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Which cars have had the best track record for lowest costs to operate? I am looking at cars in the $15,000 price range. Must get good gas mileage and have a standard transmission.
hands down, it is the Honda Fit. It has the perfect engine.
Buy a Volvo 240 for $1000, and go on a round the world cruise with the rest.
True that!
I had a Volvo 240 wagon w/ a 4 speed...and until I sold it,it ran like a champ for 3 1/2 years.
Although,it's getting harder to find them,almost any Volvo (the V70) models being the exception) w/ a manual transmission will be an excellent car that should cause you few,if any,maintenance issues.
^ ok now that Hyundai has been vindicated at #4 on that list....
....another great thing about the Elantra is its depreciation for the second or third owner. depending on where you are in the country, it can be more or less. and take into mind the car cost less when new, too. i would dare say nobody pays sticker price on a Hyundai. and its well known in the industry. Hyundai makes deals, so even the second owner pays less
here is a standard trans Elantra in AZ with just 12,000m for $11,000. lower priced because of the manual. still has 4 years and 48,000m of bumper to bumper warranty left. something like this would be a super bargain
A brand spank' new Subaru Impreza can be had for around $15k with 5 speed manual. Great deal if you live where it snows/rains a lot, since AWD is standard.
Not the greatest mileage due to AWD (21/27) but great safety and reliability record.
Buy a Volvo 240 for $1000, and go on a round the world cruise with the rest.
True that. It's quite possible to buy 2 older cars with stickshift, something light that gets decent mileage, and have a lot left over from $15K, although to do this you either need to be a *decent* DIY wrench, or have a good vintage oriented shop available.
Any of the newer cars suggested will cost more for depreciation than an old car guy like me spends for gas.
Depends, too, if you are in an area that requires smog inspection, in that case you want to either go with something new enough to pass easily or something old enough to be exempt. IMHO.
Honda Accord (2006-2007) (4 cyl.) or Honda Civic are good bets.
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~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
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