If you were my age, which car would you choose?

Question

I'm 17 and am trying to choose between two cars that I want... they're used cars, of course, and it's between a

1997 Chrysler Sebring JXI (a blue, automatic leather convertible) with unspecified miles (I've emailed the dealership a couple of times for that information, but haven't received a response)

OR a...

2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS (lime green, also leather interior/ automatic and 117,000 miles...

They're both the exact same price at the dealerships, but I don't know which one is better...thanks for any advice~

Answer 1

I would leave the convertible alone if I were you. Convertibles require extra care because of the top. Every so often it will need to be cleaned. When it wears out (being almost 10 years old it might be at that point already) you will be faced with replacing it which is very expensive and not something you can do yourself. Convertibles are not all that safe, especially in a roll over (unless it has a roll bar, then you'll have some protection). Chrysler company does make good vehicles, but I would suggest looking at something different. You might take a look at the Sebring coupe. The PT Cruiser is nice too (renting one right now).
The VW has its own problems as well. I thought about buying a beetle myself at one time. One of my dad's friends knows a VW mechanic who suggested that we stay away from VW in general because of repair expenses and they were having trouble with cracked heads on the engines.
If I was 17 again here is the list of cars I would be looking at:
Mini Cooper (not the S version) ...this one might be a bit pricey to take care of as far as dealer maintenance and tires.
PT Cruiser ('06 ...earlier ones didn't fare well in the crash tests)
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
Nissan Sentra
Kia Rio or Spectra
Dodge Neon ('04-'05)
VW Golf ('80s-'90s)
Plymouth Horizon/Dodge Omni (really good tough little cars...if you can find them, last ones built were in 1990)
Volvo 240 sedan (owned one for 6 years) Volvo 240s are very tough and more reliable than what the "experts" say. ...well at least mine was. lol

Answer 2

Volkswagen tends to make good quality cars. And since it is 3 years newer I'd say go with the Beetle. At least until you find out what the milage is on the Sebring.

Another good car to buy would be a Honda Civic. If you can find one in good shape they last a very long time with little maintanance. We've had 3 in my family including my current car which is a '93 with 165,000 miles, but it runs great. We also had a '89 that was running great when we sold it a couple years ago. Even the mechanic at the shop I took my previous car told me of one they had, which had 250,000 miles on it when they sold it, and it ran fine as well.

Answer 3

Have you taken either vehicle for a test drive (doing that alone would tell you what the mileage is on the Sebring). I think Beetles are hideous and I used to rent Sebring convertibles everytime I went to Florida and absolutely love them!

Answer 4

VW Beattle. pls check on the millage and the condition of the engine by open the engine oil cap, if it is very dark on the cam that mean's ther previous owwer did not take care it well, if it is still shine it means good. you should ask for a test drive withour swtich on the radio that's where you get to know how well is the car. by the way the market value of a year 2000 car is much more than a 1997 car.

Answer 5

The Sebring. I'm not enamoured of the new VW engine, and the Sebring is a good car.

Answer 6

The VW is a better car. However, if the prices and milage are close, I would consider the general appearance of each, how 'worn' everything is, how expensive insurance is (you're 17, insurance is going to be high, this is important), and how each drives.

Answer 7

I would choose the Chrysler, if you ever had to do anything to the VW it would be expensive and a pain in the *** to work on it

Answer 8

I will go for 2000 Volkswagen.

Answer 9

i think the VW is better......
cuz it's Quite new
and The color quite is shallow, compared with province oil.....117,000 miles is little bit too much...
but VW is good car, so i think that's not a big problem....

Answer 10

The VW is better. But don't buy from a dealership. They are all skankers.