|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149
CEG\'er
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149 |
I guess I'm just looking for some opinions... I'm looking at getting my girlfriend a car (technically it will be mine) and it is her first, since she has always lived in the city and never needed one. She's 22 now and only driven every now and then, so she doesn't have a heck of a lot of experience with driving in general... I found a really nice black, 98 SE, 2.5L, manual, loaded... in my price range. She likes the car, and is open to the idea of a manual, but not overlly thrilled about shifting herself. I've got a red 98 E0 and am really happy with it. I think I would like to get a second 'tour, but I don't know if that is smart for the situation  Maybe should I look for an ATX corolla or something? What do you think is the smartest thing for me to do? (Considering she is a fairly unexperienced driver, and wants a safe, reliable, inexpensive, "cute" car that gets decent gas milage.) Any opinions are greatly appreciated!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580 |
"Maybe should I look for an ATX corolla or something?"
Much better idea, resale is way better, and no worry of blown tranny/engine and other nickel and dime sh&&.
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SE, Code Red. '00 Tropic Green Ford Escort SE [Contour's little cousin]
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
|
|
I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
"Maybe should I look for an ATX corolla or something?"
Much better idea, resale is way better, and no worry of blown tranny/engine and other nickel and dime sh&&.
Umm, I know a guy with one of those newer corolla type s, and besides it being slower than slow... He's on his second or third tranny.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,426
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,426 |
I'm on my second Contour and couldn't be happier. Do the Tour, man, do the Tour.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,382
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,382 |
I'd have to agree. My Tour is an awesome car, and it's very reliable because I do the upkeep. But I'd be hesitant to hand one to my girlfriend/wife. They don't have the understanding of the history of Contours. Maybe that doesn't make any sense, but Tours take just a little extra attention nowadays. That 98 is 6 years old by the way. That's like dog years = 42 years old in people years  If you want the Tour, and she'll only drive around the city & such then I bet you'll be okay. But if this car becomes her sole means of getting to A & B, you'll do good to get a Corolla. just my $.03 (used to be $.02 but my fee went up )
"Fear is the little death."
Muadib.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431
Hard-core CEG'er
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431 |
Adam, by any chance is this the one you saw?
All in all I would definitely recommend something ATX for her. It's not easy to force someone into doing something they are unsure about, particularly in something large as a vehicle purchase. Additionally, if she's doing all stop-and-go hilly city driving, an ATX would be much less stressful. I would suggest you let her drive your car in a parking lot and streets to get the feel of an MTX if she is interested.
BTW ... it's nice out today - clean your car! It hurts walking by and seeing a dirty dusty T-red on campus. lol
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149
CEG\'er
|
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149 |
Yeah, thats the one! But don't be spreading that around just in case Its in good shape overall BTW. He's gonna replace something in the front end, ball joint I think, but other than that it is a pretty sweet car. Everything works fine, so he says... The rain actually cleaned my car fairly well Friday I wish I had the time to give it the proper cleaning... I've got a bunch of parts for a tune up that I have been meaning to do for the past few months but, man, this whole Masters thing eats up all of my time... And Nate, I know what you mean about being 6 years old. Although for the same money I can only afford a decent 95-96 prizm/corolla... And I would worry about the tranny/engine failures we see around here every now and then with the V6 setup, but I've got 132k miles on the svt and still going strong, so my confidence has gone up since I've bought it... somewhat... Jury's still out...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580 |
"I know a guy with a Corolla and he's on his 3rd tranny..." Yeah right.  "3rd tranny"? Why isn't he calling a lawyer? Thosusands of others have had good luck enough to make it one of the industy's best sellers and it has high resale value. Yeah, Conoturs are 'fun to drive', but face it, we have poor resale value. Try trading one in and seeing how much of a bath you take in $$$ losses. If you must get one, but it wholesale at an auction.
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SE, Code Red. '00 Tropic Green Ford Escort SE [Contour's little cousin]
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149
CEG\'er
|
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149 |
I agree, Toyota's are solid cars. I'm not at all concerned about resale value though. No matter what car it is we plan on running it into the ground before getting a newer one. I guess I'd be happy if we have it for a couple years, then sell it real cheap. And its not specifically a corola we're interested in, I just threw that one out there as an alternative to the tour. I'll take any recommendations as to other cars we should be looking at...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149
CEG\'er
|
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 149 |
I have let her drive my car around on some back roads and she did really well with it. I'm confident she'd learn just fine, but she is a little apprehensive about it. I think she is just a little apprehensive about the whole driving thing...
Oh descisions, descisions.... lol
|
|
|
|
|
