Getting a new (used) car; Need suggestions.

[ramennoodles]

Hey, let me preface this with I'm pretty ignorant of automobiles. So if I could let you know what I need, maybe what I'm looking at, and if you could give me some suggestions that would be great.

I need to be able haul a drumset and pa equiptment. I also need decent gas mileage because it is a 4 and a half hour trip to college from my house and I also play alot of shows so I will be traveling alot.

I've been looking at some station wagons and hatches. Subaru wagon's, Volvo wagon's, I don't know though.

I'm looking at about the $5500 range.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

-Isaac.

[geekwarrior]

Subaru's are nice, they mght be a little pricey. The honda wagon aint bad, my parents had one that does well for them. Not sure how it compares in prive to the others. Not real pimpin to show up in a Honda wagon at a show though...

[BeaverEater]

well anything you will be driving that is big enough to move all your gear probably wont be getting that great of gas milage. I would look into like the subaru legacy wagons, or maybe even like a smaller suv like the crv or rav 4. You could also look into like a 4 cyl s-10 or something like it, those will have the space you need and get good gas milage, mid to high 20's.

[trevorjk]

ISUZU RODEO!!! YEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWWWWWW

/ my dad just bought one for 3300
// they look like crusty turds

[Lohman446]

If you can swallow your pride the old Volvo 240s were great vehicles. Do not let a salesmen convince you the 260 was the "same car with a better engine" - it was the same car with a far worse engine. Otherwise do not go the Volvo route in that budget.

Keep in mind where you live and the accessability of the dealer network. A car that takes a week to get parts for is not a good option obvioulsy.

Good luck

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

get a six cyc. truck ie s-10, or ranger. or maybe a cherokee

My .02 cents

[geekwarrior]

get a six cyc. truck ie s-10, or ranger. or maybe a cherokee

My .02 cents

just dont get a 4runner with the V6....stupid headgaskets

[Bear_Claw]

Personally id look at a small truck

I drive a 4x4 V6 extended cab ranger and it gets 19-23mpg average BUT i used to have a 2wd reg cab model with the same 3.0L v6 that was noticably better. The 4cyl models would probly be what your looking for though with milage from 22-27mpg for the pre 2001 models and 24-29MPG for the 2001-current.

The S10s are also awsome for milage but not quite as powerfull and have head gasket troubles.

[Chris_automag_07]

you should go with the vulva....i mean volvo...but that is what i think ....but i do know someone who is buying a cadillac and has a lincoln towncar for sale.

[person1]

Like others said i would look at a small truck. I have a 4cyl s-10 and get great gas mileage, I've also put 40K miles on it with no troubles at all. And you can probably get a cheap bed topper thing so your drums will stay protected. What about an accord wagon? Hondas run forever and get pretty good gas mileage. I've also always had a thing for volvo wagons, 700 or 900 series, but im note sure how those things are on gas....

[maxama10]

How about a VW? If not and you decide on the small truck then how about a nissan errr i want to call it a frontier? its a small little truck about the size of a ranger i think
goodluck

[ramennoodles]

you should go with the vulva....i mean volvo...but that is what i think ....but i do know someone who is buying a cadillac and has a lincoln towncar for sale.

Nice, dude.

To all, I have a small truck already. I drive a 94 Dodge Dakota. It gets about 15 mpg highway. I'm really looking for something a bit better than that.

The thought had also occured to me to get a el camino with a bed cover.

Anyway, thanks to all, Keep the suggestions coming.

-Isaac.

[oneworld]

VW golf would work out pretty good.. and you can get a turbo one for like 6k around here.... so you have space and your pimpin.... win win

[BeaverEater]

u should be getting better than 15 mpg's out of your dakota easily. Have you done a tune up lately?? Also what size engine do you have?? My 4x4 extended cab ram 1500 with the 5.9l magnum engine gets about 15ish.

[beam]

i'd say Scion xB....they are the roomiest tiny car i've ever been in.

but they may be a bit out of your price range. mine gets 30-35 mpg.

i've seen them on eBay for a low as 10k...lower if you're willing to go rebuilt/salvage