My son has will be attending a local community college this fall. He has requested to use my Jeep Liberty, so I need a new car. What car should I buy?

Buying Criteria:

• Under $15,000 (including discounts)
  
• Must be fuel efficient (27 MPG Highway a minimum)
  
• Must be safe (Govt rating of 4-5 or insurance rating of Acceptable or Good)
  
• All Wheeled Drive is not important but a bonus
  
• The newer the better but used is not a show-stopper.
  
• I am pretty simple in my tastes so the only amenity I need is Air Conditioning. Ipod accessible, fancy wheels, heated seats are all so not needed.
  

Other information

• To me a car is a tool I use to get to from point A to Point B. I am not worried about the statement it makes, to build my male ego up (My wife can shatter that so quickly , or to prove to my kids I am cool (they already know I am not).
  
• I am 6 feet tall (a little under 2 meters) and weigh 220 LBS (About 100 Kg)
  
• I like to stretch my legs when I drive
  
• I am feeling a little patriotic lately so I would prefer a car from "Detroit." However, I have also purchased "Foreign" cars in my past(I own a Honda Odyssey and have owned a Toyota and Volkswagen). I am also a firm believer in a global economy. So I am not set on "Buy American".
  
• I work 3 day a week from home. I have a 35 mile (57 Km) commute (one way, 70 mile round trip) with the last 10 miles stop and to my office on the days I commute.
  
• Bankruptcy is not a show-stopper. However, depending on how the GM proceedings go this may change.
  
• I am a firm believer that there is a balance between cost and quality. In short, I and conflicted between my own cheapness and my wife's nature to buy the best quality, no matter the cost.
  
• My general practice is to have the car maintained every 6,000 - 10,000 miles (10,000 Km - 16,000 Km). But I no longer maintain cars myself.
  
• The last three cars I have traded in have had more that 200,000 miles on them. My Ford Contour had 250,000 miles and was 10 yr old. Having 6 yrs of no car payment is better than getting a 10% discount for trading in.
  
  

You opinions are welcome. PM me if you wish. Ask more questions also. I am pretty sure at least ONE other member of this community is also looking for a car. Any and all reasonable advise will be considered. I am also looking to buy in the next 30 days.

MJ

well. i have to say the following.

i bought my honda element in 2003 a first year of production thing. for about 20k out the door.

its a great vehicle. all wheel drive has saved my butt in the winters of cleveland numerous times.

great road trip car too. holds myself my wife our monster dogs, and luggage to canada etc quite well. its also a real fun car for those who love the outdoors.

and its a good time right now to get a couple years used vehicle. letting someone else take the depreciation hit.

mines got 45k miles on it. its been aside form windshields, (my bad luck) trouble free.

pm me here mj or catch me on FB chat or something. i can share a whole lot of what i know about vehicles. (being a motorhead all these years should stand for somethin)

lol
all the best
N

* I am feeling a little patriotic lately so I would prefer a car from "Detroit." However, I have also purchased "Foreign" cars in my past(I own a Honda Odyssey and have owned a Toyota and Volkswagen). I am also a firm believer in a global economy. So I am not set on "Buy American".
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MJ, my honda was built in east liberty ohio, it contains more domestic production than some GM vehicles. and even some chryslers.


* I am a firm believer that there is a balance between cost and quality. In short, I and conflicted between my own cheapness and my wife's nature to buy the best quality, no matter the cost.
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Remember quality and cheapness are not interconnected. sometimes automobiles that carry the quality tag are not cheap. (say audi)
as where honda's toyota's and subarus all have great numbers for quality satisfaction.

* My general practice is to have the car maintained every 6,000 - 10,000 miles (10,000 Km - 16,000 Km). But I no longer maintain cars myself.
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the only cars i maintain , are those that dont need computer diagnostics. as to the rest i just take it tin on its reccomended service intervals. so far no trouble.

* The last three cars I have traded in have had more that 200,000 miles on them. My Ford Contour had 250,000 miles and was 10 yr old.
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friend's 58 volvo 44s series, had 860,000 miles on the original engine. only thing ever replaced was the starter. . ever think of restoring something from another era?

just some afterthoughts.
best
N.