new car
 

My sister is going to get a new car next week. She can spend up to $30k, prefers SUVs, and so far likes the ford escape hybrid. However, she's not sure getting a hybrid is the best choice. any suggestions would help

thanks

Re: new car
 

Can't go wrong with the Accord Coupe.

Re: new car
 

toyota corolla

Re: new car
 

Nissan Xterra. Young, edgy, cool. Plus, it will be 10X cheaper to work on than a hybrid. If you sister is interested in keeping the car less than 3 years, go for the hybrid i guess, it will atleast be neat to have. But if she buys cars and keeps them forever, that is a whole lot of new technology that has no track record, and only Ford is going to be able to work on. (I do my own maintenance and would rather gouge my eyes out w/ a spoon than take my car to a dealer BTW.) The Nissan is simple, and are usually very reliable.

If she has no emotions towards cars at all, and insists on a SUV, tell her to go w/ a Santa Fe, or some other Korean made car. Check this out first, I know it's true of the cars, but I think all their SUV's come with 10 year/100,000 mile warranties. Plus they are cheap as hell to begin with! You can't beat those cars on a spreadsheet. You can buy a new one cheaper than a used Honda/Toyota equivalent.

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Foregt the hybrids unless she is doing a lot of highway driving. If she is doing city driving there is very little benefit to owning one.

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I love this car.
http://www.terra.com/autos/promo/suv...a_infinity.jpg

Re: new car
 

Is she paying cash for it?

If not, then by "up to $30K" you really mean "about $25K because by the time it's paid off she will have spent $30K on it".

I suggest something really cheap like a Ford Ranger or something else crappy for like $14K. She will save a lot of money and down the road she will be much happier she did so.

Re: new car
 

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Foregt the hybrids unless she is doing a lot of highway driving. If she is doing city driving there is very little benefit to owning one.

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I think you got that in reverse order....

Re: new car
 

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Can't go wrong with the Accord Coupe.

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Great choice for a person looking for a SUV. Almost as good as a mini....

If she is looking at the ford hybrid, one thing to figure out is if it is eligible (and how much) is the tax credit you can get in 2006. Hybrid gas savings are bit hard to calculate (ie the epa test are even more off than normal) but if you do a lot of city driving she should be pretty happy. Note that without the tax credit she is unlikely to save enough money to pay for the hybrid system

Re: new car
 

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Foregt the hybrids unless she is doing a lot of highway driving. If she is doing city driving there is very little benefit to owning one.

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This is definitely backwards.