Need comparative cars

[thecoolnessrune]

I'm trying to buy a car for college. As some of you may know, I've been raised by my grandparents. I have money saved and intend to buy the car with cash. About $20-$22,000 is the absolute limit. Now believe me, I wanted to try everything, I've honestly tried the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic and Accord Limited Edition, and I can't sit comfortably in any of them. My legs are far too long. So I looked at SUVs. I can fit easily in the Trailblazer / Envoy and up. Trailblazer Envoy is as large as I need to go. I have the same fitting issues with the Escape and the Honda Pilot.

Another car I absolutely fell in love with was an 06 Lincoln Zephyr. It had about every option tacked onto it and was a pure enjoyment to drive. However, at a $28,000 sticker price, it's an impossibility for me.

I would like to know vehicles with about the same interior dimensions as the Trailblazer / Envoy, or Lincoln Zephyr. Realise I dont care about the company. All I want is a reliable vehicle (needs to last at least 6-7 years) that has the same interior dimensions. In can be a car of any class, or an SUV of any class, just as long as it has near the same dimensions. Requirements are:

Leather seating
comfortable seating for at least 4 people
capable of handling the above requirements at ~$22,000 for a specified year.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Upon request let me specify that I am looking for a *used* car, preferably certified.

EDIT 2: Just so its clear as well, I'm 6'3" with most of my height being in my legs.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have a friend who is 6'7" and owned a Ford Exploder and fit reasonably well in it. Then again, I think he just puts up with the fact that he's a freak of nature and virtually nothing fits him well.

 

[zerocool84]

Looks like you want a NEW car correct??? You really need to say if you want new or used in your OP to let people know what you want.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I have a friend who is 6'7" and owned a Ford Exploder and fit reasonably well in it. Then again, I think he just puts up with the fact that he's a freak of nature and virtually nothing fits him well.

I tried the Explorer and while I fit in it just as well in the Trailblazer, I like the dash level of the Trailblazer better, so I had crossed that one off of my list.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Looks like you want a NEW car correct??? You really need to say if you want new or used in your OP to let people know what you want.

I am looking for a used vehicle. Sorry for the confusion. OP is edited.

 

[Spoooon]

FWIW, if I had it to do over again, I probably would not have gotten an Envoy. I have an 03. Mechanically, it's been flawless. However, fit and finish is a disappointment (to be expected, I suppose) and I've been plagued by some sort of electrical issue related to passkey that won't go away.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
I'm trying to buy a car for college. As some of you may know, I've been raised by my grandparents. I have money saved and intend to buy the car with cash. About $20-$22,000 is the absolute limit. Now believe me, I wanted to try everything, I've honestly tried the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic and Accord Limited Edition, and I can't sit comfortably in any of them. My legs are far too long. So I looked at SUVs. I can fit easily in the Trailblazer / Envoy and up. Trailblazer Envoy is as large as I need to go. I have the same fitting issues with the Escape and the Honda Pilot.

Another car I absolutely fell in love with was an 06 Lincoln Zephyr. It had about every option tacked onto it and was a pure enjoyment to drive. However, at a $28,000 sticker price, it's an impossibility for me.

I would like to know vehicles with about the same interior dimensions as the Trailblazer / Envoy, or Lincoln Zephyr. Realise I dont care about the company. All I want is a reliable vehicle (needs to last at least 6-7 years) that has the same interior dimensions. In can be a car of any class, or an SUV of any class, just as long as it has near the same dimensions. Requirements are:

Leather seating
comfortable seating for at least 4 people
capable of handling the above requirements at ~$22,000 for a specified year.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Upon request let me specify that I am looking for a *used* car, preferably certified.

LOL thx. 4Runner???

 

[sindows]

Lincoln Aviator, much better than its Explorer/Mountaineer cousins.

 

[overst33r]

A used Lincoln Towncar?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
A used Lincoln Towncar?

@Zerocool: I know about the 4Runner and RAV4, and I was thinking about them.. But I forgot.. I get confused who they are made by, Toyota or Nissan?

@sindows and mariok: The Towncar was the very first car on my mind and still is. However, they almost seem like too much room. I can fit in the Zephyr just fine. Still, I'm definitely keeping my eye out for them, as I absolutely love the looks / room of them.

Only problem I have with Lincoln is that "base package" doesn't even register in their dictionary, and almost all the cars kill my budget

Actually, the vehicle I always remember is our 1988 Lincoln Towncar with the 5.0L V8.. Took us the 30 mile each way trip to school everyday before we started homeschooling and was about 15 years and had about 275,000 miles on it before we finally replaced it with our current 1995 Ford Bronco Eddie Baur with the 5.8L V8. I loved that car

The inherent problem I have with cars is the falling down / crawling in I have to do with any car I get into.. SUVs like the Bronco I have to climb into. That's one of the reasons I loved the Trailblazer. It was just about the right height for me. I'd rather climb into a vehicle than fall into it.. (That would break down the seats fairly quickly.)

Thank you all for the suggestions so far! Keep them coming!

 

[sindows]

Rav4 and 4runner are made by Toyota.

Aviator on ebay


I'm 6' and fit into the Aviator just fine. What I like best about it is the way it drives plus it gets you noticed in a positive way. Its a stiff legged ride but very comfortable at the same time. When you drive other SUVs, you can feel it lean but the Aviator stays flat at just about any sane speed. If you go fast enough to feel it lean, you're breaking the highway speed limit...

Plus it has some of the most communicative steering and brakes of any vehicle that I've driven which surprised me to no end. Especially since I've driven some expensive machinery.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: sindows
Rav4 and 4runner are made by Toyota.

Ah, that's what I thought, thank you!

So so far, I have added to try an Aviator, and Rav4 to the try list. Of the current vehicles, I would say it's a tie between the Trailblazer and Towncar, with the Trailblazer being just a bit ahead cause my twin bro likes it more.

EDIT to your edit: I like what I'm hearing about the Aviator.. I am by no means a speed demon. After all, I learned to drive and currently drive the Ford Bronco. A 4WD vehicle with 15" wheels = no more than 30mph on any decent curve.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Also, has anyone driven the Lincoln MKX? It appears to be the successor to the Aviator.

 

[91TTZ]

Why would you spend that much money on a car if you're still in school? Don't people have any money management skills anymore? Either that, or you're just rich.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Just me, but that's a good bit of change to spend on a car when starting college. I respect your choice because you saved up the money yourself, but are you entirely sure you'll need one, and if so, such an expensive one? Will you be able to have your car with you for your first year?

 

[biggestmuff]

Speaking as someone with some life experience, buy a decent used vehicle for around $5000 and save the rest of the cash. Don't buy new, ever! Once you get out of school, then splurge a little and buy a decent vehicle for yourself as a graduation gift.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Two the last two posters. I have a special situation set up with the money. The money has not been saved up myself (I was hindered from getting a job as the nearest place employment was a 30 mile drive away and my studies are to take top priority). This money is a saving account of money passed down to us from our deceased mother from a combination of her savings and her having been in the Navy). This vehicle has to last 6 years at least. Additionally, the long trips I have to make in this thing everyday makes at least fitting into it a priority. Buying a vehicle after college will not be an option.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
This vehicle has to last 6 years at least. Additionally, the long trips I have to make in this thing everyday makes at least fitting into it a priority. Buying a vehicle after college will not be an option.

What, do you intend on being poorer after college or something? What kind of college is this?

 

[thomsbrain]

if you can't fit in an accord, i think i have to go with the tried-and-true IT response: "user error."

the seat in my accord (i assume they're all the same) is 8-way adjustable, and the steering-wheel tilts and telescopes. for long legs, you just move the seat back, lift the front of the cushion to support your thighs, and move the wheel towards you so you can reach it. maybe you didn't try all the controls? and there's tons of headroom in that car, so i'm sure that's not the problem.

even if the model you tried didn't have all the seat adjustments, you can get a top-of-the-line model used for less than your price range, and you want used anyway...

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Why would you spend that much money on a car if you're still in school? Don't people have any money management skills anymore? Either that, or you're just rich.

Rich? Think about it man.. Living with grandparents... not able to have a job because with the distance because it would take a huge chunk out just for gas? Do you really think I'm rich?

From the situation expressed in the previous post, I have to get a vehicle that I can fit in that will last a *minumum* of 6 years. After this time, there will be no more oppourtunities. This *is* money management, it's just not a situation you're used to seeing.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
This vehicle has to last 6 years at least. Additionally, the long trips I have to make in this thing everyday makes at least fitting into it a priority. Buying a vehicle after college will not be an option.

What, do you intend on being poorer after college or something? What kind of college is this?

Hell yes, After colleges I will be in debt. Due to my situation I will be working with little to no income for 6 years, working purely from the savings. As I said, its not a common situation at all, and I'm afraid I'm not allowed to tell you all the exact surroundings of it, just that this is the way it has to work.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
if you can't fit in an accord, i think i have to go with the tried-and-true IT response: "user error."

the seat in my accord (i assume they're all the same) is 8-way adjustable, and the steering-wheel tilts and telescopes. for long legs, you just move the seat back, lift the front of the cushion to support your thighs, and move the wheel towards you so you can reach it. maybe you didn't try all the controls? and there's tons of headroom in that car, so i'm sure that's not the problem.

even if the model you tried didn't have all the seat adjustments, you can get a top-of-the-line model used for less than your price range, and you want used anyway...

I can fit into the front drivers seat, but not the passenger, knees are uncomfortably pressed against the dash. And then no one can fit behind us, and as I said, I need to fit 4.

EDIT: And as I expressed in the OP, yes I am solely looking at used.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

If the Zephyr is too expensive, why not look at it's cheaper siblings, like the Mercury Milan or Ford Fusion?

 

[Kelvrick]

Try a toyota avalon.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
If the Zephyr is too expensive, why not look at it's cheaper siblings, like the Mercury Milan or Ford Fusion?

Hmm.. for some reason that had passed my mind, but you're exactly right! I should check those out!

hmm.. Toyota Avalon.. can do! I think it's time to make a trip to Tallahassee to see the bigger dealerships..