Here are the requirements:
Inexpensive
Reliable
Safe
Hatchback or small wagon
Whatcha got?
Here are the requirements:
Inexpensive
Reliable
Safe
Hatchback or small wagon
Whatcha got?
Subaru Outback/Forester/Toyota RAV4/Toyota Corolla. Basically, if looking for reliable, go for japanese car.
May be more than you want to spend, but look for a base model Toyota Highlander. Handles well on dirt roads and some snow as well. Will run forever if you do basic maintenance. Supposedly cheap to repair, but haven’t had any issues @100K miles.
OldFish. wrote:
Subaru Outback/Forester/Toyota RAV4/Toyota Corolla. Basically, if looking for reliable, go for japanese car.
Ok. Corolla hatchback maybe, but the others are too expensive for what I want.
ToyotaFan wrote:
May be more than you want to spend, but look for a base model Toyota Highlander. Handles well on dirt roads and some snow as well. Will run forever if you do basic maintenance. Supposedly cheap to repair, but haven’t had any issues @100K miles.
Yeah, that's too expensive.
Prius V has a hatchback if it is large enough. Quite inexpensive and reliable. Smaller than some cars, so that affects safety if you are in an accident some. I find it is best to avoid them altogether.
Newest Honda Civic hatch is surprisingly big. Not sure if it is available in US and it's probably similarly priced as Forester. Now, I don't think that Forester is that much more expensive than Corolla, you might want to check that out. Outback is definitely more expensive and is also more comfy.
I recent bought a 2014 Subaru Impreza hatchback. Highest safety rating in its class, 30-34 mpg, paid $11,500 for a 2014 with 50,000 miles, all wheel drive if you live in an area where that matters, plenty of cargo space. All around a great car.
I sold my car years ago and got a good bicycle. What a difference! No more expensive, dangerous box of metal on wheels I have to deal with.
OldFish. wrote:
Subaru Outback/Forester/Toyota RAV4/Toyota Corolla. Basically, if looking for reliable, go for japanese car.
+1 on Subaru. They are god tier cars
OldFish. wrote:
Newest Honda Civic hatch is surprisingly big. Not sure if it is available in US and it's probably similarly priced as Forester. Now, I don't think that Forester is that much more expensive than Corolla, you might want to check that out. Outback is definitely more expensive and is also more comfy.
Forester is $5000 more than the Corolla hatchback.
I'm thinking Kia Soul, Corolla Hatchback, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa Note. Would maybe consider Mini Cooper.
Don't want Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Chevy Cruze, Mitsubishi Mirage, Chevy Spark, Subaru Impreza, Hyundai Veloster, Mazda 3.
Am I missing anything? Really don't want to spend more than $21,000 and would prefer under $20,000.
VW Golf is worth looking at. Dealers will let a new SE go for right around $21k. Great gas mileage. Fun zippy little car. Much more interesting to drive than a Corolla, Fit, etc.
If you work hard enough, a Subaru dealer would let a base model Crosstek go for @$22,500.00.
I am generally a proponent of buying new because the used vehicle market has been very competitive (as in lots of buyers and not enough supply) and interest rates are much better on new vehicles. But buying a new entry level vehicle like a Fit or Corolla Hatchback is not such a great idea. The used market for these vehicles is not very good. Everyone wants an SUV these days and no one wants a compact car. So, if you are really concerned about safety, you should size up to a CRV/Outback and buy a certified preowned. Crash compatibility between compact cars and SUVs is not good.
Impreza
Get a 2008 Hummer
Good advice. I don't want the bigger CRV/Outback right now. Kia Soul has great safety ratings. I do like the VW Golf, but they have been pretty corrupt as a company and I'm not sure I want to reward that. The Crosstrek is an interesting possibility. A bit more than I want to spend, but perhaps worth it. I hadn't considered that one, so thanks for the recommendation. I need to investigate it a bit more, especially the size and then perhaps go drive one.
OldFish. wrote:
Subaru Outback/Forester/Toyota RAV4/Toyota Corolla. Basically, if looking for reliable, go for japanese car.
? They are not reliable anymore. Look at all the recalls the Japenese car manufacturers have had the last couple of years.
Buy Japanese/Korean
Lease Euro
Have friends who really like their Mazda3 hatch.
Iowa800 wrote:
Buy Japanese/Korean
Lease Euro
Have friends who really like their Mazda3 hatch.
Mazda? Lol.
Flooby wrote:
Forester is $5000 more than the Corolla hatchback.
I'm thinking Kia Soul, Corolla Hatchback, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa Note. Would maybe consider Mini Cooper.
From your list - -
Kia Souls are really good cars. Buy used though because you can get a deal on used ones. They depreciate fast.
Corolla Hatchback - I don't know much about the hatchback version, but Corolla sedans are one of the best cars you can buy, so I'd imagine the same for the hatchback.
Fit - used are often way overpriced. Buy new if you can. They're good reliable cars.
Nissan Versa Note - stay away if it has a CVT transmission. Just google Nissan CVT problems & you'll see why. If it doesn't have a CVT then you should be OK. Like Kia, you can get good deals on used Nissan's
Mini Cooper - I'd worry about the reliability & also cost for basic maintenance.
I'm not a fan of Subaru's. Used Subaru's are overpriced & have reliability issues especially with head gaskets & timing belts.
After driving the Subaru forester and outback, and the Toyota Rav 4. Ended up buying a Mazda CX5. Better car and cheaper.