Teach me, sensei... cheap Dodge Charger edition

A couple years ago I bought DD#2 her first car. She requested something largish, not too low, 4 doors. What I bought her was a '96 Celica ST, because the deal was too good to pass up. I knew it wasn't anything that she wanted, but she didn't complain. It's that unattractive mushroom color and it's not an inspiring drive. I put fresh wheels and tires on it but nothing else. It needs a little TLC but I could easily get out of it for what I have in it. I've had a weather eye open for something that was a little closer to what she wants.

Then yesterday she mentioned loving (of all things) Dodge Chargers. Larger, 4 doors, possible AWD; sounds like a good start for a utility vehicle that isn't an SUV.

So what's the best Charger for a budget-minded parent of a college student?

Large-ish? Larger? Make no mistake, the Charger is a BIG car. How good is she at parking? On my college campus, most LX-platform cars looked like they were regularly used to hit and back into as much E36 M3 as possible.

I'd think a mid-size like an Avenger would be a better choice, still being a four-door, bigger than a Celica but not being downright massive.

AWD, stability control, built like a tank... seems like a good place to start. I'm going to assume she wouldn't need a Hemi. I have heard (but not experienced for myself) that the first-gens have a low windshield, but your daughter is probably shorter than the average cop and might not notice any problem.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

She got applause and a thumbs up from the Fed Ex guy who paused to let her parallel park in front of our house. For the first year of having her license, her daily was our 2000 Grand Caravan. She's got no problem with big. Her main problem with the Celica is that it's too small.

[edit] Besides, I wouldn't wish an Avenger on my worst enemy.

I really like the latest face lift. I would consider this for transporting kids. The only things that concern me are interior quality and build quality (longevity).

The awd system in them will fail 110% of the time.....skip those and instruct how to drive.

What fails on the AWD? I don't disagree with your advice; just wondering.

In reply to Duke:

The post-facelift Avenger with the Pentastar engine is virtually a different car...regardless, if you hated the early Avenger but think a pre-facelift Charger is going to be a whole lot nicer, you're about to be in for a rude awakening.

Both cars changed CONSIDERABLY after the Fiat facelifts.

If you love her you'll get a Hellcat to make up for the Celica

Wally wrote: If I ever want her to die in a fireball I'll get a Hellcat to make up for the Celica.

FTFY.

In reply to Duke:

They couldn't hold the power potential of the 5.7L they were put behind.......and I'd be surprised if they'd actually hold anything more than the 2.7....lol

To be fair, they might last with conservative driving, but I have yet to meet a woman who falls in that category.

I would be looking at the 3.5L V6, not the 8. Thanks for the heads up.

I know, before I even say it but there are a lot of really nice VW/Audi products that fit the needs/wants you are describing.

A6 or Passat 4Motion are both very nice (way nicer driving than any Dodge ever) and if you don't ignore maintenance for forever should be as reliable as anything else out there.

When I was young and had a tow truck I wished more fathers put their daughters in VWs. New Beetles were a wonderful fad in several ways.