of ice cream just personal choice what’s best.

I will throw this out there, my first car was a Civic and as it aged regrets not buying more comfortable Accord initially which in higher mileage of that happeds wear better.

My son has a 60K mile 2015 Accord and the wife has a 2 week old 2025 Accord. The very first thing I noticed about the Civic test ride was the more road noise and "ride" not as much front end road noise as civics of the past or Hondas in general of the past but slightly more road noise than the new Accord for sure so I get it and you got me thinking...

 

[MParr]

Thanks everyone, let me fill you in and update you on our interesting day today.

The daughter and I spent most of the day at a Subaru dealer and she and I both drove the 2026 Impreza 2.0. Very Solid feeling car. has that low to the ground boxer engine feel, I missed the Ford turbo 2.0, its not slow but you know you don't have that turbo under the hood but was NO deal breaker for her.

We looked at the 2026 Crosstrek in detail, she sat in it as did I but didn't drive it. We both like that little Impreza! Its a made in Japan car too...
Attempted to purchased the Impreza but received a dismal offer on her Ford trade. To be exact was about 45% lower than the Carvana offer I have in hand. We had to leave it with I sell my Ford to Carvana and come back and talk...

So we then hit the Honda dealer. We did a detailed extended test drive of of the non Hybrid 2026 Civic Sport. we also test drove a 2026 HR-V 2WD LX. She liked both I liked the Civic so we run numbers on the Civic and the trade offer for her Ford was a VERY even more DISMAL trade value that was 1/3 the Carvana offer. Crazy right? Yes I showed them my Carvana offer... The one guy ran my vin himself through Carvana and said I was correct in my value but he could not pay that and I should sell it to Carvana...

Tonight after thinking about the Subaru I asked my daughter don't she want to consider the Subaru? Her response was she likes the large screen but she likes the interior better of the Hondas...

He mom just purchased a new Accord so perhaps thats it but I will admit I too like the Honda dash, cool looking AC vents with the Honda but i'm a guy and I learned today, whats important to my young daughter is not important to me and vise versa and thats Okay.

I recently had a fantastic first experience selling to Carvana 2 weeks ago as I sold my 9 year old first year Hellcat. It was a smooth, no surprises experience and was a strong offer! so looks like I will be selling her Ford once again to Carvana and trying to do a deal from scratch in a few days but with a cash deposit and no trade.

Someone asked my purchases price, these cars we drove all come in at the $29K to $30K minus a proper trade value for her payed off Ford.

She liked all three cars with the Hondas wining out for her personally. I liked the Impreza and Civic. I think we all know those Civics have always appealed to a younger group. I can see her in a Civic as it looks like her IMO but its her choice with Dad having the VETO option, I think we all at one time would have liked to have owned a Civic when younger. My thought was after driving all the cars, she could not go wrong in any. I thought the HR-V had a older persons vibe ( like my age ) was top heavy like many SUVs are but I'll admit I am a CAR PRSON, I have always like the feel of a Civic going back to 1978!

My daughter liked the HR-V and that car may not be off the table, the dealer stock limited color choice and interior choice pushed her back towards the Civic. At this point I think a better or best "deal" on any of these cars may be the deciding factor and I think she and I would be happy with any or all of the cars. My guess it may end up being the Civic but it all depends on the #'s as everything is still on the table.

The Honda I'm sure will cost more to insure but will be less expensive to own and maintain as far as service and ease of service as our preferred Honda dealer is just down the street when the Subaru dealer is a distance away across town and not in a area we visit often...

I would love to know she has that all wheel drive of the Subaru but chances are in a five year period unless she moves the car may see les than 1" of show if any and my girl is all young Lady and not what I would call the outdoor adventure type.. She jokes about wrapping her new car in "pink" if that tells you anything... So no roof mounted Kayaks or Canoes in her future as I see it...

So looks like I may have a few days till Carvana comes and buys the car. I may now go look at the Mazda?
Honestly, my gut kinda tells me any of the cars we looked at today would make her a fine car?

I'll keep reading the suggestions and we will head back out in a few days and try to buy her something nice!
I appreciate everyones suggestions.

I like the styling of the new HR-V.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Did she at least sit in any of the next size up versions? You already have an Accord so she can tell that. What is her impression of CRV vs HRV?

My friend has a '17 Civic Si, great car, fun to drive. When we do road trips my '17 Accord gets a lot more use for size, road noise, comfort. Both are 6MT.

 

[Hall]

my first car was a Civic and as it aged regrets not buying more comfortable Accord initially which in higher mileage of that happeds wear better.

We have a '12 Civic and our son had a '12 Accord (EX-L) and the "feel" quality between the two is absolutely night and day. In that time frame (and earlier), the Civic was clearly an "economy car".

 

[Hall]

The very first thing I noticed about the Civic test ride was the more road noise and "ride" not as much front end road noise as civics of the past or Hondas in general of the past but slightly more road noise than the new Accord for sure so I get it and you got me thinking...

I thought she liked the Civic ? I'll bet the Fusion feels nicer than the newer Civic but she didn't care or notice.

 

[Dave Hess]

Not sure about the 2026 base model, but don't all of the current Skyactiv-G 2.5 liter engines have cylinder deactivation technology? I do agree that Mazdas are excellent values in the compact vehicle arena.

You can tell by the VIN, I think 8th digit confirms no cylinder deactivation for 2026 Mazda3.

 

[odie]

'25 KIA Soul with $1,000 rebate . Easy to maintain , good gas mileage ( 35.2 calculated over 1 year ) , no D.I. ( M.P.I. ) , plenty of space and view all around with help from 6.7" ground clearance . Plenty of safety features as well . The negative with the SOUL LX ( and S ) are the NEXEN N'Priz AH8 ( H-rated ) tires which were not so stellar in rain . Had them replaced with 205/60-16 GENERAL Altimax 365AW ( V-rated ) that make a world of difference w/o much impact on gas mileage , if any . The EX gets KUMHO Kinergy GT ( V-rated ) 17" tires and the GT-Line have 18" HANKOOK Ventus S1 Noble2 ( V-rated ) .

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Reporting in again, Sunday afternoon and Carvana has already come and gone with the Fusion so starting tomorrow I'm ready to find her perfect car!
Such a quick smooth and aggressive offer was made by Carvana and was the same Carvana driver that picked my last car up, what a cool guy and a great selling experience! I have sold many cars and trucks retail but using Carvana to buy my last few cars have been very good offers. I jumped at this offer... I think it was that perfect time with the age of her Fusion , the perfect miles and I can still get good money out of the car.

 

[2015Corolla]

Give Mazda a chance!

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I thought she liked the Civic ? I'll bet the Fusion feels nicer than the newer Civic but she didn't care or notice.

You got to understand i'm dealing with a 23 year old daughter, lots of dynamics i'm dealing with such as mom just purchased a new white Accord not sure she would want a "moms" car now?
Thats what Dads are for, let her buy what she wants but kinds explain the in and outs of long term car ownership and how to do the deal at the dealership... Its a leaning experience for her. I told her today joking, I figured a way to keep her around the house, sell her car so she is stuck with Dad and mom for a a day!

 

[ripcord]

Does she party? If yes, I would say a bus pass, lol. If not, a Toyota and a AAA membership.

 

[ecotourist]

Suggest you test drive a Mazda 3 before you make a decision. Can't go wrong with a Honda Civic or a Mazda 3 in my opinion.

I haven't test driven one in several years but I really liked the Mazda 3.

 

[k1xv]

Any car she wants that you can afford, and falls within your comfort zone as "not unreasonable or totally impractical"

When buying anything for anyone, it should be something they would actually want to own.

 

[GaryMX5]

I've had 6 Mazda's since 2014. All have been rock solid and those I have traded in held their value well. I think the word is out that they are very viable competition to Toyota and Honda. Their interiors tend to be more upscale and they beat the big two in handling by quite a bit. The CX30 matches up well to a Subaru Crosstrek quite nicely. While I love Mazda's, Corollas and Civics are very solid cars...even I could live with one .

 

[GaryMX5]

Suggest you test drive a Mazda 3 before you make a decision. Can't go wrong with a Honda Civic or a Mazda 3 in my opinion.

I haven't test driven one in several years but I really liked the Mazda 3.

Absolutely! My 25 awd 3 sedan is quite possibly the best car I have owned (have had about 30 in my lifetime). I really enjoy driving it, as it handles like a dream, has adequate power, smooth shifting and doesn't hunt for the right gear, a comfy well appointed interior, generous trunk space for it's size, and gets great gas mileage (I average 26-28 mpg or so in town and 35-40 on road trips).

 

[dwcopple]

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.

Get the cheapest, shortest lease possible. Like a 24 month 20k mile one. Make her make her own decision after that when she has her bachelor's and a career.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

UPDATE: My Daughter is the proud new owner of a new 2026 Honda Civic 4D Sport!
Thanks for all the help and suggestions...

The choice of car after considering Subaru and Mazda ( as well as other brands early on ) the Honda was her Choice and favorite but some other factors after being her favorite Car ( and color ) was the most convenient as the dealership is only one right turn and then a few miles from the house. I attempted to purchase a Subaru but my local Subaru dealer simply does not have the "drive" to close the deal. He also lost out when I purchased a new WRX a few years ago as I had to buy from a Subaru dealer 2 hours away.

I called and talked with the 2 hour away out of town dealer I purchased my WRX from and the dealer closes at 7pm and I'm 2 hours away and we simply didn't have the time to a 4 hour round trip drive and a dealer that does not stay open late.

I did walk the parking lot of the Mazda dealer Sunday when closed and its a tiny Mazda dealer with very limited stock, I did not see any new Mazdas on his lot even close to her price point!

The Honda dealer had a lot full of new Hondas, stayed open late and we walked away with my first time new car buyer Daughter with good deal and a very attractive, actually aggressive bank rate financing Subaru could not or would not touch ot even get close, my credit union could not get close.

I got a Happy Daughter in a good car at a good deal so all is right with the world!