[F30lolz]

No, not a gun, however, buying a car for my stepdaughter. Right now wifey and I are in the early stages debating what type of car we should buy her as she is currently a senior in HS. She will then be commuting about 15 miles each way for about four years studying to be a nurse fall 2017 or whatever at Miami Dade College. I've known her since she was five so basically she is my daughter. Has been a great kid and have had no beef with her lol. I would want the best for her as I would my son and would like to put her in something safe, yet fun and reliable. Here is what we have discussed:

Certified used vehicles: Honda's or Hyundai's with the certified long ass warranty so we don't have to worry about any BS. This would be the most expensive option as we would make payments on it but she would be responsible for fuel (great deal for her right)? Budget would be $12K and we have already been approved for a loan for up to $16K but there are plenty of certified vehicles near me for under $12K with around 30K miles in the 2013 year range. Honda's would be 7 year from original in service date or 100K miles, whichever comes first. Hyundai, as we all know is 10yr/100K from in service date as well. Anyone here have purchased CPO Honda's/Hyundai's?

Mini Cooper: Haven't really found any CPO's in the $12-$13K mile range, however, our local Carmax has a few 2012-2013 Mini's in the 30K mile range for around $12.5K, however, only a 30 day warranty is standard and another $1.7k added for their MaxCare warranty. FWIW, the MaxCare warranty came through about two months ago when my wife's CTS needed about $1200 worth of work. Only a $50 deductible was our out of pocket expense. Not sure how reliable Mini's are but I remember I drove one way back in the day 2005 for about a week and thought it was a hoot to drive. Any Mini owners care to chime in? Is a warranty really needed for a lower mileage Mini?

Older BMW e30/e28: I love the old school BMW's, however, things will go and the last thing I would need is for her to break down and panic

Older Honda: Though they last forever, IIRC they still have timing belts so those have to be changed out every 90K miles? I thought about late 90's/early 2000's as a starter car, however, I don't want her driving around in a car with issues (hence warranty would be a great piece of mind).

We could wait until the summer time and get something then, however, with Christmas right around the corner and her being a 'model step-child' (whatever that means) I think she deserves a set of wheels. Her loser of a father is a waste of space and really hasn't contributed for her ever since we left NY about 3.5 years ago.

Cliff notes: thinking about buying step-daughter a car lol

[Mr Tonka]

CPO, get something that will take care of her car until she's going to be solely responsible for it.

Mini, we have a 2012 Countryman. No issue to date, never been in for a warranty issue. Good car.

Older BMW, someone needs to slap the silly out of you. Forgedaboudit

Older Honda, as you stated, predictable service issues.

[MKSixer]

I have a good friend with a 2012 JCW that has been pretty reliable. Standard maintenance and one recall issue. I highly recommend.

[Aatish]

CPO Civic if Honda.

VW is also worth looking. A CPO Jetta 2.5 falls into the criteria. Solid motor too.

[ASBSECU E93]

Honda or Toyota

[BMW F22]

OP - Honda or Toyota for sure. Super reliable and cheap to maintain.

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

CPO, get something that will take care of her car until she's going to be solely responsible for it.

Mini, we have a 2012 Countryman. No issue to date, never been in for a warranty issue. Good car.

Older BMW, someone needs to slap the silly out of you. Forgedaboudit

Older Honda, as you stated, predictable service issues.

How reliable are Mini's? I knew someone who had a 200x and it was always down with something.

[Dang3r]

VW Golf or Polo, reliable cars and pretty good for starters...and also enough room to get beefed

[Samurai of 2day]

Put me down for the Honda vote as well.

Like you said, the CPO warranty coverage and considerably low cost maintenance will be great for peace of mind (and great for the wallet)for many many years.

Also, since your Step Daughter will be an inexperienced driver starting out, any nicks or dings won't heart the heart as much when it happens to a car that already 4-6 years old.

My first car was a 95 Honda Accord LX that I bought in 1999. I drove that car up and down the I95 for a few years going back and forth to NC and NY before I eventually got stationed over seas for a couple years.

Fast forward to present day, and my dad is still driving that car to this day. Over 20 years old and still running with no major issues.

Apparently, that car will last forever, lol.

[Axius]

Used white Honda Civic. It's white, girl color, it's Honda reliable, it will last forever.


My Civic had 300+K miles on it, basically only changed oil, brakes, battery, and..., think that was it to be honest. Oh and an o2 sensor.

[Reborn_]

I'm a honda guy so if you have specific questions, feel free to PM me. By the early 2000's, most hondas switched over to timing chains. I've got 230k on the clock of my 03 rsx and have never had to do any maintenance related to timing (the chain is a non-service item, supposed to last forever). I've had minor hickups here and there with the car, particularly of note are the window regulators, but those were easy and cheap to fix. The engine and transmission have been bulletproof.

Edit: If you are handy with a wrench and screwdriver, I wouldn't pay for a warranty for a japanese car. They are REALLY easy to work on.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Axius

Used white Honda Civic. It's white, girl color, it's Honda reliable, it will last forever.


My Civic had 300+K miles on it, basically only changed oil, brakes, battery, and..., think that was it to be honest. Oh and an o2 sensor.

2012 civic, 46k. $11,756

[fravel]

+1 for Honda, can't really go wrong with either a Civic or an Accord.

[csu87]

458 Ferrari. Just dont let her drive near any barbershops

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

VW Golf or Polo, reliable cars and pretty good for starters...and also enough room to get beefed

If this means what I suspect it means, then I'm thinking this is a mark against those cars in OP's mind.

[DrnknCamel]

Stay away from the Mini Coopers. My wife had a '10 JCW and it was a nightmare. I bought an aftermarket warranty is the only thing that saved me from $19,000 in repairs (with warranty i had to pay about $2000 of that. Ours only had 40k miles when we bought it and we sold it with a brand new Engine, Turbo, transmission, headgasket, etc with 67k miles. NIGHTMARE. I also have a niece that has one and a friends wife that has one. They also are about 10k into their Mini's for repairs.

[ASBSECU E93]

Just keep close eye on her in a Honda.....

Stance and Vape are STRONG in the Honda crowd

[angelr]

We picked up a 2012 vw jetta gli for our son when he graduated last year and it's been great thus far, safe and fun too

[RickFLM4]

Corolla or Civic or next level down, such as Versa / whatever Toyota equivalent of a Versa may be. Make sure she gets the oil changed, keeps tires inflated, etc....

Or get her an Uber gift card every month equal to the payment you'd have. Combined with savings on down payment, insurance, maintenance and gas is it more or less than getting the car? Depends on how mobile she will be, I suppose, but it sucks to drive in Miami.

[Mr. Tasty]

100k+ mile 335i.

[jmg]

+1 for CPO Honda Civic. I actually JUST bought one for my little sister who is going off to Grad School. The CPO for that extra piece of mind!

Forget about BMW, Mini is okay, but too much $ for the "cool" factor. Gotta go with Japanese if you want reliability.

[eluded]

iPhone with Uber app.

[gtron]

You can probably buy a brand new '17 Nissan Versa for cash. Safe, cheap, and warranty.