Girlfriend Needs a New Car

[gprsh924]

Brain Trust,

While I love my cars, what she is in the market for isn't exactly in my wheelhouse. 23 yr old nurse needs a car that will be parked on the street in Chicago and driven 40ish miles round trip a few days a week to work. It needs to be reliable, easy to park, relatively cheap to maintain and in her words "somewhat cute". It should also be comfortable and able to carry 4 adults on occasion.

My initial thoughts are Jetta, Mazda 3, etc....2007 or newer, less than 40K miles....price range: $15k and under.

Thanks in advance for the recommendations.

[Baz]

I'd go for a Honda - maybe a Civic? Honda's are the most bulletproof car ever made!

[masraum]

Mazda 3 sounds good.

Mini?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

I'd go for a Honda - maybe a Civic? Honda's are the most bulletproof car ever made!

Parked on the street, may want to avoid these.

Here is the NICB’s list of the most-stolen cars, pickups, minivans and SUVs during 2010:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1999 Chevrolet full-size pickup
5. 1997 Ford F-150 pickup
6. 2004 Dodge Ram pickup
7. 2000 Dodge Caravan
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1999 Ford Taurus

I checked a link on NICB and was able to cater the list to Illinois.

1995 honda civic
2000 dodge caravan
1996 honda accord
1991 toyota camry
1996 oldsmobile cutlass/supreme/ciera
1999 plymouth voyager
1999 ford taurus
2004 pontiac grand prix
1995 buick century
2000 dodge intrepid

[Gogar]

CIVIC CIVIC CIVIC, 2001 or newer.

1995 Civics (like on that list) are 4 model-generations and 16 years old.

[McLovin]

Well set up 924.

Or, of course, a Mustang.

[porsche4life]

Corolla.


My only complaint about my '07 has been how boring it is. But it gets down the highway nicely, and I've never had an issue with it. Oil changes are a breeze too.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Corolla.


My only complaint about my '07 has been how boring it is. But it gets down the highway nicely, and I've never had an issue with it. Oil changes are a breeze too.

Truth...many of the old Toyota engines are bulletproof....easily go 200,000 with basic service.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by masraum

Parked on the street, may want to avoid these.

Yeah but:

a) that's what insurance is for

b) does that mean EVERY Honda Civic gets stolen?

c) install an alarm system

Talk about the tail wagging the dog........with all due respect

[Zeke]

That's funny 'cause my car needs a new girlfriend.

[Christien]

Another vote for Civic. Can't go wrong with it. Get a decent condition 03-05 for a couple thousand, shouldn't need anything other than oil changes for years.

[Joe Bob]

Camry

[looneybin]

can't make a accurate suggestion without pics of said girlfriend, but a mazda 3 would be good in the winter months of Chi town

[74-911]

Originally Posted by Christien

Another vote for Civic. Can't go wrong with it. Get a decent condition 03-05 for a couple thousand, shouldn't need anything other than oil changes for years.

Have you looked at used car prices lately? Good condition 2003-05 Civics seem to start at about $5K and go way up from there around here anyway - if you can even find one.

[Steve Carlton]

Volvo S40. Safe, reliable, great seats.

[slow&rusty]

Porsche 928

[Tobra]

Insurance will be higher on honda due to popularity with thieves, just sayin'

I went from a 1998 Integra GSR sedan to a turbo miata and my insurance dropped by 50%, true story.

[Embraer]

toyota yaris. has girl "cute factor." my friend (in chicago) has one, and she loves it. easy to park, etc.

also...the fiat pop is just over 15K. new.

[Heel n Toe]

Cute... great for parking on the street in Chicago... good in snow... reliable... under $15K.

[Rick V]

Subie, Easy to work on reliable, and would be great for the winters