Car for a college student.

I wasn't sure where this could fit into, but if it's in the wrong spot...Mods just move her on out of here.
I'm going to college 250 miles away, and would like to see my family once in a while. I am stuck between an eclipse GSX and a GMC/chevy silverado... I need this car for college. The eclipse has better gas milage but takes premium fuel, is fast(which could be a bad thing) while the truck is slower, can go in the hills (in ely thats about all you can do), has horoble gas milage and is safer. Let me know what you think

Edit: i'm going to college in las vegas

I wasn't sure where this could fit into, but if it's in the wrong spot...Mods just move her on out of here.
I'm going to college 250 miles away, and would like to see my family once in a while. I am stuck between an eclipse GSX and a GMC/chevy silverado... I need this car for college. The eclipse has better gas milage but takes premium fuel, is fast(which could be a bad thing) while the truck is slower, can go in the hills (in ely thats about all you can do), has horoble gas milage and is safer. Let me know what you think

Edit: i'm going to college in las vegas
DUDE, IF U REALLY WANT A RELIABLE CAR WITH BETTER GAS MILAGE. LET'S SEE HMMMMM........ IF SHOWING OFF IS NOT YOUR PRIORITY THEN BUY COROLLA OR CIVIC OR EVEN BETTER MAZDA 3. IF THEY LOOK TOOO PLAIN THEN GO WITH COROLLA XRS, CIVIC SI OR MAZDA 3 HATCH. I HAVE COROLLA LE AND IT MAY NOT WIN DRAG RACING BUT IT CERTAINELY IS A VERY ROUNDED CAR WITH FEW COMPROMISES.

DUDE, IF U REALLY WANT A RELIABLE CAR WITH BETTER GAS MILAGE. LET'S SEE HMMMMM........ IF SHOWING OFF IS NOT YOUR PRIORITY THEN BUY COROLLA OR CIVIC OR EVEN BETTER MAZDA 3. IF THEY LOOK TOOO PLAIN THEN GO WITH COROLLA XRS, CIVIC SI OR MAZDA 3 HATCH. I HAVE COROLLA LE AND IT MAY NOT WIN DRAG RACING BUT IT CERTAINELY IS A VERY ROUNDED CAR WITH FEW COMPROMISES.http://selan.jbcomptech.com:81/files/images/caps-lock.jpg

if you want a car with better gas mileage that can still go up in the hills, look at an S-10 or Ranger, or cherokee. The 4.0L cherokee isn't that slow and still gets pretty good gas mileage.

PM me when you get to Vegas; I live here. :P

For a college car, I'd go with something sporty yet still economical and reliable...something like an Integra GS-R or a Celica GT-S.

integra or celica would kill a college student on insurance. They cost as much to insure as real sports cars.

They're not as bad as you might think, especially the mid-90's models. Plus, the gas mileage is good, yet the car is still reasonably fun to drive.

They're not as bad as you might think, especially the mid-90's models. Plus, the gas mileage is good, yet the car is still reasonably fun to drive.

And reliable.

What about the new Kia Spectra5 or Suzuki Aerio SX? With the Spectra5 being a more practical then the Civic Si and just about as sporty plus cheaper alternative to the Mazda 3. Plus with the Aerio SX being the cheapest AWD automobile out there, with four doors and well, you get the picture and not to mention a pretty nice interior.

And if you’re into tuning, which I think a majority of AF people here are, the new Hyundai Elantra based 2.0l beta is showing signs of some potential. Also, people are jumping on the chance to swap a manual transmission and drop an intercooled turbo into the Aerio SX to turn it into something of a cheap rallysport. Best of all, your insurance company will still think of it as just a Kia or Suzuki.

Scion tC

There is no way in Hell that I can afford insurance on anything above 98. I checked it out, and it was almost 1000 difference on a 99 GSX and a 97! WTF... same car :banghead: i'm pretty bent on an eclipse...and I figured with insurace and fuel figured in, the truck was more expensive due to me traveling home at least once a month...but thats assuming I don't get any tickets in the car either :lol: :p , driving a sports car is like :wave: hey cops, check my speed...but if your in an old white beater truck (not what i would get, lol) i doubt most cops would even radar you if there is another car even close to you!

Edit: Plus i would rather drive a car around and park it, than a big ass truck..!

as much as i love going fast and racing id have to say for you the best choice is a tahoe, those things are cool, especily the two doors (i think chevy named it a blazer?) lift it and you have a bad ass ride thats fun to drive and is fairly reliable

dont go with a sport compact, you will eventually add some lights, and then move on to harder things like an inake and then eventually you will drop out of college and be stealing from your family to get that turbo kit, that shits more addictive than crack man!

Nah its a chevy tahoe, blazer is different, and now they are really small. and the GSX already has a turbo.

In the way you are looking at it a truck would seem impractical...the eclipse is nice, but do you have to get the turbo? you will save on fuel, and wont get so mant speeding tickets...if not then an old celica or integra should do the trick

Me being me... I want the best of what I want or I know i'm just gonna want more when i have he one i got. just like my cell. stupid but i just figured, then i dont' have to upgrade later.

I was pretty much in the same situation as you, in terms of choice of car, considered the corolla, mazda3 etc, but i've decided on the Impreza RS. Great handling, reasonably thirsty, pretty powerful without the cop car attracting low sports car design....and especialy in my case, great for a WRX or STi engine swap if I get enough money together, so it will be perfect sleeper.

looks like you're not looking for something practical, or anything that saves gas

if you really want a "car for college" stick with an econobox, get a civic or corolla, or something cheap, realiable and the gas won't hurt your wallet

I know i need to make a decision soon, but i still am not completly decided on vegas either, the cost of living is las vegas is rediclous, housing alone is gonna kill me. I was also thinking cedar city utah, but then i would probably need a truck, and where i am now there is about 4 in of snow and the roads are just packed. :mad: slick as hell, i'm driving my dads truck right now, becuase my rear wheel car just don't cut it. haha.