"cardcheat" (card-cheat)
08/09/2013 at 13:23 • Filed to: None
0
31|
"cardcheat" (card-cheat)
08/09/2013 at 13:23 • Filed to: None | 0
| 31 |
My mother called me this morning to tell me she is looking for a new car, and unsurprisingly is interested only in the above three characteristics. Presumably a number of you have probably needed to look at a car based on those sensibilities for yourself, a friend, or family, so perhaps you could weight in.
Other details:
-Looking for a used car but within the past several years
-no specific budget has been set yet, but assume well on the cheaper end
-4 seats, hatchback is preferable but sedan is also fine
-Likewise, manual is preferable but auto is ok as well
Mostly it is the three factors listed in the title that are important. I'm inclined to say Mazda 3. We've had a number of Mazdas in the family and we've always been happy with them, but there may be better options. I admit I don't know this part of the market incredibly well. Your recommendations are appreciated if you have them.
CalzoneGolem
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:24 |
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Cruze Eco /thread
DasWauto
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:27 |
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Mazda3 Skyactive (hatch, stick). Though I don't know how long have these been in the market now. There may not be too many used ones out there yet.
nataku83
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:28 |
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Chevy Spark - should be reasonably reliable, very fuel efficient with a manual, is a hatchback and the only car that's cheaper is the Versa sedan, which is just plain awful.
Tim Allardyce
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:29 |
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Yaris. In beige, of course.
Tom McParland
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:31 |
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Mazda 3 2.0 skyactiv or Honda Fit
dinobot666
> Tim Allardyce
08/09/2013 at 13:31 |
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I've never seen a beige Yaris before, but you would be hard pressed to find something more reliable than a Yaris.
A first gen Scion xB shares the same basic drivetrain as the Yaris and would be even roomier.
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cardcheat
> CalzoneGolem
08/09/2013 at 13:31 |
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Yes good one, I'll mark it down. Both my parents unfortunately have an aversion to American cars after owning a few highly unreliable ones in the 90s but they may be able to get over it.
BJ
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:33 |
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I'd suggest a VW Golf 5-door. I really enjoyed mine - immensely practical, easy to drive and park, and cheap on the used market (here in Montreal, at lesat). Fuel economy was decent, but not amazing, and I never had any real problems with it.
David E. Davis
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:33 |
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The Mazda 2's cousin the Ford Fiesta.
1. Should be available for decent money on the used market.
2. available in hatch or sedan
3. manual available.
4. seats 4 people.
5. very efficient.
Jayhawk Jake
> nataku83
08/09/2013 at 13:33 |
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Nein. Sonic is bigger and betterer.
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CalzoneGolem
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:35 |
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Nothing a few decades of improvement can't fix.
Nerd-Vol
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:36 |
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Mazda 3.
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nataku83
> Jayhawk Jake
08/09/2013 at 13:37 |
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True, but it's more expensive (especially for the hatch) and less efficient. Looks like real world Sparks are turning in 37 mpg in mixed (from fuelly) with manuals averaging over 40. Sonic you can expect more like 33 mpg, and that's with the turbo engine that pushes the price to more like 18-19k.
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Tom McParland
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:38 |
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Also Elantra GT is quite nice.
Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:38 |
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Prius.
Because all cheap, reliable, and fuel efficient threads need at least one Prius.
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cardcheat
> DasWauto
08/09/2013 at 13:39 |
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My first thought as well. Not sure about the availability of skyactivs, but there's a good Mazda dealer near here so we'll likely swing by and see what they have as a starting point.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:39 |
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There's a bunch of good options in those categories lately.
Ford Fiesta
Chevy Sonic
Chevy Cruze
Ford Focus (maybe 2 big?! has that ever been said before?)
Mazda 2
Mazda 3
Options are plentiful! Have her drive all of the above and just pick what fits budget/style the best. They all nail those requirements. Fiesta new is almost used car pricing anyhow lol.
dogisbadob
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:40 |
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Too bad about the past several years requirement because you ruled out the best car ever, the 92-96 Camry. Available with a 4-cylinder and manual transmission so reasonably fuel efficient. They probably don't cost too much money, and they're the most reliable car ever.
Of course the new Yaris is also a good answer. There is the sporty SE model as well.
Hooker
> CalzoneGolem
08/09/2013 at 13:41 |
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^^This. Cruze ECO. I love mine. Second Cruze I have owned (I foolishly traded in the first one, but if I hadn't, I wouldn't have the 6MT now!) and I love it! Note: I am reasonably hard on my cars and this one has almost 40,000 miles on it with no problem.
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cardcheat
> David E. Davis
08/09/2013 at 13:42 |
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Will probably recommend checking it out. She might want to go for the slightly bigger 3/Focus but its worth a look.
J. Walter Weatherman
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:46 |
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Toyota Echo. There is nothing sexy about them, but they are absolutely the pinnacle of cheap, reliable and fuel efficient. You can get clean ones for under $5000. They almost never break, but if they do parts are INSANELY cheap. Mileage is in the 30-40 range. Available with 4 doors and a manual. Also, the ones with manuals are surprisingly fun to drive (largely thanks to their low weight).
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Hooker
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 13:48 |
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Yes. Cruze. All day.
I may have a biased opinion.
davedave1111
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 14:08 |
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Cheap, reliable, and fuel efficient, you say?
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 14:10 |
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Unfortunately the answer is Corolla. I'm so sorry for you.
Slave2anMG
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 14:48 |
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See the " Tanner Foust's Yugo is still for sale. " thread...
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
/gets coat and hat
Giles007
> Tom McParland
08/09/2013 at 14:53 |
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This would be my recommendation. And the styling is great too; my parents raved about it when they looked at one.
neon wario
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 14:57 |
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I'd say Golf or Honda Fit
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cardcheat
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/09/2013 at 16:36 |
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Hey, I'm not the one that has to drive it! Well, except on occasions when I'm home but presumably I would be able to deal with it.
Long Live the Longdoor
> cardcheat
08/09/2013 at 17:53 |
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Given what she is looking for I'd highly recommend a Honda Civic. OK, it's not the most exciting car in the world, but it gets the job done. Fuel efficient. Dead reliable, friends of my wife and I are on their second Civic (2012 & 2008) and have no issues with either (which is more than I can say about our Cobalt and Cruze bought around the same times)
ss_lump
> cardcheat
08/10/2013 at 00:03 |
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Seriously, try to get them to consider a Cruze Eco or possibly a diesel Cruze. You will not regret it.
Music.man
> J. Walter Weatherman
08/10/2013 at 07:51 |
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Owned one for 4 years. Rebuilt title no less. Drive it 100 miles a day, 75 mph. Got 38 mpg and NEVER broke.
However, it was a bit loud and sucked my car loving soul nearly to death. Traded it for a mini. Much better.