Looking for a vehicle (suv/truck mostly) for a highschooler

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drpootums

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
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I'm almost 16 and i'm looking for a decent automobile for a highschooler. I like the Jeep Cherokee's, the Ford Explorer's (sport-2 door versions) and Ranger, and the Chevy/GMC S-10/Sonoma.

I found out the engines that they all use and here they are. I've heard good things about all of the engines, but this is what i've gathered:

Ford 4.0l---decent power, somewhat easy on gas, lasts quite a while

Jeep 4.0l---excellent torque for a V6, somewhat easy on gas, lasts A LONG time!!!

GM 4.3l---good power and torque, sucks gas like crazy


Well, if anybody has any opinions on these please post them. I like all of these quite a bit, and they are all priced in decent shape with somewhat high miles for around $4000-5000.

I'm just looking for something with preferably 4WD (not necessary though), decent power, and half-way good gas mileage, so I picked these cars out. If you have any other suggestions for cars, please post them!:)


HA! I finally got a picture!
The picture above is a picture of the van for any of those interested...

Ok, i found out about a '95 Dodge Dakota my teacher is selling, details on page 3 (my first post on that page).
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,141
629
126
Toyota Tacoma with a 4 banger and 5-speed. Yes, its actually pretty fun to drive.
 
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sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
i'd look for a jeep wrangler. not the fastest car but it's lots of fun when you can take the roof and doors out, on a hot summer day.
 
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drpootums

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
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i'm not too experienced in the ways of the manual tranny yet...i have about 15+ hours of driving in and i think i'm doing well. Infact, i think i'm getting pretty good experience, because I mainly drive a GMC Sierra and a Dodge Ram conversion van (not fun to back up...)
 
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NeoPTLD

Platinum Member
Nov 23, 2001
2,544
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Are you going to be able to do mechanical repairs yourself and how reliable does it have to be?
You really won't find much of an SUV for $5000
 
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drpootums

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
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well...reliablility is important. In my area (southern wisconsin) I haven't had too much of a problem finding suv's for that price, but i have to know what i'm looking for

Oh, and my uncle fixes cars as a hobby, and after all of the repairs my brother has had to make on his cars, I think he could help me too
 
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ShadowBlade

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2005
4,263
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go to motors.ebay.com and filter for things within your price range and area
it seems like if you talk to the person, they might agree to sell it to you in person (that was my plan, in your same position right now)
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
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doesn't matter, its gonna be totalled within a week and he's gonna kill someone while at it.
 
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drpootums

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
1,315
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Hmmm...I've heard bad things about ebay motors...

My brother's selling one of his vehicals (he has 4, but with the combined blue book value of about $10,000...). It's a '94 Chevy Lumina van, which isnt what i'm looking for, but it is in good shape, gets about 30 miles to the gallon, has a good engine (GM 3.8 is really really good), and has a new tranny, and i'm guessing i could get it for $2000-2500 or so.

What do u guys think about this. I know a mini-van isnt exactly my dream car (pick up a lotta girls in that....) but if it's a good car, i might think about it
 
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NeoPTLD

Platinum Member
Nov 23, 2001
2,544
2
81
By all mean get the van. You have a good chance of wrecking your first ride anyways. Learn how to drive well in it, then consider replacing it, hopefully selling/trading in rather than totalling it.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
cheap minivan less likely to roll over. good crash protection. less macho so less likely to feel like racer boy. lower to ground so its less likely to murder the common car motorist.
 
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drpootums

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
1,315
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Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
cheap minivan less likely to roll over. good crash protection. less macho so less likely to feel like racer boy. lower to ground so its less likely to murder the common car motorist.
Click to expand...

Your full of help aren't you....

But really, I know it would be a good car, but they are pretty long compared to the other ones in my list, but i guess probably has the same length as the ones i've been driving already.
 
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jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: drpootums
What do u guys think about this. I know a mini-van isnt exactly my dream car (pick up a lotta girls in that....) but if it's a good car, i might think about it
Click to expand...

Good for you for considering it. While minivans may not seem cool to cruise around in, you can fit a LOT of your friends in one, and they're good for road trips. Fun times can be had by all. Plus...you WILL appreciate the higher gas mileage, even though it's still not as good as a car. Since you can get one for cheap, I'd say that's your best option.

Learn to spell "vehicle", though:p
 

Get an old AWD Subaru Wagon. That'll suit you just fine for snow and it'll be a hell of a lot easier on gas.
 
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