Your advice on what vehicle to purchase to achieve the lowest cost of ownership?

[HemiBenny]

I would pick a “bare bones as you can get” Mazda 3. (New)

Mid 20’s at most, drive it forever.

Other than the cylinder deactivation, which Mazda has figured out, it’s as simple as you can get while having any sort of reliability combined with a little enjoyment while driving.

Just my opinion.

 

[Donald]

Need to indicate if OP is married. Wife won't want to ride in a beater.

 

[dan7055]

Need to indicate if OP is married. Wife won't want to ride in a beater.

I am single and thus fully authorized to drive with peeling paint and missing hub caps

 

[oilboy123]

I have the 2016 Ford Focus S that has been great. But it is the 5M trans. The dual clutch automatic is a nightmare. In fact I wanted it with the auto trans. But they are junk........ Hence why I have the 5M.

Very cheap to buy/drive/maintain. I have 109,000 with only regular maintenance. A purge valve, and a cracked coolant bottle is what has been done. On my third set of tires with less than 4000 miles on present ones.

Edit: the Focus comes with a Mazda engine.

 

[bighead2586]

Or you could buy an older cream puff like my '07 Accord 4 dr, V6, 6MT. It wouldn't be expensive, reliable as anything, good on fuel, comfortable (and dare I say it, even a bit fun to drive). Of course finding one for sale wouldn't be easy.

Nice! I have a 2014 V6 Accord coupe it's fun to drive but I dislike the coupe design and (lack of) practicality. I'd love to have this engine/tranny with 4 doors but it wasn't made after your model year I'm pretty sure.