TTAC's Top Ten Back to School Cars

by Robert Farago

August 18th, 2009 5:57 PM

KBB is ever-so-sensible. Here’s their “top ten back to school cars:” 2010 Kia Soul, 2010 Mazda3, 2009 Ford Focus, 2007 Suzuki SX4, 2006 Honda Civic, 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. Wait! That’s only six! I’ve got to click from the press release to the website to get the last four? The suspense is killing me/you/no one . . . 2009 Nissan Cube, 2007 Suzuki SX4, 2005 Ford Escape, 2009 Honda Fit, 2005 Scion xB. So how did kbb pick their winners? They like them! Mind you, “Every new car listed on this year’s Back-to-School list features New Car Blue Book Values that start at under $18,000. Every used car identified has a Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value of less than $12,000.” I guess they never heard of Beverly Hills 90210. Or college kids with a grand in the hand. So it’s time for YOU to pick TTAC’s top ten “back to school” cars, price no object, on either end of the spectrum. UPDATE: Wow! You guys are a serious-minded bunch. Here are some of your wilder choices and some of mine. Tell me what should stay and what should go (in its place), and why. Or not. Either way, thanks for the help.

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 72 comments

WildBill on Aug 19, 2009

1966 Plymouth Belvedere II sedan. Worked for me it'll work for today's snot noses!

Like Reply
Jpcavanaugh on Aug 19, 2009

College kids need cheap and durable. Crown Vic/Grand Marquis Taurus Buick Century (or an old Cutlass Ciera) An old Accord/Civic/Camry/Corolls is good but more expensive. If looking for something a little older/more unique, can't beat an old Valiant/Dart with a slant 6 and a Torqueflite. If you can find one not from the rustbelt, they are simple and nearly indestructable. Good ventilation system, so you won't need a/c, either. (yes, I had one of these in college, so I know firsthand.)

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Tassos BTW I thought this silly thing was always called the "Wienermobile".
Tassos I have a first cousin with same first and last name as my own, 17 years my junior even tho he is the son of my father's older brother, who has a summer home in the same country I do, and has bought a local A3 5-door hatch kinds thing, quite old by now.Last year he told me the thing broke down and he had to do major major repairs, replace the whole engine and other stuff, and had to rent a car for two weeks in a touristy location, and amazingly he paid more for the rental ( Euro1,500, or $1,650-$1,700) than for all the repairs, which of course were not done at the dealer (I doubt there was a dealer there anyway)
Tassos VW's EV program losses have already been horrific, and with (guess, Caveman!) the Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory growing by leaps and bounds, the future was already quite grim for VW and the VW Group.THis shutdown will not be so temporary.The German Government may have to reach in its deep pockets, no matter how much it hates to spend $, and bail it out."too big to fail"?
Billccm I had a 1980 TC3 Horizon and that car was as reliable as the sun. Underappreciated for sure.
Inside Looking Out I did not notice, did they mention climate change? How they are going to fight climate change, racism and gender discrimination. I mean collective Big 3.