Advice On Purchasing a New Car

jc3900 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:33 AM

Here is the deal. My sister has just gotten her license and the car I was driving is now hers and my parents have decided to buy me a car. I wan't to get the best bang for my buck and cost my parents as little as possible while still having great reliability. I think I have narrowed it down to a toyota or honda. However I am unsure as to what model would be best given my desire for value and reliability. Some of the cars I am thinking of our the toyota yaris, honda fit, and the honda civic sedan. All of them have similar gas mileage but the yaris is about $14,500 , the fit is around $16,000, and the civic sedan is about $18,500. From what I've heard, honda's engines have higher quality. What do you guys think? What model do you think would maximize reliability and value? Are there any cars that I havn't mentioned that I should look into?

bjl584 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:00 AM

Both those brands are good quality. You would most likely be happy with either one. Just to throw my two cents in, I currently own a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. It has been a great car, and I haven't had one problem with it. It came with a 100,000 mile 10 year warranty, and I bought it brand new for $10,800. I couldn't beat that price anywhere. Compareable cars from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were all several thousand more, had lesser of a warranty, and had basically all the same options.

fruitbowlk · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:39 AM

I have a pre-owned 2000 Hyundai Elantra and I have to say It's a great car. I haven't had any major problems with it at all. And I don't plan to get rid of it until they tell me it nothing else they would be able to do with the car.

disneysteve · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:41 AM

I think you can't go wrong with a Honda or Toyota. I also agree that Hyundai has come a long way and now makes a very good vehicle. My mom has one and is very happy with it (she had 3 Toyotas before that).

If you really care about value, I'd be looking for something 2-3 years old, maybe a certified pre-owned model.

Snave · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 04:42 PM

We will be purchasing later this year as I have a car allowance and need to get something as well for work. One of the nice things about a toyota and honda are the re-sale value. They hold their value a lot better than a hyundai does. So, that might be another factor.

jc3900 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 07:50 PM

I am going to look into the Elantra. If I could save a thousand or two and have the reliability that would be great!

Seeker · #7 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc3900

I am going to look into the Elantra. If I could save a thousand or two and have the reliability that would be great!

There's a third one you might also want to look into.... Nissan Versa.

Reviews of Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa | Green Car .com

You should also test drive the autos before discounting any model. These cars have very different feels to them, at least in my opinion. Some feel sluggish or heavy to me. And consider blind spots with the mirrors and seating, legspace (I'm a petite person).... these things are not usually reported in articles.

rupeeman · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Both those brands are good quality. You would most likely be happy with either one. Just to throw my two cents in, I currently own a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. It has been a great car, and I haven't had one problem with it. It came with a 100,000 mile 10 year warranty, and I bought it brand new for $10,800. I couldn't beat that price anywhere. Compareable cars from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were all several thousand more, had lesser of a warranty, and had basically all the same options.

yup i also have the same brand and never faced problems in driving and with engine...

tripods68 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 09:18 AM

Honda Civic is the most reliable car personally. Yaris been around only for couple of years, while Civic been around since the 70's. Also, you wouldn't need to ever take Honda for any service warranty. Its engine can last up to 105K without major tuneup done (spark plug replacement) so long you keep up with its regular schedule maintenance. I own a Honda now and Hyundai many years back....Honda is your car...not to sound bias or anything

Oh almost forget to mention....Honda keeps its depreciation value better than Hyundai.

jc3900 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 10:30 PM

After checking the consumer report, I am convinced on going for a toyota or honda. Both companies just had so many good marks compared to the competition it was unbelievable! After talking to my dad, I think that the civic is a little out of the ball park for price so it is basically down to the toyota yaris or honda fit. One thing though that is a little disconserting about the yaris is that it has not been around very long. The Fit though has been around since 2002 under a different allias, the honda jazz. I am hoping to get a test drive done in the next week so I will tell you guys how it goes.

ScrimpAndSave · #11 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:48 AM

What about a certified pre-owned civic?

I have a 2001 Honda Accord Ex Coupe with leather interior and it an unbelievable car. It's never been in the shop (other than for oil changes and check-ups). I commute to work and already ha e 130,000 miles on it...still runs like new.

I personally would not go with any other Honda model other than an Accord or civic. Because of the budget constrictions, I would look into a pre-owned civic.

disneysteve · #12 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

What about a certified pre-owned civic?

Because of the budget constrictions, I would look into a pre-owned civic.

I agree 100%. I'd probably never buy a new car anyway, but I would definitely choose a better model used than a lesser model new.

ScrimpAndSave · #13 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 10:37 AM

And if you can find an accord that is a few years old and is an EX with reasonable mileage...then dang - you are set for a while.

jc3900 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 03:48 PM

I looked up the local area used cars and couldn't find anything that was really worth it. After looking into it a little more I think that buying used works if you are searching for a higher end car. However, if you are looking at the cheaper models of dependable companies like toyota and honda I really think the new cars mostly win out.

Anyway, today I test drove the yaris sedan and was very impressed. It was a little tidier than the fit but was still a very smooth drive. I wasn't able to get a test drive of the fit, however I did get a price quote. For the fit, I think I am looking at a $15,385 and possibly a little more for the yaris. I won't have a full spectrum of the models though until I test drive the fit on monday.

disneysteve · #15 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc3900

I think that buying used works if you are searching for a higher end car. However, if you are looking at the cheaper models of dependable companies like toyota and honda I really think the new cars mostly win out.

How did you come to that conclusion?

Quote:

I wasn't able to get a test drive of the fit, however I did get a price quote.

I'm almost afraid to ask but how did you get that price quote?

ScrimpAndSave · #16 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:24 PM

Even a brand new Honda or Toyota is going to depreciate at least $5,000 as soon as your drive it off the lot.

disneysteve · #17 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

Even a brand new Honda or Toyota is going to depreciate at least $5,000 as soon as your drive it off the lot.

No. It won't depreciate $5,000 if it only cost $15,000 new. It might drop 15 or 20% though.

Seeker · #18 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

Even a brand new Honda or Toyota is going to depreciate at least $5,000 as soon as your drive it off the lot.

I think JC probably knows that. Unfortunately not a lot of used Hondas nor Toyotas are readily available. The ones that are available are more expensive just because the demand for them is so high; especially right now when everyone with the larger gas-guzzlers is looking to size down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

What about a certified pre-owned civic?

I have a 2001 Honda Accord Ex Coupe with leather interior and it an unbelievable car. It's never been in the shop (other than for oil changes and check-ups). I commute to work and already ha e 130,000 miles on it...still runs like new.

I personally would not go with any other Honda model other than an Accord or civic. Because of the budget constrictions, I would look into a pre-owned civic.

I'm wondering why the above bolded?

I just did a serch on the Internet for pre-owned Hondas within 30 miles of my location. Nothing under 10k. Normal price range for 2003-2004 Honda is more than 13k for these cars. Tons of bigger cars, Odyessy, Ridgeline, Pilot, even the CRV.... but nothing under 10k.

JC might be better off with a new car. These two (Fit & Yaris) get over 30 mpg too.

ScrimpAndSave · #19 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:49 PM

They don't handle as well or drive as comfortably. They feel like go karts.

I think for the extra $, it is worth it to have a car that drives beautifully and comfortably.

Seeker · #20 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

They don't handle as well or drive as comfortably. They feel like go karts.

I think for the extra $, it is worth it to have a car that drives beautifully and comfortably.

Ah. You're talking about the smaller Hondas.

I was thinking that you were talking about all the models of Hondas and thought that you may think there's some problem with the larger Hondas as well.

I regularly drive a Honda CRV.... and have had no problems with it either... just normal ware and tear. I bought it in 1999 and it's not going to be replaced unless it totally drops dead. I love it.

I don't like the smaller cars either. The feel of driving them I can get used to..... but the biggest problem I have with them is the back windows and the blind spots on the sides.

Even with DH's Honda Civic Hybrid, I have to be very careful about those, because I'm so used to being able to see everything from my car. Plus the noise level in the smaller cars (not so much the Hybrid) is larger, and that distracts from my comfort zone.

But I understand what you mean now.