My Sister Needs a Car
 

My sister just started college and is in need of a car. I've been doing some shopping this past week, with the intent of buying a car for her but today the tables turned a bit.

I found a 1990 Volvo 240 DL Wagon (A/T) for $1200 and I'm thinking about getting that and giving my sister my car, a 1994 Ford Escort LX Wagon (also A/T). This is the first Volvo I've sat in in a long time that doesn't smell like marijuana or dead animals, so that's definitely a plus. Unfortunately the man at that I talked to did not have the keys for it, his boss did, and his boss was out of town, so I was not able to start it. I'm going to go back in a couple of days and give it a test drive.

The Volvo is much roomier, and has a bigger engine (2.3 4cyl vs my Escort's 1.9 4cyl), whereas my sister would benefit from my Escort because it's smaller and more economical, which is great in a college town. However, I as well need the good fuel economy because I commute for work 20 miles a day, four days a week.

My Escort, which I paid $1400 for about a year and a half ago gets 30mpg on average (the Volvo gets around 21). It's got some minor electrical problems and the transmission is a bit tired but it's a very reliable car. It doesn't have much personality, though.

So I'm asking the gearheads of this forum, all things considered, which car would you rather drive? If you think I should keep my Escort, would the Volvo be a good car for an 18-year-old college freshman who doesn't know anything at all about cars?

Thanks!
(I can possibly post photos of both cars soon...)

edit: both cars have similar mileage. My Escort is at 202387, the Volvo has 200566

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

Sweet thought - but just think of with that mileage and age, a lot can go wrong. Your sister will be far away(maybe?) and won't have anyone to go if something goes wrong. She'll have no choice except to bring it to an auto repair, which can cost an arm and a leg (well, considering she's a college student).

I don't know, I don't see why she can't just walk, bike, or go ask rides through friends. Besides, if it's anything like the college around here - there's probably some type of shuttle bus that will make its rounds through campus. *shrug*

It's a really nice thought of you - I know I don't have much room to talk. I guess that's my input though.

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

I live in the town of Lebanon along with the whole family, my sister is 20 miles away in Corvallis. Corvallis is known as a "bike city," there are bicycles freaking everywhere, to the point where it's a bit scary to drive there because many of the bike riders don't obey the rules of the road.

My sister gets along fine with a bike for the most part because her apartment is less than 5 minutes by bike from school and work. But she insists that she wants a car because she comes back home to help out and to visit every two weeks or so. Lately she's been doing that either by riding a series of buses or by driving her roommate's car that is literally falling apart.

So yeah, it was her idea, not mine. It's just that she knows nothing at all about cars so I'm helping her out, but I'm definitely no expert.

As far as the mechanical costs of the car, she knows a few people, myself included, who can help her out with the little things. Obviously things like major engine and transmission repair are going to be out of our hands and will be expensive, but that can happen with any car, especially if it wasn't well maintained. That's why I'm helping her out to find a well-maintained used car, because if I don't she will inevitably buy somebody's blown out Civic. :P

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

Tell her to rethink the idea of buying a car untill either she has enough money saved up to buy a reliable one or too fix an older one, because I've been through 5 cars in just over a year, all because I buy a little bit older with a few too many miles. It gets costly.
My most recent bill was 750 bucks to fix my little shitbox.

Nevermind insurance, gas, tires, oil changes etc, I found out the hard way that cars + school do not mix.

EDIT: I don't know how much a year of insurance is down there, but if its anything compared to what it is in Northern BC/Alberta for a new driver then its not worth it... Haha... I pay 1400 bucks a year for minimal coverage on a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire...

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

Your sister just started college? She doesn't need a car "with personality," she needs a car that's reliable and can get her to and from school/work.

If the Volvo turns out to be a good car, buy her that one and keep your current car. I imagine that she's also going to be driving friends around, so a roomier car is also a plus. But make sure there's nothing wrong with it.

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

buy her this:

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

I have a Ford Escort ZX2 from 2002 with 210,000 miles on it. That thing refuses to die. Just wanted to share because you said you have an Escort :P

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

Tell her to ride my stick.

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

not just no but HELL no
Even if I could find one of those for less than her max price of $1500, those cars are ridiculous. If she wants a super-compact car, I can probably find her a Geo Metro or a Hyundai Accent for a good price. (preferrably the Geo...)

Nice. I'm not far behind you with 202,410 as of tonight. Those ZX2s have a lot more horsepower than my '94 but I hear they have issues with the timing belt early on. Although with yours having as many miles as it does, that's probably already been fixed so you're good for at least another 50,000 miles. ;)

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

If you care about running costs try to get a Peugeot 107 (combined 65 mpg (imperial), UK insurance band 1, UK tax band A (£0)). Currently I share a '96 Volkswagen Golf SE with my grandad.

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

lmao

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

Finding running Peugeot vehicles here in the states (or at least in Oregon) isn't so easy. The last one I found was a 505 and the owner wanted way more than my sister can afford.
As for the VW Golf, that would be a good car but I just don't think it's within her price range, but I'll do some hunting. Thanks. (edit: perhaps this one? http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/3332130913.html)

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

I have a 2002 Ford Focus SE. Late last year, I had to get a new transmission. That was when it had ~150,000 miles. Now there's ~160,000-165,000.

If you can, get it looked at during the test drive so you know there's nothing wrong.

edit: Have you tried Cars.com?

Re: My Sister Needs a Car
 

haha an escort from the 90s is QUITE a bit of a different story