Need some input on compact cars

[SS MAYFLOAT]

This week I'm going out to find a small 4 cyl car for my daughter. She doesn't want a payment an only wants to spend at least 2K or a bit better. We've discussed Escorts, Geo's, and Kia's. The Escort is okay but I'm not sure how the others are. I do see lots of them on the road as well as many for sale.

Thought I would ask for some input on any of your thoughts......Thanks,,,SS

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

...I don't know that much about those three cars. However if it were me Mayfloat, I would look real hard at finding a Toyota Corolla. It's probably a few more bucks or a little older for the same money. It may get a little less mileage than the Kia or Geo. It's reputation is a legend tho' and its ability to hold its resale is where you cut your losses.
The only thing is that the Corolla, despite it's near bullet proof rep, is a little on the boring side and I know a lot of younger people that avoid it for that reason alone. Fair enough.
Regardless, those are all probably pretty good choices and I would guess the escort to be the cheapest to maintain due to its fairly simple, generic history...fuel economy aside of course.
BP

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

You can probably find a 1st or 2nd gen Saturn for about $2k. I've had my '99 SC1 for 6 years and absolutely love it. Hyundai Accents are good, Geo Metros are ok (turbo sprint would be better), Corollas are nice cars and do hold up really well. Civics are good from just about ANY year, if you keep oil in em they'll run forever. Stay away from Nissan Stanzas, had nothing but problems with the one the ex had, even after a motor rebuild.

Those are the ones that stand out for me.

 

[ocb_dave_ocb]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

We have a 2002 Kia Rio with 70k miles, its an ok car. I have owned Toyota, and Honda cars and trucks, THEY are my favorites.. For 2k You could get an older Honda or Toyota..

You could get a Kia 99-01 model for around $2,500 with anywere from 85,000-125,000 miles on it.. My father in law swears by Kia for his work cars, He just traded an 01 with 225,000 miles on it for a 2008 model..

You could get a Toyota 93-95 model for around $2,500 with anywere from 135,000 - 185,000 miles on it.. They will need probably a timinig belt/chain and a tune up and it will last another 100k

You could get a Honda 90-96 model for around $2,500 with anywere between 125,000 - 250,000 Same as a Yoda tune up and belt it will last a Long time

You could get a Geo 93-98 model for around $2,500 with anywere between 85,000 - 140,000. Not bad vehicle I bought a storm at auction with about 175,000 to sell, not a bad Ride at all ran great, I also had a Geo Tracker 95' with 121,000 ran great sold it for $2,850 with brand new top and tires/wheels...

Any vehicle you get, REMEMBER, your daughters safety is of upmost importance, You want something she will be safe in.. REMEMBER it will be USED and could require work, Check it over WELL.. Test drive it HARD make sure it will be good, check out the axles/boots, tranny, oil level and color, run your finger through the exhaust tip check for soot..

Good luck with your search.. These are just my opinions, im only 23 but I have bought and sold over 15 vehicles.. Auctions are good places to look.. I got a Nissan Stanza for $600, agreed with the above poster (STAY AWAY- THEY ARE PRONE TO TRANNY PROBLEMS) had 115,000 miles on it.. Got that storm at auction for $400...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

As for checking them out, I get them up on a lift to check things out underneath. I also pull the wheels to check CV's and brakes. I've got a good mech friend with his own garage. Its amazing what this guy will do for me for a case of beer (of course I take care of his building maintenance too)

I've had Hondas and Toys and think they are the best route to go. With the price of gas now, those are in big demand and not many in this area.

She is driving an old S10 Blazer that has a 6 cyl that loves its fuel. For what she spends in fuel, she could lease a small car for the savings in fuel. She only needs it for local driving.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Toyota, Nissan or honda. Kia and geo are not that bad...

 

[ocb_dave_ocb]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

As for checking them out, I get them up on a lift to check things out underneath. I also pull the wheels to check CV's and brakes. I've got a good mech friend with his own garage. Its amazing what this guy will do for me for a case of beer (of course I take care of his building maintenance too)

I've had Hondas and Toys and think they are the best route to go. With the price of gas now, those are in big demand and not many in this area.

She is driving an old S10 Blazer that has a 6 cyl that loves its fuel. For what she spends in fuel, she could lease a small car for the savings in fuel. She only needs it for local driving.

Yeah no doubt, She could get a new Kia for about 11k - 12k for incentives.. Probably < $200 a month.. Fuel is rediculous these days my Ridgeline take $65-$70 to fill up and it will run about 300 - 350 miles depending.. My wifes Kia will go the same distance for $25...

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

I have a 01 Hyndai Elantra I bought new, only car ever bought new as a matter of fact. I love my little car. I've got 102,000 on it now. It just started its first problem, cv joints are clicking. They are only about $75 a side and it'll take me a couple of hours to fix. I highly reccommend a Hyndai to anyone. I've drove it hard its entire life and this was the first problem. Now that I think about it I've never even changed the fuel filter. As Bro Haut would say Humm...........

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

I will jump in here and say the only little car I would have is a Subaru.
Have 3 of them and they can not be beat in bad weather.
If you want to go and feel safe about it get one.

 

[tommays]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Subaru


Tommays

 

[JB]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics have great reputations that you have to pay for.

Subarus seem to fly below the RADAR, and I think that is where you will find the best value for the buck.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

You asked for opinions. I think all compact cars are dangerous. I know fuel is expensive but, I still prefer to stick to mid sized vehicles. I wouldn't think that the s-10 would be that hard on gas. But, I've never had one. Maybe her driving is part of the problem. You can get a lot better mileage by just doing a few driving changes. How old is this girl? If she is young keep her in something bigger and safer.

 

[i386]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, Suburu

All good cars. Hopefully you find one that's been taken care of. Common items that need servicing on these at high mileage that I can think of...

Clutch
Timing Belt/Chain
CV Joints
Check for oil leaks

When looking at Hondas, look for any patches where the clearcoat is coming off. Once it starts you'll start getting is all over. I call it Honda paint disease. Our Civic has it which has made me look for it in other Hondas. I see it all the time.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

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[arboldt]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Legend in the top tier. Second tier Ford Escort, etc. October '06 we sold our '94 Mitsubishi Expo LRV only because it couldn't tow our boat. My wife loved that car!.

Everyone has good experiences and bad experiences with various cars. If I were on your budget, I'd check the April Consumner Reports, where they suggest the top used cars in various sizes / price brackets. CarTalk.com does that, too, although I'd trust the statistics-generating of Consumer Reports a bit more.

It's often said on this board that a well-maintained 20-year old boat can be a much better deal than a poorly-maintained 2-year old boat. Same goes for cars.

 

[ocb_dave_ocb]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

I will jump in here and say the only little car I would have is a Subaru.
Have 3 of them and they can not be beat in bad weather.
If you want to go and feel safe about it get one.

Subaru is a very good car too never thought about them, They are produced by Honda, same way Lexus is made by Toyota, or Lincoln by Ford, etc...

Hyndaui or however u spell it, are becoming very good cars.. 15 years ago you could have forced me into one, my mom bought a new scoop it was problems from the get go.. Now they are pretty reliable

 

[i386]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Subaru is a very good car too never thought about them, They are produced by Honda, same way Lexus is made by Toyota, or Lincoln by Ford, etc...

Subaru is the automobile division of Fuji Heavy Industries. Toyota owns a small portion of FHI (less than 10%). Subaru has no affiliation with Honda that I'm aware of.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Subaru is a very good car too never thought about them, They are produced by Honda

er.............., True they are a very good cars but they are not part of Honda. They are owned by FHI Fuji Heavy Industries. I understand that GM has sold their interest in Subaru to Toyota though. For years Subaru has used some of the same vendor parts as Nissan though, switches and such.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Look for a Geo Prizm.... it is actually a Toyota that was built for Geo and since Geo is now gone they normally sell cheap. Bullet proof transportation.

 

[ocb_dave_ocb]

Re: Need some input on compact cars

Hmm I stand corrected on the Subaru-Honda issue.. I do know that Toyota make lexus though, my father is a GM at the Toyota Plant in Georgetown.. While I was at Airport Honda last week I read an article in their waiting room that said Honda produced Subaru, guess that was wrong?