   Dodge Caliber. Click image to enlarge |
Article and Photos by Justin Pritchard
Originally published August 9, 2013
Low fuel consumption and large amounts of room for your friends, camping gear, gardening implements and golden retrievers is good stuff – so whether you’re using it as a miniature truck, a pet-taxi or a flexible little runabout, there’s little arguing with the wholesome premise of a high-utility compact.
Here’s a list of some of the most affordable and sought-after compacts in the used car marketplace where low costs and high flexibility are priorities – along with the checks used car shoppers should make of said model, and a smattering of other useful high-utility compact shopping tips.
2007 to 2012 Dodge Caliber
What Owners Love: Flexibility, versatility and a slew of thoughtful touches were all enjoyed by Caliber owners. Though this isn’t a machine known for driving dynamics or refinement, though it provided plenty of space and flexibility on the cheap. Used models are affordable and relatively reliable, if properly maintained and healthy. Caliber is a machine that’s easily set up for a wide range of activities, from passenger-hauling to camping to shopping and anything in between. Generous at-hand storage, a commanding driving position and available AWD confidence helped complete the package. Caliber is tough to beat in terms of pure ‘space for the buck’.
What to Check: The suspension. Clunking, popping or grinding sounds, as well as ‘slack’ in the steering system can all indicate the need for attention to the Caliber’s springy-bits. A mechanic will be familiar with the Caliber’s suspension and able to make a full check quickly for signs of worn-out parts. Faulty engine or transmission sensors may illuminate a Check Engine light – though they may not, so have the Caliber you’re considering scanned by a mechanic. The CVT transmission looks relatively solid if proper maintenance is adhered to. Confirm proper operation of the Bluetooth system, brake lights, air conditioner and sunroof. Double check the stereo for proper operation, too. Finally, triple-check for leaks from models with a sunroof, noting moisture in the footwell carpeting or ceiling liner.
Useful: Though the CVT transmission is relatively un-proven, this unique type of gearbox seems fairly solid when properly maintained. Be sure fluid changes have been carried out on time on any used model you’re considering with a CVT – Caliber or otherwise. Note that clean, fresh fluids can often make a tremendous difference in the longevity of driveline parts.
2007 and up Honda Fit
The Draw: Honda’s designers crammed this little hatch full of space and storage facilities, along with a slick rear seating system that makes it easy to adapt to any combination of passengers and gear. Models from 2009 and on benefitted from a refresh with more feature content and updated looks. With a Honda 1.5L four-cylinder engine on board, shoppers can expect good mileage, peppy performance and long-term reliability. Automatic or manual transmissions were available, and all units were front-drive. Owners give Fit maximum praise for visibility, maneuverability and an all-around easygoing driving experience. Here’s a machine that delivers plenty of space, good fuel mileage and a pleasant-to-drive demeanor.
  Honda Fit. Click image to enlarge |
What to Check: The body. Look at panel edges for signs of rust or bubbling, and inspect the front bumper and headlights for excessive wear, weathering and chipping. Many owners complain of easily damaged paint on this machine. Check that the hatchback stays open on its own by way of its built-in struts, and that the exterior release for said hatch is in good working order. Especially on earlier models, numerous owners have reported hatch-latch failures, which will cost over $200 to repair. Finally, be sure to feel the Fit’s power steering for any strange sensations, which could indicate a known problem with the power steering pump.
Useful: On any hatchback, ensure the latch releases from the remote keyfob, interior remote release and from the hatch itself. Try each several times, calling any failures into pricing negotiations. Changing tailgate struts isn’t a big issue if the unit you’re considering needs new ones – and it might prevent an unwelcomed whack to the cranius of anyone standing underneath it.
 2011 Toyota Yaris. Click image to enlarge |
2006 to 2011 Toyota Yaris
What Owners Love: This cheeky little hatch delivered the goods for owners after Toyota’s promise of a no-nonsense ownership experience, great fuel mileage and real-world flexibility. Look for a 110 hp four-cylinder, manual or automatic gearboxes and front-wheel drive all around. Folding rear seats and a tall roof generated appreciable cargo space and head-room, respectively. Owners rate fuel mileage, interior space and handling highly.
What Shoppers Should Check: The coolant. Ensure your potential used Yaris has enough of the important fluid inside of its engine, and that none is leaking into a puddle beneath the vehicle. If it is, it’s probably about to need a water pump. A mechanic can help here if you’re not the wrenchy type. Other checks should include the body and paint, as many owners are disappointed in the durability of the finish on their Yaris’s. Confirm proper stereo speaker operation at all volume ranges, and ‘listen’ to the front suspension for signs of worn-out components when you’ve got the stereo off. Note that uneven wear across the tire treads is typically caused by an alignment issue, which needs to be addressed for maximum safety and fuel economy. Finally, clogged air conditioner drain vents could cause the system to have a relaxing pee all over the front carpeting – so check here for moisture and mildew.
Useful: Yaris uses a timing chain to set its engine’s mechanical heartbeat – as opposed to a timing belt which requires fairly pricey replacement at pre-set intervals. Timing chains are considered maintenance free, though high-quality, on-time oil changes go a long way towards the extended life of this component.
2004 to 2009 Mazda3 Sport
What Owners Love: This original-generation Mazda3 rode an internationally developed platform that turned in handling and refinement its owners quickly came to love. The 3 Sport hatchback offered up plenty of cargo space and performance to spare with its up-level four-cylinder engine. Look for a 2.3L piece with 160 hp. Manual or automatic transmissions and front-drive all around. Upscale equipment content and uniquely sporty looks helped set the 3 apart from its competition.
  Mazda3 Sport. Click image to enlarge |
What Shoppers Should Check: Rust. The Mazda3, especially in its initial years, was prone to it – especially around the rear wheel wells and rocker panels. Look for signs of shoddy patchwork, shoddy re-painting, or, more obviously, swiss-cheesy bullet holes around the lower edges of the 3’s body. Confirm proper operation of the stereo display screen and scrutinize the condition of the tires. These are larger than those fitted to many compacts and will be relatively expensive to replace. When driving, feel the front end for any strange vibrations, which could be caused by a bad motor-mount. Check manual models for signs of clutch slippage, and automatic models for signs of hard shifting.
Useful: Rust is nasty stuff that often likes to hide from sight while it munches away on your ride’s sheetmetal bits. Look for sneaky rust on any used ride in the lower, inside edge of the doors and hatch, the inner edge of the hood, behind weather stripping provisions and around license plate mounting points.
 2011 Hyundai Accent Hatchback. Click image to enlarge |
2006 to 2011 Hyundai Accent Hatchback
What Owners Love: Most Accent owners rate the styling, spaciousness, ride quality and handling of their machines highly. Many report positively on fuel mileage as well. Headroom, in particular, is said to be generous, too. Performance looks adequate with the manual transmission on board, and good maneuverability and an easy-to-drive demeanor are also noted. Expect relatively low asking prices for this generation Accent three-door in the used marketplace. All will have a 1.6L four-cylinder with 110 horsepower.
What Shoppers Should Check: The consumables. Owners have reported faster-than-expected wear of the factory-installed tires, brakes and clutch. On models with a manual box, check for clutch slippage. A check-engine light is likely caused by a bad emissions-control sensor – but shoppers are advised to be sure that’s the case. A mechanic should check the underside of the Accent you’re considering for signs of a leaky transaxle, too. Confirm proper and quiet operation of the power windows, noting that any ‘chatter’ or ‘stalling’ of the window on its way up or down means a bill for a new window regulator is likely in your future.
Useful: A clutch can last the life of the vehicle in the hands of the right owner – or get burned up in a few months by a ham-footed klutz. Check the clutch on the model you’re considering with this simple test: shift into a high gear at a low speed and floor it (where safe and appropriate to do so without violating any traffic laws). At, say, 60 km/h in fourth or fifth gear, full throttle application loads the clutch up hard. If the clutch is worn, this little exercise will likely make it slip.
  Nissan Versa. Click image to enlarge |
2007 to 2013 Nissan Versa Hatchback
What Owners Love: Surprising levels of space and comfort were reported by Versa Hatchback owners – alongside great fuel mileage, easy entry and exit and generous headroom. Look for four-cylinder, front-drive on all models. Performance is even rated fairly highly, too. According to the Versa’s loving owners community, this is a machine that’s sized, equipped and powered ‘just right’.
What Shoppers Should Check: Nissan’s XTronic CVT seems fairly solid, but several issues have been reported. Be sure to listen to and feel the transmission on a test-drive, noting that any rattling or erratic behavior needs to be checked out by a Nissan mechanic before you buy. A handful of earlier units experienced piston slap, oil burning and even engine failure, which is no fun at all – so be sure the model you’re considering is healthy by noting any signs of burning oil or excessive noise or roughness from the engine. Pop the hood and listen to the Versa’s 1.8L engine idle, making sure its purring like a kitten, not clattering away like dryer full of wrenches.
Useful: Concerns about engine health on a high-mileage unit with no service records? First, ensure the seller doesn’t pre-warm the engine to conceal some smoking issue. Insist on driving the unit when it hasn’t been driven for a few hours. Second, budget for a compression test. This should take 20 minutes to complete on most four-cylinder engines and can provide vital insight on the health of the engine. Third, budget for a full tune-up and fluid change, just to be safe.
