YACT: Looking for a reliable coupe/small sedan

[Connoisseur]

Hey guys, i'll be starting my career job and I need a new car to replace my beat up old 93 taurus station wagon. Right now i'm looking at new models but i'm also open to recertified used cars. My requirements are that the car should be <$14000, get good gas mileage (preferrably at least 30mpg), and be reliable (i'm thinkin japanese). Based on a small amount of research i'm thinkin the following 2005 models:
Mazda 3
Honda Civic (non-hybrid)
Ford Focus
Toyota Echo, Matrix, Corolla
Nissan Sentra

Which of these cars do you guys suggest or could you suggest a good alternative? Note that I'm also open to buying used recertified cars so long as they're recent models. For me, the price is the biggest concern but the reliability and gas mileage are close seconds.

::Edit:: my research was based on flipping through the consumer reports 2005 car magazine for 10 minutes. I'll go back and take a more detailed look at it but I was trying to get suggestions from people who know cars.

 

[Nomada]

new Toyota Corolla.

 

[Dunbar]

If you do a lot of highway miles get the Corolla, it's like a mini-Lexus. If you do a lot of city driving I'd go with the Mazda 3 or Focus since they're funner to drive. The Scion tC and Acura RSX are a bit sportier and more expensive.

 

[jspeicher]

Cant go wrong with a Civic. Good ol reliable.

 

[MikeMike]

i was looking at your choices a while ago here is what i would suggest in order.

Mazda 3
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Nissan Sentra
Chevy Cobalt

of course the Cobalt is much cheaper than the rest, but the MZ3 comes with 4 wheel disc brakes which are really nice.

MIKE

 

[SilentZero]

Buy a Lada!!!

 

[imported_Pablo]

There are a lot of threads in the past week on this.

 

[Rallispec]

the Toyota corolla and Matrix , and the mazda3 will all be pushing your budget to the limit -- especially if you're counting Tags / Title / Tax in that 14k. They'd be my first choice if you could afford it though.

I'd suggest the Toyota echo if you're serious about needing good gas mileage and a reliable car above all else. Not so much fun to drive though.

The Sentra is nice, you won't get 30+mpg with it most likely though. As far as the focus goes, never been a fan of them.

I'd suggest a civic if you can find one and get a good deal on it... Otherwise i'd expand your search and at least take a look at the hyundai elentra and accent.

 

[m2kewl]

my choice - civic then corolla

if you can wait, 06 civic redsign

 

[Aharami]

you can probably get a 2001 - 2002 RSX for <14K

 

[Connoisseur]

thx for the suggestion guys. rallispec thx I haven't yet looked at hyundais but i'll check em out and aharami the RSX's look pretty tempting too.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

That new Hyundai sedan that got better ratings than the Honda?

 

[radioouman]

Geo Metro

 

[Quixfire]

92-96 Ford Escort GT

 

[Connoisseur]

Hey guys, still doin some research. Has anybody tried a Scion tC? I'm gonna test drive one later but I'm wondering if other people have an opinion on this car. seems GREAT. More powerful than a Mazda 3 and it comes with ABS sun/moonroof standard as opposed to optional and it's priced dirt cheap

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: Connoisseur
Hey guys, still doin some research. Has anybody tried a Scion tC? I'm gonna test drive one later but I'm wondering if other people have an opinion on this car. seems GREAT. More powerful than a Mazda 3 and it comes with ABS sun/moonroof standard as opposed to optional and it's priced dirt cheap

It's an excellent choice.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Are you looking at leasing or buying?

The Civic being due for a model upgrade means it should be dirt cheap. An 05 Civic SE should be about US$215 on a 48 month lease, zero due at signing (if you're going that way)

- M4H

 

[beyonddc]

I think tC became a more common car than Mazda 3. I see atleast 4-5 tC per day while I see only 1 or none Mazda 3 per day.

Anyway, I own a Mazda 3, and I like it a lot.
My friend owns a tC, it's not that bad either, especially there's so much options you can add-on to it.
The back seats are not tight either, but keep in mind, tC is a coupe.

 

[Juno]

Mazda 3.

 

[Connoisseur]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Are you looking at leasing or buying?

The Civic being due for a model upgrade means it should be dirt cheap. An 05 Civic SE should be about US$215 on a 48 month lease, zero due at signing (if you're going that way)

- M4H

Yeah I considered the Civvie but I also wanted a sporty car to drive. I'm looking to buy via financing. That's why I kinda narrowed it down to the Mazda 3/6 and the scion tC. Right now the only advantage I see with the mazda is the looks. While that is important, the scion seems to have it beat in every other category. Thanks for the advice tho

:: And the price can't be beat. something like 17k OTD for the base model tC. Configure the M3 with the same options and it'll cost at least 19k OTD

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
If you do a lot of highway miles get the Corolla, it's like a mini-Lexus. If you do a lot of city driving I'd go with the Mazda 3 or Focus since they're funner to drive. The Scion tC and Acura RSX are a bit sportier and more expensive.

Also look at a Sentra SE-R (Spec V). I hear the Sentra's are due for a redesign w/the '06 models, so hopefully the '05s will fly out the door cheap.

 

[JEDI]

2001 chevy prizm (aka Corolla) $8000, 41mpg hwy (though i rarely reach that. i avg 36-38mpg hwy.)

the 2002 is EXACTLY the same as the 2001. there were NO CHANGES since 2002 was the last year the prizm was made. but the 2001 is cheaper.

you will not get a Mazda3 for $14000. It is one of the few cars that sells above invoice, and does not have rebates.

April was the best time to buy this year. LOTS of rebates on alot of cars (except Mazda3 and Civics).

Hyundai dealerships were selling their Elantra GT automatic for $1000 below invoice. (And this was before their $1750 rebate.) out the door = $11500 + tax/tags.

Ford Focus had a $2000 rebate, plus free automatic.

Civic HX is their most fuel efficient non-hybrid car:
Automatic: : 35 mpg / 40 mpg

Civic > Corolla

AVOID THE ECHO.