Nope, just getting something with a little more seating space for the kids and better MPG around town. The 5 lets them spread out a little more, hopefully limiting the bickering. We still need the F150 for home projects and towing the boat, plus it will be a backup family car. The wife loves the 5, she didn't find it to be as soccer mom dorky as true minivans, it gets better MPG, and is actually decently fun to drive. Plus they are freaking cheap.

I guess we had different experiences.

Just for clarification, I owned an E36 M3 but recommended an E36 3-series... not an M3. Also, I wasn't the one who recommended a well set-up 944. Although, I had one of those too and it honestly didn't really cost that much to own (not talking twin cam or turbo versions here). However, I recognize my recommendation is somewhat unconventional and probably won't be considered, which is totally okay... I'm not the one that has to live with it.

Since the consensus seems to be Asian, I would consider Mazda over Toyota or Honda due to price and (hopefully) some commonality of parts with similar Ford models. Someone also suggested an '06 or up Hyundai as well, which I would also consider if a good one can be found in the price range. Starting about '06, Hyundai started to get better and now make pretty decent, inexpensive cars.

I've had two E36s, neither were M3s and both were steaming piles of crap. Cheap interior parts that cracked, falling headliners, door panels that warped in the sun and came apart, everything held together by brittle plastic snaps, leather that was totally shot at 100k, suspension bushings that don't even make it to 100k, failing cooling systems, etc. My 325i manual transmission started to go at around 135k, I sold it cheap because I didn't want to sink more money into the POS.

Agree
 

+1 on the Taurus. Lots of them out there so that helps keep the cost down. We have owned several over the years and they have all been good reliable cars. My son even rolled one after sliding off a rain slick road and walked away with out a scratch.

I wouldn't touch a Taurus. The old one my parents had went through several head gaskets in a few years- we didn't have it long. The new ones look freaking huge (or maybe it was some other Ford- my dad had a loaner for a while while his other car was in the body shop after someone backed into it). The 2006 Focus I inheirited from my dad is the buzziest, rattliest car we have- other than the 911 track car. The windshield has been cracked for a few years, transmission seemy clunky, throttle and brakes aren't at all linear, etc. Gets about 30mpg but nowhere near as refined as my dad's Honda Civic, which is several years older than the Focus. And why are new cars so tall? The Focus is like sitting on a stool. Makes the Honda feel like a 911.

I like the Miata suggestion. If dad is ever going to work on it, why not make it something that is actually pretty cool?

I don't understand why everyone thinks she needs a truck.

The Miata is too small for a first car. Let the daughter start off on something bigger.
A girl got killed in the passenger seat of a Miata here last winter. Her father was driving! Even if she is a good driver there will always be close calls....more metal is better for protection.

My DD 3 is an 06". Has 80k or so on the clock.

Nothing rattles, nothing squeaks.

Only maintenance I've had to do was struts / shocks. Really only the right front strut was leaking but may as well do all 4. Right front leaky strut is a common problem and will make them feel like a cardboard box sliding down stairs.

Tossed in the Sensen replacement, $150.00 for all 4 corners. They are a tad stiffer than stock and the car drives real nice.

The brakes on the 3 are outstanding.

Trunk is generous for a car its size.

Much better than my 1st car, a 74' Fiat 128 coupe. For real.SmileWavy

Even the 1st generation version seems like a winner. Sits up a bit, should be pretty bulletproof, room to haul stuff (bikes, etc).

Thanks for the comments and considerations.

Had very good experience with Mazda 's 20 years ago. My brother had one and it took a vicious licking and kept on ticking. I would add it to the list.

Based on where we live, lots of winter driving. a 2002- 2006 2nd gen Honda CRV would be the ticket.

But i'm finding cars with 150K Miles in the $ 8-9 K range that have been abused. yikes ! they are probably getting that type of money out of them. I think it's the right car at a price I am having a hard time getting my mind around it. They are very popular in the region 2nd to the Subaru Outback, both are on the edge of 30 MPG zone they are safe for smaller cars.

And needless to say pics when you have bought the vehicle to complete this thread.....:)

little surprised no one has thrown this out there, how bout an old diesel mercedes, reliable and built like a tank.
those 2000s era celicas wouldnt be a bad choice either, and you can get them in a manual transmission.

My brother put 100k on his BMW 328is (E36) and the only things he really did besides change fluids/filters/tires/brakes) were suspension bushings, new struts, and change the cooling system (which took thirty minutes to do). Struts and bushings were stupid easy to change as well. He has 190k miles on it now and it still runs flawlessly. He also has surprisingly good gas mileage (30+ MPG).

How about a well sorted out W201 (190E) or a W124 (E320 / 300E) Mercedes? They are built like tanks, easy to work on and very reliable. You can get a decent one for 5K. Gas mileage will not be 30MPG though.

reminds me of a caller on "Car Talk" years ago. Father called in: had inherited an older Lincoln town car and wanted to know if it would be a good first car for teen age daughter.
Click and Clack didn't think she would be exactly thrilled with driving around in that type car.
Father said "are you kidding, first words out of her mouth were: whoa Dad, party barge, I love it...." which is why he was calling in..

so you never know..

I love these posts. "They are great cars, my brother drove one for 100k and only had to invest about $3k in parts plus labor".:D

I'm just giving you crap, I know that's normal in our world. But in the appliance car world that's totally unacceptable. Much more than oil changes and the average person isn't going to be happy.

I've been driving Mazdaspeed3's as a daily driver since 2006 and I'm on my 2nd one and love them. My wife had a CX-7, which got smashed when another driver ran a stop sign and t-boned the car. The rental car was a Mazda3 and we loved it. My son and daughter both have 2002 Ford Focus (Focii for plural?) and we've had excellent service from both. If you can find an affordably priced used Mazda3 and Ford Focus, I would have no qualms about buying it for a son or daughter.

Look for a 2000-2006 Buick leSabre. I bought one in 2011 and it has been trouble free. Safe, reliable, 30 mpg, good 3800 motor, comfy. You cant, imo, go wrong. Safe car and seats 6.

the buick is a good idea. in college, my DD beater was a park avenue. reliable, seated plenty of people, safe, super comfy, awesome bose stereo.

I was going to mention a buick as well... those 3800 engines run forever...

Might want to look at the Regals too. Terrible resale value but good cars...

A lot on bang for the buck

Disagree.

I bought one of these after I graduated high school (kept it 12 years) and I wouldn't buy one as a first car for my own kid.

I personally wouldn't want to crash in one of those tin cans.

Go for something newer.

Safety and 30 + mpg are a bit contrary. So are high and safe. Low maintenance and DIY are also somewhat contrary. A good Subaru may fill the bill. If the proper Saab could be found, it would be a fairly safe and snow tractable bargain. My winter cars are Saabs in the frigid north country. Beware of the catalyst under the oil pan design problem. These Swedish beasts are definitely a buyers game.

There are so many cars out there, but 30 + mpg seems to be unrealistic in a safe vehicle at your price point. Jeeps and small pickups are within the price point, but definitely not at the top of the safety chart. The MB diesels do have the safety and economy factors well below the price points, but very few get 30+.

You want to make her happy so make sure that she is in on the selection of the car. Good luck.

Dan