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Economy Sedans (~$16k-$20k)

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, Mazda MAZDA3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 87 of 121

#857 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [mgoldstein] by doohickie

Sep 15, 2007 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: mgoldstein (Sep 15, 2007 12:51 pm)
I would say plug all of those cars into the Edmunds used car pricing calculator thingy and see which are good deals. The first one sounds a little high to me. Also, there is a somewhat active Hyundai owners group in the area (http://www.dfwhyundais.com based in Dallas/Fort Worth), as well as some other Hyundai forums (ElantraClub.com, ElantraXD.com). If she ends up with an Elantra, tell her to check out those sites. If she has questions about her car, we can help. If she even needs some stuff done to the car, we can maybe get some help as well. I'm in Fort Worth, about 80 miles away.
 
I have a 2005 Elantra hatch (though not a GT... those leather seats get REAL hot in the Texas sun which is something to consider), and it is a pretty good car. I know the dealerships in Dallas-Fort Worth area have been great so far, and I think there is a good one in Waco, and there are also some down by Austin.
 
And no matter what, if the car she gets doesn't have window tint, I know a place that does it for dealerships that charges $140. A good investment down here. (They're in Cleburne, about 60 miles from Waco.) She might be able to find a similar deal closer.
 
Part of the warranty is free courtesy towing too... just in case.
 
Let me guess.... Baylor?

#858 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [mgoldstein] by backy

Sep 16, 2007 (7:21 am)

Replying to: mgoldstein (Sep 15, 2007 12:51 pm)
The miles on the 2005 GT seem pretty high for its age. If it were me I'd go for the 2006 Elantra with the longer factory warranty. I don't think the Sentra is nearly as nice a car as the Elantra, although it would fetch a little higher fuel economy. If your daughter will ever haul anyone in the back seat (likely), they'll appreciate the much roomier back seat in the Elantra.
 
If the $10,800 is the dealer's asking price, try to work it down some.
 
Also, it may interest you to know that the Elantra is Edmunds.com's top pick for a used car in this class.

#859 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [doohickie] by mgoldstein

Sep 17, 2007 (10:46 am)

Replying to: doohickie (Sep 15, 2007 8:00 pm)
Thanks Doohickie. Actually she is a student at TWU in Denton, but my in-laws live in Waco. I was focusing on Waco as my in-laws were good about running around town looking at cars for me. This is hard to do long distance! Now that I know what she wants, then I started checking the dealerships in/around Denton.
 
I am leaning away from the high mileage 05 Elantra GT hatch w/ leather and sunroof. It is now between an 06 Elantra GLS sedan in Waco (w/ 12000 miles) or an 06 Elantra GLS hatch (w/ 33000 miles) at McNatt in Denton. I tried the Eckert Hyundai but they don't have much stock. They are both about the same price; the 12000 mile car was in service for 12 months and the 33000 mile car was in service for 19 months.
 
I know the 12000 mile car is a better deal, but I think my daughter actually likes the hatchback better than the sedan.
 
I need to decide today. I think I can't go wrong either way and it seems like a pretty good decision in the +/- $11000 out the door range.
 
Thanks for your assistance.

#860 of 1205 Re: Honda [stevecebu] by nthe

Sep 17, 2007 (11:45 am)

Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 05, 2007 1:59 am)
if you have such back luck with anything ford, then why are you looking at mazda?

#861 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [mgoldstein] by nthe

Sep 17, 2007 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: mgoldstein (Sep 15, 2007 12:51 pm)
the sentra seems a little high priced, as my dealership just sold a 05 sentra with 35k miles (automatic, air cond, power win/locks) for 9995. Not to mention, take a look at the crash scores for the sentra (safercar.gov).
 
the elantra scores much better in the crash tests.
 
10,800 for a GLS elantra is actually a very good price to start from. Wholesale on that car is only a few hundred less. Edmunds shows trade in about 10,000.

#862 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [nthe] by doohickie

Sep 17, 2007 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: nthe (Sep 17, 2007 12:06 pm)
I prefer a hatch too; that's why I got one. But even the sedans have a fold-down rear seat, so oversized items can fit.
 
When I moved my son from college in Iowa back to Texas, all this stuff:
 

 
fit into the Elantra. If you don't believe me, see for yourself:
 

#863 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [doohickie] by lilengineerboy

Sep 17, 2007 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: doohickie (Sep 17, 2007 12:45 pm)
OH yeah, you think your so cool with your hatch backs...check out a real wagon.

 
Okay, just playin

#864 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [doohickie] by backy

Sep 17, 2007 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: doohickie (Sep 17, 2007 12:45 pm)
Was it ISU by chance?

#865 of 1205 Re: Used Car for Daughter in College [backy] by doohickie

Sep 17, 2007 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: backy (Sep 17, 2007 4:00 pm)
Naw.... Coe College in Cedar Rapids. They gave him a good scholarship, but it's such a small school he had trouble getting into the classes he wanted. He lasted a year there and came home. :/
 
Now he's a waiter at a movie tavern and going to community college.
 
And... umm... he drove my Elantra once (on topic! )

#866 of 1205 '06 Elantra by sandman46

Sep 17, 2007 (6:51 pm)

Go with the '06 Elantra with the 11k miles, just for the longer warranty period makes it a better buy in my opinion. You'll be happier you opted for the sedan if something major craps out at the 50k mark. Also, a trunk is a bit safer than a hatch, but that's just personal preference.
 
The Sandman

Messages Page 87 of 121

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