It's time for a new car finally

"Khalbali" (khalbali2) 01/11/2019 at 22:53 • Filed to: None

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Just wanted to see what ideas oppo has for me, I need a good cheap DD to last me a couple years while I rebuild my credit and life in general. Obviously no automatics, reliability is good but I can do a little wrenching and I’m more concerned with total cost of ownership so if parts are cheap and it’s easy to work on I’m ok with something with character. Current frontrunners are a 2008 Honda Fit Sport and a 2005 Volvo S40 2.4i. What else should I look for? (Talking more in generalities not necessarily specific ads)

I wish it was this color, always loved the purple.

someassemblyrequired > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:04

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Some serious deals on dieselgate cars, and they come with a 2yr, unlimited mile warranty.  Lots of stuff around 10k...

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:05

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Used fit. Oppo car of the year.

promoted by the color red > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:06

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Subaru Forester with refreshed head gaskets

glemon > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:08

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We have a 2007 Fit Sport manual bought new. At 90,000 miles or so now. All it has needed is fluids, filters, brake pads, and tires. 37 mpg on my best trips. Light and responsive though certainly not fast, it is a nice daily driver that is easy on the wallet. Interior does feel a little cheap, but then the car was cheap when new.

PS. Our car also, sadly, not purple.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:08

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We owned a 2008 Fit Sport in that color. Bought new owned for 5 years and about 80k  until it we just couldn’t make it work with kids and enormous car seats. It was a good color. It’s aslo a good car. Watch out for front drive parts. We needed to replace an entire halfshaft through the CV around 60k . Other than that mostly problem free. The battery is an odd size that we couldn’t find anywhere but the dealer. If you have questions feel free to ask.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:09

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Just go with the Fit. it’s Oppo-approved.

facw > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:13

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The 2.4i S40s seemed a bit under-powered to me. Obviously the T5 eliminates that problem, but IIRC, adds some others, plus they are much less common. If you do go the S40, I recommend finding one with the spoiler, it’s tiny but somehow the proportions look off to me without it.

Khalbali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 01/11/2019 at 23:19

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Yeah I'm much more partial to the first gen though than the second gen everybody else is going for.

Khalbali > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/11/2019 at 23:21

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Its probably the front runner I've found a couple that look promising. Plus somebody has to give the first gen some love around here.

Khalbali > someassemblyrequired 01/11/2019 at 23:21

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Would be nice but my budget is about half that....

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > promoted by the color red 01/11/2019 at 23:22

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Subaru refreshed  mine for free at 50k when the motor was relaxed under warranty :)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:22

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A Mazda 3, 2006-2009 not from the rust belt. 

Khalbali > facw 01/11/2019 at 23:24

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I've heard scary stories about turbo and/or awd Volvo's so I'll stick with the 2.4i, don't need anything crazy fast anyways. The one I'm eyeing doesn't have the spoiler but I think I prefer it that way personally, could always add on later too I suppose. The seats just look so comfy.....

glemon > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 01/11/2019 at 23:24

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Battery is an off size for the early Fits , you can upsize to one available at regular auto parts stores and Walmart that has more CCA by ditching the battery tray or trimming it.  Lots of information on Fit Forums.

Khalbali > promoted by the color red 01/11/2019 at 23:25

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Its a thought, I found a couple saaburus and a fozzy xt but a little too rich for my blood. Plus I just left Denver, kinda turned off of subies now although I've never owned one.

facw > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:28

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The specific engines that are problematic vary from model to model (which seems a bit weird to me since most are pretty similar, but whatever), but year, I think there are some issues with the S40/V50 T5. Personally, I didn’t see anything awful about Volvo’s AWD, but I wasn’t really interested in it when I was looking at S60s, even if it’s generally reliable, it’s also one other thing that can break and needs periodic service/inspection, which probably isn’t the way to go on a 10+ year old car, unless you actually need AWD for something.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > glemon 01/11/2019 at 23:31

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Makes sense.  We lived in south TX which is hell on batteries and needed to replace ours in 2010 at which point the Fit had only been on sale in the US for 3 years.  At that point there weren’t many options.  Good to hear the owners have figured it out. 

Khalbali > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/11/2019 at 23:35

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Its a thought, I really don't like the clutch in that gen though and have a hard time fitting my big assfoot between the brake and the side of the console.

dogisbadob > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:36

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get an Echo

Khalbali > facw 01/11/2019 at 23:37

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Yeah I don't really, I've been dailying an NC, looking to keep it simple.

Khalbali > dogisbadob 01/11/2019 at 23:39

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Its on my radar, any particular reason? Kinda hard to find these days, the Yaris is cute but I think the speedo would bug me and I haven't driven one yet.

Khalbali > glemon 01/11/2019 at 23:39

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Yeah the two I'm looking at are both silver. But there's a purple one only 400 miles away....

someassemblyrequired > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:43

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Ah yeah, but no worries about big bills, which might change the calculus...   If not b ig GMs might be a good option, like an Impala/Lacrosse/Lucerne. Old man cars, but cheap parts and longevity (especially with a 3800), plus relative comfort and power .

wafflesnfalafel > Khalbali 01/11/2019 at 23:57

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loved my 09' 3 sport S hatch - manual with the 2.3 NA MZR motor . I fit really pretty good - 6'2" 250 - and it was fun as heck. But the Honda Fit and Echo are decent options as well and get much better mileage.

dogisbadob > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 00:26

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Because they’re awesome and seem to be exactly what you need! Awesome gas mileage, lots of space inside for a small car, reliable as you expect from Toyota, easy to work on, parts are cheap, so definitely NOT expensive upkeep with an Echo!

However, the Echo does have that center speedo as well

I was able to find this green one on CL

JoshROOSTER > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 00:58

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I would take a newer base golf or an older used gti or Mazda 3 over a fit.

Someday you’ll actually want to turn around and look at what you drive!

I can’t imagine ever washing a fit. Only rain water and tears could wash the sadness of that purchase.

Maybe that’s what automatic car washes are for?

promoted by the color red > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 01/12/2019 at 01:43

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Haha I may or may not have been craving a beer when I wrote that! 

pip bip - choose Corrour > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 05:25

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how about a Yugo?

:P

Tsxtension > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 06:11

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I bought a 2010 Fit sport 5spd a month ago as a commuter car. It reminds me of older Hondas. Slow but fun. I'm considering doing some rallycross with it.

I don’t use it as a family car. I’ve used it more as a small cargo van with all the seats folded down.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 07:15

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I know a lot of people harp on them, but as an owner, may I suggest a 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent / Kia Rio? They are the same car underneath, same drivetrain, same suspension layout, only the interiors and fascia are different. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with mine, really.

My 2009 Accent has been incredibly reliable in the 5 years and 97,000kms that I’ve owned it. I’ve only really done maintenance items other than the scanner thing that reads the chip in the key being replaced once (and even that didn’t prevent me from driving it, it just meant it wouldn’t always start first try but it always DID start) and having to replace the rear hatch handle. Parts are very easy to get and very cheap. It’s also very easy to work on. I replaced the hatch handle myself and installed a set of OEM-style foglights on my own as well.

Mine is a base model, so if you don’t care about fancy features, those are very cheap - mine was $6900 Canadian ALL-IN (dealer fees, tax, etc all included) back in 2013 when I bought it and it only had 54,000kms on it. Slightly higher models with A/C, cruise, etc are really not that much more expensive, generally. You have the choice of sedan in Accent or Rio form, 3-door hatch in Accent form or 5-door hatch in Rio form. I’ve got a 3-door 2009 Accent hatch. Either car came with the same 1.6L G4ED Alpha II engine with 110hp and either a 4-speed conventional Auto or a 5-speed manual. My car has the manual, which I find to be a nice gearbox...doesn’t feel rubbery or vague to me - not Porsche levels of smooth-shifting, obviously, but not bad. The shifts are quite notchy/chunky feeling, but I actually like this though as it’s quite satisfying when you put it into gear as you definitely know it’s in there.

Sure, it’s not a performance car, but with an OK set of tires, it’s still pretty peppy to drive in ‘slow-car-fast’ form. If you’ve got a family it’s maybe not as safe as the competition...I think later models got side airbags (not sure?) but most models only had two front airbags. Color-wise, no purples (sadly!), but you could get them in a few more vibrant and interesting colors like ‘Apple Green’, yellow (in some markets) and that burnt-orange reddish-orange color you see around nowadays. Fuel economy-wise, I usually get around 600-620km on a full tank from full to just past light-on in the summer. In the winter, that drops to around 580km due to the cold and my heavier winter tires.

The interior is probably the biggest downside...hard plastics everywhere, but that’s common at it’s price point. It doesn’t bother me a bit though as they are generally well screwed together. There are a few squeaks and rattles, it has to be said (especially as my car is getting higher up in kms now), but they are most noticeable in the winter when everything shrinks up a bit due to the cold. It’s not ‘crashy farm truck’ levels of squeaks and rattles though, just a few here and there on harder bumps...I also have a lot of stuff in my car, so unsure of how many are my things moving around or the car itself.

If you’re looking to personalize / mod your car a bit....there’s not much of an aftermarket for this gen of Accent. Lowering springs and coilover kits exist, as do intake kits...I’m sure there are exhaust kits somewhere ....that’s about it though, really. There’s more of an aftermarket for the Rio, but not the Accent...you can get body kits and all that stuff for the Rio.

As mentioned, reliability-wise, these when Hyundai/Kia were just starting to pick up their quality game, so yes...cheap cars they are, but they are good cars. :)

Khalbali > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 01/12/2019 at 08:03

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I did see a nice baby blue 3 door, I've always liked the look of them but haven't driven one yet. It's definitely an option, that one was kinda far though but if I get desperate or one pops up closer I'll definitely check it out, thanks!

Khalbali > Tsxtension 01/12/2019 at 08:12

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Yeah I just need a commuter no family, I know the second gen is popular here but I always preferred the first gen. My last Honda was a 1990 crx si so I'm just it'll feel like a spaceship lol. Rallycross or autocross would be fun, I was always too chickenshit to try in my NC but I'd feel more comfortable in a fit or something I think.

Khalbali > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/12/2019 at 08:13

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Oooooh dark horse! Fur cereals though I've always had a soft spot for shitboxes and if I could find one cheap enough I'd consider it. And then they'd find my body under a bridge once the wife found out I was gonna DD a Yugo.

Khalbali > JoshROOSTER 01/12/2019 at 08:15

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I think I'd go for a beetle personally, but I'm scared of VW reliability and I hate working on german cars. It's an option though for the right deal definitely, but I do actually like the fit. Mazda3's are good too I actually used to be a Mazda tech but I just don't like the clutches in the first and second gens, every one I've ever driven has felt like shit.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 08:16

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For sure, let me know if you are considering one and have more questions!

Khalbali > dogisbadob 01/12/2019 at 08:17

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I’ll keep an eye on it that one's  a little far but worth thinking about. I can never decide if I like the 2 or 4 door better, they're both so awkward looking lol. But I like awkward so....

Tsxtension > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 09:18

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If I could have found a first gen in the condition and price I bought mine I would have jumped on it. I bought mine from a good friend with a good friend discount. It's a great commuter car. 

JoshROOSTER > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 09:56

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My wife had a 2012 beetle turbo with a stick. Only issues were the pricy standard service that goes with direct injection carbon build up at 60k and the heater core at 70k. Heck, we never even had to swap the battery in that little guy.

Hint on beetles. Buy closer to the 2012 years. At some point when the turbo became standard and they dropped the other engine options   they detuned the turbo , lowered the trim quality, wheel quality and made it drive more like a golf than a gti.

JoshROOSTER > JoshROOSTER 01/12/2019 at 09:59

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Also, if you hate giant screens on your dash the beetle is great. Its a tiny lcd that strictly reads radio data and changes stations visually like an old analog dial.

Plus you get three useful gauges on top of your dash. One of them being a boost gauge!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 10:55

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The clutch doesn’t bother me, better than my subaru. I’m 6'4" am 20o lbs and have 13 shoes, I fits.

Grindintosecond > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 11:54

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Mazda3, mazda2, if you need cheap n easy to work on you really cant go wrong with a staple car: toyota, honda. I loved my 08 mszda3. It wa s everything we need in a daily. Can kidseat and take luggage without seat folding. Big engine bay to get around things cause i didn’t have a big pumpkin turbo. Fit is nice, but hows that Yaris stacking up?

fhrblig > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 12:57

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I have a suggestion that will sound crazy, but it’s really not that bad . Have you considered a Fiat 500? They’re getting cheap now and I never had any mechanical problems with mine. I did have some fit/finish/interior build quality issues occasionally but nothing that was too upsetting. You’re in Chicago, right? Here’s a 2015 (!) for $5995 with 78k and a manual. Link , and this one has the USB/aux jacks in a way better location. I also really liked the Bluetooth phone interface in these. It was pretty easy and well thought out. Hell, there’s even a 2012 Sport with 107k (but with the 6-speed auto) for $3999. I routinely got 35-40 mpg or more.

I bought a 2012 Cube for the same price with less mileage and a manual, but I do wish it was a bit better equipped. Seems like all the manual ones were low end trims, and the CVT is really not fun in these. If there had been some decent 500s in that price range here in Denver I would have considered another one.

Khalbali > someassemblyrequired 01/12/2019 at 14:42

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Yeah a 3800 or a 4.6 Ford are options too.

Khalbali > JoshROOSTER 01/12/2019 at 14:44

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Yeah, a 2012 is about the max budget anyways lol. I honestly kinda want the 2.5 but I’ve never driven one, I’m just tired of 4 pots. I know it’ll be a lot slower but I'm  also considering a mirage so....

Khalbali > fhrblig 01/12/2019 at 14:48

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I've thought about the cube, didn't really want an abarth but hadn't thought much about the base 500, I'll look into them thanks! I was actually gonna ask about your cube, I found a 2010 but it sold already.

Khalbali > Grindintosecond 01/12/2019 at 14:50

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Yeah I'm not a huge fan of the pedals in first gen mazda3's but I'd love another mazda2. Haven't driven a Yaris but I like the styling, interior seems like it would get old though with the center speedo and whatnot trying to be a mini.

fhrblig > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 15:20

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It’s not bad. It has the amount of power that I wished the Fiat had, but the Fiat wasn’t really slow. I just wanted a bit more.

The 500 was still a lot of fun on twisty roads, and the manual was fun even though the gearing on 4th and 5th are not really that helpful for acceleration. Someone I know who had the automatic said it was decent, too. My only issues were a broken seat back lever and a window mechanism where they had to re-tighten all the screws. 

dogisbadob > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 17:45

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I actually did see a pretty low-mileage 2-door on there while I was looking!

But the extra doors are useful tho

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Khalbali 01/12/2019 at 20:57

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Mk5 Golf/Rabbit GTI. They don’t suck and can be found in a good state pretty much everywhere. Mk1 is unobtainium, Mk2 is getting there, Mk3 is a step above walking, Mk4s are all beat into the ground by the H2O crowd, Mk5s are cheaper now and can be found in unbeated shape and will still be reliable fora few more years.