Can anyone recommend a good used car for a college student?

[kelsey]

He wants automatic lol.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by MCPOAJ

lol considering even a 2.2l balt manual could beat a 2000 V-6 Stang and get better gas milage and not be like ever other fast mustang wanna be trust me there's about 5 V-6 stangs for every 1 2.2,2.4,2.0sc/tc in my town and it's the same everywhere i've been and btw every girl want's a mustang even if they say they don't they do on the inside

Hmmmm. Really?
I've never accused 99-04 V6 powered Mustangs of being fast by any means, but a manual transmission backed version will run in the low 15's with relative ease and they have just barely broken into the 14's with some minor, weight reduction tricks (remove rear seat, jack, lower tire pressue)

But to be completely honest, for the money this guy has to spend I genuinely cannot think of a better car than the SVT Focus. The Cobalt SS did come to mind, but I have never seen one that cheap with the kind of miles a 6k dollar SVT Focus will have. V6 Camaro's and Mustang's frankly just aren't as good or as practical when it comes to being an everyday car, and neither will handle on anything like the same plane.

[MCPOAJ]

Originally Posted by syr74

Hmmmm. Really?
I've never accused 99-04 V6 powered Mustangs of being fast by any means, but a manual transmission backed version will run in the low 15's with relative ease and they have just barely broken into the 14's with some minor, weight reduction tricks (remove rear seat, jack, lower tire pressue)

But to be completely honest, for the money this guy has to spend I genuinely cannot think of a better car than the SVT Focus. The Cobalt SS did come to mind, but I have never seen one that cheap with the kind of miles a 6k dollar SVT Focus will have. V6 Camaro's and Mustang's frankly just aren't as good or as practical when it comes to being an everyday car, and neither will handle on anything like the same plane.

he could but i would seriously recomend what ever he get's he gets manual so it at least feels fast lol

[kelsey]

Originally Posted by syr74

Hmmmm. Really?
I've never accused 99-04 V6 powered Mustangs of being fast by any means, but a manual transmission backed version will run in the low 15's with relative ease and they have just barely broken into the 14's with some minor, weight reduction tricks (remove rear seat, jack, lower tire pressue)

But to be completely honest, for the money this guy has to spend I genuinely cannot think of a better car than the SVT Focus. The Cobalt SS did come to mind, but I have never seen one that cheap with the kind of miles a 6k dollar SVT Focus will have. V6 Camaro's and Mustang's frankly just aren't as good or as practical when it comes to being an everyday car, and neither will handle on anything like the same plane.

I haven't seen one automatic SVT Focus yet, and I've been doing a lot of looking.

How's this deal look? http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

[Kelso]

when i first got my v6 camaro i thought it was fast cus its a standard lol.

[The_Blur]

I loved my Cobalt. It's a reliable car with an engine that has endured some history of use and development. The coupe is attractive and can easily be modified with aftermarket parts. The sedan, while less attractive as a tuner, makes a great car for moving more than a single passenger to parties and bars. Both have common speaker sizes, meaning that your son, like anyone in college with a nice car, can upgrade the stock components with affordable enhancements. A wide variety of custom accessories and performance parts are available to customize the car. In all reality, the Cobalt is probably one of the best economy cars out there, and its drivers tend to be very happy with it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Kelsey, I see you're from NY, too. Where is your son going to college?

[syr74]

Originally Posted by kelsey

I haven't seen one automatic SVT Focus yet, and I've been doing a lot of looking.

Good reason for that, they never built them with automatic transmissions. As for the G6, you have sea full of GM guys here who sould be able to give you an idea of how good that deal is or isn't.......me, gotta be honest.....I don't have a clue.

[kelsey]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Kelsey, I see you're from NY, too. Where is your son going to college?

CW Post in Brooklyn so it's a pretty long commute each day. Trying to find the best car possible for him, that will be good in all weather conditions and good on cas. Preferably 2 door, so it's more sporty. He wants automatic too lol.

[69 rs/ss]

Saturn 2002 - 2009

[kelsey]

Originally Posted by syr74

Good reason for that, they never built them with automatic transmissions. As for the G6, you have sea full of GM guys here who sould be able to give you an idea of how good that deal is or isn't.......me, gotta be honest.....I don't have a clue.

Any other automatics you can recommend lol?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by kelsey

CW Post in Brooklyn so it's a pretty long commute each day. Trying to find the best car possible for him, that will be good in all weather conditions and good on cas. Preferably 2 door, so it's more sporty. He wants automatic too lol.

hm. I'm on the other side of the state, . Good luck to him!!
I'm still going to reccomend a Cobalt coupe 4-speed auto to you. They're very easy to get a-hold of, get fantastic gas mileage, and they'll do snow very well (trust me on that one, Buffalo Winters test a car to the max!)

[kelsey]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

hm. I'm on the other side of the state, . Good luck to him!!
I'm still going to reccomend a Cobalt coupe 4-speed auto to you. They're very easy to get a-hold of, get fantastic gas mileage, and they'll do snow very well (trust me on that one, Buffalo Winters test a car to the max!)

LOL thanks! Do you think I should look at a new one? He may have to make the payments but he can't afford the expensive models. Maybe I can get a good used one?

Maybe he'd be better off with a Jeep or a small/mid-sized SUV since he likes to have passengers and friends in the car...can you recommend any of those?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by kelsey

LOL thanks! Do you think I should look at a new one? He may have to make the payments but he can't afford the expensive models. Maybe I can get a good used one?

A new one is going to run anywhere from 13,000-15,000 out-the-door, and that's if you get a good deal. I got mine for just under 13,000 out-the-door last year (it's an 08 sedan). However, consider that the '08+ Cobalts all have a full-suite of airbags...side curtain, etc.

I did a quick search on a local dealer's site for an idea...and for a certified used Cobalt (the only way I'd go), these prices would be the starting point. I can imagine getting them down maybe 500-1000 bucks, though.
http://www.paddockchevrolet.com/Vehi...tButton=Search

Originally Posted by kelsey

Maybe he'd be better off with a Jeep or a small/mid-sized SUV since he likes to have passengers and friends in the car...can you recommend any of those?

I can't. :( I've never owned one.

Take a look at the Saturn Vue, and Ford Explorer, to start.

Or maybe...and this is a stretch...how does he feel about an HHR?