A friend of the family is looking for a first vehicle for her daughter. I'm kind of an unofficial and slightly self-appointed big brother so they're kind of counting on me to find something. They can't spend more than 5K.

I was thinking that a Sidekick/Tracker or a Kia Sportage would be a good choice because of the price, economy and they seem to be pretty reliable. I think over all it would be pretty safe for her too. They live a little out in the country and I don't want to have her getting stuck.

Anything I need to look for or worry about with one of these? Any other suggestions appreciated.

 

Hyundia (how ever you spell it) Has shown to be a good vehichle, Also, I've heard some horror stories from Kia Techs! Have you got all data?

 

I've worked on enough Hyundai's to know I don't want one. At least nothing before 2001. I have double top secret access to alldata.

 

You all know I'm a Tracker fan. Easy and cheap to work on and have always been dependable for me. They just seem to keep chuggin along no matter what you do to em.

I got the one here the wife drives that I/rather she wants to get rid of in a few months. She's decided she wants something bigger so I'm gonna be lookin at a 4 Runner or Isuzu's to replace it. It's a 95 that has never been abused and everything works. We still use it for road trips cause right now I trust it more then I do my truck. Not to mention it's a lot cheaper to run. 7 gallons of gas get's us 250 miles. It's a stick though if that's a problem. Got the 5 speed in it, New stereo, new soft top that opens up into a sun roof or full convertible and will have new tires by then.

 

I don't know if I want her to have a 2-door. Seems like the 4-door hard top would be safer but maybe not. Just my thoughts. I'm sure she'd love the 2-door with the soft top. 5 speed shouldn't be an issue. She's coordinated enough that i think I can teach her in an afternoon.

 

the trackers are great that suzuki 4 banger is a hell of a reliable motor, you cant kill them things

 

My wife loved her Rav4.
There was some bad pub. about exploding when hit from the rear, don't know if that was true or not..., but the vehicle itself was very dependable.
It had all kinds of room too.

 

Also forgot to mention, for the girls it's a cute little purple tracker. I had her a black one that I was building for her, new stereo, lift kit, wheels and tires and rebuilt the motor. I was within a few weeks of callin it ready and she found this cute little purple one she liked better.

Tracker and the Suzuki are the same trucks with a different body on em. Same motor, drive train and everything except the the body panels and few other minor things.

 

You used the words "cute" and "purple" in the same sentence.

 

It must be a girl thing, I was just quotin what she said when she found it. I wanted to tear the body off and weld a cage around the whole thing myself. I just can't bring myself to do it with this one cause it's still in such good shape. It's hard to find the older one's that haven't been modified already.