I want a small suv/crossover for college...but since my parents are willing to help me buy this one (third car under my name...fifth all together) I am limited to a small or midsize car! Based on what you know about each...which one would you suggest and why?

The Cougar looks the hottest of the three, has decent quality, though it rides coppy. The GA, though not expensive, just hasn't turned out to have the quality rankings of the Alero or others.

Of those four, I hate to say it, but I'd go with the Accord. Second place probably goes to the GA if you can stomach the dashboard. I'm not too familiar with the Cougar, but stay away from the Chryslerbishi. However, if you're interested in expanding your list, how about a late model GP coupe?

Get a Civic or Jetta. Then you could be like every other girl on campus. But out of those choices, Grand Am.

I had voted Startus coupe based on looks and being different, but I forgot that V-6 models used that 2.7L sludge machine.... So unfortunately, the Accord is the most bulletproof.

To me this is an easy choice--the Accord, but it will be the most expensive. The Dodge will probably be the cheapest, but there are the Mitsubishi mechanicals that you will have to worry about. The Grand Am is ok--but it's a Grand Am, a car that is decidedly average. I don't have any experience with the Cougar, but I can't see that car holding any resale value.

I'd probably go with the Accord, and it should have pretty good resale value.

Poor resale will help you pick up a Cougar or Grand Am for a lot less than an Accord. Plus, if you plan on keeping it for awhile, who cares? What about an Alero, perhaps an ex-rental car?

You guys sicken me... Picking the Accord over the Grand Am because it has better quality and resale... :P Sorry... I had to go with the GA. If it's a GT, it'll handle better than the other choices. With a 0-60 time of 7.8 secs it will be faster than all but the Accord. Fuel economy isn't the best nor worst of those choices. Then there's looks where the GA blows all of them away (of course, this is subjective). My second choice would be the Accord... My bias was too strong for it to be first. The others just flat-out suck... IMO...