Which Used Car has low maintenance cost?

[kitatech]

Well, he likes the 2013/2014 Kia Forte that he rented, very nimble for city driving. Keep in mind he is coming from a 1999 Avalon. The only reason he is not looking at compacts is because he plans to use the car for 5+ years.

How are the Nissan, Mazda, and Hyundai equivalents of the Camry/Accord? Worth a look?

My 05 Camry bought @8yrs old/97k miles was (and still is @ 124k miles two years later) tighter/smoother at THAT age/miles than my 2 Altimas (94/99 that I nonetheless liked) were when I got them @ 4 years old and 55k miles....All 3 were 4-bangers with manual trannies.

 

[pauldun170]

My 05 Camry bought @8yrs old/97k miles was (and still is @ 124k miles two years later) tighter/smoother at THAT age/miles than my 2 Altimas (94/99 that I nonetheless liked) were when I got them @ 4 years old and 55k miles....All 3 were 4-bangers with manual trannies.

I have a 2002.
Paint is faded on the hood.
Some jerk dented my car in the parking lot.
Suspension could probably use a refresher (even brand new, the suspension needed a refresher)
Solid car.
All I have done is change oil, gas, coolant and brake pads. That and have a small leak fixed on the (original) exhaust last year and changed 2 light bulbs.
Mechanic mentioned that I should probably change the front, original factory rotors on my next brake job. Everything works. Nothing is loose.
I've gotten 500+ miles on one tank. I get mid 20's in local "city driving"
An honest, dependable, quality vehicle

I run the risk of still having this car in 7 years or so when my son is of driving age. At the very least, he can have it and I'll finally be able to justify getting a new daily driver.

I wouldn't recommend the 2002-what ever year this gen is supposed to be.
It has a rep for stripped head bolts and clutch jobs are freakishly pricy (If done by the book, the job takes forever. If done the "cheater way, it takes half the time but you either have to do it your self or walk a mechanic through the process)

I wrote that hoping I just jinxed my car into either having the bolts lets go or having the clutch give out. I can then use it as justification for getting rid of the car.

 

[evident]

Hmm, he is already looking at Accords and Camrys. But are there other brands to consider besides the regular Toyota/Honda choices?

For a 2008 or earlier model, not currently.

7th generation accord, especially an 06 or 07 are the most problem free vehicles IMO. my family has 4 of them, v6's i4's both.

 

[inachu]

if you do not care about looks then get a honda element. 8 years i had no problem with it. Imissed driving a car so got rid of the element.

 

[desura]

aren't Priuses incredibly low maintenance? While everyone worries about the battery, it seems that most last well over 150-200k miles.

 

[dbk]

7th generation accord, especially an 06 or 07 are the most problem free vehicles IMO. my family has 4 of them, v6's i4's both.

yeah get a 7th gen coupe exl still looks great to this day!

 

[Revolution 11]

He ended up getting a Accord LX Sedan 2014 for $21.7K out the door.

 

[Brovane]

I have had good luck with Nissan Altimas. They seem to just run and get the job done as commuter car. They also have a chain for the Engine so no timing belt to replace. Also fairly easy car to get parts for.

 

[Revolution 11]

I have heard enough bad things about Altima CVTs, both in maintenance and driving feel, that I would not buy a Altima or recommend the car in the short-term when there are plenty of other great family commuter sedans like a Ford Fusion or a Madza6 and of course the venerable Camry/Accord cars.

 

[tortillasoup]

believe it or not, OP would be best off with the prius. Prius is the lowest cost to own vehicle aside from a used electric car.

 

[XavierMace]

They also have a chain for the Engine so no timing belt to replace.

I laugh every time somebody says that, like a chain will never ever need to be replaced.

 

[XavierMace]

They also have a chain for the Engine so no timing belt to replace.

I laugh every time somebody says that, like a chain can't fail.

 

[tortillasoup]

I laugh every time somebody says that, like a chain can't fail.

In the time the chain fails, you'll have replaced the timing belt at least 2X, maybe 3X+ times. Some makes have better luck with their timing chains than others, Toyota has had a good record with their timing chains. Their 80s vehicles had issues with the timing chain tensioners but otherwise they do a good job.

 

[desy]

Chains fail at about the time the rest of the car is a POS and you want to get rid of it.
Never had a chain fail. Replacing timing belts however is an expensive maintenance