Car Advice

[CODE_BLUE56]

So, I'm looking to get myself a car. First time doing this, so everything is new to me essentially lol(got my dad helping me out a bit).

Things that I'm looking for:

-Relatively small,used car(2013-2016)

-<40,000 miles

-<14k

-Low maintenance/longevity(I'm not trying to trade this in in two years)

-Respectable gas mileage(30-40 highway, ~30 in town ish, could go hybrid but that's still a bit pricy)

-Clean carfax, preferably certified pre-owned


I'm wanting to pick a specific car or target before I really get into the nitty gritty. Basically, narrow down to what car I'm looking for so I have a good idea on price range and specs, then can get a loan from the local credit union to take before I go to a dealership.

I'm looking to put about 6k down, then finance the loan for 24-36 mos.(through credit union)

A couple of car types i'm looking at are: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Mazda Mazda3

Thoughts?

 

[Burque]

Go with a foreign makes

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Hbkrusso]

So, I'm looking to get myself a car. First time doing this, so everything is new to me essentially lol(got my dad helping me out a bit).

Things that I'm looking for:

-Relatively small,used car(2013-2016)

-<40,000 miles

-<14k

-Low maintenance/longevity(I'm not trying to trade this in in two years)

-Respectable gas mileage(30-40 highway, ~30 in town ish, could go hybrid but that's still a bit pricy)

-Clean carfax, preferably certified pre-owned


I'm wanting to pick a specific car or target before I really get into the nitty gritty. Basically, narrow down to what car I'm looking for so I have a good idea on price range and specs, then can get a loan from the local credit union to take before I go to a dealership.

I'm looking to put about 6k down, then finance the loan for 24-36 mos.(through credit union)

A couple of car types i'm looking at are: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Mazda Mazda3

Thoughts?

Toyotas are nice and most of them are actually assembled by American workers

 

[Hawkeye OG]

Chevy Cruze

 

[Crystallas]

It's not like it used to be. Hard to NOT to get 200k+ miles from cars made in the last 15 years. Just do basic maintenance and don't be afraid to learn a few things about the mechanical side. AKA: Take care of your shit.

10th gen 2ZR Corollas are the most reliable in your criteria. The Mazda3 is similar to the Ford Focus, in case you want to extend your search. 5th gen 2L Hyundai Elantras are among the more reliable cars on the market as well(better than prior generations of crud from South Korea). Everything you listed is obviously reliable though.

If you get a GDi engine from anyone, IMO, spend $200, get an oil catch can installed. It will prolong the life of the engine considerably.


Do like everyone *should tell you*. Check the problem areas for corrosion/rust(yes, even on a 1 year old car), look at the maintenance records (if kept), bring a mechanic friend when you're ready to pull the trigger. And most of all, this is one people **** up on the most, test drive as many cars to get an idea of what suits you best. A reliable(by reputation) car you hate will subconsciously get thrown to the side when it comes to care, and an unreliable(by reputation) car you love will by some extent get more attention and care from the owner and in many cases winds up outlasting the latter. This is the main factor in why people become dumbass fanboys, because they don't understand how people love certain cars they may dislike or hate.

 

[modo]

Honda Civic.........i have an extra one i use during the winter.....it has 245k on it and runs like the day i got it

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

It's not like it used to be. Hard to NOT to get 200k+ miles from cars made in the last 15 years. Just do basic maintenance and don't be afraid to learn a few things about the mechanical side. AKA: Take care of your shit.

10th gen 2ZR Corollas are the most reliable in your criteria. The Mazda3 is similar to the Ford Focus, in case you want to extend your search. 5th gen 2L Hyundai Elantras are among the more reliable cars on the market as well(better than prior generations of crud from South Korea). Everything you listed is obviously reliable though.

If you get a GDi engine from anyone, IMO, spend $200, get an oil catch can installed. It will prolong the life of the engine considerably.


Do like everyone *should tell you*. Check the problem areas for corrosion/rust(yes, even on a 1 year old car), look at the maintenance records (if kept), bring a mechanic friend when you're ready to pull the trigger. And most of all, this is one people **** up on the most, test drive as many cars to get an idea of what suits you best. A reliable(by reputation) car you hate will subconsciously get thrown to the side when it comes to care, and an unreliable(by reputation) car you love will by some extent get more attention and care from the owner and in many cases winds up outlasting the latter. This is the main factor in why people become dumbass fanboys, because they don't understand how people love certain cars they may dislike or hate.

Yea, I imagine most cars these days are gonna last a while. Definitely want/need to learn some basic maintenance, regardless of the car I get. You gotta be able to do some things yourself.

Test driving is a good point, for the different models. I have a general feel for the Honda Civic(dad's got a 2012 Civic), but I think the newer corolla models are the different than the '98 I've driven LOL.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Honda Civic.........i have an extra one i use during the winter.....it has 245k on it and runs like the day i got it

Yea, the Civic seems really reliable, which is what my dad has, and seems to be vouching for.

 

[modo]

Yea, the Civic seems really reliable, which is what my dad has, and seems to be vouching for.

ive owned 2 and they have been the most reliable cars over time, ive ever owned

 

[winos5]

Mini Cooper?

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Dont' forget to get the keys.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

Depending on how much miles you use I would just lease a car. Got my dad a Buick Enclave fully loaded with leather free oil changes and warranties 0 down two year lease 280 a month. There are lots of deals right now they are clearing out 2017 inventory

 

[clonetrooper264]

I have a Corolla and it gets the job done. A bit on the smaller side of trunk space and whatnot if that's important to you, though with all the cars you listed I'm guessing it's not. Hondas and Toyotas are usually very reliable in my experience so you probably can't go wrong with any of those. I know a couple people who have the Mazda3 as well and they like it. I'd say of all those cars you listed they are all about the same. You could look into Kias or Hyundais but I think Kias are more expensive.

Just test drive them and see which one you like the best.

 

[modo]

Depending on how much miles you use I would just lease a car. Got my dad a Buick Enclave fully loaded with leather free oil changes and warranties 0 down two year lease 280 a month. There are lots of deals right now they are clearing out 2017 inventory

you are asking someone getting himself a car for the first time to keep his miles under 12k every year.....

I work from a home office and can't keep my mileage under 12k

 

[Ares]

you are asking someone getting himself a car for the first time to keep his miles under 12k every year.....

I work from a home office and can't keep my mileage under 12k

Really?

I have had my Durango for 5.5 years now and I just hit 25,500 miles lol

I drive to my train station every day for work and occasionally 20 minutes or so to areas where my family lives.

If you WFH alot or commute using train I don't see it as that hard to stay under 12,000 miles.

To hit 12,000 miles you need to drive ~33 miles per day on average.... in the Chicagoland area that is like 1-2 hrs of driving per day depending on traffic.

Who drives that much every single day unless they have a shit commute?

 

[brett05]

Me, I drive over 25,000 a year

I have two 2013 Civic LX. One with 70,000 miles another with 120,000 on it. They are great. I get 30-32 city, 40 Highway

 

[Crystallas]

Well, you have people that drive for work. Not to be confused with and not exclusively different to driving to work. Throw out purpose vehicle purchases ie: contractors, delivery drivers, and truckers, now you have agents, ride-share, consultants, food delivery. Which is also work people do on the side. So yeah, some people are in ideal situations for low mileage, while others pack on miles while remaining very conservative with their driving habits.

My main car is 10 years old and is around 470k. Drives better than new and will probably be a million mile car if I really wanted to go that route. Funny though, I have two other cars and wife has one that we share as well.

 

[xer0h0ur]

Really?

I have had my Durango for 5.5 years now and I just hit 25,500 miles lol

I drive to my train station every day for work and occasionally 20 minutes or so to areas where my family lives.

If you WFH alot or commute using train I don't see it as that hard to stay under 12,000 miles.

To hit 12,000 miles you need to drive ~33 miles per day on average.... in the Chicagoland area that is like 1-2 hrs of driving per day depending on traffic.

Who drives that much every single day unless they have a shit commute?

Try driving from Peterson and Cicero to 26th and Homan 5 days a week there and back. Such is my life.