I am in the market for a car....it will be my first one...

I haven't the foggiest what to look for, but I don't want something too big, as I am only 5 foot tall!

Im looking for ideas of a car that would be automatic, forgiving of a new driver, kinda funky-not-old-ladyish and can last me a few years...


There are tons of used cars on sale in my area, but with not much idea of what to look for and what to avoid, I am a fish out of water!

keep milage as a consideration

the oil analysts here are predicting $100 oil in the next year or so. and you KNOW gas is gonna go back up

I drive a camry and it has been a GREAT car!!!

if your buying used you cant go wrong with a toyota,nissan or honda....

Are there makes/models that are known to have decent mileage?

Engine life?

Maintenance long term cost projections?

A Honda or a Toyota will last you for like a thousand years. No kidding, those things just keep going and going. Now is actually a good time to buy a car. Just take your time and shop around. Don't buy the first thing that catches your eye. Walk out if they give you the runaround, they'll call you. Also, if you take a man with you you'll get a better deal. Never pay the asking price. My dad taught me how to deal and it really does work. They will tell you that's their bottom line but there is usually some more wiggle room.

Good Luck and have fun!

My fav car I had was a buick regal GS. It ha a super charge on it. I had very very little problems with it. Ran awesome. I have a cadillac now and I still miss my buick!

a Toyota will run forever

EDIT: I had a Toyota 4x4 once and my ex-wife promised i could get a new truck when it finally died

so I pulled the oil plug so it would die quicker

the damn thing just wouldn't die. even with no oil in the engine

<--- Me too, one of the best cars I have ever owned, it gives me no problems.......

I gota admit Toyota makes a good car. I had to pass up on the last one I test drove cause it wasn't very cozy. Good Luck

What about buying new?

Is a lease or purchase better?

What should I look for as far as a warranty?

I will NEVER lease a car. To much money down and restrictions to not be able to own it for yourself. I also drive ALOT so I can't be limited on my miles... the warranties are pretty useless for me because it's nothing for me to drive 500 miles in a weekend. I go thru those "10,000" warranties in no time at all

Yeah i suppose a lease wouldn't be a good option for all the road trips I want to do this coming year...

I don't recommend it, especially for a first time buyer... way to many restrictions on it. And if you go over your limits, they nail you to the wall with fees and penalties.

New Beetle is like that...
The seat and steering wheel adjust very well to handle different bodies... my friend is just 5' and her husband is over 6'3"

Super roomy and very sharp looking ...

get a convertible one... you'd totally rock that one! he he

Mazda 3 is nice for shorties too though

I like the new beetle for looks too...BUT

We make our speed bumps really tall here...and Ive seen many people scrape their cars underneath!

O.o

Mazda 3 huh?

Ill keep that in mind thank you

Mazda6- Very good car. Rented one and drove it for a week, and would buy one if I was in the market.

Hyundai Sonata- My Mom has an 06, and this thing surprised me with how great gas mileage is, how safe it is, and how wonderful it drives.

I owned a little toyota tercel, little sh*t beater car, but amazing, it just ran forever.

I can tell you what not to get. I have a 2003 Chevy Impala, great gas mileage, but it seems there is always something going wrong with it. But I have 118,000 miles, so maybe its just the mileage or something.

Fuzuck a car babe...

Get a Harley!!!

You would ROCK on a Harley sweet thang!

I would love to learn to ride....but winters here are long and i need a car first :)


My Bf has a 1999 Sonata...its got over 200000miles on it...I Love to drive it

But I want a car of my own :-)