BG Auto: Buying First Car

[kyod]

So I'm a college graduate with a decent-paying job. Unfortunately, I had to relocate from Chicago to Ohio. I never needed a car in Chicago, since the CTA got me everywhere. I never owned a car before (but have a license), mainly because a good friend lived near me and I carpooled with him.

So, I'm buying my first car, a used car.

It'll be used primarily be used for commute to/from work (about 10 miles roundtrip). And the occasional trip to Chicago (about 600 miles roundtrip). I've budgeted for it and I don't want to spend more than $12k. I have no preference for Sedan or Coupe. Automatic onry (inb4 lern2manual).

I've been considering Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Mazda 3, Kia Rio (considering this less and less though), and Ford Focus.

Anyone have any suggestions/guidance? Any vehicles I should be considering? Any vehicles I should stay away from?

Thanks BG Auto!

[Heavencloud]

What do you want from the car? Do you want to have some power? Do you want really high MPG? Do you want something that you can modify a little?

From experience, I bought a Impreza 2.5i with 33k miles over a year ago for $12800. Not a single problem thus far, and I love it for where I live (tons of rain, <3 all wheel drive).

People seem pretty happy with Camrys and Civics/Accords, probably not a bad way to go, your list seems solid.

[Mojo]

Get a used car but not an ancient car. I'd recommend the Ford Focus Hatchback. They're easy to work on, get good mileage, are very versatile and much better looking than random coupes/4 doors. I went through this decision a little over a year ago and I'd trade my Honda Civic for a Ford Focus hatchback easily.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Here's one in Ohio. It's used from 2001, but only has 85,000 miles. $3700 is a decent price too, definitely nice to not have to worry about a car payment. It'll easily last you through the college years and then some.

It's manual, but seriously, learn to drive a manual. It's not that hard, you get more power when you need it, and you get a better fuel economy.

[*Shinzon*]

If you can find a used Cobalt SS, the two door turbo. Those are actually fun to drive. They stopped making it though so probably hard to find. The Mazda 3, well speed 3 is a similar car. Your all arounder would be the camry/corolla or civic.

[Tymon]

If you like sporty cars with good mileage, you can pretty easily find a Mazda Miata MX-5 for around that price range, possibly one that's newer, even.

Downside, they aren't the safest cars, and the insurance is a little higher than something like a civic or a corolla.

You could probably also find a Mitsubishi Eclipse from a few years back in that price range. Another fun car.

[sekaran]

You may be able to find a used Ford Fusion in your range..

I'd stay away from a Corolla. Also, Nissan parts are generally more expensive than other brands as well.

[Salodin]

It's manual, but seriously, learn to drive a manual. It's not that hard, you get more power when you need it, and you get a better fuel economy.

That's not true. Nowadays automatics give equal if not superior fuel economy to manual transmissions.

[sephir]

Go for a camry. Mine is going on 13 years old, 185,000km and still runs as if it were brand new. The only problems I've had is with some interrior cosmetics such as the buttons on the radio are falling off.

[*Shinzon*]

That's not true. Nowadays automatics give equal if not superior fuel economy to manual transmissions.

Depends on the type of transmission, but for the most part you are correct.

[Mugekuge]

Besides Cobalt and Rio (mainly because i don't know them well since noone i know has those) rest of your choices are all good models, i guess just pick one with better deal and model you like the most, although if you can go for a Camry over Corolla would be a lot better, dunno how much difference is from Civic to Accord over there, but can look on that model too.

[jmc]

Out of your list....

Go for the Mazda 3, and stay the fuck away from the kia.

[kyod]

Thanks for the replies so far, didn't know Nissan parts were expensive so the Sentra can be crossed off.

I'm looking for decent MPG. Most of my driving will be in the city, as Not really looking to modify it. Power would be alright (won't be heartbroken over it), but I want a vehicle that will get me a lower insurance rate. Reliability is a big factor as well.

How are the Cobalts? Haven't heard much talk about them either good or bad.

[pogejr]

Thanks for the replies so far, didn't know Nissan parts were expensive so the Sentra can be crossed off.

I'm looking for decent MPG. Most of my driving will be in the city, as Not really looking to modify it. Power would be alright (won't be heartbroken over it), but I want a vehicle that will get me a lower insurance rate. Reliability is a big factor as well.

How are the Cobalts? Haven't heard much talk about them either good or bad.

looks like you want a camry. You might be able to get the 2007 model at your price range; its a great car. My friend has the hybrid model.

[Anakron]

Any reason you're considering the Camry specifically? It's by far the biggest car out of your list--all the others are compacts.

Cobalts are kinda notorious for poor quality. I would easily pick the Honda Civic out of your list, as they have the best build quality from my experience (looking at the 06-08 models from your list).

[Emirii]

I have a 2001 Nissan Altima, nothing but problems.

My mother had a Mazda, ran like a champ. Worst mistake is I sold it to buy the Nissan (lolz @ me) and it was a big mistake. But those are the two cars I really have an opinion on.

[aru]

With the amount of snow that you'll be getting in the winter in the Great Lakes area, why aren't you considering AWD cars or trucks?
Heavencloud mentioned an Impreza and I suggest you give some thought to that as well.
Not to mention being prepared with a good set of winter tires to change into when the time comes.

As for the models you have listed, I do not hold Ford or Chevy in high regard. Every Ford car that my family and extended family has owned have had either multiple minor or serious problems with their major systems (breaks, transmission, etc). I don't know anyone that owns a Chevy car that hasn't bitched to me about it at one time or another. Their trucks may be different but I cannot comment.
The Hondas, Nissans, and Mazdas should all treat you well.

[Mojo]

That's not true. Nowadays automatics give equal if not superior fuel economy to manual transmissions.

Actually, it is true. Many cars aren't equipped with those transmissions, even newly manufactured cars (particularly the cars he's looking at.) He's also going used, so...

Anyways, I would normally agree that Ford cars aren't very reliable. My mom bought a 98 Explorer and it's pretty much been the biggest heap ever (always has had problems since the day she bought it.) The Focus deviates from this. It's actually highly acclaimed in regards to reliability. It's pretty much the Honda Civic of American cars.

Aru brings up a good point about snow driving. Driving in the snow with a 2WD car is not ideal. I have to do it a lot and I wouldn't even say it's 'bad' where I live. It's scary on the freeway when snow has just come down. If you live in the lakes area, it's certainly worth considering.

[Salodin]

A lot of newer (yet used) and inexpensive cars have better fuel economy then you give them credit for. its definitely not an issue imo, youll probably see a bigger mileage difference between models and manufacturers then between a car that is the same model, one autoand one manual.

[Akanei]

Depends on the type of transmission, but for the most part you are correct.

Also notable is that if you never learned MT and your first car happens to be one, chances are you'll wear down the parts well before ATs start showing problems, even if the latter is more expensive to repair.

[StevenW]

If you like sporty cars with good mileage, you can pretty easily find a Mazda Miata MX-5 for around that price range, possibly one that's newer, even.

Downside, they aren't the safest cars, and the insurance is a little higher than something like a civic or a corolla.

You could probably also find a Mitsubishi Eclipse from a few years back in that price range. Another fun car.

I owned a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, it is a very fun (yet slow) car to drive, and looks amazing, and gets fantastic gas mileage (30+ mpg highway) when driven right. However, mine was incredibly unreliable... Every week something new would break on it.

Wheel bearing, radiator, o2 sensor, crank position sensor, exhaust pipe, intake gasket... just to name a few. All in about 6 months time.