Economy Car Recommendations

[Offcamber1]

:1:

And the Fiesta with the dual clutch trans. We have several in my family and all have had problems.

Yep, same transmission, same problem. 

Otherwise both Focus and Fiesta are great cars. 

[LowRyter]

thanks OC

 

[Toystoretom]

This is a great thread... I vote for Yugo. If its still running it has to be tough.

Avoid any auto trans car... manual transmission only... (built in anti theft, very few kids can drive a stick).... pay that premium for the Honda, Toyota or Scooby Do, there is a reason they bring top dollar. I doubt you will be able to find a used Honda because everyone that has one keeps it.

[F-Man]

We've had a 2004 Acura TL since it was new.  It has been a real good, reliable car and still starts and runs like new.  Has 149,000 miles on it (mostly around town miles).  Gets about 30 mpg highway.  3.2L, V-6 (normally-aspirated), automatic, front wheel drive, four-door, with lots of room inside and in the trunk.  Very tight mechanicals - has never leaked any oil.  The only problem we've had is that recently the DVD drive for the nav system, located in the trunk, has failed.  I just checked Kelly Bluebook and the car was valued at about $5100 (private party sale).  I suppose it will become our daughter's car when she goes to college next year.  So, I'd give a thumbs-up vote for an Acura TL or similar model Honda (and maybe even more so for the latter, without the nice-to-have, but not necessary, "bells and whistles" of the Acura).

[guzzibob]

 Another thumbs up for Mazda 3 The wife has a hatchback that she is very happy with and actually so am I when I get to drive it. For an econobox it's really fun to drive  and has plenty of pick up whether around town or at freeway speeds. Every time we go on a trip and get a Rent-A-Car we find that  whatever we get compares poorly to her 3. Only negative I can think of is a bit less passenger legroom compared to some other cars in its class. Doesn't matter to us really.

[mgfan]

I have an 08 Honda Fit. Can't say enough good things about it. Tons of room, well equiped for the price( ac,cruise,power windows and locks). Just keeps going and going. Still on the original battery even! 

[Madtownguzzi]

I just picked up a used Toyota Yaris for my daughter to replace her VW Golf with a 180,000 miles on it. Nothing was wrong with the Golf yet but at the miles she had on it it was time for an up grade. The Yaris is a four door hatch back with an automatic and drives quite nicely and should be in your price range. It has a timing chain instead of a belt so you do not have that replacement cost down the road.

[Zoom Zoom]

I buy Subarus at about 100,000 miles, and run them to 250,000+.  Purchase price is $3500 to $4500 and the first timing belt has already been replaced (about 80,000 miles).  This leaves room in the budget for a clutch (about $900) and if necessary a brake job. Get a Legacy or Forester, not a WRX, and you can pretty much be assured that it never ran on testosterone.

Just to add to the above, a 2012 and up Impreza will have a timing chain that no longer needs replacement. I **think** the 2.5 engine in the Forester and Legacy got a chain in 2011, but I'm not certain. The 2.5 that continued on in the WRX was the old motor that used a timing belt until the 2015 WRX. (Just info, and as stated, I would not recommend a WRX either. Turbo, needs premium, go fast, higher insurance.) As for the Impreza, the base model will likely not have cruise control, but someone can add the factory switches in the steering wheel for under 100 bucks and it will be there. (That would be you doing the labor, rather than a shop.) The auto is actually a CVT. I'm not aware of any major issues with it. Been happy with mine and would not hesitate to get another one.

John Henry

[Farmer Dan]

I had the same problem a few years ago.  I had to make a 300 mile round trip every weekend in my F150.  Been doing it for two years.  After we did the math we figured out that I can drive that F150 a long way for the price of a new car.  Cheaper to pay for the gas in the F150 then it is to pay for two vehicles and buy gas, insurance, up keep and plates for both of them.  Plus in the summer time I can ride my bike.   

[Lannis]

I had the same problem a few years ago.  I had to make a 300 mile round trip every weekend in my F150.  Been doing it for two years.  After we did the math we figured out that I can drive that F150 a long way for the price of a new car.  Cheaper to pay for the gas in the F150 then it is to pay for two vehicles and buy gas, insurance, up keep and plates for both of them.  Plus in the summer time I can ride my bike.   

That's a good way to calculate costs and decide what to do .... although it really bothers me to burn more gasoline that I need to for a given application.    If it's close, I'll spend a bit more on capital expense to cut down my long-term operating expense.

Plus, disposing of an old car and buying a new one is a much bigger strain on Earth's resources than burning a few hundred extra gallons of gasoline.

Hmm ....

Lannis

[Kev m]

Plus, disposing of an old car and buying a new one is a much bigger strain on Earth's resources than burning a few hundred extra gallons of gasoline.

Well,

1. Is this true today? A heck of a lot gets recycled - the steel, the wiring, I think even the plastics.

and

2. Just because you trade or sell a working vehicle doesn't mean it gets disposed of. It usually gets sold to someone else who keeps it running which is the most efficient method of recycling.

[rocker59]

Is his F150 pickup truck paid for?  will the car payment of the new car be more or less than his gas expenses?  You can buy a lot of gas for a $300 car payment..

 :1:

[rocker59]

Good cheap, economical fun car?

Buy a ten year old Mazda Miata.

It will be less than your $9000 budget and return MPGs in the 20s, while actually being fun to drive.

[Kev m]

Good cheap, economical fun car?

Buy a ten year old Mazda Miata.

It will be less than your $9000 budget and return MPGs in the 20s, while actually being fun to drive.

Another +1

There's some more wisdom there!

[Lannis]

Well,

1. Is this true today? A heck of a lot gets recycled - the steel, the wiring, I think even the plastics.

and

2. Just because you trade or sell a working vehicle doesn't mean it gets disposed of. It usually gets sold to someone else who keeps it running which is the most efficient method of recycling.

Recycling is definitely a mitigating factor.   I don't know how much.    It takes time and energy and chemicals to recycle things that don't have to be used if the car is still on the road.   And the guy that buys your old car has an OLDER car that he's probably going to junk, unless someone buys THAT car and junks theirs.   At any rate, someone's junking a car.

The biggest non-mitigating factor is what it takes to produce a NEW car .... and that's quite a bit that doesn't have to be mined, refined, etc if you're still driving the old one .....

Lannis

[Kev m]

Recycling is definitely a mitigating factor.   I don't know how much.    It takes time and energy and chemicals to recycle things that don't have to be used if the car is still on the road.   And the guy that buys your old car has an OLDER car that he's probably going to junk, unless someone buys THAT car and junks theirs.   At any rate, someone's junking a car.

The biggest non-mitigating factor is what it takes to produce a NEW car .... and that's quite a bit that doesn't have to be mined, refined, etc if you're still driving the old one .....

Lannis

I hear you but isn't that a pretty thin thread of logic. I.E. your buying a new car enables someone to junk an old one.

I mean, if the old one is that bad off it's gonna get junked either way.

And the new car companies are still going to be building them for others to buy.

Sure if global demand for new cars slowed so would production, but I don't think that's happening anytime soon.

And how about the environmental impact (since that's what we're discussing) of old cars. At some point they are polluting as bad as, well, as bad as BRAND NEW VW DISIELS! (     ). And that's pretty bad. 

[Lannis]

I hear you but isn't that a pretty thin thread of logic. I.E. your buying a new car enables someone to junk an old one.

I mean, if the old one is that bad off it's gonna get junked either way.

That's the way we behave today because we have huge amounts of money and desire for new cars.   

But if we decided we were going to make things last longer, and spend our money keeping them running right rather than trashing them and buying a new one, we wouldn't be mining and refining and pumping and melting quite as fast, which in many ways would be a good thing.   

It's just the way I roll.   As I've mentioned before, I put my money where my mouth is - two new cars in 40 years, I take care of them and the old ones with a goal of a quarter-million miles per car, and my household average fuel economy is over 40 MPG.    I think the world would be a better place if everyone behaved like that, although I'm under no illusions that it will happen.   But you only do what you can ....

Lannis

[Kev m]

That's the way we behave today because we have huge amounts of money and desire for new cars.   

But if we decided we were going to make things last longer, and spend our money keeping them running right rather than trashing them and buying a new one, we wouldn't be mining and refining and pumping and melting quite as fast, which in many ways would be a good thing.   

It's just the way I roll.   As I've mentioned before, I put my money where my mouth is - two new cars in 40 years, I take care of them and the old ones with a goal of a quarter-million miles per car, and my household average fuel economy is over 40 MPG.    I think the world would be a better place if everyone behaved like that, although I'm under no illusions that it will happen.   But you only do what you can ....

Lannis

My debate is with the "we".

We as a society?

Not gonna happen. Some people will always have the money and desire for new cars.

Others are not, and by necessity WILL keep the old ones running as long as they can.

What happens in between is, well, in between. But I doubt there's a 1st world nation or a growing 2nd or 3rd that doesn't have similar groups and a desire for the new.

That doesn't mean that every old vehicle gets trashed every time a new one is bought. Though I guess some percentage must, or the number of operating cars in the world just grows exponentially.

[Lannis]

My debate is with the "we".

We as a society?

Not gonna happen. Some people will always have the money and desire for new cars.

Others are not, and by necessity WILL keep the old ones running as long as they can.

What happens in between is, well, in between. But I doubt there's a 1st world nation or a growing 2nd or 3rd that doesn't have similar groups and a desire for the new.

That doesn't mean that every old vehicle gets trashed every time a new one is bought. Though I guess some percentage must, or the number of operating cars in the world just grows exponentially.

I agree.   Sometimes Agent Smith's monologue on humans and viruses sounds more true than not .....

Lannis

[PeteS]

I just picked up a used Toyota Yaris for my daughter to replace her VW Golf with a 180,000 miles on it. Nothing was wrong with the Golf yet but at the miles she had on it it was time for an up grade. The Yaris is a four door hatch back with an automatic and drives quite nicely and should be in your price range. It has a timing chain instead of a belt so you do not have that replacement cost down the road.

Another vote for a Yaris. 4 Years 65K miles and only routine maintenance. Mileage has been higher than claimed. Typically 35-40 mpg. Price new was 12K with 0% financing. Compare to used if you have to finance as rates for used tend to be much higher and you will get a warranty.

Pete

[nunzio]

Is his F150 pickup truck paid for?  will the car payment of the new car be more or less than his gas expenses?  You can buy a lot of gas for a $300 car payment..

+1

don't go home as often.
Have dad come visit you.

[Bill Hagan]

I have an 08 Honda Fit. Can't say enough good things about it. Tons of room, well equiped for the price( ac,cruise,power windows and locks). Just keeps going and going. Still on the original battery even! 

 

Our manual-tranny '09 has almost 150K and is a C-130 of cars.

Might not have the payload of a F150, but it has an astonishingly large cargo capacity. 

It's also been virtually flawless.  Would leave out the "virtually," but seems we needed something minor during warranty, but can't recall details. 

Only regret is buying base version, which tho it has many features -- e.g., AC, PS, PW, rear-window wiper and defroster, etc. -- does not have cruise control.  This is our "slab car," and droning along at those speeds can get tiring with foot on pedal for hours.

On our monthly trips to Atlanta -- 1200+ miles r/t -- I routinely get 38 ("real," measured at pump) mpg; Kathi, 35.  I'm saving my LEO discussions for Guzzi riding.   

Bill

[nunzio]

Let's see here.....

$9000 @ 3.00 a gallon = 3000 gallons of gas @ 10 miles/gallon = 30000 miles divided by 1000 miles per month = 30 months...Worse Case

pretty close to 3 years and I bet his F150 gets more than 10 miles/gallon.

Unless it's just a good excuse to get a new car...Nothing wrong with that!!

As a side note my wife drives 500 miles/week to get to and from work.....2012 Honda civic coupe  38-40 MPG  120k no problems

[threebrits]

I would avoid Nissan cars.  Particularly Sentras, and specifically '07-'08.  They got a lot bad rubber engine mounts and that wear out causing a number of secondary issues.  The other issue I've discovered with Nissan is the aftermarket parts are outrageously high.  About 2-3 times higher than the equivalent parts from Honda or Chrysler.  With any used car, there will be maintenance.  You might want to look at a few common parts and see what they cost relative to each other.   The bigger the production run of any vehicle the more parts options will be available and hence a lower price.  (I would imagine Mitsubishi parts are probably rather pricy and probably only available from the dealer).

Between Honda, Nissan and Toyota's economy cars I give the nod to Honda for it's maintainability.   I've noticed this confounding thing Nissan and Toyota do where they put the engine in backwards.  The intake is on the front of the engine and the exhaust is in the back.  Which makes sense at first until you realize they have to run the intake manifold over the top of the engine.  To do any work like replace a plug, coil, injector, adjust a valve, replace a leaking head gasket and you have to remove the intake manifold just to get to the engine.  A royal effing pain that adds an hour or two to any job.

[rocker59]

Let's see here.....

$9000 @ 3.00 a gallon = 3000 gallons of gas @ 10 miles/gallon = 30000 miles divided by 1000 miles per month = 30 months...Worse Case

pretty close to 3 years and I bet his F150 gets more than 10 miles/gallon.

Unless it's just a good excuse to get a new car...Nothing wrong with that!!

As a side note my wife drives 500 miles/week to get to and from work.....2012 Honda civic coupe  38-40 MPG  120k no problems

I'd use numbers more like this:

$9000 used car / $2.00 per gallon gas = 4500 gallons of gas @ 14 miles per gallon = 63,000 miles / 1,500 miles per month = 42 months.

But that's not counting the fuel cost of the new car, which would make the "cost" of the car over the same time be much more.  Lets says the economy car returns 28 mpg.

63,000 miles at 28 mpg is 2,250 gallons of gas.  At our $2.00 per gallon, that's $4,500 on top of the $9,000 spent on the car.  (Another $4,500 that could be spend on fuel for the truck!)

The cost to own the $9,000 28mpg car for 63,000 miles will be at least $13,500 when you add fuel.

Basically, it will take nearly a decade before buying the $9000.00 28 mpg car to save gas over the $0.00 14 mpg truck would actually save any money. 

And either one would've been traded off by then, anyway.

If the pickup is in good order, and if it's paid for, I don't see the economics of buying a car to save money on gas...

[threebrits]

I'd use numbers more like this:

$9000 used car / $2.00 per gallon gas = 4500 gallons of gas @ 14 miles per gallon = 63,000 miles / 1,500 miles per month = 42 months.

But that's not counting the fuel cost of the new car, which would make the "cost" of the car over the same time be much more.  Lets says the economy car returns 28 mpg.

63,000 miles at 28 mpg is 2,250 gallons of gas.  At our $2.00 per gallon, that's $4,500 on top of the $9,000 spent on the car.  (Another $4,500 that could be spend on fuel for the truck!)

The cost to own the $9,000 28mpg car for 63,000 miles will be at least $13,500 when you add fuel.

Basically, it will take nearly a decade before buying the $9000.00 28 mpg car to save gas over the $0.00 14 mpg truck would actually save any money. 

And either one would've been traded off by then, anyway.

If the pickup is in good order, and if it's paid for, I don't see the economics of buying a car to save money on gas...

There are a few unknowns that make this calculation difficult.  Is the $9000 budget for a new car including the sell price of the old pickup?  Also, how old is the f-150?   The repair costs of an older f-150 (although mine was remarkably reliable) could easily offset the lack of repairs of a newer more reliable compact.  Particularly if the OP son isn't inclined to do the repairs himself.  $4500 in repairs at a shop for an old pickup over a 63,000 mile timespan is not unheard of.   I swear it takes an hour just to get the number 8 spark plug out. 

[Rough Edge racing]

 A tough call on a kid's car... Our two daughter's drove junkers just like the parents.   I would fix the cars when they broke and the being girls they could get some help from male friends...But overall they got by no problem for a few years.
  When one grand daughter started college her parents bout her a new Chevy Cruze. My son in law got some kind of deal and figured a new car should be better ...it's been a good car for three years...but almost all are...
 Our oldest grand daughter drove junk, first car (about 6 years ago) was a early 90's Chevy Caviler ..it was surprising reliable for two years despite a complete lack of maintenance. It had hard miles and used some oil and she didn't check it..More often than not it was two and even three quarts low...Then she got a late 90 Cherokee and again it was reliable for a few years despite the being low on coolant and oil many times. So she gets married and they buy a used 2003 Ford Escape....Nice low mileage small SUV...in two years they burned up the engine. Apparently some engines don't tolerate low oil levels...
 What am I trying to suggest? let the kid have a choice in the car to some extent, it's a good lesson learned...

[rocker59]

There are a few unknowns that make this calculation difficult.   

Yeah.  We don't know if the F150 is paid for, how old it is, or if it will be sold to help offset the price of the economy car.

[bigbikerrick]

Hey Folks, What a compilation of excellent information here! Exactly what I was looking for! I learned a few things, that I will share with my son to help him in his search. Never had a clue about the fords with the dual clutch trannies, or the big buicks with 3.8L V6 being great cars, or the goofy looking Versas not being too good a choice.The Mazdas seem to be excellent, as well as the honda Fit. These tips will surely help us in our search, there is nothing like information like this from a group of like minded enthusiasts. Keep em coming!
Thanks,
Rick.

[BillinPA]

I have a Chevy Sonic that I am quite happy with. Made in USA 35 MPG, I am 6'2" and it is comfortable. Used ones should be in the price range he wants.