What is a good choice for a first car? I'm a college student and work part time as a cashier. Down pymt. $3000

Question

What is a good choice for a first car? I'm a college student and work part time as a cashier. Down pymt. $3000

Answer 1

#1) 1998 Nissan Maxima:

21 mpg

4 star all around crash test excepet for rear

5 out of 5 reliability  http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliab...

#2) 2002 Huyndai Sonata v6 (2.7L or higher)

20 mpg

4 star all around crash test

5 out of 5 reliability - http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliab...

#3) 2003 Honda Accord 2 door (with or without side airbags makes no difference on this car) v6

22 mpg

5 star crash test all around

5 out of 5 reliability - http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliab...

DONT BUY A CAR WITHOUT CHECKING HERE FIRST:

1) For Reliability ratings - http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ra... (MSN Autos)

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/ratings/rati...

2) For Safety - http://www.safercar.gov/ (3 stars or less is a bad crash test, dont buy used cars with crashtests that depend on side airbags, dont buy SUVs without stability control).

Use this to interpret ratings(#10 is for frontal #12 is for side): http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safe...

(#10 is for frontal #12 is for side)

3) Fuel Economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/f*g/sbs.htm

4) Prices: http://www.kbb.com/

5) Places to shop for cars: http://www.autotrader.com/

http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp

http://www.carsdirect.com/home

http://www.carmax.com/

Here are the new cars suggested by someone else

1) Honda Fit - 30 mpg, 5 star all around crash test except for rear which is 3, so as long as you dont plan on letting anyone ride in the back set you should be fine.

2) Mazda 3i - 25 mpg, but a 3 star side crash test so it's a bad idea.

3) Hydai Elantra - 28 mpg, and 5 star frontal 4 star side crash test.

Answer 2

with the price of gas predicted to double by 2012 i would seriously look into a hybrid car. the honda hybrid & the toyota hybrid are the most popular. they will be your best bet in the longrun. the only other option would be the mitsubishi plug in (electric) but it won't be here (u.s.) till 2009.-blurey

Answer 3

Buy a Toyota corolla they are reasonably cheap and last a long time.as long as you keep your maintenance up and change the oil I I was you I would also by used It will be cheaper one and lees of a financial burden. also with fuel being so high it will be better on gas.

Answer 4

1. Honda Fit (base) - $15,385

2. Mazda 3i Sport (sedan) - $17,205

3. Hyundai Elantra SE - $17,945

Kia Rondo

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Consum...