Best car to purchase for $18k or less? New or used...

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[mooncancook]

Out of your list, I'll get a TC or a Mazda 3s hatchback

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
a used mid-size with a V6 is good. accord, camry, maxima etc.

You'd probably get a lot more, other than the lack of a v6 and a little less space, in a new Mazda 3s than you would in a used Honda or Camry for the same money.

 

[ShooterMcB]

In terms of value, low depreciation, mpg, comfort and reliabilty, you cannot beatv03+ Civics or Accords, and Corollas or Camrys. The only negatives anyone can give are boring styling and lack of sports-car handling, which you indicated you aren't concerned with. Any of those four are the best choice for your needs, there's virtually no argument against it.
Don't buy newer than 2 years old if you want he best value. Let the others take the hit.

 

[MrsBugi]

My husband's favorites right now are: versa, accent, and scion tc.

Are there any I should try to talk him out of?

 

[Otaking]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi
My husband's favorites right now are: versa, accent, and scion tc.

Are there any I should try to talk him out of?

What happened to the Mazda3 / 6? 🙁 :brokenheart:

And if those are the ONLY choices you have, I'd duke it out between the Scion and Accent. The tC is actually pretty sleek and good-looking, but the Accent might give you more peace of mind because of Hyundai's warranty.

 

[Baked]

I love my tC. Form and function in one. Looks like you're getting the AT model.

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: Otaking

Originally posted by: MrsBugi
My husband's favorites right now are: versa, accent, and scion tc.

Are there any I should try to talk him out of?

What happened to the Mazda3 / 6? 🙁 :brokenheart:

And if those are the ONLY choices you have, I'd duke it out between the Scion and Accent. The tC is actually pretty sleek and good-looking, but the Accent might give you more peace of mind because of Hyundai's warranty.

Hello Otaking! I much prefer the Mazda 3/6, but my husband and his family have had some bad experiences with Ford cars. 🙁 He ended up deciding against it based on that fact alone. The only good Ford they've had was with his father's station wagon back from the 70's, it has 600k+ miles to date and is still going strong! (after several different engines, of course 🙂 )

Thank you for your recommendations, we'll go test-driving soon and hope to find one that will suit our needs. If neither the tC or the Accent work out, we may go back to square one and consider other options.

 

[preslove]

Get a civic coup before an accent. Maybe get a slightly used Sonata V6?

 

[Otaking]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Hello Otaking! I much prefer the Mazda 3/6, but my husband and his family have had some bad experiences with Ford cars. 🙁 He ended up deciding against it based on that fact alone. The only good Ford they've had was with his father's station wagon back from the 70's, it has 600k+ miles to date and is still going strong! (after several different engines, of course 🙂 )

Thank you for your recommendations, we'll go test-driving soon and hope to find one that will suit our needs. If neither the tC or the Accent work out, we may go back to square one and consider other options.

OK, good luck with that, and let us know what happens after the test drives. :beer:

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: MrsBugi

Hello Otaking! I much prefer the Mazda 3/6, but my husband and his family have had some bad experiences with Ford cars. 🙁 He ended up deciding against it based on that fact alone. The only good Ford they've had was with his father's station wagon back from the 70's, it has 600k+ miles to date and is still going strong! (after several different engines, of course 🙂 )

Boo, I refuse to accept that my 6 is a Ford :heart:

 

[SketchMaster]

I drove the Mazda3 and really liked it. Good ride, nice power for the money, MPG is ok, lost of upgrades that don't cost too much.

 

[cessna152]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
I've heard the Fit is a POS, so I'd just cross that one off your list to begin with.

I don't know anyone who has tried the Yaris yet, but the good fuel economy could be a boon for ya. But it's still hard to recommend a Yaris over a Mazda3 for the same price, better look, and better warranty.

I'd say go with the Mazda3 or one of the new 2007 Sonata's, if you don't mind spending an extra $2,000.00.

Why is the Fit bad? Its a proven car overseas. Its the Honda Jazz and has an excellent track record. Just wondering where you got your info from. I've only heard good up until this point.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Originally posted by: cessna152

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
I've heard the Fit is a POS, so I'd just cross that one off your list to begin with.

I don't know anyone who has tried the Yaris yet, but the good fuel economy could be a boon for ya. But it's still hard to recommend a Yaris over a Mazda3 for the same price, better look, and better warranty.

I'd say go with the Mazda3 or one of the new 2007 Sonata's, if you don't mind spending an extra $2,000.00.

Why is the Fit bad? Its a proven car overseas. Its the Honda Jazz and has an excellent track record. Just wondering where you got your info from. I've only heard good up until this point.

I remember reading an article a month or two ago (forgot which site though) that was comparing the Fit and a few other sub-compact cars, and they stated the interior appointments and overall ride of the Fit wasn't up to par with a lot of other offerings currently avaiable.

But that was only one review though, so you may have heard more about it than I have.

 

[NaOH]

I did a research project on this and say go with an accord. Don't just look at the init. cost of a car, look further down the road and you will see that a lot of times, those cheaper cars end up costing more to own in the long run.

 

[ShooterMcB]

I'm going to repeat my suggestion for Toyota Corolla or Camry, or Honda Accord or Civic. Get one that is 2 years old for the best value. These cannot be beat in the criteria you specified as important. An accent will cost you too much on the backside when you go to get rid of it. Too much depreciation. A TC is a stylized 2 door corolla with worse mpg. You said mpg is important and sportiness is not.