The Glade 4.0

So with the fat refund plus the profit sharing money my wife just got, we're going to be in the market for a new used vehicle. I'm thinking we're wanting to spend between 5 and 6k. We're probably looking for a 4-door car with gas mileage 30mpg or higher. I'd prefer something I can do repairs on as well.

Do you think with this being tax refund time that all the really good deals will likely be bought up soon? Would there be a better time of year to go looking?

You guys have any advice?

I'm not looking forward to parting with my Jeep. I've had it for over 10 years now. It still runs well at 230,000 miles on it and I know that engine like the back of my hand. But I'm driving way more now and there's a lot of problems starting to become more pronounced as it ages (mostly suspension-related) that I don't want to deal with and I'm thinking something safer and that has working AC is probably in a good idea now.

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The Dude abides.

Do not buy a Honda Civic Hybrid. The ethanol blend in gasoline offsets the gains from being a hybrid.

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My Civic gets 30mpg if I don't drive like a Californian :p Wont be in your price range, though.

VW Jetta TDi

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Holy shitsnacks!

What are maintenance costs like on your jetta?

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The Dude abides.

Oh, I dunno maint costs really. But that's about the only 4dr sedan that's up in the 30mpg range that I know of off the top of my head, that's *not* a civic hybrid.

I have an Avalanche, remember

You could look @ a Toyota Corolla, but I don't know how small you want to go.

Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, Kia Spectra(?), Subaru Impreza, Mitsu Lancer, Bimmer 3 series...

It all depends really. For 5-6k, you may not get a good example of any of those. Are you trading in your Jeep as well as the 5-6k$?

Of course, the older the car, the cheaper it will be, and the more the maintenance costs will be as well. There is pretty much where the balance should be struck.

So, TL;DR? Questions:
What size 4dr Sedan are you looking for?
What is your Jeep worth if you plan on trading it in?
Do you have preference as to make/model?

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Holy shitsnacks!

Ford Fusion Hybrid. Several of my family members own the non-hybrid version and love them.

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Cobalts are rather nice.

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

Yes, there's also smaller 4dr cars like the sentra, cobalt, yaris, focus etc.

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Holy shitsnacks!

Small to mid-size is fine. But I'm not open to hybrids that look like they're hybrids. Jettas have caught my eye and as well Mazda 3's. I guess the 30mpg mileage isn't firm. Preferably above 27 though.

I'm looking to get $1500 for the Jeep (gonna see if my little brother wants to buy it on a financing plan), but no I'm not counting that money toward my cost for a new car. I have 5-6 grand now. I'm not looking to take the money I get from my Jeep and apply it also.

My preference is for something I'll be able to work on with parts that aren't going to break my bank. I do all normal maintenance myself. I'd like to continue doing medium-level repairs if possible. Not sure how pragmatic I'm being on this.

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The Dude abides.

The next question then is How much are you willing to finance?

I would be fairly surprised if you found something in the mid-size range (Jetta, Malibu, Altima, Civic, etc.) for 5-6k. Especially one in good shape, less than about 5 yrs old, and under a hundred thousand miles. Just a quick look @ Carmax Shows this:


2000 Plymouth Neon LX
4D Sedan, 2WD, 4 cylinders, Manual 5 Speed, Blue, 28/35 MPG
Sunroof(s), Air Conditioning, Power Windows more...
60K
$5,849
Memphis, TN
Transfer Fee: $749

2001 Kia Rio
4D Sedan, 2WD, 4 cylinders, Automatic, Gold, 25/31 MPG
Air Conditioning, Automatic Transmission, CD Player more...
78K
$5,998
Los Angeles, CA
Transfer Fee: $249

2000 Ford Focus SE
4D Sedan, 2WD, 4 cylinders, Manual 5 Speed, Black, 27/35 MPG
Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Windows more...
93K
$5,998
Woodbridge, VA
Transfer Fee: $849

2000 Toyota Corolla VE
4D Sedan, 2WD, 4 cylinders, Manual 5 Speed, Tan, 31/38 MPG
Air Conditioning, Cloth Seats, Manual Transmission more...
79K
$6,450
Clearwater, FL
Transfer Fee: $849

2005 Chevrolet Aveo LS
4D Sedan, 2WD, 4 cylinders, Manual 5 Speed, Yellow, 27/35 MPG
Air Conditioning, CD Player, Cloth Seats more...
73K
$6,599
Dulles, VA
Transfer Fee: $849

What it boils down to is you're going to have to do a bit of research to see if you can find something A) In your price Range, B) In good condition, and C) that you'll like. Granted, I know Carmax isn't perfect, but we can recommend cars all day long, it doesn't do you any good if you can't find something you like.

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Holy shitsnacks!

Well, I guess I'm mostly looking for advice of what cars have been dependable (or not) for people. I mean, yeah, I know how to use Craig's List and fueleconomy.gov. But I was hoping more for general recommendations (i.e. don't buy Volkswagen because their parts are expensive, or something along those lines). I probably could have worded my OP better.

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The Dude abides.

I'd say get a Subaru Legacy sedan, or if you want smaller an Impreza, but their gas mileage stinks, even the non-turbo versions, compared to other cars. All but the latest Mazda3s share pieces with Ford, so that could help out in the cost department. With all the apparent lack of quality control, I wouldn't look at about any Toyota, over half their lineup of the last 10 years seems to be on the recall block, and it's just a matter of time for the rest.

Well loved toyota corolla. It's only the last few years that have been problematic.

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The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. B. Franklin

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." -- Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones

I had a 2005 Honda Civic Couple EX. It got 40 MPG driving across Indiana and Ohio when I moved out to Hellyrland. It was worth about 8K retail or 7.5K private when I traded it last July, 55,000. I think you could get a 2005 with probably 65-75,000 miles for 6k.

Easiest car ever to take care of. Check accessory belts every 30k, 4 quarts of blend synthetic every 5k miles and filter, every 15k miles $12 air filter (and that's more often than the maintenance schedule required), spark plugs every 80k, cabin filter ($30) every 30k or so. Throw on some Bridgestone Potzena AS960 Pole Positions and you have very high grip wet or dry, all seasons that will last over 50k miles.

Good safety reviews and best of all, parts for the thing are cheap so you can make out like a bandit if someone hits your car but causes only superficial damage.

The only bad thing is the back seat isn't huge, so it's really not great for more than a family of 4 (I' day family of 3 is best). The trunk, however, is generously cavernous.

Fuel efficiency, high reliablity, easy and cheap maintenance schedule and safe. That's what you'll be getting.

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"It's real, grew up in trife life, the times of white lines
The hype vice, murderous nighttimes and knife fights invite crimes" - Nasir Jones

If used cars are in the mix, then I wholeheartedly second this. I lost my 05 due to a freaky total loss claim (magic bullet hit). After 3 years I still got $12K from the accident. That car ran great, was cheap to maintain and handled very well.

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I have been very happy with my '05 Ford Focus (wow, I remember discussing which car to buy here on the Glade). The '04 is not the same at all, and later models are different too. The only thing I'd change is that I wish I'd gotten the 4 door hatchback/wagon.

People always look at me funny when I suggest Kia. My father has a Kia Rio and it has been a totally awesome car. It doesn't have a whole lot of power and it is a little small(but, I'm like, 6 foot 6 inches tall, so most cars are small for me), but the gas mileage and price are really good.

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Los Angeles Kings 2014 Stanley Cup Champions

"I love this **** team right here."
-Jonathan Quick

In that price range I've had very good luck with Jettas.

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Ezekiel 23:19-20 

My wifes's Mazda3 gets high 20's mpg (27-29 prolly). Its a 2007 and its a lot of fun to drive. Here only complaint is that the paint seems "soft", as she puts it. It can get scratches fairly easily.

I'm not sure if they are in that price range though?