Used Car Shopping Need Feedback

[jmdesignz2]

Hey guys- I want to get a used car that gets good MPG of course. Reliable.

with budget of MAX out the door of $15k
I've been Looking at cars from the last 2 years or newer:

1) Used Prius - which one?
2) Used Hyundai Elantra not bottom model
3) Used Civic EX
4) suggestions?

Thanks

[Fat Charlie]

I just dropped a $15k limit into cars.com and there are several new ones with good numbers.

2016 Ford Focus 6sp MT.............. 30/41(34)
2017 VW Jetta 1.4T 5sp MT......... 28/40(33)
2017 Hyundai Elantra ES 6sp MT ... No EPA listing, but auto is listed as 29/38(33)
2017 Kia Forte 6sp MT................. 25/34(28)

I'm not pushing new cars, as such, but if you're looking for 2 years old or newer, it makes sense to not ignore new.

[jmdesignz2]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

I just dropped a $15k limit into cars.com and there are several new ones with good numbers.

2016 Ford Focus 6sp MT.............. 30/41(34)
2017 VW Jetta 1.4T 5sp MT......... 28/40(33)
2017 Hyundai Elantra ES 6sp MT ... No EPA listing, but auto is listed as 29/38(33)
2017 Kia Forte 6sp MT................. 25/34(28)

I'm not pushing new cars, as such, but if you're looking for 2 years old or newer, it makes sense to not ignore new.

Thanks - but I am should have been more clear
Looking for Auto Trans. And budget is $15K max Out the door- which means the actual car cost is probably around $13.5 or so

Anyone have some good personal suggestions for good reliable one out of those I mentioned?

[ECO-AKJ]

Look for a 12 up focus with under 100K miles, that way if clutch for auto trans goes out you are covered till 150K miles, they have finally fixed the issue.

that is the only thing we see go wrong where I work

I work at Campbell Ford in Ozark Mo, been here for 20 years and you can call 417-581-2356 if you need veification....AL-JR

[California98Civic]

I have driven the Hyundai Sonata (6sp AT) and loved it. That sixth gear turns real slow, and it will drop into 5th and 6th and cruise at quite low speeds. I got great FE. The Elantra with the 6sp AT will be as good or better (I checked gear ratios once, but don't recall specifics anymore). I also rented and LOVED the 2016 or 2015 Chevy Sonic (AT). I am looking to buy either of those as an extra car since my daughter is getting close to driving age (thanks god!)

[vskid3]

Do you have any other requirements or wants? How good is good MPG? How much driving do you do and how much city vs highway? How many people and how much cargo do you need it to haul? Why the less than 2 years old requirement?

I got my Prius because I wanted a reliable car that got better MPG than any other car its size. I also like having a hatchback or wagon for the extra cargo space and flexibility, which was another plus for the Prius. I almost bought a new one in 2013 (a C, actually, because they're cheaper), but saw my '05 with 85k miles on the used side of the lot for less than half the price of the C and had to have it. Coming up on 130k miles and I've replaced the tires, oil changes, a couple lights, 12v battery, and the coolant pump for the inverter. And it's averaged close to 50MPG.

[ksa8907]

2013-2016 malibu lt is right around 13.5k. I had one for a rental and i thought it was a great car. Rated 36/25.

[cowmeat]

Depending on the length of your commute, you might want to consider a Volt.

I got a 2012 Volt Premier fully loaded with a 12 month dealer bumper to bumper warranty for 12 grand. You didn't say what part of Florida you're from, but depending on the market and your negotiation skills you could get a low mileage 2013 or even a 2014 Volt for under 15k, and they get more EV mileage than mine. I had to drive from Lakeland to West Palm to get mine, but it was worth the drive.

I love it so far, it looks and drives like a nice car but I don't use any gas. I haven't even noticed the extra kWh on my electric bill, and I have zero emissions. You live in a perfect state to drive one, I get over 150 mpg in mine

If you come through Lakeland you can check mine out

[WyrTwister]

We bought a 2015 Chevy Sonic 1.8l Automatic in June 2015 For a little over 13,000 . Add TT&L , it was a little over 14,000 , out the door .

Only real problem we have had , the A/C quit working . Dealer changed the compressor . No Idea what was really wrong with it . Dealer tried to blow smoke at me to get me to pay 1/2 . It was within the 36 month / 36,000 mile warranty . Told them no way , they backed down .

We now have about 25,000 + miles on it . In summer & A/C , got 23 - 24 MPG city & 34 + MPG highway .

Now , in the winter & no A/C , getting 27 + MPG .

We like the little car . Would like it more if I was not old , fat & stiff . :-)

God bless
Wyr

PS The 1.4l Turbo is suppose to get a little MPG . Not worth it for me . Hope to drive it a LONG time and I do not want the potential of a costly repair , if the Turbo went out .

[bwilson4web]

Correction: I did post our 2010 Prius sale. Just not soon enough for this buyer. Still curious to see all the non-hybrids discussed in the hybrid forum.

Bob Wilson