Need new car recommendation

Have you checked out the Hyundai Kona yet? I have had mine for a few months and really like it. 34 mpg, hatch,

New 2019 for a little over $18,000.

I had a Veloster for 7 years which I really liked, but it was starting to have some small issues. Other than gas, oil, a set of brakes, and a battery, I put 127,000 miles on it.

Pluses for the Kona are a spare tire, more headroom and sit up higher, a drivers side door, and better electronics.

Minuses are the Veloster got 40 mpg, (but 34 is still very good) and Veloster was a little more sporty looking especially when I got it right when it came out and it was unique.

Downsides to both cars are that the backseats don't go completely flat and the overall room is great for one person, but two travelling is a little tight. I probably car camped in the Veloster a couple hundred times going to races and don't see much difference in the Kona.

i like my land rover discovery sport.

Not Impressed wrote:

Iowa800 wrote:

Buy Japanese/Korean

Lease Euro

Have friends who really like their Mazda3 hatch.

Mazda? Lol.

Mazda 3 hatch is the answer here. More fun to drive, better handling, better interior and exterior than competitors.

Interior feels like a class up from it's price range. Solid reliability and mpg. (i'm averaging 32 city/highway combined)

I'm not wild about the 2019 redesign, would probably look at a 2018 since they made the bigger 2.5 liter engine standard that year, rather than optional.

2019 does have awd option though if you will be driving in snow much.

Subaru outback i choose for you.

Inexpensive

Reliable

Safe

Interesting choice. Don't like the smallness issue that you describe, but I will look into it.

Of the cars you mentioned I would choose the Honda Fit. Still, the Honda Civic in hatch would be worth a look. I'm old enough to still think of Korean cars as second-rate even though I know they aren't low-grade anymore. For me, Japanese and European, with some American thrown into the mix, those are my hierarchy when it comes to cars.

Otisco man wrote:

Mazdas are awesome

Damn right. I went for Touring model (2.5 liter engine instead of 2 liter for little more juice) with manual transmission. And, ended up paying roughly the same as automatic 2 liter engine one.

Its zippy and quite stable. The hatchback version feels roomy in front and is spacious for storage. Back side seats are little cramped but that is the case with any car of similar size.

Flooby wrote:

Here are the requirements:

Inexpensive

Reliable

Safe

Hatchback or small wagon

Whatcha got?

BMW M5 Competition

What's your definition of "inexpensive"?

New or used?

If you're looking for more of a "fun" drive, go with the Mazda 3. I personally didn't like the ride quality (stiff) of the one I test drove, but the handling and "zip" factor was good.

If you're looking for basic transportation, then go with something like the Fit. I had a rental one and it was fine. Biggest thing I didn't like was that it was very loud, like a lot of road noise was heard.

Overall, for reliable, "inexpensive", safe and ride quality all-around, I'd go with the Civic. Has a surprising amount of room for a small car (its as big as the mid 90s Accords so it's not that small).

Choice made.

2019 Hyundai Kona. Great car.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Flooby wrote:

Here are the requirements:

Inexpensive

Reliable

Safe

Hatchback or small wagon

Whatcha got?

Dude, you can’t afford a new car. Stop trying to live like a rich guy. You’re broke.

Flooby wrote:

Choice made.

2019 Hyundai Kona. Great car.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Congrats & enjoy the car! Hyundai's put out some really good cars the last several years.

You didn't specify if you were going to buy new or used so to stay under $20K I would suggest a two or three year old Toyota Camry. I've had three of them and they run very well.

Honda CRV's are pretty good cars as well. I have an older one (2002) with 178K on it. Runs great but it is primarily my Park & Ride car when using the bus, my trailhead car when going hiking in the mountains, and when we get snow I drive it as it is an AWD vehicle. I bought it used two years ago for only $3,500. The first year I had it I drove it everyday to work. I've definitely got my money's worth out of it and it's still going strong.

Japanese cars are vastly superior to American cars and most of the Japanese cars are manufactured here in the USA now.

Everyday Millionaire wrote:

Flooby wrote:

Here are the requirements:

Inexpensive

Reliable

Safe

Hatchback or small wagon

Whatcha got?

Dude, you can’t afford a new car. Stop trying to live like a rich guy. You’re broke.

Not broke. I just didn't want to spend a lot on a car. I paid for with cash, got it for under $18,000.

Flooby wrote:

Everyday Millionaire wrote:

Dude, you can’t afford a new car. Stop trying to live like a rich guy. You’re broke.

Not broke. I just didn't want to spend a lot on a car. I paid for with cash, got it for under $18,000.

What did you wind up buying?

Can’t you people read? He posted 4 posts up that he bought a car already, and stated the make and model.