CARCARCARCAR

[la_belle_laide]

My Da is taking me out tomorrow to look at some new cars. The good: DAD WANTS TO KEEP SHINIGAMI! He has always loved my car, and he thinks if it's possible at all to get it fixed, he might just take it on and keep it in the family. I can get to see (and drive!) Shinigami sometimes. Because my folks already have a car, but they've been wanting another one and my Da is in love with Caddies.

Which leaves me still searching out my next perfect car. And I would appreciate any and all input from more car-savvy people, as I am just a girl and I have only a vagina, and I do now know from cars.

Here's my criteria:

Fuel efficient. Shinigami, for all that it is a '94 Caddie, gets 21 MPG, which is not bad for what it is. So I need something that beats that by a mile. Something over 30. There are TONS of cars that get over 30 these days, but I have more criteria.

No leather. I know that sounds weird, but it means a lot. No leather.

Eco friendly. Something about emissions, specifications say things like "Tier 2 bin 5 / LEV II" but I have no idea WTF that means.

High safety rating.

IPOD COMPATIBLE.

Something fun but not too small. Mid-size or larger, but NOT an SUV, minivan or caravan or even vaguely truck-ish thing. Good power, but not a sports car--remember I cart around a LOT of gear, tons of bird cages, and occasionally my dogs.

And under $16,000.

YEAH, RIGHT.

Any ideas?

ETA: Acceleration. I'm sorry, I know it's probably really juvenile of me, but I need to go VROOM. I have an 8 cylinder now so it's going to be hard enough as it is to step down from that.

Comments

[spotts1701.livejournal.com]

Might I suggest the Toyota Corolla? It gets good fuel mileage, is constantly at or near the top of most safety lists, is usually tech compatible and costs between $14,000 and $16,500 depending on option package.

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I will totally have a look right now. Thanks!

[reanimated.livejournal.com]

i'd say the scion xA, which i have, except it's fairly small. :/ it fits just about everything else, though. i actually got it pimped out, with ipod stereo (ACTUAL wiring for the ipod to the stereo, not through the FM), LED lights and subwoofer, for like 15 something. i love my car so very much. his/her name's ruby jade.

http://reanimated.livejournal.com/465411.html for pix!

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

It's cute and you're cute! It's not actually as small as some of the other ones I've been looking at. And I think I have to accept the fact that I'm gonna have to step down when it comes to size. I'm jus tso used to driving the huge boat I've had for so long...

I'll check it out. Mus tnot have leather ! ^_^

[reanimated.livejournal.com]

eh i think they are too cheap to offer leather. ;-)

[arianadream.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on pretty much every single one of your criteria! When I get a new car I would like to go for something like that, too. My car is looking horrible but still running great - it's a 1990 Buick Regal with 85,000 miles on it or something.

Are there any particular makes or models you're looking at?