Best College Car?

wei said:
just get something that runs well. nevermind how good it looks, etc. i've found by experience and reading from other people's experience that nice cars don't survive in school parking lots. i know it's hard if you're a car person and you want to drive something nice, but that nice car could get banged up, keyed, etc. from jealous types and people that don't care. wait til after college to get a car you care about.
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14 door dings on the passenger side and counting. And I park in corner spots and pull as far to the wall as I can, but people view that extra space as easier parking and nothing more, just today some Wrangler was three feet over the yellow line into my parking spot. :angry
 
Unless you take girls on dates, take the worst POS you can find. Trust me, I'm finishing up my last semester, every day I park my car around here I fear what damage may be done when I come back.
 
Suprchargd said:
14 door dings on the passenger side and counting. And I park in corner spots and pull as far to the wall as I can, but people view that extra space as easier parking and nothing more, just today some Wrangler was three feet over the yellow line into my parking spot. :angry
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Ahhhh that makes me furious. I have been very lucky so far, knock on wood, with not getting any dings. Each time I come to my car I PRAY there will be nothing on my door!



I even see (females) getting out of their cars and parking so close that they cant even get out of the car, literally. They open their door nice and fast and the unlucky victim gets a nice ding.
 
best car? something a decent size, which means no big sedans or obviously grossly big vehicles like large pickups and SUVs. It's hard to get around in something so big (especially when you're the only one driving a car that covers a few acres)... and parking will be inconvenient because in many spots you won't be fully in the spot (pissing off other drivers who now have to compensate for a car partially blocking their path...).
 
Spam links deleted. While I encourage pointing out and ridiculing spammers, please don't quote their posts . . . it just spreads the spammy badness if you include their links in your post.



Thanks! -- Tort



:welcome :beware :rules: :nomore: :sadwavey:
 
Anyone know anything good or bad about the H6 Subaru Outbacks? Sedan or Wagon...a 2002. Do those engines run forever like the 2.5L? I went on a bunch of websites to check them out but people leave ridiculous comments so i really can't tell how they are. I know it requires premium fuel which can be expensive but I would be able to find one in an auction for under 10,000 with like 80,000 miles on it. Let me know!

Thanks

Nick
 
03Ltd.Windstar- Can't help with the specific Subie Q, but I'd be very careful buying at an auction unless you really *know* the vehicle in question. Generally, good used cars don't end up at auto auctions ;) I'd hate for you to end up with one of the few troublesome Subarus (like one of mine :o ) and IMO those are the ones that are most likely to be auctioned.



Oh, personal opinion: Outback sedan = answer in search of question ;)
 
IMO the most bulletproof car you can buy for college is a 95-99 Nissan Maxima. Awesome engine, reliable transmission, decent trunk space, spacious interior. And it'll cost you around $5-8k for one in good condition. There was one 99 locally at a dealership with like 60000 miles, 5-speed, he wanted $8k but I'm sure you could get it for like 6. Heres a pic in case your not familiar with the car:



140608_287_full.jpg
 
03Ltd.Windstar said:
Anyone know anything good or bad about the H6 Subaru Outbacks? Sedan or Wagon...a 2002. Do those engines run forever like the 2.5L? I went on a bunch of websites to check them out but people leave ridiculous comments so i really can't tell how they are. I know it requires premium fuel which can be expensive but I would be able to find one in an auction for under 10,000 with like 80,000 miles on it. Let me know!

Thanks

Nick
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Haven't heard much about reliability, but I know they're a bit low on power/torque despite decent numbers. Personally I don't like the looks of most wagons, so I would choose the Outback sedan even though it lacks some practicality.



FWIW:

H6 engine reliability question - Outback Forum - NASIOC

Subdriven: Reliability of Subaru H6 vs. 4-cylinder--any info?
 
USED Compact Extended Cab Pick up Truck





1. Cab be bought Cheap

2. Great gas Mileage with Manual, no carpet and just AC

3. Easy to care and keep clean

4. Will last forever and a day
 
Well today I got an unexpected phonecall from a really close family friend today....she is thinking of selling her 99 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 with 140,000 miles. Its pretty much all highway miles and it is literally in MINT condition inside and out...the leather on the seats doesn't even have cracks or discoloration and the steering wheel leather is perfect...both are very common cosmetic issues on these. This just shows how good she has kept up on it. I know gas will SUCK but i won't be paying more than $5,000 for it, if even that. It would make a perfect college car, it looks great (salsa red clear coat is the name of the paint) has the black leather interior which i just love and it runs like new. I know how horrible the reliabilty is on them and I know that if something breaks it will probably be really expensive to fix but it seems too good to pass up....any thoughts?

Thanks Nick
 
03Ltd.Windstar said:
Well today I got an unexpected phonecall from a really close family friend today....she is thinking of selling her 99 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 with 140,000 miles. Its pretty much all highway miles and it is literally in MINT condition inside and out...the leather on the seats doesn't even have cracks or discoloration and the steering wheel leather is perfect...both are very common cosmetic issues on these. This just shows how good she has kept up on it. I know gas will SUCK but i won't be paying more than $5,000 for it, if even that. It would make a perfect college car, it looks great (salsa red clear coat is the name of the paint) has the black leather interior which i just love and it runs like new. I know how horrible the reliabilty is on them and I know that if something breaks it will probably be really expensive to fix but it seems too good to pass up....any thoughts?

Thanks Nick
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I'd say you've got everything down pat. With so many miles on such a notoriously unreliable be really careful to make sure everything is in perfect mechanical order. I would otherwise say pass on this one, but the identity of the seller changes everything...if you know it's all perfect, go for it. My dad had one of these--it's a nice car...and even though that engine gets gallons to the mile, it has mountains of torque.
 
Despite the unreliability and bad gas mileage, the repairs (if any) will be pretty damn cheap compared to Japanese and German cars. I wouldn't really hesitate too much since you know the seller, thats a big plus when shopping for a car since it lets you know a bit about the general care(or neglect) the car has received.
 
Japanese cars are not expensive to repair. Basically when school is in session I fill it up with gas and change the oil. I've had two things break unexpectedly: wheel barring, radiator. Everything else I could put off until I had a break(which amounts to: brakes, transmission fluid change, tires). It's always started right up, even in -20 degree weather. Sure, at 130,000 miles the heater never really gets hot anymore, and it's not the nicest car in the lot, but it's damn near bullet proof.



All of my courses this semester have exam make-up policies that require a valid medical excuse. No other excuses are acceptable. It's nice to drive a Honda with this lovely, heartless tidbit in mind.



That Jeep has a center diff along with varilock axles. Who knows how long those last and how pricey those are to repair. Also, aren't they full time 4wd? Talk about unnecessary wear on...everything. And I've heard they eat brakes just as much as they eat gas. I mean, it's a great car if you want to be like every other American and just consume everything in sight. You can probably get cheap brakes and tires from China these days, anyway.
 
Yeah its Full Time...THe Quadra Drive setup. Yeah I know about the **** axles and transfer cases on these things and the harsh transmissions. The brake issue was resolved when they put the updated brake kit on a few years back with the TSB that came out...so i don't have tpo worry about that....just everything else...lol I'll let you know if it all works out...Thanks!
 
I too am a freshman in collage and commute about the same as what you mentioned (30-40 mins, highway/back roads). Since no has mentioned it, i have a dodge neon (srt-4) has almost 70,000 and i have not had a issue with it. I get about 25 mpg, cost me about 20 bucks to fill up using premium fuel and I fill up about 3 times a week. Looks great and is a blast to drive. When money is tight, i take my ford aspire, that get 40 mpg and i have not had an issue with that either (almost 200,000 miles on it). It is not nearly as fun to drive but it serves its purpose of being cheep.
 
Consumer Reports gives the 99 JGC a black circle overall (much worse than average)



I discount them quite a bit as far as new car ratings, but these are just the reliability numbers.



The main trouble spots are Transmission, Drive System, Brakes, and power equipment.



Knowing the previous owner is good in the sense you know how it was maintained, but it's also risky doing business with family/friends..if something should go wrong..you could risk cordial relations



CR's list of under $6K reliable vehicles have the usual Corollas and Civics. Plus Mustang V6 (98), Ford Ranger/Mazda B series 2WD (98-00), Nissan Altima, Sentra, Frontier 4cyls (98), Saturn SL/SW 98, 99, 01) Hyundai Accent (03), Subaru Legacy (98)
 
03Ltd.Windstar- You've received good opinions from both sides of the fence..guess you'll have to decide how lucky you feel. A few sorta-random thoughts follow:



Some reputedly unreliable vehicles can be fine-my '00 Blazer is a CR black circle/"DON'T BUY" but its occasional needs have been cheaply and conveniently attended to and I'm happy with the ownership experience. But then again I'm retired (little pressure about getting places on time) and have a scad of different vehicles to choose from if one breaks down.



As sspeer pointed out, buying from family/friends can be problematic. I've had *very* few situtaions like that turn out happily for all involved and a *lot* of them turn out badly. I hope its current owner doesn't really care what you end up doing...no hard feelings if you pass on it or if you find the need to get rid of it after a little while (how much would you get if you traded it for something?).



A $5,000 bargain that eats up another $3,000 in short order isn't much of a bargain. What's your local Jeep dealer like...the only decent-reputation one around me is too far away for me to deal with for a daily driver.



OTOH, a vehicle that you like can be worth putting up with some inconvenience and expense.



I'd probably spend too much time detailing something like that...the red paint would bug me if it weren't in really well-detailed condition.



FWIW, of the stuff sspeer mentioned from the CR list, I'd choose the Subaru and I'd take that over the JGC. I had an Outback of that general vintage and other than won't-happen-to-you problems it was a good daily driver. I bought it when I needed to concentrate on something other than the cars for a while and it was good for that; sounds a little like your situation.
 
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