In terms of reliability, VW has made tremendous improvements over the last several years. In addition, the Tiguan’s warranty covers virtually anything that could possibly arise in the time frame of a lease. So long as the driver properly maintains the car, it will be fine. While overall the hyundai would come out to be a few thousand less, there is a lot to be said for the overall refinement of the VW’s amenities, as well as its superior performance.

“Bottom line, we caved this weekend and landed up purchasing a 2006 Grand Jeep Cherokee that was in pristine condition had 38K miles. They were having a sale and with trade-in $3,500 off our Honda, landed up paying $14K. They have offered a $2,600, 4-year or 50K mile bumper to bumper warranty that we will probably land up buying because this is the first used car we have ever purchased and did not want to get a lemon.

We all appreciated your reader’s comments, particularly on the compass. I am afraid to ask what they would think of a Jeep Cherokee, but the deed has been done! Thanks again. I would respond to each one individually, but am having difficultly understanding the process.”

Horse. Water. Lead. Drink. Not.

If secure on-campus parking is either expensive or non-existent, a car can be a big headache.

Among the vehicles discussed, I’d vote for putting the new transmission in your Honda if you decide to let them have a car at school. You know that car’s shortcomings–any “new” used car would have all sorts of “X-factors” to deal with from 6 hours away.

Since this year is the changeover for a new new model, you might be able to catch a good deal on 2008 Matrix/Vibes as dealers look to offload last year’s model.

1. It’s ugly (especially the original).
2. It’s really a bit much vehicle for 2 colledge students with a long comute to do.
3. For being so big, it really can’t even carry six people (cargo’s not an issue).

If appearance isn’t an issue, then you can definately consider the Element as a smaller alternative (nice hauler, not sure I’d want to do 300 miles in one).

Or you could get one of the “one size smaller CUV’s” new or nearly so for better milage.

Getting a reconditioned transmission into the Accord is the cheap alternative. Unless it’s pushing 200K that would be what I’d do.

Since you plan for whatever to die in harness, depreciation isn’t an issue (the ones that cost more used, last longer). Do note that 3-row SUVs/CUVs are going for the same or less than 2-rows used (milage and oversupply). That’s why the Tribeca seems so affordable compared to say a Forester.

I only had a car for a grand total of 1 semester my whole time in college. I would have used it to get away alot more than I did except for poverty, and fear (rattletrap Escort). I never had a car at OSU, but you don’t use a car to get around campus (too crowded and parking costs), you use it to get away from campus.

Hey you guys, learn a little something about your vehicle. I did this job on my ‘99 CR-V for less than $50 myself. FWIW there are much better manuals than Haynes. For my Honda I bought the factory Helms Manual. For my VWs I always buy the factory Bentley manual. Both are lightyears ahead and the first time you don’t have to go to the dealer you have paid for the book.

Our CR-V has been golden for 161K miles.

Still I woul dbe inclined to send them to college with a $5K car (hatch or wagon). Cars sitting on campus get broken into, door-dinged, sunbleached, and generally neglected. I went to college in a $1500 ‘81 Moostang. Left for the Navy with that same car and replaced it with a ‘72 Beetle. Came back from overseas in a $150 ‘84 CR-X that I later sold for $850. Good car but ugly thank to the POs.

Bought a good late 80s Accord hatch (10 year old car).

Later when I was university staff some kid keyed my brand new ‘99 CR-V. Insurance fixed it but it really pissed me off. FWIW nobody ever messed with my 10+ year old cars.

It’s a shame. In the past 20 years, VW has only managed to make their cars more complex without being any more reliable. The price break vs. the nicer German cars is no longer a good deal. The value just is not there.

From Honda’s website:

-”Pilot gets EPA-estimated mpg 17/23/19 (city/highway/combined 2WD) and 16/22/18″

-MSRP = $27,595

I hear you on the price of the Enclave, which is a little bit out of this class, but I’m guessing you’re probably wrong about the fuel mileage.

Here’s why I say this: Take the GMC Acadia, for instance…from GMC’s website:

-”Based on EPA est. MPG (FWD) 16 city/24 hwy.”

-MSRP starting @ $30,470

So…I realize I’m changing the vehicle on you, but I think you get my point, and I don’t think your comment was fair. Oh, and by the way, who cares if kids don’t know what a Buick is? I thought we were looking for the best car, not just the one with the best name.

One more thing…and please excuse my rant…but my wife owns a Subie, and trust me…they’re not all that. With less than 30,000 miles on the odometer, she needed major transmission work done. Thank God it was covered under the warranty, which ended shortly thereafter. But the dealer is tough to schedule with anyway. (They’re not even open Saturday afternoons!) Last time I checked, some manufacturers have a 100,000-mile warranty.

I’m a little curious as to why you are buying a car for these guys, too. Can you not spare one of the vehicles in your fleet for them to take? I assume they already drive one in your home town, why not just let them take it to college?

That said, is it even necessary for them to drive home every weekend? Six hours is a long drive to make every weekend.

And, finally, don’t buy them a car because that would make me jealous. I’m going to Ohio State next fall and my parents aren’t giving me a car. I’m going to have to hump all over campus (a large campus, I might add) so why shouldn’t they? I’m just kidding, of course. Well, maybe only a little.

But do whatever you think is best. If you must buy a car, go with a hatch or wagon: Subie Legacy, Honda Fit, Pontiac Vibe, or Mazda 3. Skip the SUVs. They’ll thank you at the pump.

Unless you’re going along with the SUV-mentality her initial choices suggested, the Tiguan is a bust.

And while VWs may seem high quality on a test drive, they are among the worst in sustained reliability, though I admit they’ve been getting a little better.

I have a Scion xA, and I would think it would be a perfect “college car”. Any of the Scions would be, although the tC is much less practical and doesn’t really get extremely high gas mileage. The xB (either one) is great for sucking way more into it than you would think (especially the smaller, earlier version-that one is like the police box on Doctor Who, bigger on the inside than the outside). Now, the first xB does not have side air bags, even as an option (which is one of the reasons I got the xA instead, which has them available as a fairly rare option (which I got)). The new xB and the xD (replacement for the xA) have them standard. You could also go for the xA/xD’s bigger brother, the Toyota Matrix (or Pontiac Vibe, same thing). Or a even a Prius.

Wagon practicality, AWD, cheap to own and operate.

Want something fancier? How about a couple-year-old Volvo XC70?

Finally, I’ll admit to not having any kids, but my first car was a 10 year old Aries K car worth about $1,500. If you are even thinking car loan for this purchase, i.e. can’t afford it, don’t do it. When or if I do have kids, I will not being going into debt just so they can feel better about what they are driving around town. If they truly want to feel better about their car that will come through working hard to earn money to pay for it themselves. That brings a truer satisfaction that comes from a freedom of choice and a sense of ownership that you can’t get when a car (or anything else) is given to you.

Here is what I think…

1) The Accord is absolutely fine. A front wheel drive vehicle with the applicable snow tires will be a far better vehicle than most 4WD/AWD vehicles a mere ten years ago. Most of my classmates in Saratoga Springs, NY had far, far worse. If you need to fix the tranny and Honda won’t help, go to car-part.com and call up a bunch of independent shops and tranny shops in your area. The overall cost of doing this should be less than $1500.

2) I would favor the Pathfinder for the other son. It will suck on gas but it will be far, far cheaper over the long run than a $20,000+ car. You will be experiencing a ton of depreciation by the time either of the kids graduate from college (most vehicles lose 60% to 80% over 4 years) and the investment you could have made during that time would have yielded thousands more. If you want to give them a real present for the long run, tell them you’ll match their summer earnings so that they can put a down payment on a home when they’re 25. They may not appreciate it as much now, but they will have ear to ear grins when that time comes.

3) Regardless of what you do make sure they understand the vehicle and know how to maintain it. A Haynes manual, a basic wrench set, and some quality time on the driveway for 45 minutes is all they will need to learn more about their car than 95+% of their peers. My brother did this with me back in the day and i managed to keep one vehicle running for 239k, and my then girlfriend now wife always had a reliable ride back in the days when I was saving up for the house.

If you give them a quality car, and enable them to learn how to maintain the basics, you’ll truly do more for them than the overwhelming majority of parents. If you buy it for em’, they’ll get screwed by the dealerships and consider the car as some mysterious contraption rather than an easily understood machine. I know that’s not the answer you may want (especially from the person who purchases new cars around here) but that is my firm and honest answer.

Good luck in whatever decision you make…

My 1st car was a 1990 Subaru Legacy, it had 140k mi when I got it and ran until it was totaled at 215k when I was rear ended. I had plenty of cargo room with the back seats down.

A little out of her price range, do college kids even know what a Buick is. Talk about horrible gas mileage compared to all the other more sesible suggestions.

Snow tires and Front Wheel Drive will make them pay attention and not get lulled into the ‘I have AWD and I am Invincible’ train of thought.

If you have to get them something, a used Subaru Outback with great snow tires. Good in the snow, still sort of anti establishment (might even have the Save the Rainforest and HRC stickers on it)

Save your money to help them put a downpayment on thier first home when they are out of college.

Why not just buy them a brand new car like a honda fit, toyota yaris, honda civic, toyota corolla? I’m sure the kids will appreciate having all that extra money in their bank accounts from not spending it on gas.