try to get cars history by dealer or from indivisual due to all the hail storms , floods , car accidents , tornadoes , abuse , etc.. We used CARFAX , bought a used '99 FORD Escort and foud out that it was in car accident . We knew it was a rental car from the report , but many large car rental and dealerships repair them without notification . The reason we discovered it was in accident was that when getting appraisal from a dealership he noticed overspray and would not take it as a trade . LIVE AND LEARN . That's why we decided to get new car instead of used . Not much more for new car over used CERTIFIED vehicle .
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Thanks for the info guys. I really do not like the stlyling of the Pontiac Vibe and really have narrowed it to a used Mazda3 with roughly 55k or a Toyota Corolla S with 25k. I like the styling of the Mazda3 but like the reliability of the toyota name so this choice is hard.
Kestas
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I wouldn't concentrate on the make/model as I would on the individual car's condition. Even the best make/model can reek of neglect. Conversely, the lowliest vehicle can be a gem.
The Mazda 3 is considered a "gas guzzler" relative to other cars in it's category and the category just below it.
If you want to save gas, then don't fool around with a half solution. Get a 2-5 year old Civic, or Corolla. Stay away from the EX or S models as those get the worse MPG of those lines, and doing so defeats the whole theme of giving her a great get to work car that provides high MPG for cheap.
And assuming she drives to work alone, why would anyone suggest a Vibe or other "big" car? That is way too much car for a solo get to work vehicle.
If you want to save gas, then don't fool around with a half solution. Get a 2-5 year old Civic, or Corolla. Stay away from the EX or S models as those get the worse MPG of those lines, and doing so defeats the whole theme of giving her a great get to work car that provides high MPG for cheap.
And assuming she drives to work alone, why would anyone suggest a Vibe or other "big" car? That is way too much car for a solo get to work vehicle.
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Hermann
Site Donor 2023
The Mazda is the best choice if one appreciates very good driving dynamics.
It will cost 15% or so more to operate and not as good of resale %wise. If I chose the Corolla it would be solely for the comfortable shoes image of Toyota and the extra economy of operation.
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
My suggestion is a Ford Focus. You can find 2006 models for around $10K. Mid 30's for mileage, pretty roomy for a small car, easy and cheap to maintain, fun to drive.
+1, loved my Focus, it was fun to drive. Never got mid thirties on the 2.0L Zetec, but the newer 2.0L Duratech seems from reports here that is is 3 MPG better across the board. Best I ever got was 30.5. At 70 MPH it turned 3000 RPM, probably why it didn't do better. Even my early one was reliable, cheap to maintain, especially if a manual. Wish I still had it sometimes.
My suggestion is a Ford Focus. You can find 2006 models for around $10K. Mid 30's for mileage, pretty roomy for a small car, easy and cheap to maintain, fun to drive.
+1, loved my Focus, it was fun to drive. Never got mid thirties on the 2.0L Zetec, but the newer 2.0L Duratech seems from reports here that is is 3 MPG better across the board. Best I ever got was 30.5. At 70 MPH it turned 3000 RPM, probably why it didn't do better. Even my early one was reliable, cheap to maintain, especially if a manual. Wish I still had it sometimes.
Originally Posted By: Hermann
At 70 MPH it turned 3000 RPM, probably why it didn't do better.
That's a rip off if it was 5 speed.
Kesta is right, you can sell a poorly maintained Civic or Corolla and tell buyers "man these cars run forever." But I hope you know better.
At 70 MPH it turned 3000 RPM, probably why it didn't do better.
That's a rip off if it was 5 speed.
Kesta is right, you can sell a poorly maintained Civic or Corolla and tell buyers "man these cars run forever." But I hope you know better.
If you want to 'save gas' then dont buy any. go git a VW TDI. the older ones (pre- 2006) get over 50mpg reliably. My PD engine gets 45-47 every tank.
consider a late model small car from GM with the ecotec 4 cylinder engine. otherwise, would your wife consider a 1974 Ford LTD?? gas mileage isn't the greatest, but it's dependability is up there with the best of them, and they're cheap!
The TDI's don't pencil out that much better anymore do they? With a 20% premium going on diesel?
I looked at one real hard before I bought my corolla, as there was a sweet unit optioned just like I would like it, but I'd have to drive it forever to get ahead of the curve.
If diesel outpaces gas (like it is up here, a 2 years ago, diesel was 50c cheaper than regular in my market, now it's 67c more, so that's a $1.40 "extra" thing to whine about..., the TDI seems less attractive.
But I won't disagree that it's a sweet unit.
I understand that VW maintenance on the TDI and finding a mechanic that can do significant repairs is very expensive, and usually requires dealer intervention. But on the other hand, it runs forever, so who knows...
I have a corolla, if I had a do over, I'd do a camry, but other than that, there's lots of good choices out there.
I looked at one real hard before I bought my corolla, as there was a sweet unit optioned just like I would like it, but I'd have to drive it forever to get ahead of the curve.
If diesel outpaces gas (like it is up here, a 2 years ago, diesel was 50c cheaper than regular in my market, now it's 67c more, so that's a $1.40 "extra" thing to whine about..., the TDI seems less attractive.
But I won't disagree that it's a sweet unit.
I understand that VW maintenance on the TDI and finding a mechanic that can do significant repairs is very expensive, and usually requires dealer intervention. But on the other hand, it runs forever, so who knows...
I have a corolla, if I had a do over, I'd do a camry, but other than that, there's lots of good choices out there.
Not sure what it's like in IL, but in the DFW area any Civic you're going to find for that money is going to have 100k+ miles on it. They're insanely overpriced.
Used Corollas are slightly more reasonable. A used Focus wouldn't be a bad choice imo.
My advice would be to hang onto the Cavalier for a few months if you can and wait out the summer. Used fuel-efficient cars are just knee-jerk outrageous now.
Used Corollas are slightly more reasonable. A used Focus wouldn't be a bad choice imo.
My advice would be to hang onto the Cavalier for a few months if you can and wait out the summer. Used fuel-efficient cars are just knee-jerk outrageous now.
Originally Posted By: MrCPU
The TDI's don't pencil out that much better anymore do they? With a 20% premium going on diesel?
I looked at one real hard before I bought my corolla, as there was a sweet unit optioned just like I would like it, but I'd have to drive it forever to get ahead of the curve.
If diesel outpaces gas (like it is up here, a 2 years ago, diesel was 50c cheaper than regular in my market, now it's 67c more, so that's a $1.40 "extra" thing to whine about..., the TDI seems less attractive.
But I won't disagree that it's a sweet unit.
I understand that VW maintenance on the TDI and finding a mechanic that can do significant repairs is very expensive, and usually requires dealer intervention. But on the other hand, it runs forever, so who knows...
Instead of comparing gas to diesel pump prices, compare cents per mile for each vehicle. At current diesel prices in California, my TDI (40-41 mpg) costs me about 12-12.5 cents per mile. That's about the same as a gas-engine car getting 35 mpg.
The secret to happy TDI ownership is having a trustworthy independent mechanic for the major stuff. Anyone who has to depend on a VW dealership is in for many disappointments.
I don't know if a TDI will run forever. But as mine closes in on 300k miles, it's running very strong and is more fun to drive than ever. Then again, it's not anywhere close to stock.
The TDI's don't pencil out that much better anymore do they? With a 20% premium going on diesel?
I looked at one real hard before I bought my corolla, as there was a sweet unit optioned just like I would like it, but I'd have to drive it forever to get ahead of the curve.
If diesel outpaces gas (like it is up here, a 2 years ago, diesel was 50c cheaper than regular in my market, now it's 67c more, so that's a $1.40 "extra" thing to whine about..., the TDI seems less attractive.
But I won't disagree that it's a sweet unit.
I understand that VW maintenance on the TDI and finding a mechanic that can do significant repairs is very expensive, and usually requires dealer intervention. But on the other hand, it runs forever, so who knows...
Instead of comparing gas to diesel pump prices, compare cents per mile for each vehicle. At current diesel prices in California, my TDI (40-41 mpg) costs me about 12-12.5 cents per mile. That's about the same as a gas-engine car getting 35 mpg.
The secret to happy TDI ownership is having a trustworthy independent mechanic for the major stuff. Anyone who has to depend on a VW dealership is in for many disappointments.
I don't know if a TDI will run forever. But as mine closes in on 300k miles, it's running very strong and is more fun to drive than ever. Then again, it's not anywhere close to stock.
If they would have the diesel option for the Yaris, I would have sprung for it. With the recent gas spike across the province, our diesel prices are about the same as our regular.
most anything besides a ford taurus.
Chevy Aveo, brand new in the price range you want. 5yr-100K mile power train warranty.
Originally Posted By: otis24
Chevy Aveo, brand new in the price range you want. 5yr-100K mile power train warranty.
They don't get particularly good fuel economy, only about 28 mpg. And will probably not have a good resale value. Are you sure the warranty is that long? Is it completely transferrable?
I think just about everything else in this thread would be better than an Aveo.
Chevy Aveo, brand new in the price range you want. 5yr-100K mile power train warranty.
They don't get particularly good fuel economy, only about 28 mpg. And will probably not have a good resale value. Are you sure the warranty is that long? Is it completely transferrable?
I think just about everything else in this thread would be better than an Aveo.
+1....
I don't own a TDI currently. If my current car lasts 2 more years I will seriously evaluate buying one. I think it's good engineering...
I don't own a TDI currently. If my current car lasts 2 more years I will seriously evaluate buying one. I think it's good engineering...
Originally Posted By: bcossa2001
+1....
I don't own a TDI currently. If my current car lasts 2 more years I will seriously evaluate buying one. I think it's good engineering...
The fuel economy is nice, but I just can't get over how bad the reliability ratings JD Power rankings are with VW's over the years. Big risk if you ask me. Doesn't take too many big ticket repair items or naggling gremlins to eat up what savings you gain with the increase in fuel economy.
+1....
I don't own a TDI currently. If my current car lasts 2 more years I will seriously evaluate buying one. I think it's good engineering...
The fuel economy is nice, but I just can't get over how bad the reliability ratings JD Power rankings are with VW's over the years. Big risk if you ask me. Doesn't take too many big ticket repair items or naggling gremlins to eat up what savings you gain with the increase in fuel economy.
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There must be some kind of rating system that distinguishes between TDI models and all the others. Most TDIs simply don't have the problems that plague the gas-engine models.
(They have a couple of their own, if you don't use the right oil, and the old 4-speed automatics really sucked, but otherwise TDIs are pretty reliable. You have to stay away from the dealerships, though.)
(They have a couple of their own, if you don't use the right oil, and the old 4-speed automatics really sucked, but otherwise TDIs are pretty reliable. You have to stay away from the dealerships, though.)
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