Topic: Cheapest reliable car

[pi314]

No..but that's true of any little hatchback econo car IMO.

Are you implying every sedan model are quieter than the hatchback one? (serious question)

Personally I've experienced the Corolla vs Matrix, and the corolla is definitely quieter.

I didn't notice as much of a difference in the focus (the family's 2013  focus is pretty reasonably quiet in highway situation)

[Trainman]

No..but that's true of any little hatchback econo car IMO.

Are you implying every sedan model are quieter than the hatchback one? (serious question)

My experiences are that sedans are quieter than their hatchback/wagon equivalents.  Less echo, and less road noise from the rear wheel area.

[johngenx]

As the kid is going to live in Alberta next year, we're going to send her off in the Forester.  She will be close enough that if something happens to it, I can get there, and as well the ski hills she's looking at all have staff transport, so she could get to work.  The following year when she moves to BC, we're going to look for an AWD Vibe for her.  They're cheaper than their Toyota-branded counterparts (laughable, but true) and they're bullet-proof.  You can pick up a Vibe for a surprisingly good price.  Great value.  She also can really use the extra cargo space of the hatch.  They're decent on fuel, better by far than the Forester, but not near the Corolla - the Corolla is hard to beat unless you have a hybrid.

The Mazda 2 is a great idea - well made cars that are cheap in the used market.  They're small, but if space is enough, they're a good buy.

As noted in many posts, the Corolla is a fantastic car - but used prices aren't exactly bargains.  But, it is a case of "you get what you pay for..."

Honda makes good cars, but be careful buying a Civic - you want one from an old person.  Accords are usually owned by older, careful owners.

[tooscoops]

generally, that is the rule... the trunk isolates the road noise from the rear... also, they tend to minimize extra cladding/padding in the back of hatches to increase cargo capacity. all that equals more noise.

another corolla bet here... there are some other great little cars now that are better built than previous gens (fiesta, etc.), but you'll also get newer tech that might be more problematic in the future. I'd stick with simple, no touchscreens, back-up cams, etc. and try to find one that has been as well kept as possible.

[Gurgie]

Can't go wrong with a Corolla as everyone has said thus far. Civic will be more expensive to insure. If you want something a little more fun to drive & still cheap & reliable, look at the Mazda 3... MUCH more fun to drive than a Corolla! Cheap to insure still, decent fuel economy (not as good as a Corolla or Civic), cheap to repair, dirt cheap on the used market. Find one that has been rust-proofed yearly & you'll have a great car for years to come.