small car for my youngist kid.

[look 171]

He doesn't really care what car but don't want my 5 th gen 4 runner. I thought about all the Colloras, Matrix, Sions or dare I say Civics? Thieves loves them too much. No Nisssan. I know nothing about Mazda but I am sure they are good cars. Mazda 3 or 2? Honda fit would work but they are still a bit of a tin can. What did I missed?

A client wants to get rid of her 06 accord,V6. Nice clean car from an old lady from Pasadena, literally. I fear that weak transmission. Know a few that have that issues. Now what, guys and gals?

Oh, I am cheap. 4-6k and we are ok with 130kmiles on the clock. We will learn to do a bit of work on it.

[LWJ]

An outlier suggestion that a buddy pitched me: an older Nissan (I know! I saw your comment and I despise Nissan's too!!!) Leaf. They are dirt cheap. They have very very short distance that they can go due to poor batteries which is sort of perfect for a new driver. Keep the leash short.

It does have a certain appeal. Not completely practical if you need to drive 40 ++ miles a day.

[Bill Douglas]

I'm a huge fan of Corollas. I've always had one since about 1985. Umm, I think I'm onto about my sixth one now. VERY reliable and well built. Civics are great cars too. Yes, something that doesn't use much gas is a good idea for a young owner.

[rfuerst911sc]

A Mazda 3 is a good choice . Generally a little lower cost used compared to Toyota or Honda but similar quality and reliability .

[cabmandone]

I got my daughter a 2013 Mazda 3 when she started college. The car gets excellent fuel mileage and has been reliable.

[GothingNC]

1st Generation Matrix is a decent car, plenty of storage too.

My two daughters used our 2005 Matrix for about 6 years and now my neighbors kid purchased it as their daily driver.

[PorscheGAL]

My son's first car was a Ford Focus ST. It was a manual so he got a lot of experience driving that. By the end of college, it had 300K miles on it and was still running well. Regular maintenance and tires were done but nothing else. It was a reliable, cheap to operate car.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

My son's first car was a Ford Focus ST. It was a manual so he got a lot of experience driving that. By the end of college, it had 300K miles on it and was still running well. Regular maintenance and tires were done but nothing else. It was a reliable, cheap to operate car.

The Focus ST was a hot topic here on OT when it came out and I was thinking of them just the other day.

Are the cars all that? Super fun and sporty?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

A Mazda 3 is probably the best choice for a reliable appliance that isn't coveted by thieves.

Maybe a Subaru wagon, one of the boring models.

[id10t]

Was very impressed with how well my sons Mitsubishi Lancer prevented him from getting hurt in his accident

(hint ... )

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The Focus ST was a hot topic here on OT when it came out and I was thinking of them just the other day.

Are the cars all that? Super fun and sporty?

They really are a great little hatchback.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

They really are a great little hatchback.

Quick search, they are a lot cheaper and an 89 CRX Si. Neat little cars.

[rwest]

I had a 2008 Toyota Yaris and it only needed an alternator and wear items during the 15 years I had it.

Got good mileage, carried a lot of stuff and was easy to park. I had a stick.

Only drawback was that it wasn’t comfortable on long drives as the seat didn’t go back far enough for my 6’ height.

[rwest]

One more plus on the Yaris, apparently the cat is high up into the engine compartment and hard to steal.

[fanaudical]

One thing about small cars - they don't crash well (especially when others hit them). That may be a concern for a young driver.

From what I hear from my friends, the Yaris and Focus are both good little cars.

Honda CRV? My son has one; it's been a good car for the last 200k miles...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The Focus ST was a hot topic here on OT when it came out and I was thinking of them just the other day.

Are the cars all that? Super fun and sporty?

I daily drove one for a year, bought it from a former Pelican’s parents in OK. They are a blast to drive, have a decent interior, are practical, and very reliable. Supposedly the Fiesta ST is actually better to drive but I needed a back seat big enough for a car seat at the time. Highly recommended.

Back to the OP, that would be a Mazda3 all day long. They are cheaper than a Civic or Corolla and better to drive with a nicer interior. I prefer the hatchback with the slightly larger 2.5L but they are all good. My little sister in laws went through probably five of them, all bought new and driven to 150k+ with minimal maintenance.

[Cajundaddy]

Agree on the Mazda3. Fun to drive, cheap to own.

Another one that is kinda off the radar- Saturn Vue. It is a small GM hatchback, fwd, NOT a theft target. A simple reliable appliance car that one of my kids had for several years. Because the brand has folded they can be found cheap but all parts are GM so cheap and available. Can get a 4 speed for dirt cheap and that is a serious theft deterrent.

[Scott Douglas]

Don't fear the '06 Accord trannie!
How many miles does it have on it?
A change of the trans fluid is usually all it takes to get them working as they should if they haven't been abused, and I seriously doubt the little old lady did that.

[speeder]

Same advice on the '06 Accord, those were fantastic, *sweet spot* years for Honda quality and technology. I've never heard anything about those transmissions but if you want to talk to one of the best transmission shops in LA, (who has seen everything and knows everything), call my friend John Choi @ (323) 462-2464. Tell him that you are my friend and he will tell you how long lasting they are and even what he would charge to rebuild it if it ever takes a dump.

He is on Santa Monica Blvd by Gower and the cemetery. About 200 yards away from him is Affordable Care independent Honda and Toyota repair, the most honest and competent indy shop I've ever found in my life. Talk to Stacy, the owner, tell him you're a friend of mine. Great place for a PPI on any used Japanese car you find. They are fantastic.

Good luck!

[vash]

what about the previous generation of Prius? (sorry)

when the new cool model came out everyone dumped the ugly one. it is really a good car. we have some at work crushing 300k miles. and those are work miles!!