$10K to spend?

[Flyn]

One of my younger daughter's roommates is car shopping. She has a $10K car loan so she needs to keep the total cost close to that price point.

I have suggested a few cars to her in that price range. Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa, etc.

She would like to stay under 40,000 miles and newer than 2011.

What do you guys suggest? Thanks in advance.

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[Mook]

Roommate you say?

 

[daturbosix]

newer than 2011? not much i like....
but close to that year

crown victoria
grand marquis
chevy malibu
ford fusion
MAYBE a Taurus

and yes, pics of said roommate to help further suggest fitting vehicles?

 

[Flyn]

Don't have any pics of my daughter's 20 y.o. roommate. She's blonde and good looking if that helps your fantasies any. :smile:

 

[Intel]

Versa is garbage, don't do that.

Fiesta, Fit, Mazda 2/3, Focus etc would be my choice. The fit will be hard to find with that mileage but the rest are around. Fiesta and Mazda 2 are the same car basically. I prefer the Mazda2 but the GF has a fiesta and it is nice for what it is.

2012 mazda 3's with the skyactiv are around. Have 45k on mine with nothing beyond oil changes. Bit more room then the fiesta/2.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/5370914989.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/5383879609.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5333620712.html

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

A little nervous about making recommendations again after the Infiniti.

But, I like car shopping. I am fan of certified cars, so my vote is;

Love the color!!
2013 Volkswagen Jetta S, $9,900 - Cars.com

 

[Primalzer]

It's the V6, so the mileage won't be as good as the little 2.5 4 banger, but it won't be nearly as gutless as the 2.5...the 3.0 is a solid engine

2012 Ford Fusion SE, $8,999 - Cars.com

 

[Flyn]

Other choices are high mileage Hondas/Toyotas.

Would you guys rather have a 35,000 mile American brand or a 75,000-90,000 Honda/Toyota? I think the much lower mileage is the better value?

 

[EmersonHart13]

A little nervous about making recommendations again after the Infiniti.

 

[Primalzer]

Other choices are high mileage Hondas/Toyotas.

Would you guys rather have a 35,000 mile American brand or a 75,000-90,000 Honda/Toyota? I think the much lower mileage is the better value?

Around the mid-2000's early 2010's, Honda and Toyota were at their lowest in quality for a number of reasons (economy causing them to cut production cost quality and tsunami after effects)...personally I'd say stick with a low mileage domestic that's not a Chrysler product at that price/year point

 

[RICH17]

Cruze fits the bill.

 

[ktraver97ss]

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

Other choices are high mileage Hondas/Toyotas.

Would you guys rather have a 35,000 mile American brand or a 75,000-90,000 Honda/Toyota? I think the much lower mileage is the better value?

for the average joe, low mile car. they tend to keep cars longer and not as tolerant to failures and maintenance as a car guy.

35-75k is quite a big jump in mileage. there should be a noticeable difference in wear between them .

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

8th gen civic is fairly solid.
The Honda Fit is a solid car though louder and more tin can like compared to the civic.

Mazda 3

 

[Mook]

The fit is go.

 

[Bru]

I'd stay away from any used Ford small car unless it has a warranty, CPO, or a previous-generation Focus. Reported reliability is dismal.

Fit is a great car if you don't have to drive on the highway very often. You can also find CPO Elantras for $10k with 30-40k miles. Elantra would be my pick as an all-around safe/reliable/fuel-efficient vehicle. Considerably bigger and more comfortable than other cars in the segment, too.

 

[nos4blood70]

The Elantra is quite big on the inside, much bigger than one would expect.

 

[RICH17]

No its not! My head hits the ceiling in the back seat

 

[Bru]

Rear headroom isn't that great because of the sloped rear roof, but up front it's roomy and the trunk is huge. It's actually classified as a midsize sedan by the EPA - I think the Sentra and Civic are as well.

 

[RICH17]

The back seat is definitely bigger than the Cruze. Trunk seems about the same

 

[Flyn]

I will modify my search to include the cars mentioned. Thanks guys.

 

[10thSVT_03]

Put the 10k in the bank and lease a new car and have piece of mind it's going to be reliable.

 

[daturbosix]

Put the 10k in the bank and lease a new car and have piece of mind it's going to be reliable.

you'll never make money leasing a vehicle.
:rollpicard:

 

[Rent Free]

For 10k I strongly suggest 2 Wbody cars, Maybe 3!

 

[99PONTIACGP]

you'll never make money leasing a vehicle.
:rollpicard:

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