Which car would you buy?

[Anonymous]

For new teen driver. The idea would be for her to keep this car until she’s in a position to buy herself a new one, so at least 6 more years (when she graduates from college). Budget is $8500.

Options are 2007 Toyota Camry with 96K

2012 Toyota Prius with 115K

2013 Ford Focus with 63K

2008 Accord with with 101K

[Anonymous]

Prius

[Anonymous]

My second car was a Camry like that that lasted for a long time, required little maintenance, and drove well in snow/ice.

[Anonymous]

I would go with the 12 or 13. More safety features.

[Anonymous]

Prius.

[Anonymous]

Focus. Newer (more safety features) and fewer miles (less likely to break down).

[Anonymous]

Accord then Camry.

[Anonymous]

Focus

[Anonymous]

Focus.

[Anonymous]

Camry or Accord. American cars are terrible - don't last as long as their Japanese counterparts.

[Anonymous]

Could you get a newer Corola or Civic instead? Just a thought.

I would stick with Toyota or Honda or maybe Subaru.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For new teen driver. The idea would be for her to keep this car until she’s in a position to buy herself a new one, so at least 6 more years (when she graduates from college). Budget is $8500.

Options are 2007 Toyota Camry with 96K

2012 Toyota Prius with 115K

2013 Ford Focus with 63K

2008 Accord with with 101K

None, honestly. 115K is a lot of miles. 2007-8 are already 10 years old and that's when things start to go. I would wait till she needs one and spend more.

[Anonymous]

Ford Focus is really small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you get a newer Corola or Civic instead? Just a thought.

I would stick with Toyota or Honda or maybe Subaru.

I wouldn’t sink any money into purchasing a Ford.
My experience w/buying them used has been that they are not at all reliable in any sense of the word.

Plus American vehicles are just not as good as Japanese ones....
Most especially if you are purchasing used.

Honda’s + Toyota’s hold their resale value much better.
Reason being is that they are truly reliable cars.

The Accords & Camry’s are the high end models.
Could you get a Toyota or Honda in a cheaper model?

The PP has excellent examples here.

A lower end model w/the better brands@ would be wiser.

People will tell you that brand@ does not matter, that a car is a car.
You just need to care for it properly.

But I believe brand is very important.
Like Nike vs. Payless.

Or Sony vs. Samsung.
Honda vs. Kia.

I think you get my drift.
Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Don't get Prius for a teen. Get something bigger (like the Camry) for safety.