What compact car to buy?

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you get 200k because they go out of adjustment and do no braking.

also 200k is a thing of the past with ESC/TC.
 
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Yes you can get 200k because they don't do anything.
Once out of adjustment they don't really figure into stopping the car.
 
Just to make it clear, I live in an area that is very hilly. Always going up and then down hills. If my car is a GM product I get 18,000 miles out of my front brakes. If its a Toyota or Honda I get closer to 40,000 miles. If my rear shoes last 100,000 or more miles it proves that they really are not doing all they should.

Plus...I really hate rear drums. I can't believe that car companys are still using them.
And just because they use them does not mean I have to buy them.

If drums are so good why don't they put them on there better cars? No they put them on their cheap cars to keep them cheap.
 
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Slightly($700) over budget in going prices but a 13 Civic EX fits your requirements. A real simple proven drivetrain that just works.

My experience with drums on my 95 Civic was I never replaced the rears till 190,000 miles. Brakes were mediocre though.
 
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Hyundai Elantra for sure - ours has been great.

2014 Kia Forte looks even nicer.


What year is your Elantra?
I've only seen pictures of the new Forte, don't know if it is at a dealer yet.
 
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
I'm looking for a new car for my daughter.
This is what it must have.

1. Compact or Sub-compact...prefer Sub-compact
2. Sedan,Coupe or Hatchback...prefer Sedan or Hatchback
3. Four cylinder, 2 liter or less NO TURBO
4. Must be less than 70 inches wide...the narrower the better
5. Must have four wheel disc brakes...no rear drums...I hate rear drums!
mad.gif

6. Must cost less than $20,000.

I've been looking and have a few in mind but what car can you think of that meets these
stipulations.


How about a Jeep Patriot? It is a small SUV/CUV that is safe, affordable, gets excellent MPG, and mostly meets your needs( I don't think what you want exists exactly like that ). And added bonus is 4WD will make for a safer vehicle in those PA winters...

1. small CUV
2. has a hatch
3. 2.4L w/ Auto trans( CVT - NOT a power house @ 170HP )
4. 69.2" wide
5. 4 wheel dic brakes( with 4WD option )
6. well under $20K depending on options

These are 2013 list prices. You can actually get a good deal on a left over 2013 as the 14's are out so price will be less than the figures I will give below. To get what you want this is what you would have to look at...

2013 Jeep Patriot
Sport Model w/ 2.4L
Freedom Drive I(FDI)4WD to get 4 wheel disc w/ ABS( FWD comes with rear drums )
CVT( Auto Trans )option

Base Price: $17995.00
CVT Option: $1100.00
Total: $19095.00

This is a no frills basic vehicle( no AC, manual door locks/windows/mirrors, no CC, etc... ). It does have a decent radio w/ CD/MP3 capabilities but not much else. You can add AC and/or power accessories for minimal cost.

Just add AC Option: $995.00
New Total: $20090.00

Or add the Power Value Group that adds AC and power accessories...

Power Value Group Option: $1405.00
New Total: $20500.00

The Patriot is actually a pretty good little vehicle. It is very good on gas in the above configuration and for that $20K you actually get a LOT. Like all vehicles it has a few common problems but other than sunroof leaks( something not applicable here )none are very big or exppensive to fix when warranty is out.

I am very happy with my 2011. Your daughter may like the looks of the Jeep Compass better( more female appearance I think )but it is the same basic vehicle overall. The Compass costs a bit more for some reason?

Anyway just something to consider.
 
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Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Dodge Dart?


Not enough history and kind of too big at 72 inches wide.

Fiat 500 just a little too small for my Interstate travels.
 
NO to Mazda2....I rented one for a week and I couldn't ever find the right gear...and it was an AT...but that may just be me...I've only driven an auto-tranny for maybe 2-3 weeks over the past 50 years and a dozen cars.
 
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
Fiat 500 just a little too small for my Interstate travels.

I thought you said it was for your daughter.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
I'm looking for a new car for my daughter.
This is what it must have.

1. Compact or Sub-compact...prefer Sub-compact
2. Sedan,Coupe or Hatchback...prefer Sedan or Hatchback
3. Four cylinder, 2 liter or less NO TURBO
4. Must be less than 70 inches wide...the narrower the better
5. Must have four wheel disc brakes...no rear drums...I hate rear drums!
mad.gif

6. Must cost less than $20,000.

I've been looking and have a few in mind but what car can you think of that meets these
stipulations.


How about a Jeep Patriot? It is a small SUV/CUV that is safe, affordable, gets excellent MPG, and mostly meets your needs( I don't think what you want exists exactly like that ). And added bonus is 4WD will make for a safer vehicle in those PA winters...

1. small CUV
2. has a hatch
3. 2.4L w/ Auto trans( CVT - NOT a power house @ 170HP )
4. 69.2" wide
5. 4 wheel dic brakes( with 4WD option )
6. well under $20K depending on options

These are 2013 prices. You can actually get a good deal on a left over 2013 as the 14's are out so price will be even less. To get what you want this is what you would have to look at...

2013 Jeep Patriot
Sport Model w/ 2.4L
Freedom Drive I(FDI)4WD to get 4 wheel disc w/ ABS( FWD comes with rear drums )
CVT( Auto Trans )option

Base Price: $17995.00
CVT Option: $1100.00
Total: $19095.00

This is a no frills basic vehicle( no AC, manual door locks/windows/mirrors, no CC, etc... ). It does have a decent radio w/ CD/MP3 capabilities but not much else. Youc an add AC and/or power accessories for minimal cost.

Just add AC Option: $995.00
New Total: $20090.00

Or add the Power Value Group that adds AC and ppwoer accessories...

Power Value Group Option: $1405.00
New Total: $20500.00

The Patriot is actually a pretty good liuttle vehicle. It is very good on gas in the above configuration and for that $20K you actually get a LOT. Like all vehicles it has a few common problems but other than sunroof leaks( something not applicable here )none are very big or exppensive to fix when warrantry is out.

I am very happy with my 2011. Your daugheter may like the looks of the Jeep Compass better( more female appearance I think )but it is the same basic vehicle overall. The Compass costs a bit more for some reason?

Anyway just something to consider.





A Jeep. I had never even considered that. This is one reason I posted this question was to get cars that I had not considered.

I really didn't want it to turn into a rear drum discussion.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
Fiat 500 just a little too small for my Interstate travels.

I thought you said it was for your daughter.
smile.gif




Well its her Interstate travel, but as a concerned father its the cars Interstate travel that I care about. Those Fiats just look too small.
 
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Usually on a thread like this people argue over having a timing belt vs it not being so big a deal. It usually boils down to pride and being mechanically unable or unwilling to do that belt by itself.

I've seen some skinny non-vented rear discs on a number of small cars, do you think they'll hold up better?

Why not a prius hatchback, the C or whatever, it's $19k and the regenerative braking will save wear.
 
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
4. Must be less than 70 inches wide...the narrower the better

By the way, is this with or without mirrors? I know some manufacturers list their car widths without mirrors, which is kind of stupid, IMO.
 
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
I'm looking for a new car for my daughter.
This is what it must have.

1. Compact or Sub-compact...prefer Sub-compact
2. Sedan,Coupe or Hatchback...prefer Sedan or Hatchback
3. Four cylinder, 2 liter or less NO TURBO
4. Must be less than 70 inches wide...the narrower the better
5. Must have four wheel disc brakes...no rear drums...I hate rear drums!
mad.gif

6. Must cost less than $20,000.

I've been looking and have a few in mind but what car can you think of that meets these
stipulations.


How about a Jeep Patriot? It is a small SUV/CUV that is safe, affordable, gets excellent MPG, and mostly meets your needs( I don't think what you want exists exactly like that ). And added bonus is 4WD will make for a safer vehicle in those PA winters...

1. small CUV
2. has a hatch
3. 2.4L w/ Auto trans( CVT - NOT a power house @ 170HP )
4. 69.2" wide
5. 4 wheel dic brakes( with 4WD option )
6. well under $20K depending on options

These are 2013 prices. You can actually get a good deal on a left over 2013 as the 14's are out so price will be even less. To get what you want this is what you would have to look at...

2013 Jeep Patriot
Sport Model w/ 2.4L
Freedom Drive I(FDI)4WD to get 4 wheel disc w/ ABS( FWD comes with rear drums )
CVT( Auto Trans )option

Base Price: $17995.00
CVT Option: $1100.00
Total: $19095.00

This is a no frills basic vehicle( no AC, manual door locks/windows/mirrors, no CC, etc... ). It does have a decent radio w/ CD/MP3 capabilities but not much else. Youc an add AC and/or power accessories for minimal cost.

Just add AC Option: $995.00
New Total: $20090.00

Or add the Power Value Group that adds AC and ppwoer accessories...

Power Value Group Option: $1405.00
New Total: $20500.00

The Patriot is actually a pretty good liuttle vehicle. It is very good on gas in the above configuration and for that $20K you actually get a LOT. Like all vehicles it has a few common problems but other than sunroof leaks( something not applicable here )none are very big or exppensive to fix when warrantry is out.

I am very happy with my 2011. Your daugheter may like the looks of the Jeep Compass better( more female appearance I think )but it is the same basic vehicle overall. The Compass costs a bit more for some reason?

Anyway just something to consider.





A Jeep. I had never even considered that. This is one reason I posted this question was to get cars that I had not considered.

I really didn't want it to turn into a rear drum discussion.


I downsized to the Patriot from years of driving full sized 4WD trucks and have been very happy with it. There is actually a lot of room inside yet the vehicle is not that big. MPG is very good. It is also very good in the snow which would be a bonus for you there in PA. Go test drive one to see. As said you can get one for under $20K if you keep the options down. Even if you add a little you can keep it under $21K.

My 2011 has a sunroof, heated seats, premium sound system, 4WD, etc... and it was less than $25K sticker. Lot of vehicle for the money.

 
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eljefino said:
Usually on a thread like this people argue over having a timing belt vs it not being so big a deal. It usually boils down to pride and being mechanically unable or unwilling to do that belt by itself.

I've seen some skinny non-vented rear discs on a number of small cars, do you think they'll hold up better?

Why not a prius hatchback, the C or whatever, it's $19k and the regenerative braking will save wear.[/quote


Thanks for the Prius even though I not sure it fit the bill.
I've got to ask what cars have you seen vented rear discs on.
Maybe on some exotic? All the Toyotas and Hondas and Hyundais and Chevys and Fords that I've owned have had unvented rear discs.

I'm just asking a question about a car but it seems that I touched a nerve will rear drum people.
 
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Don't sweat it my man. People on this site are fanatically loyal to their favorite things and many people here have no tolerance for other views. It is going to be your car so you should get what you want. If you want rear disc - get rear disc. I prefer rear disc brakes myself.
 
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