Car Advice: Best Used Car to Suit My Needs

[honda4us]

Hi Kurt,

You're in a similar situation as my son right now (we're Canada too) and one question I have for you - have you priced insurance yet? This may be a MAJOR deciding factor in what vehicle you get.

My experience (and what our ins company told us) is to get our son a small pickup truck as trucks with no rear seats/seatbelts are way less for insurance for a younger driver. My experience as well, having worked for GM dealerships for 20+ yrs, is that imports are better for longevity but more expensive for parts than domestic. SUV's are massive gas guzzlers...I have a 2000 Xterra and while I love it to bits, its the worst vehicle ever on gas.

We have a 98 Honda civic cx that we wanted to give him, but the insurance on 2dr Hondas is massive ($5000/yr). So now we're considering the small truck.

If a small pickup isnt an option, go with a 4dr that has more headroom. I think you're on the right track with the toyota for a car choice...they're a good safe choice.

Good luck!