Recommendations? Reliable, under 14' long, automatic, and not much over $20k.

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling) 01/16/2016 at 00:28 • Filed to: Oppoinions

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I have a friend that is a poor as hell grad student. She has zero car maintenance skills and needs a new car as her POS is in really sketchy shape (2004 Chevy Classic (the shittiest of Malibus, during the first of two years it was only sold to fleets), which is a haunted piece of shit that I think was once flooded.). Can’t drive a manual and unwilling to learn, so it must be automatic. She said she can spend about $20k on a car (prefers less, might go slightly above if it makes her happy) and she would like something that gets a ferry discount (hence, under 14' long). I believe she needs something simple and rock-solid reliable, along with thinking she needs something new with a warranty because she can’t afford repairs (she’s also extremely bad with money, so if it isn’t packaged in a simple monthly payment, she won’t save for repairs). She generally has a fairly short commute of around 16 miles r/t, but does drive much longer distances on occasion (100+ miles). This last part is why a Nissan Leaf isn’t perfect (on top of expensive). It also should be cute (because girl; Toyotas and Scions are too angry and ugly these days... She likes VWs and has a bit of an obsession with the Fiesta (calls it a “party car!”, particularly because it is cute and can be purchased in Candy Blue.) and major bonus points if it comes in a cheery blue color.

My list is something like this:

1. Mazda 2, but it isn’t sold in the US anymore. The new one looks so sexy.

2. Honda Fit. Probably the all-around most practical and nicest. Sadly, they’re kind of expensive.

3. Ford Fiesta Hatch. My only reluctance is the questionable DCT.

4. Chevy Sonic Hatch. I hate the thought of a shitbox like this, but as proven by her car that she once failed to change the oil on for 15k miles (because she couldn’t afford it, she claimed), GM cars really do run bad longer than most cars run at all. Still an Aveo to me, just with a more powerful and reliable engine.

... I’m out of ideas.

She also likes the cute little Fiat 500s and would stretch for a base spec Mini, both of which I think are bad ideas for her because they’re notoriously unreliable.

My go-to is cheap used cars. I’d say a Panther would be pretty awesome, except for how bad she is with money and a complete lack of mechanical skills (meaning most of the cheap bonuses are gone). You can do a lot of ferry crossings with that 16-17k left over after buying a clean Panther.

Also note that the nearest Carmax is too far away to pull a DeMuro.

So, what do you think? What would you recommend? List what you’d recommend she consider and why...

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 00:34

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New base model Subaru Impreza with a CVT?

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 01/16/2016 at 00:39

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Too long. Although it is an option. It reminds me of my coworker’s girlfriend that is super jalop-friendly (Has only owned manuals! Has only owned interesting cars! Super cute! Friendly! Loves cars! Educated! Wealthy family! I can’t figure out what is stopping him from marrying her, aside from her horse hobby (danger!), but that’s pretty much covered by her parents owning farms.) - she bought a manual XV Crosstrek this last year.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 00:43

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hyundai veloster. 2" under 14 feet. ok to drive, stupid reliable, 100K mile warranty, plenty of tech is standard, looks fairly cool. under 20K brand new MSRP w/ the DCT. If you can find a ‘15 on the lot, it’ll be even less expensive.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Clown Shoe Pilot 01/16/2016 at 00:47

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Good suggestion. Didn’t think of that one because I mentally discount the Veloster entirely due to the Veloster Turbo being a joke.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 00:50

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No reason to put 200HP in that car. The 132HP version is cheap reliable transportation. I’ve got one w/ approaching 70K miles on it. It’s had oil and tire changes.

smobgirl > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 00:54

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So she can’t afford oil changes but can buy a $20k+ car? That’s more than I wanted to spend and I actually have a reasonable income.

Yaris or Versa? Or I'll second the Kia Soul vote for the warranty alone.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Clown Shoe Pilot 01/16/2016 at 00:55

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What’s up with the DCT on the base model. Didn’t they use a traditional automatic at one point?

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 00:58

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Also note that the nearest Carmax is in Spokane (we’re near Seattle) and therefore pulling a DeMuro is out of the question.

FWIW, there are two in Portland. You can reserve a car ahead of time for an appointment to test-drive it. No need to cross the Cascades.

Anyway... Maybe a used Prius C?

Clown Shoe Pilot > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 01:01

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nope, it’s been DCT since day one

Desu-San-Desu > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 01:02

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Kia Rio5.

Checks every single box you mentioned, along with the Mazda 2 and the Honda Fit. Mazda 2's are pretty sparsely equipped and the Honda Fit is a pretty dead tie with the Kia, but the Kia has an awesome warranty and really good build quality, whereas the Honda can feel a bit slapped-together.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Clown Shoe Pilot 01/16/2016 at 01:03

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Is the DCT in the 100k mile warranty? Or is it considered a wear item?

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 01/16/2016 at 01:04

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Still too far to exploit their warranties.

Prius C sounds good for a lot of reasons, but her roommate owns one and she hates driving it. It really is a good recommendation.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 01:04

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You’d have to look at the website. I have a m/t

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > smobgirl 01/16/2016 at 01:05

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Couldn’t. She has more money now, but I’d still consider her pretty freaking poor. It seemed like a total lack of sense in doing that. I was going to jokingly list a bus pass and the most spectacularly-bedazzled case she could find as a better alternative to any of these, but I wanted serious responses.

She seemed repulsed by the looks of the Yaris. I considered the Versa, but it is pretty strongly hated on the intertubes for some reason. It does seem like a practical cheap car (she could almost buy two, so the payment should be better for her finances as well...).

Funktheduck > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 01:08

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My vote is always Mazda 3 but I’m biased. What about the accent/rio? Great warranties.

With the listed requirements the fit is probably the best choice

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Desu-San-Desu 01/16/2016 at 01:19

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If it’s better than a Fit, I’d be very impressed. Every Fit I’ve been in was really nice. They don’t even feel like subcompacts to me, they’re just that premium feeling. (Ahem - Older Fits are kind of shitty. The latest generation is very nice and well built.)

On the other hand, personally, I don’t care for the driving dynamics, not that it would matter for someone that drives something as terrible as she has been all these years.

I’ll add it, but the reviews I’ve heard on the Rio are quite mixed. It scored one of the top ten spots for most regretted new car purchases recently...

smobgirl > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 01:24

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Yeah, the Yaris is pretty awful. I spent a week camping with a rental Versa and it didn't stand out in any way (good or bad). No idea how reliable it is long-term though.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Funktheduck 01/16/2016 at 01:29

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I love all Mazdas and do wish she was up for bigger cars. My GF has a Mazda3, so I’m probably biased as well, as I think it’s an excellent car.

My sense is that she wants the small size to save money in a potential future of ferry commuting with a car, but it could just be that she wants to save that little bit when she ends up driving for trips into the city.

atfsgeoff > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 02:08

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2016 Volkswagen Beetle. Checks the VW and “cute” marks and it’s *exactly* 14 feet in overall length (does that make the cut for ferry discount?). Base model MSRP is $19,595.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 02:14

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Honda Fit is the clear choice for me as it drives really well (for what it is) and is stupidly practical but for her I would probably say anything Hyundai/Kia as their build quality is solid and have crazy warranties so she can just drive it without really having to worry about anything else.

JDMatt > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 02:31

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Scion iA or iM. The iA is for certain going to come in at under 20K out the door. The iA is closely related to the mazda 2, it even has a skyactiv engine.

All scions are come with scion service boost: which means free maintenance for the first 2 years or 25,000 miles, whatever comes first.

the toyota dealership you buy the car from might have a 2015 xB in stock, but that model was discontinued a few months ago and I have no idea how quickly/slowly scions sell in the pacific northwest.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 04:30

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Mitsubishi Lancer?

Flman1967 > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 04:32

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Ford Focus. That’s usually my go-to in situations like this. Inexpensive, you can get a nicely optioned unit, it is around 14' long, and they are plentiful. Plus, they're pretty fun to drive, even in rental trim. While I enjoyed the Fiat when I drove one as a rental, the interior was a bit fiddly. The Soul is also a good option. Don't know if Nissan still sells the cube but I had one for a surf trip and liked the utility. If used is an option, the Toyota Matrix is also fun to drive. My sister in law has one with a manual!

64Mali > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 08:47

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I have a 2014 fiesta with the DCT. It’s actually been replaced one under warranty. Other than that the car is pretty good. Small cheap and good on gas. I did tske out the extended ford warranty on it just in case but I think the DCT is covered for a while anyways. I would have ti double check.

Also fiesta is amazing in snow with snow tires.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > JDMatt 01/16/2016 at 09:41

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The Scion iA is a Mazda2 dressed up for Halloween. Essentially all they changed was the front fascia... The two downsides are that it only comes in sedan form (therefore too long) and the ugly was unacceptable to her.

I’ve thought about the xB, but it seems the successor to the first gen in the toaster microvan niche is the Soul.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > atfsgeoff 01/16/2016 at 11:44

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http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/A…

Not sure if the new one qualifies, but it might be worth looking at. VW’s history of mediocre reliability is a bit worrisome, though.

atfsgeoff > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2016 at 12:04

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Looking at that list, the answer suddenly becomes so obvious.

Miata.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Flman1967 01/16/2016 at 12:44

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I have a Focus. She likes it a lot, but the questionable DCT and being over 14' long knocked it out of the running, plus she oddly prefers the Fiesta.