Which would you pick from new Elantra SE, Jetta SE, or Malibu LS

[PF52]

Elantra, Civic, Corolla are good cars but for me at least I also have to gauge if I would be embarrassed to drive up to a party or pick up a date in one of these teenager vehicles

Don't you have to be something like 60+ to buy a Corolla? That's an old man's car.

Maybe its different where you live.

 

[Nick1994]

Don't you have to be something like 60+ to buy a Corolla? That's an old man's car.

Maybe its different where you live.

Corollas are for folks fresh out of college. Malibus are 60+.

 

[factorytuned2012]

whichever you get for the better price Jetta or malibu. not a Hyundai/Kia guy.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Don't you have to be something like 60+ to buy a Corolla? That's an old man's car.

Maybe its different where you live.

Some places have a dearth of Crown Vics…

 

[dishdude]

Corollas are for folks fresh out of college. Malibus are 60+.

Boomers love a Corolla! Subarus too.

 

[Silverado12]

Corollas are for folks fresh out of college. Malibus are 60+.

You're not wrong LOL.

 

[supton]

Don't you have to be something like 60+ to buy a Corolla? That's an old man's car.

Dang, great post to start my day with.

A 60 year old would do well with the road noise in one (wouldn’t hear it) but even I am starting to tire of this car.

Why can’t we buy station wagons anymore? that’s a real mid life man’s car.

 

[Torrid]

For me I’d go with a performance model. I like the Elantra N, but I would most likely go Jetta GLI.

Malibu would never make it into the conversation for me.

 

[AZjeff]

The OP said he drives 2-3k miles a year around town and likely won’t see another 50k. A lot of advice given ignores his reality. Forget long distance, hooning etc. Any new car will outlast his needs. When someone says which one of these three it says they aren’t particular, the car is an appliance. I’d say get whatever one stands up to a life of short tripping best. Or get the color you like best. Or the cheapest.

 

[ls1mike]

Or the cheapest.

This. 3 to 4000 miles a year? Any of them will make it to 150,000 easy.

 

[nickaluch]

Should have added, I'm retired and drive very little ... just groceries and dr's appts. Approx. 2-3k miles a year. I won't be around long enough to see any vehicle get 100k miles. 50k miles is a more reasonable limit.

My instinct suggests the Malibu for overall comfort, although the Jetta doesn't have the warranty of the Elantra, it does have 4 years bumper to bumper.

I would go Elantra you will have the full 10 year warranty with those miles but only if you're comfortable and can get in and out of the car with ease. Getting up in age I remember with my dad it was important to get him a car he can get in n out easily and be able to reach the door to close.

 

[AZjeff]

Perfect EV use case?

 

[250SD_54V8]

When ever I get asked a question like this my response is always, Why did they quit making Camrys and Accords.

 

[2019CRVlx]

When ever I get asked a question like this my response is always, Why did they quit making Camrys and Accords.

Nope they still make them. They cost $30k.

The subject cars in base grades are closer to $22k

 

[TwoTires]

Based on the choices we were offered, I assume you're on a budget. In all honesty, all three suck! For about the same money I'd go any Toyota , Honda, or Subaru you could afford. Lots of Subbies in out family and they all go 250-350 K miles before they're sold.... With no issues! At least the Hyundai has a decent warranty. VW ... No thanks, don't want to make trips with a mechanic on board. And, no small turbo engines please. That rules out the Chevy with 1500cc turbo that JD Powers and Consumers dumped all over.