My vote is Civic/Corolla/Camry, all made a name for reliability and ease of ownership. That is what I would want in my children's first vehicle, easy to own and maintain, little worries if they are gonna get to where they need to be.
used vehicle for daughter
- Thread starter earthbound
- Start date
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
I’m just not a fan of Kia because no one I know has had good luck with them. I laughed because sometimes my luck with vehicles is completely opposite of everyone else’s.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
CUVs are overhyped and overpriced mom cars.
I’d go on AutoTrader and search for a Camry, max $10k sorted by the lowest miles.
2012 Camry
I’d go on AutoTrader and search for a Camry, max $10k sorted by the lowest miles.
2012 Camry
twouvakind
Site Donor 2024
Uber/Lyft, maintenance free.
twouvakind
Site Donor 2024
Sephia, Spectra 5 and Forte 5 here, "lucky"
Ya know, a lotta people go this way. Not sure if this is a fit in this case, but I understand in some areas ridesharing is pretty popular.
The 2006 Matrix/Vibe doesn't have ABS?
I'm pretty sure it has ABS and side airbags, even if they're not curtain airbags.
2012 Chevy Volt 110k $5000
Personally I’d stick to current car for a year. The used market is quite high and $8k-$10k does not buy as much as pre-pandemic.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2024
There is a lot of good stuff in that price range. I picked my my kid a 97 Z71. That is what he wanted.
I would imagine a Camry, Accord, Corolla, Civic would be a good one. Lots to chose from.
I would imagine a Camry, Accord, Corolla, Civic would be a good one. Lots to chose from.
Civic
Corolla
Camry
Accord
CRV
Jetta 2.5L 2010-2013
Acura TL 3.2L 2004-2008
In no particular order. My younger cousins all own one of the above (I have 27 cousins) per my recommendations and they have been very reliable, safe cars that require minimal maintenance. The Acura TL and Accord V6s along with pre-2006 Civics will require timing belts every 100k. Besides that just regular service. I have 4 Jetta 2.5L's in my family and they have all been great too, I use FCP Euro's lifetime warranty for maintenance parts and maintaining them has been super easy and affordable, and they seem to have better corrosion protection.
Corolla
Camry
Accord
CRV
Jetta 2.5L 2010-2013
Acura TL 3.2L 2004-2008
In no particular order. My younger cousins all own one of the above (I have 27 cousins) per my recommendations and they have been very reliable, safe cars that require minimal maintenance. The Acura TL and Accord V6s along with pre-2006 Civics will require timing belts every 100k. Besides that just regular service. I have 4 Jetta 2.5L's in my family and they have all been great too, I use FCP Euro's lifetime warranty for maintenance parts and maintaining them has been super easy and affordable, and they seem to have better corrosion protection.
thanks everybody for the replies...the problem I have is living in the rust belt hampers thinks. I purchased our current vehicle back in 2017 and it had no rust at all underneath and now well lets just say it's incredible how accelerated it became...
only the GT gets abs, and side airbags are optional...The 2006 Matrix/Vibe doesn't have ABS?
I'm pretty sure it has ABS and side airbags, even if they're not curtain airbags.
Oh wow I didn't know that! I thought all but the cheapest of cheap cars would've had ABS by 2006!
Oh wow I didn't know that! I thought all but the cheapest of cheap cars would've had ABS by 2006!
2010 Cobalt didn’t have proper ABS as standard either which is either really good or really bad depending on how you look at it.
Oh yeah, if people are recommending an Acura, look at a 2008/2009 Mercedes E-350. Has all the safety features you want, side impact airbags, rear seat airbags, can't remember 7-8 airbags actually. And of course ABS, traction control and stability control is standard along with 4 wheel disc brakes. Lots of aluminum too like the trunk and hood. Will still get rust underneath though although you'd have to take off all those body panels to see it. Don't look at anything older though, 2006-2007 models had their own serious engine problems. They're actually in the 8-10k range depending on mileage. Had my 2008 for 6 years. Nothing too crazy on the maintenance.
Reliability is the most important factor, and you say a 10+ year old Mercedes?
There are more-reliable cars with those safety features in the OP's price range
I would program prices slightly above your target level with no other criteria other than it can’t be a pickup truck or some other totally unsuitable vehicle and have a look at what’s available. In other words, hang loose.
Buy based on the everything else but brand.
Buy based on the everything else but brand.
Let's just say it's never left me stranded. You do have to keep up with the maintenance though, but that's true of any car. For instance some other cars mentioned have timing belts which can be expensive to replace. At least the Mercedes has a chain so no need to change a belt.Reliability is the most important factor, and you say a 10+ year old Mercedes?
thoughts on a 2015 rav4 lmited nice condition/clean well maintained with 180k all hwy miles for 11.500 kbb says ok at this price, but how accurate is this really?? dealers are at 14-15k with comparable vehicle... thoughts???
