The letters, calls and exasperating mail (perhaps you simply call it e-), are increasing daily from parents with one request: What’s the best car to buy for the graduate?
The parents only have a few requirements:
They must be totally safe and guarantee the driver and all occupants will never be involved in an accident. But if an accident happens, the vehicle must withstand the force of a jumbo jet landing on the hood.
They must not require any repairs or regular maintenance other than gasoline, no more than every other month, and oil changes, no more than once before the vehicle is traded in five or six years.
And the car shouldn’t cost more than $1,500 at the low end, $1,501 at the top end–and not depreciate.
And the parent needs the car tomorrow because that’s when the child starts his or her summer job.
If you think we joke, you should read the letters and answer the calls.
For today we’ll focus on the high-school graduate and, therefore, used cars. On Thursday we’ll turn to the college grad and new cars.
Why not a new car for the high school grad? Chances are the kid is going off to college and the last thing you need parked on the street or in the dingy garage for a month at a time is a new car the student won’t have time to service or maintain for nine months because he or she is too busy studying or too broke from partying.
That said, there’s only one other consideration–the vehicle must not be the same kind that Mom and Dad drive because the kid would rather walk than be seen in a Ford Windstar, Buick LeSabre, Toyota Avalon or Mercury Grand Marquis.
And it must be small. Kids have a hang-up over peers seeing them having a difficult time maneuvering a big machine. You shake your head in disbelief when pulling into the mall and seeing an adult straddle the line and take up two spots rather than one. Kids hold the driver up to ridicule, so small will do just fine, thank you.
Besides, big is equated with room for the family and the last people the kid wants traveling in “his” or “her” car is the family.
So here’s our list of candidates for the grad–none of which can be had for $1,500 to $1,501 unless the engine compartment comes empty. If you’ve waited this long to shop, expect to pay top dollar based on the flood of grads out looking.
Saturn SC1/SC2 coupes or SL1/SL2 sedans. The difference between 1 and 2 is the engine, the 1 referring to the 1.9-liter, 100-horsepower 4-cylinder, the 2 to the 1.9-liter, 124-h.p. 4. Great car? Nope. Either 4 is noisy. Great mileage? Yup. And the body panels, except hood and roof, are plastic so they won’t rust and with an occasional wash, will look showroom new. Look for one with anti-lock brakes and traction control. And kids will like a sunroof. Since the 1999 model year, the coupe has offered a third door on the driver’s side to help get stuff in back–a novel feature that may make it more palatable for youth. Any pre-1996 sedan or pre-1997 coupe is preferred, since the ’96 sedans and ’97 coupes were restyled.
Pontiac Grand Am: Larger than a Saturn and the ribbed body sides make it look a lot sportier. You’ll find it with 4-cylinder or V-6 engines. The 4 promises the most mileage, the V-6 the smoothest and quietest operation. Usually the two-door coupe is cheaper, the four-door sedan more expensive, the GT versions the highest priced whether two- or four-door. Good looks, good room, decent performance and rather good mileage in the low- to mid-20 m.p.g. range. Basically an economy car that doesn’t look or act like one. Again, look for ABS and traction control. Starting in the 1997 model year, the safety belts were moved off the doors, which made them easier to use.
Ford Focus: New for 2000 so you might not find anyon used car lots. And if you do find one you have to ask why someone dumped one after only a year. But the attraction here is novel styling and very good mileage in the mid- to high-20 m.p.g. range. Coupes will be cheaper than sedans. Wagons available, but if you buy your kid a wagon you better employ a food taster.
Toyota Corolla: Decent looks, decent mileage, decent performance even if the 4-cylinder–and this is true of any 4–growls a bit when you accelerate hard. The lure here is the Toyota reputation for reliable, dependable, long-lasting operation if you give it some TLC–and oil on a regular basis. May be hard to find because they are so reliable they typically stay in the family as a hand-me down.
Toyota Camry: Everything said of the Corolla applies to the Camry, except while the looks are more bland, the performance is better, especially if you find one with the V-6. OK, Mom and Dad may have a Camry, but you can fool the kid with a coupe (1993-1996, then dropped before the Solara coupe came out in the 1999 model year). Another hard-to-find hand-me-down.
Honda Civic: Like Corolla, decent room, but more than decent mileage. Good luck finding one. Look for ABS (only in EX models). Traction control not offered. Hot item among youth who customize them, so don’t expect huge selection.
Honda Accord: Honda’s Camry. Coupe might sit better with kids than sedan. Look for ABS and traction control–offered with V-6 engines and 4-cylinders on some EX models.
Jeep Wrangler: Get your kid one of these, and he or she will stop making faces at you behind your back. But for the kid’s well being, check out a hardtop and search for a model with ABS. Post 1997 models, after the redesign and addition of air bags, and four-wheel-drive versions are best. Recommended for kids with light foot who can chew gum and walk at the same time.
Chevrolet Blazer: The two-door, which is sportier than the four-door. You give up mileage versus a car with the V-6, but you gain size and weight wrapped around the kid–and with 4WD, you relieve some worry of winter in the Snow Belt.
Volkswagen Beetle: The modernized version of the old Bug had just as dramatic an impact on consumers when it bowed as a 1998 model as the Chrysler PT Cruiser did. Cute and cuddly even if not real peppy and powerful.
Final thoughts: When checking the vehicle out, turn on the ignition key and focus on the lights in the instrument panel. An “ABS” light means it has antilock brakes; an “SRS” (Supplemental Restraint System) or “air bag” light means it has the safety cushions; a “TC” or “trac” light means it has traction control. If the lights stay on, it could mean trouble with the system, so have it looked at.
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THURSDAY IN CARS
The best new cars to buy for the college graduate
