Used Car Shopping Need Feedback
 

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 :)

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?

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

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!)

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.

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.

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

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 .

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

I think you are really, really limiting your choices that way. I'd put a 1 in front of the 2 in that second line, myself.

I am approaching the age that I will no longer be able to work on old cars .

That had a lot to do with the decision to buy the 2015 Chevy Sonic .

God bless
Wyr

OP hasn't been around since December. I'm also curious why he felt the need to spend so much, and why it needed to be so new. Wonder if he bought anything yet. ;)

Another consideration , when cars get past a certain age , parts become difficult to fine and / or expensive .

I figure it averages $ 2000 - $ 3000 a year for me to own a car . Above maintenance & repairs , insurance , inspection & license fees ( tags ) .

God bless
Wyr

2 year old car's occupants also have a much higher survival & lower injury rate than 12 yo car's occupants. I used an IIHS list for recommended car's for teens for my recent purchase of a couple of Rogues.

Oddly replacing a 1998 Stratus and 2001 Nissan Altima(liability only) with 11 & 15 Rogues, my insurance premiums remained the same now with collision & comp.

Rust is also a pretty good reason here to get rid of cars, once brake & fuel lines start leaking, dust is leaking thru where the rocker panels used to be, jacking points have long collapsed, it's time to start over.

I've decided for me the best way to purchase a car is get a fairly new one so I can get 10--15 more years out of them.

I am fortunate that I do not live in the rust belt . :-)

God bless
Wyr

Why would you think of 12 year old cars as 'old'? At least if they're Hondas or Toyotas, they're just barely getting broken in. I drive a 2000 Insight and '88 Toyota pickup, and (barring accidents) expect to keep on doing so for a good many years.

Granted, I don't live in a place where the state dumps tons of corrosive chemicals on the roads every year, so things don't generally rust much.

I personally said nothing about 12 years .

At this time , we own a 2015 Chevy Sonic , Mom & Dad's 1991 Chevy Caprice with 46,000 + actual miles .

Well over 12 years old .

By the grace of God & help from my Wife , we finished replacing the RF door glass . Vandals ! :-(

Several more things I still need to do to it , while I still can . But it is getting more difficult as time passes .

God bless
Wyr

http://s719.photobucket.com/user/Wyr....jpeg.html?o=0

I know this is tangential, but I would like to think that people would be more careful drivers if they didn't think their cars were safe. ;)

Problem is most people do not think at all . Or hardly ever .

And it seems the current generation is being taut to feel , not to think ! :-(

That may be partially responsible for the growth of the current nanny state ?

God bless
Wyr

P S Sonic still showing 27 + MPG in town on the guess - o - meter .

No, the 12 years was my response to the OP managing to find a (relatively) low-priced used car that's only 2 years old. But my point stands: Hondas and Toyotas, at least, aren't even broken in until they hit 10 years/100K miles.

I will take your work for it . Never owned either brand .

I have always heard foreign brands are more $$$$ to work on ?

Did own a Nissan Leaf for a few months , until some rear ended / totaled it . :-(

God bless
Wyr