What's the best courier vehicle that's not a prius for no more than 20k?

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Jbrow327

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I am selling my 2017 Toyota prius because I hate the way it drives and the stigma of driving it. People are very aggressive around me when I drive it and I drive like I do in any other car. I don't care if it's a great car for the job, I would rather enjoy my drive more if I'm going to be doing it all day. That said, the car needs to be reliable as I'll be putting 700 to 1000 miles on it per week. Decent mpg and somewhat sporty feeling to drive. Budget 20k. Will be keeping it past 200k miles due to how much I'll be driving it.

I currently only work for Grubhub making between 700 and 1050 per week with just that. I'm going through the process to get on with doordash and then the same with ubereats.
I've been looking at the Mazda 3, 6, and CX5. Toyota Corolla and Camry. Honda Accord, Civic, and maybe Fit. What do you guys think?
 
if you're going to 'destroy' (and I mean to use it up, depreciate it quickly) a car by using it for delivery service I would absolutely start with a used car..one that has already taken its first big depreciation as you will depreciate a new vehicle faster than you can imagine. If you're financing a new car and paying it down at about 1/5th the rate you're depreciating it you run the real risk of being seriously upside down in your loan the entire time. Worse if you you total the car (without GAP protection) or have major mechanical problems in the future..
 
I think you're going to take a bath on getting out of your car and that getting into another will put a dent into your earnings. I'm not sure how others are being aggressive around you, unless if your car truly can't keep up? I wonder if they would not be aggressive towards anything you buy--if they are being snobbish, then they are apt to be snobbish towards any car that isn't like their own.

Anyhow. At that many miles per week I wonder if a) something is going to get chewed up quickly and b) comfort is high on the list. If in city then smaller is better, but if any amount of highway is required then larger is usually better.
 
The answer is the latest generation of Honda Accord Hybrids. New they can be purchased for $24K out the door if you look around. Used about $20K.

Just to clarify, the Accord will get 40mpg in aggressive driving, and is stone reliable. The drive is 100% electric unless at highway speeds and then the engine is coupled via a clutch pack to the wheels. Just like in 5th/6th gear in normal highway driving with a manual trans.

It's much more of a drivers car, handles well and really, does everything well. Plenty roomy too.
 
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iahawk said:
if you're going to 'destroy' (and I mean to use it up, depreciate it quickly) a car by using it for delivery service I would absolutely start with a used car..one that has already taken its first big depreciation as you will depreciate a new vehicle faster than you can imagine. If you're financing a new car and paying it down at about 1/5th the rate you're depreciating it you run the real risk of being seriously upside down in your loan the entire time. Worse if you you total the car (without GAP protection) or have major mechanical problems in the future..
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Sorry I forgot to clarify. Yes it will definitely be a used car. Preferably the lowest mileage I can find. Then I'll be making double payments while driving it.
 
If it was me, I would consider getting a second used car with the the view of it being cheap, disposable and not really for pleasure. Like madeej11 mentioned, a Yaris would be perfect for this. Dependable, easy to squeeze into small sparking spots, double park, etc. Then you can trade your Prius in for whatever "nice" car you find for your goin-to-town activities and it will be there as a backup if you need one.
 
You can probably get a new or almost new TourX for 20k

Somebody else suggested a Yaris hatch. That is also a good choice.

The Honda Fit is another great choice, and Honda makes the best manual transmissions. The 2013-17 Accord is another awesome car they made, lots of space inside, lots of cool features, lots of space, good mpg, and it's one of the easiest modern cars to work on.

The Chevy Sonic and Spark came in some cool colors that will brighten your day and spice it up a bit. The Sonic was available with manual until last year, and it's still available on the Spark.
 
Why worry about others being aggressive unless you life is endangered by this people?
Is the drive in that car that bad? How much extra gas would a non hybrid cost per week?

I would keep using the Prius until repairs outweigh the value of the car.
 
JC1 said:
Why worry about others being aggressive unless you life is endangered by this people?
Is the drive in that car that bad? How much extra gas would a non hybrid cost per week?

I would keep using the Prius until repairs outweigh the value of the car.
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It's not just that. This is my first CVT and that takes away a lot of the driving feel. I'm not opposed to getting a better CVT thats responds a lot better.
 
Instant respect. Less tha $20k all day long.
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