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Looking For a Car for Our 17 Year Old Granddaughter

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AngliaGT

AngliaGT

Great Pumpkin
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She'll be paying for most of/all of it.
I'm having a tough time,when I see the prices/-
miles on the ones for sale.Also not sure what cars
are reliable & affordable to run.
Also torn between what I'd buy,versus what
she'd be willing to take.
 
I would.

1. wait a year
2. ask around your church and or organization with seniors
3. look for Hyundai/ Kia/ Toyota/ Nissan/ Honda
4. My mother loves her Versa (though there are known CVT transmission issues - and I loved my Kia Soul)
 
JPSmit said:
I would.

1. wait a year
2. ask around your church and or organization with seniors
3. look for Hyundai/ Kia/ Toyota/ Nissan/ Honda
4. My mother loves her Versa (though there are known CVT transmission issues - and I loved my Kia Soul)
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You ghoul, you.
 
So, something reliable and easy to work on. She needs to be able to change the oil and do basic maintenance without too much hassle.

For my daughter, who's only 13 but I expect will be 16 one day, I bought a 94 Jeep. It has a utilitarian four cylinder that everything is easily accessible on. It has EFI, and electronic ignition by that's where its 'brains' end. Everything about the car is simple, so even my daughter, who is not mechanically inclined has no problems with it. The big plus is that she really likes it and doesn't care that 65mph is fast in it.
 
Have you seen the crazy prices on used Jeeps? As for a Miata,
aside from also going way up in price,I don't think a convertible would
be a wise choice.
The idea of waiting a year sounds like a wise decision,unless
something happen to fall into our lap.
The perfect vehicle for her would be an older 4 cylinder Camry
or Corolla,but are hard to find here without rust or lots of miles.
 
My daughter-in-law had a mini for about 6 years and loved it, my son thought it was getting to old and bought her a new one and she loves it even more! Easy parking, easy on gas and very comfortable for a small car. Of course my son made sure it had all the bells and whistles for her. Very solid car. I don't think their British anymore, probably BMW? PJ
 
Grantura_MKI said:
How about a newer Mini/BMW?
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Mrs JP has a Mini which she loves but my Kia was more reliable and parts were 1/2-2/3 cheaper. The mini has also had things like replacing a rad at 100k miles and a perpetually leaking cylinder head. That said it is an absolute hoot to drive.
 
What is her passion? Does she want a”twist-n-go”, as the scooter world says, or does she want something with soul? If the latter, how does she define “soul”? Is a car that might have issues ok? (Does she pay attention to noises and fluid levels, etc.? It’s ok if she does not - on this forum we gearheads by definition, but I totally respect that others prefer to listen to a great piece of music or read a book instead of busting knuckles.)

Last generation Impalas are supposed to be quite nice. Hondayaiyotaias are always good in the “twist-n-go” category.

And everything is expensive. A year ago I sold a twelve year old car with 200k (and original clutch) for 20% off what I paid for it new. I had cash in hand in less than four hours after posting on Craigslist.
 
I've known of this '85 Celica GT automatic. Clean & rust free for $2700 asking price.
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Told Mitsy when the Benz got to the point when the A/C went out (she had to "dress up" for work), she could get any used car she wanted... as long as it was Grandma's Camry. Took a couple months of patience but she found the '02 and it's been quite a good car.

If that Celica is reasonably rust free, the thing could be a bargain.
 
She's real mechanicly inclined,but will be taught how to
change a tire,change/check the oil.The car will also be in
our name & we'll have control over it.
 
Doug - why not just ask her what kind of car she'd like? Take her to dealer lots, car shows, even "cruise" through online ads, and see how she reacts.

PS - amazing to me that a 1985 car is plated as "Antique Vehicle". eek.
 
DrEntropy said:
Told Mitsy when the Benz got to the point when the A/C went out (she had to "dress up" for work), she could get any used car she wanted... as long as it was Grandma's Camry. Took a couple months of patience but she found the '02 and it's been quite a good car.

If that Celica is reasonably rust free, the thing could be a bargain.
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I'm with Doc here. Celicas are great cars with plenty of "cute" factor, and that one appears worthy.
 
Grantura_MKI said:
Sure she would like your Miata!!
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She actually likes the Jeep much more than the Miata. She'd rather go off trail than on a track.


My grandmother had a Camry, my God, it was the most boring vehicle I have ever sat behind the wheel of. I can't think of a worse punishment than to have to drive one on a daily basis.
 
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The reason for considering a Camry is that they're (4 cylinder) utterly reliable.
I think this Celica is much cooler,& don't see how it would go down in value (in the-
near future).
Lilly (our Granddaughter saw the pictures,& said she likes it.I told her we still
need to go see it & drive it.
 
waltesefalcon said:
My grandmother had a Camry, my God, it was the most boring vehicle I have ever sat behind the wheel of. I can't think of a worse punishment than to have to drive one on a daily basis.
Click to expand...
Yep - precisely the reason why it is so popular. Not for you or me (the same for many here), but reliable and gets you from point a to b quietly and safely.
 
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