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Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
1145 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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Hello everyone, I am hoping for a little bit of advice regarding which makes and models of vehicles I should be looking at. I am looking for a fuel efficient, reliable, used small car that I can drive for many many years. Reliability is probably the most important factor to me in this purchase, with fuel efficiency coming second. I do probably 50% of my driving on the highway, and 50% in the city. I do live in the NW and get a bit of nasty weather during the winter so handling and traction are also something I need to consider. I "need" - something small, fuel efficient and reliable that I can drive for hundreds of thousands of kilometers. I would really like - cruise control, power windows/locks, I'm thinking I'd prefer manual transmission due to better fuel efficiency and price (new), but I'm finding with my looking that most used compact/subcompact vehicles are automatics and the ones with manual transmissions do not have lots of extras like cruise control. (I've been looking at newish, low milage subcompacts) Forgot a vital detail . .. . I'm willing to spend up to $15 000. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) I would recommend a set of dedicated snow tires for winter driving regardless of what you buy. They really don't cost much more in the long run and the improvement in traction is drastic. Might save your life. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) A lot of new cars get as good or better mpg with the automatic. Whatever you save on the price you may lose that and more when you sell. Manuals are a lot harder to sell in the US. I always had manuals but bought an auto this time, one reason is the gearing on manuals now seems to be designed for "racing" in most cases. In my car the engine rpm is about 25% higher in the top gear of the manual vs. the automatic. Fifth gear in the automatic was almost equivalent to fourth gear in the manual. Is your preference new or used? In some models (eg. Civic) I think $15K may mean used, while for some others you may get a new for that price. Honda and Toyota also typically have the problem that you don't save much with a used one...though maybe things are different in the current market. Ford has been showing improved relibility and may give you more for your money, I think you could easily get a new Focus for $15K. Hyundai is another one that seems to be moving up in the reliability rankings and offers good values plus the long warranty, you might look at a new Elantra. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) Nissan Versa S w/ power pack, ABS pack, and cruise = $14,985 msrp ... $13,723 TMV Scion xD comes standard with all that = $15,320 (both msrp and tmv) Honda Fit Sport (again, all standard) = $15,940 msrp ... $15,516 TMV |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 14, 2009 7:49 am) Good to know that manuals do not resell as well - other than the (what I thought anyway) fuel savings I don't really have an opinion either way on transmission, if it's the right car in every other category I wouldn't care if it's manual or automatic. I have been looking used - thought I'd get more car for my money. Is Nissan as reliable as Honda long term? I've seen quite a few civics that I like however the milage seems high, is there a number to age ratio that I should try to stick under?? or a magic number that should scare me off?? Thanks again. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 9:54 am) |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 9:54 am) You may be able to get a new Elantra for about the price tag you want. They have a 5 yr/60k bumper to bumper warranty and 7 yr/100k mile powertrain. Buying new, the Elantra would be my first choice. Used, i would go with the Corolla.
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Replying to: dtownfb (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 pm) well, since the OP wants a stick .... |
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Forget the Elantra...tried to buy one for the past month and theywouldn't budge from otd of high $16k. Ended up buying the kid a Nissan Versa SL with CVT and ABS for mid $16k, but the S we thought she'd get was around $15k. Very impressed with the car actually. ANother choice could be the Accent GLS which we bought for the other child in November for $14.3 plus T,T&L. It's also got the ABS and other bells & whistles. Check out the Mazda 3i also. Not as fun to drive as the wifey's S model, but a nice car overall and very reliable with decent mileage. The Kia Spectra was very nice when we test drove it a few weeks ago and also look at the Optima sedan. Many choices out there for $15k and quality is vastly improved in all these makes...they're actually quite good. I consider tier 1 imports as Honda, Nissan, Toyota & Mazda and tier 2 imports as Hyundai, Kia ,Suzuki & Scion. A vast amount of excellent choices out there and dealers are looking to move some metal. We were the only one's in the store when we test drove and bought both of my girls cars recently. Got under invoice on both with rebates and doc fees being dismissed...they just rearranged the numbers to reflect it. Felt we got two excellent deals. Good luck shopping! The Sandman 
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Replying to: sandman46 (Jan 14, 2009 3:41 pm) Scion IS Toyota
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