Rio Replacement, What Are My Options?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 08/04/2015 at 06:00 • Filed to: None

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My 2006 Kia Rio is coming up on 255,000 miles (Ive had it since 17,000 back in 06). Needless to say it is getting close to retirement and I would like to start prepping it’s replacement. Here are the key criteria:

*Must be able to run on 86/87 octane fuel

*Must have an average combined score over 22 mpg

*Must have the kind of cargo and entry spaces to accommodate large boxes, bins, maybe even a small (7ft) ladder.

This vehicle will be averaging about 865 miles weekly, but 99.8% of the time I’ll be the only one inside it. Don’t fret over price since I’m just trying to find out my options.

Please and thank you

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:10

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Focus?

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:11

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Where are you located so we can find one in your area?

Flavien Vidal > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:13

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Corvette? Boxes and a small ladder would fit... I managed to fit 3 6 feet shelves from Ikea in mine so...

Wobbles the Mind > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 08/04/2015 at 06:14

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NM, 87114. Feel free to search 300 miles out since there is rarely anything in state.

Wobbles the Mind > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 08/04/2015 at 06:17

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I was thinking it would end up being a compact hatch, wagon, or crossover. Thank you.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:24

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Yeah they make good sense if you need to transport stuff.

Wobbles the Mind > Flavien Vidal 08/04/2015 at 06:25

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I like the idea, but in 48 months I will have placed 179,920 miles on the vehicle (in addition to any miles it had before). Im not sure I’m comfortable doing that kind of fast wear on a vette. Seems unethical.

MuchWagon > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:28

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Am I the only one who is stuck on Kia Rio with 255k miles?

Wobbles the Mind > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 08/04/2015 at 06:31

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Agreed! I wanted to see what people recommend. I know Focus hits the right buttons, but I’m hoping for something from left field and pre-2011 being dropped. Seems like every modern thing in that segment would be fine.

Flavien Vidal > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:31

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Meh, mine had 180.000 miles on the clock, original engine and stuff... The car was mint. They can take a lot of mileage and are very reliable. I was averaging 27mpg without forcing on the freeway too... 30mpg if I really tried. An awesome car really and a great daily

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:36

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Kia Soul? normally I’d say Honda Fit, but 1 the seats will wear you down, ans 2 the Souls gas tank is 2 gallons larger. S assuming the get about the same mileage thats 70-80 miles more between fillup which is a factor to consider when driving almost 900 mile/week. EDIT: the Soul seems to get pretty terrible mileage, 10-6 MPG less than the Fit so the tank size wouldn’t lake a difference in range.)

Also have you considered maybe a Volt? I’ve heard they are excellent to drive as far as NHV, and overall comfort is concerned. and the kinda witht he kind of driving you do you might actually be able to offset the initial cost with it’s MPG. I mean even that full EV 30 mile range alone would essentially save you 1 gallon of gas a day. And you won’t have to be seen driving a Prius

Wobbles the Mind > MuchWagon 08/04/2015 at 06:38

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So I got a full time job 2.5 years ago that requires a lot of driving (averaging under 900 miles a week). That means 112,000 of those miles were since I started this job. It also means the trade-in-value of my vehicle wouldn’t even cover the registration fee...

Wobbles the Mind > Flavien Vidal 08/04/2015 at 06:39

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Well shit, papa might be looking into a vette!

davedave1111 > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:42

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If the Rio works for you, you could always spend a few thousand dollars on having every wear item replaced, and then you’d basically have a new 2006 Rio for a fraction of the cost of a new car. Unless, of course, there’s some reason you were looking forwards to getting something else...

Kat Callahan > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:42

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87112!

HI NEIGHBOR (at the times when I am Stateside). I keep checking ABQ craigslist. Almost bought a DSM I would store at my mom’s.

Wobbles the Mind > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 08/04/2015 at 06:47

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Gas is free as long as it’s regular! Honestly Soul may be on the money.

Wobbles the Mind > Kat Callahan 08/04/2015 at 06:51

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Crazy! If this were Tennessee we would be related!

Flavien Vidal > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:52

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I used to sleep in the trunk too... And I’m 6’1...

Not bad for a 300hp 2 seater sports car :)

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/how-to-sleep-i…

Wobbles the Mind > davedave1111 08/04/2015 at 06:58

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Actually that has already been done. I need to do a timing belt in the next couple weeks, but mechanically it is prestine.

Problem is the key holes are all wearing out (including trunk), the interior is gone, no center armrest, cruise control, 4-speed auto, and 100hp (excluding elevation) are all wearing on me. I would like to get the replacement up to par before this one has a tree fall on it or something.

Telumektar > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 06:59

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Newer Kia Rio?

Or a 5-door Forte?

They seem to be fine cars.

Kat Callahan > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 07:01

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Okay, serious suggestion, get a Fit. It will take the mileage and give you the storage you need.

Wobbles the Mind > Telumektar 08/04/2015 at 07:03

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Forte5 is on the table. Just like dating, I try to avoid the same models!...I’ll see myself out now

Wobbles the Mind > Kat Callahan 08/04/2015 at 07:06

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That one is actually in the top 3 for me, especially since the HR-V was NOT an improvement at all. Fit seems to transcend it’s class.

Kat Callahan > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 07:12

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Well, as you know, I drive the Fit’s direct predecessor, and now that I put the false floor in, it’s got a shitton of room. And as I’ve taken so much crap out of it, it’s so light to begin with, and it’s a normal Civic D-series motor, my MPG is insanely high.

The Fit is heavier, more bloated, but the engine is also more efficient.

Also fuck the Vezel, the new HR-V. A true HR-V is this:

It’s the same platform as my car, and I’d own it in a minute. But you can’t get in the States.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 07:27

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I often just go for the obvious choice haha. You are right though, sometimes get some good interesting recommendations from the guys on here.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 07:28

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Wobbles the Mind > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/04/2015 at 07:32

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Oooo, what is that, Prom Night Pink?

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 07:35

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Are we talking new, or used here? Maybe consider the Hyundai Elantra Touring? You had good luck with the Kia, why not get another vehicle from the same parent company?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 07:37

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It’s all kind of amazing. Mitsubishi Mirage - Over 40 mpg, $13k out the door, hatchback, 90stastic neon colors...

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MuchWagon 08/04/2015 at 08:00

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Yep. Kia and Hyundai make damn hardy little cars. Every convenience feature will break, but the drivetrains are solid.

Wobbles the Mind > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 08/04/2015 at 08:03

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Used, even of only a year

Wobbles the Mind > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/04/2015 at 08:08

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They make me think of cupcakes!

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 08:26

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How about the Mazda 3? I can pull 40MPG on long highway runs, and I’ve seen others who have them go from Tennessee to...KC(?) on a single tank

smobgirl > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 08:36

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My sister loves hers. She and her husband drove it around the country for 3 weeks last summer with their dog and a bunch of camping gear and they had no complaints. It was the second car that came to mind when I saw your post, after a Fit.

Wobbles the Mind > Where have all the lightweights gone? 08/04/2015 at 08:38

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I had a Mazda 3 sedan with the SkyActiv engine as a rental two years ago and I still think about that car 15 rentals later. I didn’t at all like the hatch I rented without that engine months later. I did love that thing (I also had a Chrysler 200 that year and that too was a damn decent rental).

Telumektar > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 08:39

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Hahahaha, my terrible kind of humour.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Kat Callahan 08/04/2015 at 08:46

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I’ve seen those HR-Vs in Portugal, they looked freaking awesome.

punkgoose17 > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 08:54

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I would look at a Suzuki SX4.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 08:57

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I used to work in the 87109!

To answer your question, Prius. Yeah, I know. But it's reliable, easy to find in NM, cheap, and obviously great on fuel.

punkgoose17 > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 09:15

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I think Mazda 6 would be a great choice. 37 MPG highway, large, comfortable, and good looking. Do you have a maximum budget?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 10:06

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Not necessarily saying this is for you, but my aunt traded in her Rio (about the same age) for a Versa Note. She likes it and it seems to fit your criteria.

nermal > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 10:17

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You need a Golf TDI.

pjhusa > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 10:32

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Try a Sentra. Not the best to drive (eew CVT), but good equipment, and loaded with space (rear has noticeably more than the 328).

More uninspired compared to the other options on the list, but you should give it a try.

boxrocket > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 13:02

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Volvo V50 - super comfy seats, great for those long drives. Same platform as the Ford Focus and Mazda3, just nicer. Those are also good choices. The first-Gen Focus ZTW is also worth looking at if you’re keeping it on the cheap. V60 if you have a larger budget.

Hyundai Elantra Touring, Kia Forte5, Kia Soul, Rio5, Tucson, Sportage.

Mazda6 wagon or 5-door (2002-2008).

Mazda CX-5.

Nissan Versa Note, Cube, Rogue.

Toyota Venza.

I got more but am at the end of my break.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 14:13

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The cost of gas not being a factor does change things.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > smobgirl 08/04/2015 at 14:17

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The only reason my wife and I bought a Fit is because she thought the Souls were ugly. I actually like them more. I would like to know if they are more comfortable on lone trips tho. The fit is a great car and with and get 37 or better on hwy(in our experience) and as you;d expect from a Honda hatchback, it handles nice and is decently fun to drive. it is a bit harsh on rough roads tho, but at least it’s no too soft to be fun on a back road like her old Caviler was.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 14:20

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The new 200s are nice, and the PentaStar V6 is a powerful engine for such a “small” car.

Your boy, BJR > Wobbles the Mind 08/04/2015 at 14:38

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The answer is always.....

smobgirl > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 08/04/2015 at 18:46

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I’ll have to ask, they definitely tried!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > smobgirl 08/04/2015 at 18:54

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You know if you took out the Jetta, and replaced the Kia with a Cherokee, that would be a Jeep commercial.