Author Topic: Daughter wants a small hatchback for her first used car. What to buy? (Read 10095 times)

ThePointblank · « **Reply #20 on:** May 03, 2015, 01:45:17 am »

I will add the Nissan Versa. Roomy, decent to drive, and fairly reliable. Minor fit and finish issues with the interior with the last gen though.

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 03, 2015, 09:36:11 pm »

Quote from: Careener on May 03, 2015, 04:13:17 pm

Might as well add the Elantra Touring as well.

Great vehicle, great value. Didn't add it before because he mentioned hatchback... And it's a small wagon. But hey, even better...

tortoise · « **Reply #22 on:** May 03, 2015, 09:39:56 pm »

IMO, the ET blurs the lines better wagon and hatch. It was a good suggestion.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2015, 10:09:54 am »

I wonder how much a Nissan Cube used would be, or a Scion for that matter. I would stay away from anything Suzuki. If I was shopping for this price range I would probably go with the Fit. But if I was shopping for my child I'd probably try and get them into a Volvo C30. There's a few out there for under $10,000 and they have been fairly reliable, plus ultra safe in crashes.

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #24 on:** May 04, 2015, 11:22:26 am »

Quote from: ThePointblank on May 03, 2015, 01:45:17 am

I will add the Nissan Versa. Roomy, decent to drive, and fairly reliable. Minor fit and finish issues with the interior with the last gen though.

I was going to mentiona the Versa, but then noticed you already had.

I recently went through a round of shopping when looking for a car for my boss' daughter (I'm kinda like his used car consultant, as well as his employee, helped him buy his truck). We ended up getting a Versa hatch for $4000. I found they're actually pretty decent little cars, larger than most cars in its class, and typically a little cheaper to buy than a Fit or Yaris.

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:54:35 pm »

Quote from: JohnnyMac on May 04, 2015, 10:09:54 am

I wonder how much a Nissan Cube used would be, or a Scion for that matter. I would stay away from anything Suzuki. If I was shopping for this price range I would probably go with the Fit. But if I was shopping for my child I'd probably try and get them into a Volvo C30. There's a few out there for under $10,000 and they have been fairly reliable, plus ultra safe in crashes.

nice vehicle, but insurance is crazy! as they call it a coupe, 2 doors!

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #26 on:** May 06, 2015, 01:10:35 pm »

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #27 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:41:28 pm »

Another vote for the Fit here. Best-in-class since it's introduction here: good fuel economy, unbelievably practical, extremely reliable, safe, and even reasonably fun to drive.

rrocket · « **Reply #28 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:52:31 pm »

Fit or Yaris

aquadorhj · « **Reply #29 on:** May 07, 2015, 12:37:08 am »

Golf. The end.

stevek · « **Reply #30 on:** May 24, 2015, 09:16:41 pm »

matrix is the most solid car on the road in this category. Better ride than the ones in a smaller category like Fit Yaris Versa. When i bought mine I checked the rear cargo area compared to Hundai, Kia and Ford Focus hatchbacks, Matrix had a higher compartment, this bigger, and its hard plastic floor was more rugged than the others. Also same floor forms the back of the back seat, so when you fold down the rear seats it becomes a nice size cargo area with one continuous hard plastic floor.

ltruong · « **Reply #31 on:** June 29, 2015, 04:26:17 pm »

Older Golf Diesel. Besides replacing Struts and CV joints once in a while, they are pretty reliable. Buy why buy a hatchback when you can buy a wagon!

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2009-volkswagen-jetta-wagon-tdi/1083150950?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/vw-jetta-wagon-tdi/1079198450?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

TheFordGuy · « **Reply #32 on:** July 31, 2015, 02:56:33 pm »

Quote from: CommodoreVic20 on May 01, 2015, 11:01:20 pm

So my daughter will be getting her license in August. I said I would help her buy her first used car and pay half. She's responsible for gas and maintenance. She's short so wants a small car so she feels more comfortable and for fuel economy and a hatchback for maximum versatility (I didn't raise any stupid children, LOL ). Budget is around 8 - 10 k total. Automatic transmission and reliable.

My shortlist so far is:

Honda Fit
Toyota Matrix
Pontiac Vibe - a Matrix in disguise
Suzuki SX4
Chev Spark/Sonic

Not sure what else I should be considering. I would like her to have awd for better winter safety but a fwd with winter tires should suffice.

She has added the new VW Beetle (the old new VW Beetle?) and the Mini as she thinks they're cute. I think they're probably ticking time bombs for reliability. Am I wrong?

Any other suggestions? Certain years I should be wary of?

Thanks in advance for your help

Would a used Ford Fiesta be considered? I feel it qualifies based on the pre-mentioned criteria. And specifically with the Fiesta the price will likely fit into your requirement as well! If you need more help don't hesitate to ask!

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #33 on:** July 31, 2015, 03:08:32 pm »

My Mazda 2 has been flawlessly reliable and fun time drive. I see a few on Kijiji in your price range. I haven't driven the automatic but I'll bet it dulls the acceleration but any other car in the class will too. Its an uncomplicated car that should be reliable, cheap and easy to fix.

example - http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2011-mazda-mazda2-touring-hatchback/1091427820?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

This one is super cheap (and the best colour

)

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/red-deer/low-kms-2011-mazda2-hatchback/1084083186?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

dkaz · « **Reply #34 on:** July 31, 2015, 03:18:09 pm »

I've driven an automatic 2. Doesn't feel terribly slower than a manual 2 and still has that sling a go kart into a corner fun factor.

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #35 on:** August 01, 2015, 10:09:11 am »

The Mazda2 tranny is much more reliable than the issues that is plagued with Ford's powershift transmission. Neighbour returned his Fiesta at a loss due to this problem, it was reprogrammed 3 times (Ford employee too!). Bought a Fusion instead.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2015/ford-fiesta-focus-transmission-lawsuit.shtml

Fobroader · « **Reply #36 on:** August 01, 2015, 01:23:16 pm »

Guy at work bought a powershift Focus, sold it a few months later. That transmission was just horrid.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

bye · « **Reply #37 on:** August 16, 2015, 06:54:39 pm »

Gently used Smart Fortwo Electric Drive. Fun and fast little car, the most easy to drive commuter ever, and costs pennies to run.
Seen them on autotrader for $13K.

EV-Light · « **Reply #38 on:** August 16, 2015, 08:29:26 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on August 01, 2015, 01:23:16 pm

Guy at work bought a powershift Focus, sold it a few months later. That transmission was just horrid.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

+1...I have a good relationship with my local Ford dealer and the senior mechanic said to avoid the Fiesta/Focus with the power shift transmission. They are a nightmare.

Scaerio · « **Reply #39 on:** August 16, 2015, 10:42:21 pm »

Dark horse suggestion -- 2005 Suzuki Aerio with or without AWD. Had one from 2005-2013 (though it spent 4 years in storage from Sept 2008 - Aug 2012; but emerged from storage in great shape after oil change, new battery, and a fuel system clean-out). Compared with similar-vintage rust-riddled Mazda 3s in the Ottawa region, almost all of the Aerios (from the first - 2002 - to the last - 2006 sedans) here are practically rust-free. One of the most under-appreciated cars ever sold in Canada... As they are now orphans, prices should be low. Servicing and parts availability may be a concern though...

Author Topic: Daughter wants a small hatchback for her first used car. What to buy? (Read 10095 times)

ltruong