First car

[reeync]

mfbzoester, I live in the country...not in mountains as high as the ones you're on, I think, but my driveway is uphill and a fifth of a mile of dirt, mud, gravel, and tree roots. The Uwharries here in NC are old mountains (tallest is just under 1,000 ft), but still the drive to town is on winding, hilly roads. My Yaris is automatic...haven't driven a manual in many years...but it has no problem with the roads, and I get between 32 and 34 mpg even with driving speeds that drop from 55 to 45 back up to 55 and then down to 30 or less around some curves.

For 16 years, I had a Geo Metro 2-door hatchback. It wasn't too bad for getting in and out of the back, but my kids weren't small then and didn't need car seats. Now I have a grandson who has just graduated from a car seat to a child's safety seat, and I have to say that getting him in and out of the car seat would have been a trial if I'd have gotten a 2-door Yaris. If you don't have that concern in the near future, I can't think of any other reason why a 2-door wouldn't be adequate, though.