Cheap new car with good mpg advice

[dmar]

I’d only consider Toyota, or Honda, giving the edge to Toyota. Buy once, cry once.

That said, over the years, my brother has bought lightly used little Mazda’s, from little old ladies, for his commuter cars and has had great luck with them, easily 200k+ miles.

Personally I wouldn’t touch a Korean small car. I hear they’re better now, but IMO still not in the same league as a Toyota or Honda. Worked with a guy that had a small Chevy, and it had poor quality parts issues (front axle, connecting rod, and wheel hub issues). He was pretty upset about it, and ended up with a Honda, and loves it. I like Chevy trucks, and I have heard good things about the Impala’s, but their compact car sounds suspect.

Good luck!

 

[Wealth76]

I'd reject all 4 and buy Honda or Toyota, period. If you pay a bit more going in you'll get it back when it's time to sell.

Go to Youtube and check out Scotty Kilmer's videos. He's a hoot and a lifelong mechanic. Scotty will tell you to buy a used Civic, Accord, Camry or Corolla.

5 Used Cars You Should Buy - YouTube

With a budget of around $6000 or less, you can get a 06-07 Camry with around 100k mileage and if you are lucky enough you could get one with less than 100k mileage.

 

[glenwolde]

From my experience the Kia or the Hyundai. I looked hard at the Spark when my daughter wanted one and came to the conclusion it was a dog. I used to drive Nissans but they aren't what they used to be.

I had a Kia and it was fantastically reliable. A few Hyundais have wandered into my life attached to family members and nobody has had any issues with them.

You might be able to sell your truck at a profit today. I did.

 

[mtgianni]

Look for used at a place where seniors go to retire. For your requirements a 10 year old beater will work.

 

[Biggfoot44]

A briefly had a Hyundai . ( I liked it and wanted to drive it a long time , but after a few months was t boned by teenage girl , the first day of having her drivers license .

But back then I consulted with a couple of long time Toyota master mechanics , and they both told me the same thing .

Toyota were indeed excellent , largely living up to the hype . BUT the general public knew that , and resale prices ran top $ .

The Hyundai was " normal good " , but the longevity actually exceeded the public expectations , and you could get better bang for your buck for used transportation .

 

[doublesharp]

You know what they say about opinions...

If it's me driving a serious commute I'll be in a Toyota Avalon or Lexus ES350, vintage 2008-2012. Front wheel drive, 3.5L platforms is something Toyota figured out a long time ago. As close to bulletproof as it gets and the ride is like a floating carpet. 28 - 29 mpg highway and quick enough to get out of its own way. No timing belts to deal with, either.

There are plenty out there so you can be selective - hold out for the low miles, garage kept non-smoker vehicle that has had good maintenance. Price range $8000 to $12000. Keep it nice and you'll get a lot of that back when it's time to sell.

If I was on tight budget I'd look at Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe.

I just bought this 2011 Avalon, 148k miles, 1 owner with a 9 page carfax showing oil changes/maint every 3-4k miles done by a Kentucky Toyota dealer. Under $11k otd including sales tax/lic. I often flip them but I'm keeping this one for a while. Better than money in the bank.

I insure with Safeco and 500k liability policy runs under $400 per year, not 6 months but Per Year. License and reg was $78 and good until Oct 2022. I just tagged 3 vehicles until Oct 2022, did it yesterday as a matter of fact. 2015 Toyota Sienna, 2011 Avalon and 2008 Honda Ridgeline and total bill was $330 for all 3. Did it all online too - no trip to bmv. Lots of good things going on in Indiana, especially compared to our neighbors on all 4 sides.

2011 Avalon

 

[Huskerguy]

Well, you asked about make and model so I am in the Toyota Camry camp.

We break the rules of good financial sense as well. I have a 17 Subaru that lives in the garage and goes out on trips not requiring a truck and to pick up my father 1.5 hours away in assisted living. I just retired about a year ago and bought a used 17 Ram that I love driving and it gets 17-20. Drive it out west to the farm and to see some friends on their farm. Unfortunately it gets to live outside with only a single car garage.

However, our main "driver" is a used1980 Toyota Camry that had light hail and 80,000 miles on it several years ago. That thing is 100% reliable and we now have over 185,000 on it. It was supposed to be our around town car that we weren't going to worry about parking, etc and low and behold it became a favorite to take on the road. Before the Subaru we had a 04 Honda Pilot and loved it to death. I often lament about getting rid of it with only 125,000 miles and it still smelled new inside.

I am totally sold on Toyotas and Hondas.

 

[Jon651]

Of the models you list in the original post, it's hard to argue with the Kia and Hyundai (same company) because they have the best warranty.

However, I'm in the camp that buying a second vehicle strictly because it gets better mileage than your truck (even if it's 2 or 3 times better) is a losing proposition. Just between the purchase cost, insurance, registration, and maintenance the math just doesn't add up. The number of miles you would have to drive in order to justify that kind of expense is geometrically larger than the number of extra miles you are now driving.

If you need cheap, high-mileage transportation that badly, it almost makes more sense to buy a motor scooter! Much cheaper than a car, much better fuel mileage (some get 70 mpg or more), no insurance in many states, cheap registration, and inexpensive to maintain. That's the only vehicle that makes economic sense to buy simply for the fuel mileage. Nothing with 4 wheels comes even remotely close.

 

[Salty RI]

A 40 minute drive in his truck will probably be 3 times that on a schooter, not to mention if any of that is on a Hi way where they are not in allowed.

Sent from my LGL455DL using Tapatalk

 

[waffles]

There is absolutely no way it makes any sense financially to pick up a new car in addition to your truck. A used old civic or corolla that you sell when no longer needed would be smart enough, but $15k or so, the floor for a truly awful vehicle, the versa, will buy you a hell of a lot of repairs and replacement parts when your truck gets long in the tooth mileage wise.

 

[DGNY]

I am a lifetime believer in having more than one decent vehicle readily at hand. It used to be a truck but now a larger sedan for the big vehicle and then a small one. Currently a 2011 Avalon with 80,000 and a 2013 Impreza five-door with 100,000. Both run/drive 100% and look about a year old.

I do agree with the camp that Honda or Toyota, (I add Subaru, possibly Mazda), OK for the smaller car. As no beaters, no expertise here. Naturally, I also prefer first two makes for the primary vehicle.

Wishing all good luck to the OP.

 

[Tom Beavert]

The Scion (sp?) has an Toyota engine and drive train.
TB

 

[Golddollar]

I am a lifetime believer in having more than one decent vehicle readily at hand.

That's why I have twin Batmobiles.

 

[Jon651]

A 40 minute drive in his truck will probably be 3 times that on a schooter, not to mention if any of that is on a Hi way where they are not in allowed.

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Not so much, actually. My wife's Vespa 300 will do 75 mph and is completely street and highway legal. In fact, in some traffic situations it is easier to get around on her scooter than to be in a car and stuck wherever you are.

The only drawbacks would be weather-related and the ability to carry passengers and cargo, but that's just life on two wheels.

 

[GypsmJim]

cheap and good is an oxymoron.