We had a 2006 Hyundai Elantra hatch back that worked well for many years and 155k miles. I gave it to a friend and it's still going.
Looking to buy a hatchback in the $5K to $10K price range
- Thread starter grampi
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wemay
Site Donor 2023
That's true. I forgot about that.
They are nice looking cars, but I'm just not sold on the reliability of the Korean makes. I know a lot of people like them, but I;m not convinced they'll go the distance of a Honda, Toyota, or a Mazda...
The Venza is going to be one of those hard to find models. How many of them were sold, like a couple dozen nation wide? I'm exaggerating of course, but you get my drift...
Pre-2011 Hyundai Accent/Elantra, or KIA RIO/Spectra WILL go the distance. In these the automatic transmissions are just as reliable as manuals, engines last forever with normal oil changes and a timing belt every 100k miles, and each was offered in either sedan or hatchback.
All Hyundai/KIA reliability issues started with 2011 model year, when GDI was introduced.
If you aren't in a desperate situation, I would suggest waiting a couple months and then looking again. Sellers know it's tax time and that a lot of people are going to have more money in their pockets now then they will during any other time of the year. Many adjust their prices accordingly knowing this to be the case, especially for lower priced used cars.
Best of luck to you in your search.
Best of luck to you in your search.
You're being really picky with a really tight budget. I'm going to ignore half your requirements with the following post, focusing only on a decent value, decent value that has 1000lbs towing capacity, which seem to be the NEEDS, while discarding the WANTS like "no black interior".
If you count the used EV tax credit of $4K as a down payment you can find a Chevy Volt under $10K. You really should plug them in, at least periodically, but by the fact you mentioned no EVs, I'm guessing you don't have a place to plug it in, so just take advantage of the tax credit to bring the price down and use it like a regular hybrid. Towing capacity on the first gen (2011-2015) is 2000lbs and second gen (2016-2019) is 1000lbs which meets your requirement. I owned a 2015, it was a solid car, but the infotainment system SUCKED so unless you only use FM/XM radio, I'd go with a second gen Volt if I was in the market for one again.
If you count the used EV tax credit of $4K as a down payment you can find a Chevy Volt under $10K. You really should plug them in, at least periodically, but by the fact you mentioned no EVs, I'm guessing you don't have a place to plug it in, so just take advantage of the tax credit to bring the price down and use it like a regular hybrid. Towing capacity on the first gen (2011-2015) is 2000lbs and second gen (2016-2019) is 1000lbs which meets your requirement. I owned a 2015, it was a solid car, but the infotainment system SUCKED so unless you only use FM/XM radio, I'd go with a second gen Volt if I was in the market for one again.
The big three in no particular order are...
1) Honda CR-V 2007 - 2011
2) Scion xB 2008 - 2015
3) VW Jetta Wagon/Sportwagen/Alltrack
These three vehicles are interchangeable. At this price point you're buying the prior owner(s) maintenance regimen, driving style, and where they took it in for repairs. That's what you should focus on.
I'm in a similar boat!
I gave my daughter a 2007 Honda CR-V LX back in the summer of 2023. It was diligently maintained. Three transmission fluid services. Regular oil changes. All replacement parts were Honda OEM and nearly all the servicing was done at the dealership.
I completely replaced the AC system and then had it painted by a body shop that does great work since there was some paint fade (a common Georgia issue). It's spotless underneath. No rust. For two years it gave her excellent service. I'll be selling it for what I have in it within the next few weeks.
I'm going to be exchanging that for a 2017 high-mileage Honda HR-V that just got a new Honda OEM transmission. Two years from now it will be on to something else. This way her only real cost over the long-term is registering the vehicle and taking care of maintenance.
I'm also taking care of her soon-to-be husband with a 2012 Honda CR-V that had a mileage discrepancy because they entered the wrong mileage on the title when the prior owner moved here from out of state. That one is of the same ilk. He's paying what I have in it. Two years from now he'll get another car with no depreciation costs.
Choose any of the three that interests you. If you need a Carfax history or two let me know. I do sometimes buy inventory from Ohio but any one of these three possible choices will have plenty of eyeballs for good reason. PM me if you're focuses on the high end of your budget. I avoid buying sleds.
All the best.
P.S. One other thing. The CR-V from that generation has a nasty rust issue that can result in Honda totaling out that vehicle. If you do opt for one, consider it a given that you'll need to get it on a lift.
1) Honda CR-V 2007 - 2011
2) Scion xB 2008 - 2015
3) VW Jetta Wagon/Sportwagen/Alltrack
These three vehicles are interchangeable. At this price point you're buying the prior owner(s) maintenance regimen, driving style, and where they took it in for repairs. That's what you should focus on.
I'm in a similar boat!
I gave my daughter a 2007 Honda CR-V LX back in the summer of 2023. It was diligently maintained. Three transmission fluid services. Regular oil changes. All replacement parts were Honda OEM and nearly all the servicing was done at the dealership.
I completely replaced the AC system and then had it painted by a body shop that does great work since there was some paint fade (a common Georgia issue). It's spotless underneath. No rust. For two years it gave her excellent service. I'll be selling it for what I have in it within the next few weeks.
I'm going to be exchanging that for a 2017 high-mileage Honda HR-V that just got a new Honda OEM transmission. Two years from now it will be on to something else. This way her only real cost over the long-term is registering the vehicle and taking care of maintenance.
I'm also taking care of her soon-to-be husband with a 2012 Honda CR-V that had a mileage discrepancy because they entered the wrong mileage on the title when the prior owner moved here from out of state. That one is of the same ilk. He's paying what I have in it. Two years from now he'll get another car with no depreciation costs.
Choose any of the three that interests you. If you need a Carfax history or two let me know. I do sometimes buy inventory from Ohio but any one of these three possible choices will have plenty of eyeballs for good reason. PM me if you're focuses on the high end of your budget. I avoid buying sleds.
All the best.
P.S. One other thing. The CR-V from that generation has a nasty rust issue that can result in Honda totaling out that vehicle. If you do opt for one, consider it a given that you'll need to get it on a lift.
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2nd gen CRV are amazing tanks I see so many of those still driving around. 2001-2006 I think. Look for the spare tire on the bsck gate. The 2007 to 2011 weren’t quite as well received.
Dang, that’s a unicorn! If I weren’t in the middle of the ocean I would be driving that this week.
Edit: It’s no longer on their website.
OP I would be happy to sell you my 2009 xB if you live near Cincinnati and don’t mind some door dings LOL. I don’t need two of them and after all the effort I went to painting my 2012 I’m not letting it go.
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What's the mileage on the CR-Vs, and do you have any pics?
Are you finding the VW's are holding up? The prices on these locally has started to drop significantly, making them more interesting to me. They are getting to be 7-10 years old now so any poor plastic or wiring materials is going to start to fail I suppose.
I think hers is 160k. Just got an oil change on it.
I'm waiting for her to get back from Disney on Friday and then I'm going to have her figure out if she wants the HR-V or keep the CR-V.
Everything is strong right now. Tax season and the threat of tariffs are raising prices in the used car market.
I don't think any of my requirements are picky. They're actually very common. Now if one of my requirements was a mileage of less than 100K, or if it had to have had only one owner, THOSE would be picky requirements. My budget is smack in the middle for a second vehicle. If this was going to be our household's primary vehicle, my budget would be much higher. I won't even consider an EV, or a hybrid...
I'm not in a desperate situation, and I think you may on to something here. Prices are way too high right now, and I can afford to wait a few months...
What were the model years with all of the engine failures/replacements? Wasn't that the 2.4 liter engines?
I guess I'm not quite sure what your offer is. Are you selling these cars, or is this one of those "it depends on what so and so is going to do" situations? If these vehicles are definitely for sale, I'm gonna need all of the vehicle info for each vehicle for sale...and pics...
It's not up for sale yet. That's why I gave you that information.