What is the best small truck for a 16 year old girl?

Question

I'll be 16 in a few months. My parents said I needed to start getting an idea for a car. At the moment, I don't like driving, but my parents said that would change once I got my own car and had more freedom with it (go anywhere in town I want, we live in a small town). I have an older sister, who they said by my age had already picked out her preferences. I can't pick out an exact car, I'm stuck with what they get me, but I'll be gratefulf or whatever that may be. I am absolutely positive they won't get me a brand new car of any kind, but they do want ideas in the next few months so they can start looking...I'm not really into what is fashionable or anything like that. I like safe and very affordable, I'm a teenage girl who is always worried about my family's financial being. I've gone to a private school all my life and the tuition is high.

I feel bad my parents send me to such a high priced place for an education, but they tell me as long as I enjoy going there and make good grades, it is worth it. (I make all A's and was top of my class last year). I have only 3 ideas so far for my car:
1) Automatic ONLY (I know it seems picky, but I told them if they were getting me a manual that it would be a waste of their money, since I WON'T drive it)
2) 4 doors (2 doors are too crowded looking to me...)
3) NO leather interior (I put this here because I know a girl who is getting a brand new Camry when she turns 16 and it will have leather seats and I know my parents like for me and my sister to never feel left out). My parents got my sister a '98 Ford ZX2 (something like that, I'm not too smart when it comes to cars, can't you tell?) when she turned 16 in '00.

I asked a similar question to this a few days ago, and got great responses.
My parents seem to be leaning towards a small truck for me.

So instead of the best car for me, what would be the best (safest, most affordable gas-wise) small truck for me?

All your answers are appreciated.

Answer 1

I agree with DJ above. Personally the RAV4 would be my pick, but the Forester or CRV are both great cars (small trucks). Another car very worth considering is the current Hyundai SanteFe, much better than the naysayers will ever know. You may be able to get a 1yr old one cheaply, as they have poor retention of value. That would be my pick, and in turbodiesel trim. Possibly consider the Nissan Murano, its the largest of the bunch, also economical and reliable. Try not to go over 1500kgs (1.5ton) in weight, to get good gas mileage.

Answer 2

I'd say a chevy colorado, GMC canyon, ford ranger, ford f150, toyota trucks (very fuel efficient). I think you should lean more towards a car, because unless you only want two people in your car, trucks can get pretty expensive. Also, if you learn to drive manula, you can save over 1000 dollars at times. It is very easy. Just watch the tachometer, where it says RPM, make sure the red line stays between 2000 and 3000 RPM. If it goes under 2K shift down, if it goes over 3K shift up. a good 2-3 passenger truck would cost you about 14K-16K new. You can get great deals on certified inspected preowned. Also, you could try carmax if you look for used. My neighbors have a car from carmax, and it has been amazingly reliable and good as new. I hope I helped. Small SUVs are great too, like the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda CRV, ford escape (that is a hybrid, so u save $$ on gas), etc. Just search for affordable cars on yahoo or google. That is how i ended up answering this question.

Answer 3

Subaru Forrester.

Second, Toyota Rav4 or Honda CRV.

They are great vehicles for a high schooler, sensible, reliable, economical, can be use for hauling stuff and friends.

They are the highest rated in terms of reliability and safety.

Ford, Dodge and GM trucks and suvs are the lowest rated in these categories. Smart people look past the advertising and actually do their research.

If you really want to narrow the list of cars to the best ones, buy the Consumer Reports Used Car guide. They collect scientific data and also drive and test the cars themselves. Best $24 you and your folks will spend toward your car......

Answer 4

In my opinion a Toyota truck, get the four cylinder if you like to save money, is without question, the longest lasting, most reliable vehicle on the planet. The worst would be the chevrolet s10 or gmc s15, do not get a small gmc...no matter what. I love and have had many full sized chevy's without a single problem, but for whatever reason, they cannot get the small truck right. If you plan on an american brand. get a full sized truck. it is what they do best.

Answer 5

Ford Explorer (suv) or Ford Ranger (pickup)

they are cheap to buy and maintain, Small 3.0 and 4.0 engines get great gas milage with plenty of reserve power

Answer 6

i got a santa fe like zed said, its the best i ever had. real cheap to run, huge warranty. its a 2006 demonstrator but still great and i got it for a good price. find one to drive b4 u buy anything

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/santafe/santafe.aspx

Answer 7

A Dodge Dakota is a wonderful mid-sized truck. My husband had one and it ran great and caused us no problems.