Best College Car?

03Ltd.Windstar · 02-11-07, 10:39

Well I don't usually post here often but i'm having much difficulty getting a decent answer to this question!

I'm a soon-to-be 19yo freshman in college (the fall) and am trying to narrow down the right car for my daily commute (about 20-30 minutes half highway, half city travel with some hills in between). I had an 04 Elantra GT auto but ended up selling it because of reoccuring rear brake issues that no dealer could seem to resolve. I absolutly loved that car with the exception of the acceleration from the 138 hp 4 banger. I sold the car back in June and ever since have been using my parents Windstar (hence the name) as my to school and back vehicle. I'm worried that after driving the van being high up and having the availabilty of a torque happy V6 no car that I am looking at will be good enough for me! I have narrowed it down to these choices:
-04-?? Jaguar X-Type 3.0L (AWD for these lovely Northeast winters which is a strong selling point for me)
-06-07 VW Jetta GLi w/DSG auto/man
-07 Mazda 3s Grand Touring Auto
-OR my uncles 04 Mazda 6s auto with the V6 and everything minus the sunroof, which is the one thing I REALLY want in a car.

The Mazda 6, i know would probably be the most practical since it doesn't use premium fuel, has traction control etc for the winters, and has been very well maintained, I just don't know if thats what i REALLY want (its that blah color green too)

I know i'm picky, but when i'm spending as much money as I will be I want to make sure i'm making the best option possible!
Any advice/suggestions etc are greatly appreciated!!!!
Nick

Kenney · 02-11-07, 11:19

Well, you might not like my advice, but I would just get a beater and invest the cash for later in life. I have a WRX and am in college, and if I had to redo it, I would have done that.

themightytimmah · 02-12-07, 01:24

Take the Mazda6 and pocket the rest of the cash.

STG · 02-12-07, 01:55

The best college car is a 1962 Lincoln Continental. You will join a fraternity, your nickname will be Flounder. Since you have the nicest car, you will chauffeur your brothers around while they drink and puke in the back seat.

Ultimately, your car will be modified into a combination parade float and Deathmobile.

RTexasF · 02-12-07, 06:53

The Jag is a sure way to be on a first name basis with the local dealer due to problems. Although VW is improving they still have far too many issues to deal with. My choice, providing someone else was paying for it, would be the Mazda 3.

BoxsterCharlie · 02-12-07, 07:19

I'd go for the Mazda 3, no contest.

sspeer · 02-12-07, 07:49

How long are you going to be keeping this car? If you're going to get rid of it in a couple years, used is the way to go..especially if you put alot of miles on it. Last thing you need out of college is to be upside down on a car loan (on top of school loans ugh)

Of the choices..I'd say the Mazda3. but I'd opt for one that's 2 years old.

I'd also consider the new Elantra..they look pretty nice, and have a gutsier engine..but only if you're planning on keeping it 4 or more years..

klnyc · 02-12-07, 07:55

Toyota Yuri?
what? 65mpg?

sneek · 02-12-07, 08:19

:P of course a Gen 7 Accord.

Mazda 3's are no good because of that door problem. Unless you get a brand new.

The ^^ Toyota yaris is a pretty slow car, and I don't think it gets 65mpg.
I think a used EL or Civic is a good way to go, or maybe even a Focus.

wei · 02-12-07, 08:26

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.

Titania · 02-12-07, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenney

Well, you might not like my advice, but I would just get a beater and invest the cash for later in life. I have a WRX and am in college, and if I had to redo it, I would have done that.

This is really the right answer. Since you live in the northeast, I'd suggest maybe a used Legacy or Impreza. A Camry and some snow tires would work, as well.

Cars get trashed when you're in school, either by your friends or by other stupid people around you. You'd be much better off saving your money now for those school bills you'll be paying off when you graduate.

MiataPaul · 02-12-07, 09:36

Any chance you can keep the Windstar? They are about perfect for moving in and out of the dorms, and hauling large groups of coeds around! Imagine the float you could make out of the Windstar. I would say get what ever is cheapest. I really don't think gas mileage is as important as cost of entry for a typical collage student. I always look for cars with character but without much loss in reliability. The only thing on your list that has any character would be the Jetta or the Jag. The Jag would be miserable for a collage student as they are going to be maintenance heavy. Perhaps a Subaru Impreza would be good, fun to drive all wheel drive and reliable to a fault (not the WRX). Also if snow is a concern then the Subaru would be a first choice as from my experience they are unequaled by ANY vehicle. You might want to look at the older Legacies also (2.2L). I would be far more interested in spending money else ware than a car in college. Social actives and books and classes are way more important. For me beer is even more so, but of course you have 2 years before you can do that! (no college student has ever been known to drink beer before they are 21)

But what do I know I drove a series of British cars while in collage. I rebuilt my SU carburettors on my desk in the dormitory for my MG Midget while I was in school.

My final word on the Ultimate College care would have to be a Mazda Miata (1992-1998) They are reliable, more fun to drive than anything under $50,000 reasonably safe (better safety ratings than Hyundais of the same era) as they are slow enough to keep you out of trouble, and with snow tires very good to excellent in the snow, unless it gets too deep. I have driven mine in 18 inches of fresh snow where I was the first one on the road and had to plow myself out went like mad. (left 5 inches for the others to deal with!) Of course you can tell my user name I am biased. You can get one really cheap and cheap to insure. They normally will drive like new until they have around 200,000 to 250,000 miles on them. I used to drive 150 miles a day on mine, it was a joy coming out of work and looking at the Miata thinking I get to really decompress on the way home.

I would suggest to buy what ever you can without a payment. Having a payment while in college does not make sense to me. You have plenty of time for that after graduation. If you have to work full time just to make a car payment you will miss out on a lot as College life is a lot more than just going to classes. Also it helps to keep your options open, like moving on to campus or transferring schools away from home. As far as my daughters go one went with a VW Jetta and the other one went with a Nissan Sentra. The Jetta was a hand me down from me and it was around 12 years old and had around 275,000 miles on it. The Nissan was also around 10 years old and had a 4 speed manual, no power steering or power brakes and both got through school no problem.