Can I Get A Car Recommendation?

[Jambe]

I would like to buy a slightly used car to get me down the road until my Elio arrives. Something that might have a good resale value a year from now. (Optimistic, eh!)

My first thought was Corolla, but maybe you car guys might have some other suggestions. I'm looking for something around $10,000 to $15,000 if possible. Also, any recommendations as to cars to avoid.

 

[skychief]

Here's Consumer Reports picks for used cars under 10 grand:


Small cars (with available ESC)

Ford Focus (2009-10)
Pontiac Vibe (2006-09)
Scion xB (2008-09)
The Focus delivers a steady ride, an interior that feels upscale for the price, and sporty handling. The Vibe is a reliable and spacious compact hatchback similar to the Toyota Matrix. The xB is a cargo box on wheels, ready to haul almost anything you can throw in or at it.

Sedans

Acura TL (2006)
Acura TSX (2006)
Hyundai Sonata (2007-09)
Mazda6 (2009)
You can stick to your budget and still get a reliable premium car if you choose the slick-handling Acura TL. The smaller TSX is a sportier alternative based on the European Honda Accord. The Hyundai Sonata is an accommodating alternative in a plain package. The sporty Mazda6 has a supple ride.

SUVs and Minivans

Honda CR-V (2006)
Honda Pilot (2006)
Toyota Sienna (2006)
Standard ESC and curtain airbags, combined with acres of space, make the reliable CR-V a can't-miss prospect. For even more room, check out the eight-seat Pilot with its smooth V6 acceleration and carlike handling. Opt for the Sienna if you need the bountiful accommodations and flexibility of a minivan.

CR picks for used cars under 15 grand:

Small Cars

Honda Fit (2011-13)
Kia Soul (2011-13)
Mazda3 (2011-12)
The Fit is a bit noisy, but excellent fuel economy and a flexible interior make it a standout among subcompacts. The boxy yet stylish Soul has tons of features for a small car and expansive cargo space, making it a smart choice for recent grads. The Mazda3 has everything most shoppers want in a small car: reliability, fuel efficiency, a fun-to-drive attitude, an interior that feels upscale for the price, and seats that won't leave your back and tailbone screaming.
Sedans

Infiniti G (2006-08)
Lincoln MKZ (2009-10)
The G35 is Exhibit A in how to blend sporty handling with interior refinement. For less of a race-car feel, the MKZ has available AWD and a supple ride. Look for a 2010 model, which has a quieter, more luxurious interior.

SUVs

Acura MDX (2006)
Toyota Highlander (2006-07)
The MDX's quiet interior and responsive handling put an enjoyable spin on family-friendly vehicles, showing why it's the standard for three-row crossover SUVs. The rock-solid, reliable Highlander is slightly smaller, but for some, it's a handier size. It's available with a third-row seat, and the hybrid version delivers the fuel economy of a small SUV.

http://www.consumerreports.org/used-car-buying/best-used-cars-for-25000-and-less/

 

[booboo]

I would like to buy a slightly used car to get me down the road until my Elio arrives. Something that might have a good resale value a year from now. (Optimistic, eh!)

My first thought was Corolla, but maybe you car guys might have some other suggestions. I'm looking for something around $10,000 to $15,000 if possible. Also, any recommendations as to cars to avoid.

If you can't get 80mpg why not a Crown Vic P71 Interceptor with ballistic door panels, and a cage for the kids.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesmobile

 

[bighammer]

We love our Prius. It's actually fun to drive (I worried it would be like a golf cart) and no matter how I drive it locally, fuel economy is near 50. Really, the only time it dips is hitting the highway and over 75-80mph. (always 40+)

It's been about 5 years and 100k, and all I've done is change oil, and replaced the smaller 12v battery. It's been very reliable and surprisingly comfortable and spacious.

 

[Maurtis]

I would like to buy a slightly used car to get me down the road until my Elio arrives. Something that might have a good resale value a year from now. (Optimistic, eh!)

My first thought was Corolla, but maybe you car guys might have some other suggestions. I'm looking for something around $10,000 to $15,000 if possible. Also, any recommendations as to cars to avoid.

What is your intended use for the car? How far/often do you drive? Grocery-getter or just a commuter? How many people do you need to carry? MPG concerns? Do you have preferences for 2 doors, 4 doors, trunk or hatch? RWD, FWD, AWD?

 

[bowers baldwin]

I would like to buy a slightly used car to get me down the road until my Elio arrives. Something that might have a good resale value a year from now. (Optimistic, eh!)

My first thought was Corolla, but maybe you car guys might have some other suggestions. I'm looking for something around $10,000 to $15,000 if possible. Also, any recommendations as to cars to avoid.

I'm with Maurtis on this one, without a background on what kind of lifestyle you lead. Here's my 2¢,
Miata: pretty cheap, the most fun you will ever have in a car, dependable, droptop, sporty, 2 seater, ~28MPG.
Forrester: not that cheap, best AWD setup on earth (it's a snowmobile), plenty of cargo, won best towing vehicle award. ~23MPG
Fiat 500 Sport (STAY AWAY FROM THE OTHER MODELS!): Fairly cheap, fun to drive, (think Miata with back seats), will hold 4 people in a pinch but otherwise the back is for storage and small childern, ~40 MPG
The turbo model changes the cheap and the MPGs but it's 65 more HP, increasing the fun part
Those where my last 3 car purchases. But it's like trying to suggest a hair cut to someone you've never met..Good luck, let us know what you wound up with..

 

[Jambe]

What is your intended use for the car? How far/often do you drive? Grocery-getter or just a commuter? How many people do you need to carry? MPG concerns? Do you have preferences for 2 doors, 4 doors, trunk or hatch? RWD, FWD, AWD?

Hadn't thought about it but I guess a two-seater would work.Probably never more than one passenger. Mainly just driving to Wendy's but occasional long trips. MPG very important. Guess two doors would be okay. Prefer FWD. Just want to sell my Sentra before it is worth nothing.

My wife just bought a CR-V so that covers need for that type of vehicle.

 

[Coss]

Hadn't thought about it but I guess a two-seater would work.Probably never more than one passenger. Mainly just driving to Wendy's but occasional long trips. MPG very important. Guess two doors would be okay. Prefer FWD. Just want to sell my Sentra before it is worth nothing.

My wife just bought a CR-V so that covers need for that type of vehicle.

Honda's last a very long time, but they're expensive.
Look at some of the newer mid-size domestics; Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, Chrysler Sebring and cars like that.
You should be able to find some decent deals on those.
Take a day and go to a dealer that carries 2 or 3 different lines; and look through their used car selection.
New Car Dealers don't keep junk trade-ins, they wholesale those off right away, and they keep the better ones so buying from there is a good choice; you might want to try Hertz or Enterprise sales lots; buying a used rental isn't a bad deal; they've already done the BIG depreciation so you have fairly low mileage newer cars to pick from. If you want to know how it drives first, go rent one for a week or a weekend. That way you're not stuck with something you don't like driving.

 

[wizard of ahs]

Check out CARMAX

 

[TeamCoconutOreo]

I work with a a guy that commutes 150+ miles a day. He loves buying used Chevy or Suzuki compact and sub compact cars. According to him the cars have very reliable powertrains, but the rest are pretty cheaply made. Their resale value is horrid. For that reason, he can typically buy them for less than other cars will depreciate in the 100,000 miles that he will drive them for. His current car, a 2006 Cobalt cost him $1800 with good A/C and 93,000 miles. He says that he has over 200000 miles on it with no signs of quiting. He as been driving it for at least a couple years now.