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Suggestions on a smaller vehicle for new driver

frank c said:
My friend likes the Yaris. She's on her third, she gave the first two to her kids and they're still driving them. No major issues with any of them.
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I drove one once and thought it was a deathtrap. Felt safer in a Geo Metro :homer:
 
I've had awesome luck with focuses, just make sure you don't get one with the dct transmission. I think they're called the power shift.

What kinda climate? Do you need awd?

Mazda3, the newer ones, can be had with awd.
 
Honda CRV post 2016. The touring and EX models came with the Honda Sensing which is all the safety stuff we cant stand but I will say is well worth it for younger drivers. I've had a few of the CRV and Pilot with zero complaints. They will be touching you $20k limit.
 
Honda Civic. Whatever flavor you want. I'd say buy a stick shift but whatever.

Dumb easy to work on, reliable and will take a beating and come back for more. Mines got 295k, gets 25-30mpg and still has the original clutch. My previous, a 2010 auto, I DD'd for a while, then my wife drove it and did wife stuff (hit all kinds of shit), sold it to her cousin who did college girl stuff (hit more shit) and she still has it today... Brakes, oil changes and tires is all its needed.
 
Slander said:
Can't go wrong with a Camry or carolla
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Certainly on the list of options


Motorcharge said:
3rd gen Rav4. Not as gutless as the newer ones. Reliable, great in rain and snow. Plenty of room. Ex had one, I was surprised how well I fit in it and liked it a lot more than I would have expected.
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SomeGuy said:
Lots of older Rav recommendations...had a 3rd gen (2006-2012 - mine was an 08) with the mighty v6 and it's not just quick for an SUV, it's quick for any vehicle, with a mid 6 second 0-60 time. Loved it, but got written off by someone blowing through a stop sign.

Honestly, any Toyota hybrid is where it's going to be at....there's nothing better as safe, reliable, fuel efficient daily drivers.
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Lots of Rav4 recommendations, anything to avoid in the newer models?

I've heard the V6s were quick, friends used to drive one. I'm torn, I would like something quick when I am behind the wheel, but for her, I need enough get up and go to get out of a tight spot but not enough she'll be inclined to drive it like a sports car.


72blazer said:
In the same boat. My daughter is currently alternating between my 08 single cab duramax and 2018 wrangler. Her bday is coming up and I’d like to find her something reliable but used that I won’t mind her beating up. Her daily commute is maybe 10 miles to school. I’d like a manual for her but not a deal breaker. AC definitely needed. She’s actually a pretty decent driver [knock on wood].

What I’ve considered:
2014ish Focus
2010-2015 Civic/ accord
TJ or JK in 2 door

She wants a squarebody but just not a mpg smart decision.

Short term goal is getting her something to beat up as needed by a female teen driver. Long term goal would be passing it down to my younger daughter and getting the older one a newerish car with warranty as a grad gift.
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I'll have to think of it as you view it - I'm thinking a bit in reverse, getting something for her that can run thru college now and I suppose hop it makes it that long:lmao: When she graduates, the younger one will be ready for a car of her own. I suppose I should get used to driving the shitbox until this is all over....


rockota said:
Check with insurance before buying a Kia. My buddy bought a Seoul for his daughter and insurance is killing him… something like $700/month with USAA. Tried to move companies, but state farm told him they are not writing any new policies on Kia’s….

Anecdotal…
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Good advice. Re: Kia, is this due to the number stolen? Certainly insurance will be a killer.

arse_sidewards said:
If your crotchfruit is the kind of driver who "just doesn't get it" and pisses off everyone around them get her a 'burb or whatever big SUV you fancy so she's less likely to get run off the road.

She gonna be dead an "oops there's my exit" turns into a barrel roll though.
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Just starting with lessons, so we'll learn what type of driver she is. I've only been through the neighborhood with her and so far so good. If she's inherited my patience, we are all in trouble.


arse_sidewards said:
5spd late teens early 2020s Mistbuishi Mirage. Pretty much all of them are 4dr hatch. $15k on down from the used car lots (so like 10k private party). They're basically a 3rd world car that Mitsu slaps a backup camera in and imports. Stupid cheap, stupid simple, no major achillies heels.

It's basically a modern Pontiac Vibe.
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Will see if I can find one to look at around here - don 't see too many Mitsubishis on the road around here.


Sceep said:
Subaru.

Both my kids totaled theirs with 0 injuries. (1 rollover, one head on collision)
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Had an outback as a rental when visiting my in-laws in your neck of the woods a few years back. If I remember it drove well. Outback, Forester?

Steve300xcw said:
I'd round up a crew cab tacoma or 4runner
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Honestly, I would like to look at 4runners


Ummduh said:
I've had awesome luck with focuses, just make sure you don't get one with the dct transmission. I think they're called the power shift.

What kinda climate? Do you need awd?

Mazda3, the newer ones, can be had with awd.
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Good call, we are in the Indianapolis area, so snow and ice are a concern. I'm leaning towards AWD. Looked at a few older focuses but have not climbed into one.

Bigstic said:
Honda CRV post 2016. The touring and EX models came with the Honda Sensing which is all the safety stuff we cant stand but I will say is well worth it for younger drivers. I've had a few of the CRV and Pilot with zero complaints. They will be touching you $20k limit.
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Wife likes the look of the HRV and CRV and those are high on her list.


westracing01 said:
Honda Civic. Whatever flavor you want. I'd say buy a stick shift but whatever.

Dumb easy to work on, reliable and will take a beating and come back for more. Mines got 295k, gets 25-30mpg and still has the original clutch. My previous, a 2010 auto, I DD'd for a while, then my wife drove it and did wife stuff (hit all kinds of shit), sold it to her cousin who did college girl stuff (hit more shit) and she still has it today... Brakes, oil changes and tires is all its needed.
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Had a 2001 Civic EX with the 5 speed back in my younger days - loved driving that thing, almost like driving a go kart. This might be on the smaller side of what I am after but need to sit in a newer one.

Steve300xcw said:
Can you really put a price on your daughters safety?:flipoff2:
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That's a fair statement regarding the size of the vehicle - trying to keep with later model years to have the modern safety equipment




Any input on the Ford Escape/Bronco Sports? Looked at a few on the local dealer's lot and the look decent. I'm a bit sceptical of a 3 cylinder engine but have never been in one/driven one.
 
YJBrian said:
Had an outback as a rental when visiting my in-laws in your neck of the woods a few years back. If I remember it drove well. Outback, Forester?
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Both were outback wagons.
Absolutely would put my wife or kids in one again. Youngest just bought himself a forester. He likes it so far.
 
YJBrian said:
Any input on the Ford Escape/Bronco Sports? Looked at a few on the local dealer's lot and the look decent. I'm a bit sceptical of a 3 cylinder engine but have never been in one/driven one.
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My chick has a bronco sport, its nice i like it, only gets 20mpg tho

back seat is pretty small if that matters to you, other than that she hasnt had it long enough to tell you if its reliable
 
Parents have a current rav4 hybrid XLE....it's, okish for get up and go. Not like the old v6 (which I had and they had before too) but it's still a couple hundred hp and perfectly fine. I have a 2016 Lexus NX which is the same thing as a Rav4 under the skin, but at least has some better engine options with a bit more power if you wanted to spend a bit more. I don't know of any common problems on the current ones.

If you're really lucky, find a Rav4 Prime....they are hard to get, the most expensive ravs, but 300hp and being plug in hybrid get insanely good mileage.
 
Slander said:
Can't go wrong with a Camry or carolla
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Agreed.
I bought our daughter a ‘09 Camry with about 110k on it a year ago and it’s been great. I overpaid a bit for it but it legitimately smelled like a grandma car and was clean as new. It’s nice to drive.
 
Buddy who has the Kia texted me - traded it in on a Mazda
 
Crown vic- mercury grand marquis. Fuel mileage is fine they are tough and safe.
Rav 4 is also a good choice, but not as safe in my opinion.
Would definitely suggest you make her have some skin in the purchase of the vehicle. Kids who get given vehicles don't seem to appreciate or take care of them as well as ones who have sweat equity in their vehicles.
 
We like our 17 RAV. It’s plenty quick for what it is but for a kid’s car that’s the last item on the checklist.

Crown Vic?
 
YJBrian said:
Any input on the Ford Escape/Bronco Sports? Looked at a few on the local dealer's lot and the look decent. I'm a bit sceptical of a 3 cylinder engine but have never been in one/driven one.
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You can get a newer Escape with a 4 cylinder. Just the 1.5 was 3 cylinder.
Picked up a 2015 Escape with the 1.6 four cylinder for my kid when she goes off to college after the first of the year. So far, no complaints.
It is replacing a 2008 Escape.

Son had a 2005 Mazda Tribute (same thing as an Escape or Mercury Mariner).
Both the 2008 and 2005 had the 3.0 v6. Both in that era could be had with 4 cylinders. They were both decent sized vehicles with good visibility (big windows with minimal blind spots/obstructions). The 2008 had side airbags as well.

I really like the early (2013-2015) Mazda cx-5 with the 2.5 4 cylinder. It has a regular 6 speed auto (no CVT shit). Wife has a 2017 Nissan Rogue with the CVT…always has shifted kinda funky. Do not recommend the Rogue.
 
I have put 150k (350k total) on an 07 camry, combined me and my siblings have put close to 500k on 07+ Camrys. They are simple, parts are available and cheap, if you don't expect the traction control to do more than one thing (I'm not sure any Toyota can do this) they work good in shitty weather, and from 07 to 2020ish they are pretty much the same car so buy whatever hybrid or V6 you find in that range. Figure she will kill it so as long as it has less than 250k it will last until it gets totaled.
 
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