Need car advice

[SilvaShado]

So my car broke down a few weeks ago. My mom has been kind enough to lend me her car to give me time to do research for a new car, but I know diddley squat about cars and my internet searching hasn't come up with much.

Here's what I'm looking for and I was hoping someone here could give me advice on makes & models.

My limit is $10,000 for a used car, hopefully something newer than 2001. I need something that's fuel-effecient, for a mix of highway and street driving. I'll need a back seat that can somewhat comfortably fit 3 adults. I don't care for large cars, but I don't want a compact either.

I've heard good things about Kias, but I've found very little information about their cars other than their model names - Optima, Rio, Sephia and Spectra. I also discovered Hyundai with two models Accent and Elantra. But I really don't know much about them.

I'd like to stay away from Ford as my last car was a Ford Contour and it was very expensive to get parts replaced as everything was German made. I also don't want a Honda as they are the most stolen car (I've had several friends with Hondas that have been broken into and stripped completely.)

Thank so much!

[Gray Lensman]

Sorry to hear about your car, Sarah. I hope you can find a good one soon.

I'm not sure I can really help you offhand... but let me think about it some.

[Ubereil]

I guess public transportation is out of the question? And going by bike?

Übrereil

[Elliot Kane]

I know nothing at all about cars, but I just fluked onto this, which might help:

The Most Reliable Cars of 2006

I don't think it will help with prices, but it should help with makes.

[janggut]

Sarah, do check for warranty covers & how good is the after sales service.

other than that, i don't quite know. wish i can help more.

[SilvaShado]

Thanks y'all.

biking and public transportion wouldn't work. It'd take me over 3 hours to get to work by public transportion. I'd be exhausted if I tried to bike.

I'll take a look at that site Elliot. It should help with makes.

Thanks again!

[metalliman98]

You're in luck, my car is a Hyundai! I can totally vouch for it. They've got a great warranty package, I believe mine is 6 year/60,000 miles, covers everything. My car is a 2001 Accent GL, and I got it used in 2002, for a little more than $13,000. That was after warranty and insurance, including gap insurance. My monthly payment on a five year loan is just a little more than $200. And it gets great mileage! Mine is operating about 25 city/35 highway. The only downside for you would be the back seat. You've been in my car, it's not terribly cramped, but I'm not sure it would be able to comfortably fit three adults. But Hyundai has larger models. I'm pretty sure they'd also fall under your price range, particularly if you got a 2002 or older.

I'd check in with all the companies that deal in used cars, like Carmax or Enterprise. Those would probably be your best options. You could also look at the car ads that appear in newspaper, usually on Wednesdays, Fridays and the weekend. Thats how I found my car.

Hope that helps.

[Tsel]

Have you ever considered a Gremlin?

Tsel ;D

[LaFille]

Sarah, for reliability and "thirst" ;D, you might look more towards Asian brands these times rather than American; I don't know for Europeans like Volkswagen or so, though.

Interesting sources: Consumer Reports - Used Cars
Kelley Blue Book Used Car Values

[Shan]

I also don't want a Honda as they are the most stolen car (I've had several friends with Hondas that have been broken into and stripped completely.)

"Yikes, that is not good new. Honda is what I've got."

[SilvaShado]

Thanks so much metalliman. I knew I should have emailed you about it, so thanks for the advice. I'll look into Hyundais more. I don't want a big car, but I often haul Will, his brother and his folks around, and it can get cramped in the back seat. Thank goodness his brother is as thin as he is considering his dad's a bit bulky.

Tsel - no thank you. no.

Thanks for the links LaFille.

Shan - if you keep your car safe, you shouldn't have problems. Some of the areas that my friends have been to aren't quite so safe.

[ss]

Silva,
Metal has good advise here, also in reply to the Kia, I had two when they first came out, had a lot of bugs in them, they are now very reliable, with a 10 year/100 thousand mile warranty. The Optima, which is the top I think, has gotten more expensive, but as Metal says, all the rental car people recycle their cars every two years and you can get great deals from almost any of them, -- Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National...etc

[SilvaShado]

Thanks SS. I'll check them out.

[SilvaShado]

Just wanted to let y'all know that I was able to find a car. Got a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. White exterior, dark grey interior. Pretty nice. Previous rental car, so I'm pretty sure it was kept in good condition, though has slightly higher mileage than a privately owned car. All in all (so far) I'm happy.