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I drive a 2004 Sienna with almost 200,000 miles on it. It needs a new transmission so we had to think long and hard about whether to put that much money into a car with high mileage, but we were really hoping to get a few more years out of it (it's great for moving kids into and out of college dorms, which we do a lot of) before we downsized to a smaller car. What we finally decided to do was get the new transmission but also buy an inexpensive car for commuting. We'll only use the van for the times that we really need it, thus (hopefully) preserving its useful life greatly.
So now I'm researching inexpensive compact cars (new). By inexpensive, I don't mean that I'm discounting quality -- I'll pay more for a car that's likely to last longer with fewer repairs. So I guess economical is a better word. We're considering used cars as well but the point of this thread is to get opinions about new (2014 or 2015) cars. Any suggestions? I've done some research and am considering cars such as Honda Fit, Nissan Versa Note, Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2... I'm hoping to keep the final price as far under $20,000 as I can. Crossing my fingers for something closer to $15,000.
I've seen the 2014 Honda Civic advertised for $16,900 which is $3k off MSRP. It is the best compact vehicle on the market and the price makes it a no-brainer.
I have a 2013 Civic and get 50MPG on the highway. Even the base Civic comes loaded with standard features like Bluetooth, Pandora streaming, rear-view camera, steering mounted controls, tilt/telescope wheel, auto up/down window, keyless entry, alarm, etc.
It's also the safest car on the market as it was named IIHS Top Safety Pick +.
Maybe look at a hyundai accent or elantra because they come with a 10 year 100k warranty
The warranty is for the powertrain. Any car engine/tranny these days that isn't abused (thus voiding the warranty) will last 100,000 miles. It's the quality of the rest of the car that is important. If your power steering goes out, AC breaks, electrical system failures. These are the quality issues that usually fail in cheaper cars. No 100,000 mile warranty is going to fix that stuff.
I would check the sales sheets for deals too. A couple weeks ago a local Dodge dealer was advertising that they were still trying to blow out Dart's left over from 2013, with prices starting around $13K. I am sure some here would disagree, but I would take a Dart at or around that price over a Fiesta, B2, or other really tiny car any day. Not saying you should buy a Dart either, but really shopping around might turn up a dealer ready to unload something pretty nice, outside of the box your looking in but at the same price level.
Another idea, if your looking for a commuter to get a little more life out of your van, would you consider leasing? I have known some people to get some incredible lease rates at times (like $109/mo on a Corolla a couple years ago with the only thing down being a 1995 Buick), and if a lease bought you a couple years to finish up your need for a van, you could then shop for a more permanent solution then.
I have to go with the Civic as well. I had an '08 and loved it. Though the Gen 9 is updated the ride is much smoother from what I hear. Great gas mileage, safety ratings and the Honda long lasting reliability with minimal repairs. The Fiesta would be good too. I'd avoid GM and Dodge but that's just me.
Don't pay attention to country of origin. Buy the best vehicle that meets your needs and you can afford.
The Civic is a good rec. The Honda Fit is also a very good car, surprisingly roomy for its size. A new one is coming soon with a better engine. Maybe you'll get a deal on the current one.
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