Shopping for cheap reliable transportation

[scottmandue]

Got in a pile up on the freeway and looks like my appliance commuter vehicle (Hyundai) is totaled.
Insurance is going to give us around $8000.
Only asking because I know how much you guys love shopping for cars.

I'm with USAA and when I was reading at their website about my settlement they have a "car buying service"
Just a few clicks there and found:
2011 Hyndai Elantra $8,600
2010 Toyota Yaris $7,741
2010 Ford Focus $7,641(fun is not a factor but this probably would be the most fun ride)

These are all at DCH Toyota of Torrance (no doubt they are partnered with USAA) any locals ever deal with that dealership?

Still a little shook up about the accident (no one was hurt) but I got to get back on the horse as it were.

Thanks in advance!

[vash]

sorry about the crash. glad no one is hurt

[scottmandue]

I should add because I am just logging 200 miles a week on the freeway to/from work gas mileage is number one priority.

A Jetta diesel came up in my search but I have heard some negative things about them?

[recycled sixtie]

Hi Scott,
Glad you are okay. Pretty traumatic car accidents.
My mechanic does not like Hyundai. I would say that the Yaris would be most reliable but they are small in terms of crash protection.
The Ford Focus would be the most fun to drive but having said that if this was traded in on a Toyota then there may be a reason for it(Toyota more reliable than Ford Focus?).

You don't say how many miles on each. A good PPI would sort out the good from the not so good.
Let us know what you decide!
Of course you don't have to go with the recommended dealership but perhaps ins. co. has had good experience with them.
Cheers, Guy

[id10t]

Love my Nissan Versa. Do 50 to 75 miles/day, I'm averaging 39.2 mpg ...

[stomachmonkey]

I've got a great 05' Mazda 3 up for sale.

Just under 90k and all maintenance / normal wear items taken care of.

Greg struts, fresh tires, fresh battery, they tend to tear upper motor mounts so when it went I did all 3 just because.

Just put gas in it and change the oil for the next 5 or so years.

[craigster59]

I've bought Toyota trucks from both DCH Oxnard and DCH Simi Valley. Oxnard wasn't so bad but Simi, they wanted to look at my old truck for trade in value and when I balked at the deal I had to threaten them to get my keys back.

I ended up doing the deal but it left a bad taste for the way they conducted business. I would do the Yaris for a commuter vehicle, VW has the emissions problems with the diesel I'd stay away from that.

[SiberianDVM]

Honda Civic Si.

I DD a 2006 Acura RSX Type-S over 500 miles a week. I bought it in 2008 with 24k miles and it now has 174k miles. In that time period, other than oil changes and other scheduled maintenance, I have replaced headlight bulbs, tires, brake pads and .......... that's it.

[creaturecat]

glad you never got hurt.
it does appear to be a decent dealership - according to google.
me? i think i would buy a Prius. for commuting purposes.

[95avblm3]

Why not another Hyundai? Seems like it meets all of your criteria. I had good luck with my Genesis and my wife really likes her Elantra GT (2013)... It's the hatchback version and is cavernous. She's getting ~34.5 mpg avg right now in really $#!%%y stop and go traffic.

[VincentVega]

That sounds like a lot of $$ for a yaris, talk about a blah appliance. I was about to suggest Mazda 3, stomachmonkey more details please.

[vash]

the last three rental cars i got have all been a Yaris's. they dont suck, but after the first initial "weeeeee!"..it gets boring fast.

great mileage, and surprisingly roomy.

but, if i had to get a econ-box..i think i would get a honda Fit. i think they do better than 40mpg and test driving one, it was better than the yaris.

[pwd72s]

See if the vanity plate OUT OF is available. If it is, buy the Focus.

[ckelly78z]

For absolute bulletproof appliance transportation, nothing beats a 5-10 year old Honda Civic that falls within your price range.

If it were me, I would have to look at the Ford Focus, and Fiesta. You can probably get a nicer, low milage Ford, than the same thing in a Honda just because of demand.

[aigel]

The VW diesels 09 and newer are out, unless you want to sell it back to VW in the next 24 months.

I'd go with a newer model elantra and avoid the honda tax. A prius may be an option too.

G

[scottmandue]

I have been though three Hyundai's and had zero problems (run them up to 90K miles then trade in).

Wife balked at the Yaris as "too small"

I am renting a Fiesta, nice little car but ergonomics and viability is not great.

Focus or Mazda3 would bring in some fun factor... I wouldn't be a member here is I wasn't a car guy... but trying to be practical and maybe hope for a 'fun car' somewhere down the road (however if the right Focus or Mazda3 pop up at the right price I may jump on it).

I have driven a Mazda3 (and liked it) but not a Focus.

Of course Honda is the gold standard when it comes to reliable cars, I consider a Civic or Fit if we can find one in our price range (as said Honda tax).

Versa is an option.

Prius is high on our list but for $8K I don't see many available... maybe some with high miles and then we worry about the battery ($$$).

[KNS]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I've got a great 05' Mazda 3 up for sale.

Just under 90k and all maintenance / normal wear items taken care of.

Greg struts, fresh tires, fresh battery, they tend to tear upper motor mounts so when it went I did all 3 just because.

Just put gas in it and change the oil for the next 5 or so years.

I was going to suggest a Mazda 3 - both our kids have them, a '10 and a '13. They are reliable and fun to drive. Only one problem so far and that was the upper motor mount (see above) on the 2010. It was quite easy to replace. They both get great MPG but the '13 gets fantastic mileage due to the Skyactive engine.

[kanadary]

Honda Fit. Just picked one up for my daughter, good rear seat legroom, drop the seats and the cargo Bay is huge. She just got her license so she's not doing freeways and she's getting 38-39 mpg

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by aigel

The VW diesels 09 and newer are out, unless you want to sell it back to VW in the next 24 months.


G

only if you're in California.

I don't think you'll get all the incentives of going through a retrofit of urea cash $$, or buy back $$?



Anyways my vote is a ALH manual with low miles (under 100k), and manual. They'll demand a premium, but they are well worth it.

[sc_rufctr]

Buy and older Lexus and be done with it.