College girl(s) - car needs
 

I am seeking the savvy opinions of my trusted fellow Pelicans.

My 19 yo daughter needs a car to get to third-year nursing school rotations this fall in Seattle. Nursing jobs aren't guaranteed - but plentiful.
Her 21 yo sister is nearly done with college (Bay Area) and is driving a '06 Sonata with 110K miles. Uncertain career path. Non-profit administration etc.

The general plan regarding cars was to provide a vehicle when needed and "gift" a serviceable car at graduation, pay insurance for 6 months and then cut the umbilical cord.

Observations - the 21 yo is quite a slob and had two major accidents in her first two years of driving. The 19 yo is more meticulous, has had one minor fender bender and happily attended a Teen Car Control Clinic so she could drive at Thunderhill.

If logic prevailed, a vehicle would be purchased now for the 21 year old and the Sonata would go to the 19 yo to be traded in for her "gift" when she graduates. The Sonata has been reliable($1000 total in repairs this year for fuel pump, battery, latch actuator) and would survive 2 years in Seattle. Another benefit is that these two expenses would be spread out.

But another part of me asks why I am handing a newish car to a daughter who has shown little interest in cars and caring for them. I guess I'll need to remember the popular definition of "gift".

So Pelican peoples - please lend your opinion on the issues addressed above and help me take heart in my coming expense.

We (wife and I - keep the kids out of it) looked at Corollas yesterday - the LE's are being cleared out for $15,500. We have considered Ford Focus, Fusion, Camry, Impreza etc. The new ones don't seem to be that much more than used examples - many are prior rentals. $16,000 is about as much as I would want to go given budget and precedence. I will likely finance half and pay it over the next year if terms are favorable.

So - New/Used? Models?
Cheap/Better?
Importance of being economical on Fuel and/or initial expense?

Corolla, take your pick of years or models, they are great little dependable beaters

Used Honda Accord V6

Our youngest 2 got their Mom's airport car when they started driving. Both were bought new with the plan to turn them over as the kids got their licenses. The kids are now in college and are still driving their first cars. The 2 older ones got hand me downs when they started driving and new in the oldest case at college graduation and an '86 3.2 for the other at graduation. They all have dibs on one of my Porsche when I can no longer drive them, but lets hope I need to add some for the grandkids and that it takes awhile.

Just basic transportation. No frills and definitely not new. Honor your kids by allowing them to earn their own personal ride as a reward once they nail down a decent job.

Something with side airbags. I like Corolla, Camry, Accord. Safety and reliability are essential for young ones.

Safety and reliability
volvo 240 post 90 they have abs and a bag for the driver
plus it is rwd

For my Daughter, (27 getting her PHD in Neurology at Emory U.) I just got her a 2010 Toyota Corolla A few months ago, as her 2003 Neon was on the way out. Se is not making enough yet, so I needed to help her out. This is the last car I will buy her, as it should last until she has her shingle. For my Son, (23 and in his last year at RIT for mechanical Engineering) who knows how to fix his own car, we picked up a 85' Mercedes 300D with turbo and 5 speed. Since he is here and can use the shop this is a great car for him.

you left off the following choices:

1. safest beater in sound mechanical condition that parents can afford

2. no car at all - why would the 21 y.o. need one? but reward the nursing rotation younger one

Bicycle.

Speedy:)

Good points. Safety was the paramount decision in going with the 06 Sonata that we bought for $11K in Aug of 2009.

The new cars seem to be a good value - almost the same price as used. If I were buing for me I would want the virgin car - but it does seem a bit pampering.

The 21 yo drives home on occasion and to her part time job - but all in flat/ bike friendly San Jose. Not a neccesity.

My parents direction on this.

"You want a car?"

Yes

"Good, get a job and learn what it takes to be responsible."

Been kickin' ar$e and takin names on my own since 1999.

I agree with safety and reliability. I'd also consider a AAA membership for the daughters. You might insist that they learn car care basics too, which enhances safety aspects, and learn how to jump start a dead battery.

$16000 seems like a lot. My parents got me an old 3 series for I think it was $3800. It did need some fixing up along the way so I guess maybe it evens out, but still that seems like a lot of money on a bland piece of plastic used for getting from point a to point b and which is not necessary. I had to drive 20 miles over hilly terrain to high school since the day I got my license, then used it in college. If you're gonna spend that much, spend it on the one who needs it.

Let the 21yo keep the Sonata and buy a new corolla to use for the family and the 19 yo. If the 21yo complains about the "gift", then she can always take the train. ;) An 06 Sonata is plenty of "gift". I'd rather keep money in the bank for later, in case the "unsure career-path" needs your help. More important than wheels, IMHO.

G

this is my daily!

^G money has it^

Do the timing belt and the water pump, whatever it is you do for those things on the Sonata maybe

I'd also go with letting the 21 yo keep the Sonata. Tell her it has been a good reliable car and has acquired her characteristic "patina." Any one of these cars you mentioned would be good, but I'd go for the close out Corolla for the 19 yo. She sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders, but I'm sure they'll both turn out great.

Excellent, no need to read further (but I'm sure you've received some great advice)....

Rinse, lather, repeat (for the 2nd daughter)...

ps: I'd vote "no" to a new car...treat 'em the same.

Az911 has it right.
We helped our kids out by getting our son an Accord when he went away to school. I was willing to stretch the budget since he helped us by getting an academic scholarship and the baseball team helped with room and board. I told him it had to last all the way thru school (it had 156k on it when we bought it) and he made it last. He's out of school now and off and running with a good job (mech eng'r) and recently bought himself a new Dodge Ram to help with his home improvement projects.
Our daughter wanted an Accord too, but the first one we bought didn't work out for her so we looked and found a second one which turned to be a former certified used car. PO kept it as clean as I keep my own. She paid for it while going to school. Now she's off on her own and recently we found a Honda Civic certified used w/10k miles on it for her. She's paying it off and keeps it up beautifully.
If you're buying used, find a certified car since they have extended warranties that sure beat new ones.
It's also been my experience that kids who have to invest some of their sweat equity in the car tend to take driving them and keeping them nice a little more seriously than the ones that are just 'given' a car.
YMMV.