Cheap new car with good mpg advice

Grimjaws

Grimjaws

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I lucked out and got a great deal on a new 2019 Ram Classic in December 2019. Employee pricing plus $4500 rebates and 0% financing plus a great trade in. The price of new trucks are crazy so this one has to last. It's my forever truck 😀

Been dealing with some family issues and having to drive 40 minutes one way 4-6 times a week - elderly parent needs some help. Putting lots of miles on the newish truck.

I was able to work from home last year and keep the miles low but with my work commute back and now driving to moms house I'm racking up the miles and the truck doesn't get the best mileage

So looking at a cheap point a to b car. I've tried used and always get burned. Last used car was under warranty thankfully and had in 9 months the steering column replaced, all four tie rods, the tires twice and the transmission rebuilt- previous owner must have beat the heck out of it
So I'm looking at new

Don't need any bells or whistles just a good mpg there and back car
Only requirement is a center armrest

Narrowed down to
Kia Rio
Hyundai Accent
Nissan Versa
Chevrolet Spark

Anyone own one of these from the past few years? Thoughts? Advice greatly appreciated

I know it's a crazy time to buy a small car now but looks like everyone wants an suv and I know a few local dealers to help out
 
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We drove past our car dealers row like most town and cities have this weekend. The lots were EMPTY but for Nissan. All the used car lots, were empty. Most weren't even open—"no inventory check us out online" were the signs in the windows.

I think your decision will be driven (no pun intended) by what you can find locally. Here there would be no "shopping" simply buying what one can find.

Used car prices to stay high until automakers fix production issues
 
Around here foreign car dealers their lots are full of new cars, I don't know about used. American car dealers don't have much.

Sent from my LGL455DL using Tapatalk
 
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.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN30KqBl6HA[/ame]
 
Was just at the local Ford dealer. They have a fair number of used vehicles, but almost nothing new. Salesman said they are selling everything on order before it even comes in. If it;s that way where you live you'll have to just take whatever you can find if you need a car right now.
 
Gas prices are probably going to increase so it might be smart to buy as new as you can afford as things requiring more driving may last awhile. Keeping your tires inflated properly, conservative driving, and shopping gas prices are good ways to help reduce your cash outlay .
 
Are you sure spending multiple thousands of dollars on an extra car, plus maintenance and insurance, is going to save you money?...Have you done the math on the difference in mileage versus just driving the truck you already know you like?...I wouldn't spend an extra nickel to cram myself into a little skateboard of a car knowing my comfortable Dodge truck was deteriorating from lack of use in the driveway at home...

I see it akin to the argument of buying a S&W revolver and letting it become a safe queen as opposed to shooting it...It's your choice certainly, but make sure you'll be gaining what you expect...:cool:...Ben
 
Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla would be on my short list, too. Mazda makes some nice small cars, too, and they're fun to drive.
 
I'm sorry, but the math of buying another car just for the gas mileage rarely works out. A new car is going to be $14k minimum. Then you have to register, maintain and insure it every year. In this state that would be another $1200/year at least. Are you going to save $15k+ in gas over the period you have to do this traveling? I doubt it.

I had coworkers do this when gas spiked over $4/gallon in 2005. Doing the math for them just resulted in long faces, wringing of hands and comments like, "Well, even if that's true, you cannot look at it like that".:confused::confused::confused: Color me utterly baffled. Every car salesman in the valley with Corollas, Civics and small Hyundais did very well for a few months. Those that could sell the Toyota Prius probably now own the big houses on the golf course over the way.
 
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Some additional info

It's not only about getting better mileage but keeping the miles on my truck lower.

I'm really just looking for first hand advice on the cars listed
 
Grimjaws said:
It's not only about getting better mileage but keeping the miles on my truck lower.

I'm really just looking for first hand advice on the cars listed
Click to expand...

I understand that less miles on the truck saves money because of less frequent servicing and better trade-in value. But again I have serious doubts that these savings and the lower gas costs will come anywhere near the outlay on a new vehicle and its standing costs.
 
The company I work at has had great results with Kia products.

Mine is a Sorento nearing a quarter million miles.

I wouldn't hesitate in buying a Kia product to drive the **** out of.
 
There are several cost-per-mile sites to help determine which car may be the best long-term investment. Cars are a depreciating assist so "investment" may not be the best term.

A three-year-old car coming off a lease may be a better choice to keep the initial cost tolerable.

You might also consider other options for your parent. I'd look into having someone local check on my parent and maybe do some housekeeping and yardwork.

A friend funded a father-in-law apartment addition to his son's home with the understanding that the addition became his son's when he passed.

There are a host of options.
 
I totally get the idea of the primary goal being to reduce the miles put on the truck . Save it for actual truck things, towing, or 4x4 on purpose , and conversely keep it in service for a loooong time , if not indefinitely , and use a beater car for mindless commuting. I've done variations on the themes . Albeit always with used cars .

My one and only ever new vehicle purchase was in 1988 , due to vary strange regional market conditions in my area then .

But right at the moment , the country/ world's vehicular marketplace is in a strange place due to fallout of the Zombie Apocalypse ( more the political mismanagement thereof , but either way beyond our control ) .It might be worthwhile to wait out a year or so for the production/ demand calculus to restabilize before adding an additional discretionary vehicle .
 
LVSteve said:
I'm sorry, but the math of buying another car just for the gas mileage rarely works out. A new car is going to be $14k minimum. Then you have to register, maintain and insure it every year. In this state that would be another $1200/year at least.
Click to expand...
I agree... I had two vehicles for a number of years; a Ford Expedition and a car. The Mrs. also has a vehicle. I needed the Expedition for hunting trips and towing a boat, but didn't like racking up miles on it and wanted to reduce fuel costs.

As Steve mentioned, each vehicle requires annual registration fees, maintenance and insurance. I don't know where the OP is located, but $1200 per vehicle is a low estimate for plates and insurance here in Michigan. That much money will buy a lot of gasoline.

It's also bad for a vehicle to sit and I don't have room to park them in the garage. I didn't drive my Expedition much in the summer, so the rotors would rust, the battery would run down and critters took up residence and caused damage. Birds liked to hang out under the body and their droppings are very corrosive. My BIL had rodents stash food in the engine compartment and chew through wiring.

Pick-up trucks have a much longer service life compared to cars. I'm also doubting the wisdom of driving a truck until it's worn out. I kept some for 12 or more years in the past and the resale value was negligible. I traded in my last PU truck after 7 years and 90,000 miles. The dealer allowed me about $23,000 in trade, plus a healthy rebate. My brother had a similar truck that was 1 year older and had 130,000 miles. He got around $7,000 on a trade in. I was told that banks don't want to finance trucks with over 100,000 miles, so they're much harder for dealers to sell. Vehicles also require additional maintenance costs as they get older and that can really add up.

Vehicle prices are crazy right now, but this probably won't last for ever. If i could live without a truck for a few years, I'd sell mine and buy a less expensive car. When the market settles down and year end rebates return, I'd sell the car and get a new truck.
 
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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!
 
doublesharp said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
Look for used at a place where seniors go to retire. For your requirements a 10 year old beater will work.
 
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 .
 
You know what they say about opinions... :D

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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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