Tammi's World

Being partial to Ford's, I would recommend a Taurus.

It's a very safe car, all the bugs have been worked out, a lot of companies use them as fleet cars, very tough, can take a lot and haven't heard many complaints about them. They are a work horse car.

And again with the new cars, it wouldn't hurt to look at a simple model. They try to get rid of the "old" new models and really, you can pick some up real inexpensive.

Friends of ours did this and got a Lincoln LS, fully loaded (retail cost $42K) for $29K.

My first car (A Pontiac), was my sisters first car...and also my brothers first car. So it was driven by 3 teenagers all first time drivers. The darn car was excellent. My 3rd car was a Pontiac as well. I think the darn thing made it back and forth across the US at least 2 times. I was a college student and a newlywed, so maintenance took a backseat to groceries many a time. I think when I sold it, got rid of it, it had 240,000 miles on it.

I had a Ford Escort, also while DH and I were both in school, the darn car worked great, and was economical with fuel.

My Explorer, I have had issues with since I bought the damn thing, although it too must have 190,000 plus miles, is a 1994,or 1992, and looks great.

The Ford150 Supercrew, rides like a dream, but filling it up is a nightmare...$60.oo a tank now!!

I need a convertable for the collective and I!!

I can't say enough good things about the Hyundai Sante Fe. It's affordable, has easy to use 4 wheel drive, tons of room and great pickup. The best descripton? It's zippy. I've been driving it back and forth over 6 states on a pretty regular basis this past year and it's comfortable and a great highway and local vehicle and it gets good gas mileage. In this area it's becoming like the VW was in the 60's, there's one everywhere you go!

Jeep, no question about it...

After I bought mine, my daughter in law bought her one and lo and behold so did my ex...

Of course this was because they knew what I was doing...

I'm a ford man myself, which is why I have to reccomend that you go buy a Camry or an Accord.

You will NEVER regret buying a camry. Even a comfy car for a leggy gal. And they are 400,000 mile cars. And the gas is cheep cheep.

I owned a Toyota Corolla (Named "Rosie") that was the most dependable car *ever*. Good luck in your hunt!!

The Toyota Corolla I bought in high school was a good car, and what bugs there were have been fixed in following models. The GMC product I had wasn't bad, and I love Pups the Subaru. All that said, I would recommend that outside of Olds you look at Subaru and Toyota. The Subaru's can last just about forever, are safe, and sporty. All the best!

One thing about Subaru, the Subaru is made right here in Indiana. So you can say you drive an American Made Car. Same for the Camry, made in Kentucky.

I'm with QW!! My first car was a 95 Ford Escort that I got with 80,000 miles on it in 1999. It went cross country with me, many road trips through the desert and much abuse. I had to replace one belt in 3 years and that's it.

Then I had a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport (which you saw) that I got with 20,000 miles on it. Excellent again. Help up well, good mileage, very comfortable.

And now I have a 2006 Ford Escape that had 0 miles on it (and now has over 15,000) and ILOVE it

Gotta love a Ford!

Even if you had the cash I'd tell you to stay away from BMW and Mercedes. I live in the land where its the thing to own and the reliability tanks. You couldn't pay me to own one.

I've never had any problems with any of my cars. I drive them until they've got 150K and this one I'm driving until 200. Mazda and Toyota are it for me. Toyota has been the best so far. I've done Ford, I liked it, but had to get rid of it at 50K as I had another kid and couldn't fit three baby seats in the back. So it was a great truck, but I only knew to 50K.

I think you can't go wrong with the Camry. If you find a good used Avalon, those are great too.

The key for me really has been maintenance. I keep my oil changed and tires rotated every 5K. Car maintenance is a form of religion to me...

best car I ever had was a Plymouth Neon. Dodge makes them now, but the first few years, they were also under the Plymouth banner. That was my HS and college car. 100% reliable, never had to take it in for anything other than scheduled maintenance. Safe in a crash, too, as that's the only reason I'm not still driving it!