[LiteraryLark]

I am looking to purchase my first car come May. I am a college student and I'm working hard to save up (as an impulse shopper I've never had a realistic goal to save money) for a down payment for a new or "like new" used car.

I currently drive a '05 Mitsubishi Montero Sport which is a hand-me-down from my dad. I love love love SUVs, but after I went on a camping trip where I carpooled in a Subaru station wagon, I'm looking into buying a Subaru.

Do you have any advice on what to look for in a first car? What cars do you drive now and what do you like/dislike about your cars? Include a pic if you can.

[Timgt5]

If you like camping Subaru is a good choice, my wife just bought a 2015 Forester and is enjoying it so far. Subarus come with All Wheel Drive as a standard feature (except for the BRZ sports car) and theirs is one of the very best systems on the market. Optional on Forester and Outback is something called "X Mode" which gives a bit of extra traction on tough surfaces, there are some demos you can look up on youtube of this tech, but its quite impressive what it can do. It also stands to mention that Subarus score very well in crash tests, so definitely safe there.

Whatever you look at make sure you do a through test drive, and compare thoroughly, take your time, do not let sales folk pressure you, its your money. Your test drive should be at least 30 mins, some dealerships will even offer to let you have the car for night to see how you would like it in your environment.

[Webgoji]

Subaru's are awesome. Great combination of utility, grip and power. They do tend to drink a little more gasoline than their competitors though (or at least they used to).

Personally I own a 2001 Chevy S-10 small pickup. 2-wheel drive with unlimited slip differential and a banging 2.2 liter engine. Yup, a bottle of soda pop has as much displacement as my motor.

But, I have 118,000 miles on it, it's towed 2 vehicles including at Dodge Durango and moved 5 houses full of stuff (couches, beds, curio cabinets, etc). I can't complain one bit.

This is what it would look like just in fire-engine red.

[jnone]

Subaru and a monte carlo

[Travelinglady]

I drive a Ford Fusion. My older son selected a sporty Lincoln and now regrets it because it's a gas guzzler. I think if you go with a SUV, then a small one like a Forester would be great.

It's a good idea to take someone a bit intimidating along with you, preferably an older man (your dad, if you two get along and see eye to eye about this matter). Otherwise, you might fall into the hands of a patronizing, sneaky salesman. As was said, don't be rushed. Don't act all googly-eyed over a vehicle, but act a bit non-chalant even though you feel like you can't live without it. Also, the salesperson will try to get you to buy all sorts of extra features you might not want.

Yes, do your research first! You are wise to be asking folks here.

Yea--your first vehicle!

[gayleggg]

I drive a Chevy Cruze. I really have not been real thrilled with it. It doesn't get the gas mileage I had hoped. I had really wanted a Camero and should have gone ahead and gotten one of those, then I would only have to worry about getting in and out of it.

I have a Ford Ranger but it just sits in the driveway. Not allowed to drive anymore.

[jnone]

Originally Posted by jnone

Subaru and a monte carlo

2004 Subaru STI
2004 Subaru Forester (Wife's)
1998 Monte Carlo daily driver



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I take the shoe-leather local!

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Very fond of a Henry as spares/servicing inexpensive - my second-hand Mondeo estate (station wagon it might be in the American dialect) has done me proud for the money. Fiesta is main car - Britain's most popular and v good nearly new prices as Ford tries to keep its top market position by registering its own cars and then selling them later.

I drive an Audi A4. It goes through oil like crazy.

[Crew]

1991 Honda Accord, with passenger seat removed and hand Controls.