What compact car to buy?

[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!

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.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Ford Focus. Good car and is something she could easily afford.

 

[AlienBug]

I've been liking the Mazda2

 

[SLCraig]

Toyota Yaris SE?

 

[RamFan]

Honda Fit and Kia Soul would be my first two to look at.

 

[sciphi]

Mazda3 with the Skyactiv engine.

 

[matt711]

Honda fit

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
Honda Fit


Drum brakes

 

[Reggaemon]

The Ford Focus is nice but,72 inches wide.

 

[getnpsi]

+1 I like the mazda3 over the kia soul. The soul doesn't seem to score high MPG numbers for what you perceive to be something so small. If you are only going to hit 30 highway mpg might as well find the largest most comfortable thing that does 30mpg...Or get that 40 mpg mazda. 12,000 miles a year at a 10mpg difference it's 2 extra car payments.

 

[earlyre]

I would say a smart car, but they have rear drums.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
The Ford Focus is nice but,72 inches wide.

Hyundai Elantra: 69.9 inches.

Elantra GT (hatchback) is better looking IMO and more practical, but it's 70.1 inches.

 

[threeputtpar]

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!

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.


Well, the no drum brakes makes it really hard. The Hyundai Elantra GLS is the only one I found to fit all of you requirments, but only with the 6 speed manual.

Here's a place to search for cars by width. This is just the sedans, you'd have to do another list for the hatches. http://db.theautochannel.com/db/newcarbu...;titleid=105803

 

[Reggaemon]

The Elantra is one thats on the maybe list.

The rear drum thing takes so many car out of contenion, but this is 2013 and drum brakes seems so old fashion. I've never had drums that stay in adjustment. I was running 4 wheel disc in 1970 so there is no way I'm going to spend money on something so old tech.

 

[Quattro Pete]

If you don't need 4 doors, Fiat 500 has disc brakes, if I'm not mistaken.

Kia Rio also has disc brakes all around.

 

[Lillikai]

Just throwing out the small cars I know off the top of my head-
Ford Focus or Fiesta
Chevy Spark or Sonic
Mazda 2 or 3
Hyundai Accent or Elantra
Honda Fit, The civic is probably too big.

For experience I have rode in a Ford Focus and I think it is a very nice ride and oil changes on it are fairly simple (there is an undercarriage plate).

I have sat in a Chevy Spark, it actually feels more solid that you would think for being so compact. I know a base model in that starts out at 13 or 14k, which is really cheap compared to a Focus that would be around 18-20k.

The others I mentioned above I have not had any experience with, they are just the ones off the top of my head. Good luck in your car search!

 

[Reggaemon]

Gee, I didn't realize that I didn't say it has to be an automatic.
But yes, it has to be an automatic.

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: Reggaemon
I've never had drums that stay in adjustment. I was running 4 wheel disc in 1970 so there is no way I'm going to spend money on something so old tech.


Drums are awesome - you can get 200k out of them! FWD ecoboxes are quite easy on rear brakes. Its a shame to limit your choices by so much.


Do some test drives - this segment has lots of very competitive models. Hard to make a bad choice.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Drums are awesome - you can get 200k out of them! FWD ecoboxes are quite easy on rear brakes. Its a shame to limit your choices by so much.


I wouldn't say they're "awesome" but I also don't understand what the OP's hangup is on them. It would certainly not stop me from buying an econobox.

 

[Reggaemon]

I found if I option up a Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent to get cruise control I'm into the same price I can get an Elantra.