Need a new "used" car

[Funky Ghost]

I guess I better talk to a

As I said, my day job is as an automotive service advisor. I've managed the repairs of literally hundred of vehicles by those manufacturers. I'd say your sampling is a small percentage of mine. That you've had good luck with a couple is of their cars is great for you but anecdotal.

heh my time as a service writer never led me to think of entire brands as lame. Maybe it's different now. 45 years of buying and driving cars informs my opinion. Not 1 or 2 "lucky" purchases. Saab fenders must be tough to find now that they are no more. I hated that. I always thought they were funky cool. Nevs isn't doing it for me. Sucks that they are using the Saab-ish platform. Peace.

 

[TOOL460002]

I am car-less and Uber isn't very cost effective (well I wanted to try it)

I'm in the US. I drive very short distances (around town) and would like fuel efficiency but I'm not interested in a hybrid. Obviously I don't want something with high insurance (some kinda pocket rocket or whatever, a sensible hatchback would really be the ticket)

My last one for 15 (may she rust in piece) was a ford and it was a "fix or repair daily" and I won't be getting another ford.

Nervous about anything that isn't toyota, nissan'ish, or maybe kia/hyundai. But frankly a decade and a half things could be very different. So I wouldn't mind advice on brands.

I'm looking to spend about 10k, and would like a newer model. I need nothing fancy. Everything in my price range has the necessary stuff (like automatic and A/C) and I don't care what it looks like. It's easy to find that price range (maybe a bit more) for 2015 to 2017 but they have high millage (usually fleet cars)

All thoughts welcome within my parameters. Thanks.

I got a used Ford Focus for 6 or 7k (it is a 2007 I got new year 2010) And it's a champ. Great mileage and zero problems. No maintenance and my 2 door hatchback can fit a full stack and board and passenger (and a few guitars and other band gear) and really haul a LOT to a gig.

I bet a four door could haul more or at least haul more people with no gear. Honestly go Ford. My mom has a newer Focus and it is even nicer but also has had zero issues. Change the oil and you won't have to replace a thing (I'm at 100k miles and only had to get new tires and literally nothing else at all).

That is a car I would buy again, and I will likely replace my focus with a focus when this one dies. Hopefully I get a good 200k out of it, if not more.

 

[HubbardsFate]

Hyundai/Kia have really upped their game in recent years..... what was once throwaway $h!tboxes are now world class automobiles.

However for those of us in the salt belt, I've found that they still don't know how to keep brake lines, fuel lines and subframes from rotting out in a short period of time. Most manufacturers, excluding H/K and Chrysler, have this figured out.

I have to second Mike N on the Hyundais...

My months-long search for a new-to-me vehicle came to an end a couple of weeks ago with the purchase of a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe.

At the time of purchase, it had just over 116, 000 kms (72, 079 miles) on it - pretty phenomenal for its age...it was mounted with studded winter tires, and it came with summers on their own rims!

I swore I'd never buy a used car again without first getting it thoroughly inspected by a mechanic, but it popped up on Kijiji on a Saturday evening, I looked at it Sunday morning (after being the first person to contact the seller), test drove it, and given (A) the shape it was in, (B) the low mileage and (C) the reliability/reputation of these cars (and the fact that it wasn't going to be on the market long, ie., if I didn't grab it, someone else would have come along in short order), I decided to take the gamble...

It paid off. I got it into my mechanic last Monday evening, as it was a bit overdue for an oil change, and of course wanted to get the overall mechanical condition of the car checked out...he was blown away by the shape it was in, and I think slightly jealous of the fact that it's loaded (the 3.3 L, V6, AWD version, capable of seating seven, heated leather seats, sunroof, etc etc...) - My mechanic also has a Santa Fe, but a 2WD 2010 model (he was impressed enough by his daughter's 2008 version that he had to get one himself...)

Between my mechanic's recommendation of this car plus that of the Lemon-Aid used car guide (published yearly since sometime in the 1970s; I consider it the Bible when it comes to vehicle research), I felt I pretty much couldn't go wrong with this car at $7750 CAD...

 

[Clark Dark]

I'll be the sixth person to recommend Honda. I have a Pilot and an Odyssey both very dependable and service doesn't kill your pocket. I'd stay away from the compact Nissans, I read about engine problems starting with a knock at low RPM's that grows progressively worse.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Yeah, they are off my list (nissan). Honda's, sure if you can find one! So far not any luck in my price range (and really with toyota too, and I don't want a Yaris, WAY too small) I like compact but not golf-cart compact

 

[Alkali Ike]

It’s very hard to go wrong with a Toyota or a Honda. Newer American cars like the Focus are very good too. Hyundai & Kia have for sure upped their game.

But if you get any emotional pleasure or excitement from driving per se, it’s very hard to beat VW. The cars are generally reliable, the interior materials & amenities are top rate, and they connect the driver to the road in a very satisfying way. The VW Golf and Golf GTI hatchback is an awesomely good 7th-generation world class compact car.

When they’re out of warranty they can be expensive to repair, but plenty of independent shops can deal with them at lower cost than dealers.

If you’re a VW DIYer, get a Ross-Tech VCDS scan tool. Ross-Tech: Home. You’ll have an accurate diagnosis of what’s going on before you take the car in for service. Gives you an advantage over typical dealer service obfuscation. You can also alter the behaviors of some systems in your car to your preference. (You can also brick the car!).

Also with VWs, don’t put off scheduled or recommended service intervals. Do it when the car says it needs to be done. Use only the synthetic oil VW recommends including meeting VW 502 505/etc specs. Take basic care of the car per VW specs and it should run for a LONG time.

Leftover 2017 GTIs are available now for $7000 or more off MSRP. A $25K MSRP GTI will go for $18K. Hell of a great car for the price.

 

[fdeck]

Our two Toyotas (2003 Sienna van and 2005 Scion XA) have both been great cars. I can get my upright bass into the Scion. The van is good for family trips.

Immediately after the warranty ran out, I started looking for an independent repair shop by word-of-mouth.

 

[turbo2256b]

Just what you need

 

[toowrongfoo]

Snore at last post

@Focus: That is what I WILL avoid. Mine (2002) was the lemon from hell. Not going there again, !

 

[Clark Dark]

...if financing and cost of buying new isn't what you're capable of now you can try an auction but I would take an experienced mechanic to point out defects.

 

[BioDriver]

IME you really can't go wrong with a Honda or Acura. My 2005 Accord is about to hit 150k miles and the only reason I'm selling it is because Harvey messed up its transmission pretty bad. I'm looking at an Acura TLX to replace it.

 

[Mike N]

...if financing and cost of buying new isn't what you're capable of now you can try an auction but I would take an experienced mechanic to point out defects.

Most auto auctions are for dealers only and not retail buyers.

 

[toowrongfoo]

I think (think) I've narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Huyndai Accent
Kia Soul
Kia Forte

I really like the looks of the Forte the most, but they seem to be harder to find.

Those seem to be price to milage good choices. I'm not in the mood to drive to the dealerships today but tomorrow maybe.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Leftover 2017 GTIs are available now for $7000 or more off MSRP. A $25K MSRP GTI will go for $18K. Hell of a great car for the price.

Way out of my price range and too much insurance. Volkswagons were 30-50 a month more than others in the same price range (well I was looking about 2012) I guess because they go zoom zoom. Still appreciate it, yea the volks look like they make a good car.

 

[Mike N]

I think (think) I've narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Huyndai Accent
Kia Soul
Kia Forte

I really like the looks of the Forte the most, but they seem to be harder to find.

Those seem to be price to milage good choices. I'm not in the mood to drive to the dealerships today but tomorrow maybe.

Of the three, I'd go for the Soul.

I think @Joe Nerve would agree with that choice.

 

[Mike N]

Way out of my price range and too much insurance. Volkswagons were 30-50 a month more than others in the same price range (well I was looking about 2012) I guess because they go zoom zoom. Still appreciate it, yea the volks look like they make a good car.

Other than a early 80's Volvo DL (that I could do a small block Chevy conversion to) I myself would pass on nearly any other European car. Expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, difficult parts acquisition and overall reliability not what they used to be. You'll be miles ahead with an Asian or domestic car.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I think (think) I've narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Huyndai Accent
Kia Soul
Kia Forte

I really like the looks of the Forte the most, but they seem to be harder to find.

Those seem to be price to milage good choices. I'm not in the mood to drive to the dealerships today but tomorrow maybe.

I love my Soul.

My wife has a Forte, which is great too, but I like the roominess in the Soul, the acoustics are much better for music, and the cabin is quieter. I got the base model. It's not fast, but I dont drive fast. Has more than enough pickup for my purposes.

My last car was a Hyundai. I loved it and checked them out before buying my Soul. My reasons above are why I chose the Soul.

I like the way it looks, too .

 

[RadioactiveGuy4]

I currently drive a 09 Honda Fit that I bought used. It gets great mileage at about 34mpg overall and I can fit and 810 in there. Reliability wise it has been great. I have had a few minor issues come up with the car like the AC blower motor and the rear hatch lock but both those were easy fixes that I was able to do my self.

 

[planetdrumz]

For reliablility and fuel efficiency find a well maintained Hyundai or Toyota...you cant go wrong!

 

[toowrongfoo]

I love my Soul.

My wife has a Forte, which is great too, but I like the roominess in the Soul, the acoustics are much better for music, and the cabin is quieter. I got the base model. It's not fast, but I dont drive fast. Has more than enough pickup for my purposes.

My last car was a Hyundai. I loved it and checked them out before buying my Soul. My reasons above are why I chose the Soul.

I like the way it looks, too .

Interesting, is your Forte a 5?