Reliable cars under $10k?
My 20-year-old is looking to buy his first car. Primary criteria are (1) reliability (2) gas mileage (3) safety ratings. Wants to stay under $10k but might consider something a little higher.
I know the usual suspects - Accord, Civic, Corolla, Camry. I've seen a few good things about older Buicks and Volvos, and even a Fusion thrown in here and there.
TIA for your recommendations.
25 Replies
E
EDGEMAN
2y
It's still pretty peppy, but not as much as the V6 powered ones.
(In response to this post by Galenahokie)
2y
It's now got 150K miles on it and until I put $800 into the brakes last month, I never had to do anything but routine maintenance and some tires.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
But that would have taken about 2 hours of your >$200/hour time. :)
Just saying...lol
(In response to this post by SteveInBaltimore)
2y
With over 100k miles.
Ride it to 350k-400k.
These vehicles actually have an engine that can climb a hill unlike Subaru or Nissan.
You are welcome.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
K
Kudelski
2y
I suggest looking for an internet forum for the specific vehicle model or brand. See what issues people tend to have. Either see how easy/cheap the fixes are or the signs to look for the issue on a car you might buy.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
I think almost every new car should be able to go 200K miles without any serious issues. You'll have your routine maintenance to keep it running well, but unless that vehicle has a design flaw, it should go the distance.
If you see one you like, do a little research to see if there's some issue with that particular model.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
2y
and they are absolutely bulletproof. The last one had 200,000 miles on it and I never did anything more than oil and brakes. I know you said you already know about them, but I just wanted to throw out my personal experience.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
might sound crazy but...
If someone maintains a Mercedes, they run forever. You could get a 2010 E for less than that. If it has been maintained you'll just need to do the regular maintenance which it tells you went to do. If you have a solid non dealer Merc repair shop in your town, do it.
A safer bet though is a honda or toyota, but you won't look as cool
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
H
HOKIERIT
2y
and sold it to my barber when I bought my new one. Never had a second worth of trouble with it. I just wanted a new car. I ended up ordering a GLC43 AMG cause it sits a little higher for driving down the interstate). That C sits pretty low and I was driving a LOT in those days
That car is still going strong. and the resale (with the high mileage) was next to nothing!
(In response to this post by MrBayAreaHokie)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
If they start blowing off oil changes or transmission flushes, they're probably going to be screwed. Replacement parts for Mercedes are definitely more expensive than American or Japanese autos.
(In response to this post by MrBayAreaHokie)
2y
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
2y
Used cars are still so expensive
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
2y
are surprisingly expensive.
(In response to this post by WestyHokie)
2y
some of the replacement parts I would not want to buy... for whatever reason the civics seem to be overpriced no matter the year.
I would not have ever thought of it but got it from a grandparent -i think mainly consideration is do you have a reliable mechanic that can offer an opinion and offer reasonable repairs- the unknown is the big deal... we took ours in for review before deciding
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
2y
Which is to say model year 2015+. Reliable and easy to repair when something does go wonky. None of this having to take half of the engine apart to reach to oil filter BS.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
...companies will not insure those due to that issue.
Hyundai/Kia have fixed the issue, but you need to know what models and years are insurable.
(In response to this post by Beerman)
2y
Only certain models/trims were subject to that problem in the first place. But yeah, make sure of that.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2y
much trouble, given they aren't expensive cars when new. While they aren't quite at Toyota's level for quality/reliability, they aren't that far behind. Those two brands are probably the best bang for the buck if a small to midsize car is an acceptable alternative for you.
(In response to this post by Beerman)
2y
I'd have to think their cars are as reliable and fairly cheap.
(In response to this post by Tafkam Hokie)
Make sure that the flaw that makes it easy to steal has been remedied.
but otherwise, yeah.
(In response to this post by Tafkam Hokie)
2y
buttons/fobs.
(In response to this post by Late 80s Hokie)