Looking for a sub $10k car

jmg · 04-07-2016, 09:30 PM

My sister is going away to college and I will be buying her a car. The #1 priority is safety and reliability. I don't care how fun it is, it has to be safe and not break down. Any recommendations?

I'm finding CPO Hyundai Accents for $10k. Hyundai had a spotty past, and reliability wasn't a strong suit, but I hear things are different now. True? As reliable as Toyota or Honda?

jmmoore3 · 04-07-2016, 09:34 PM

Something japanese(Honda/Toyota/ect)probably 6-7ish years old, decent miles and you're good to go. Also inexpensive to repair if something should come up.

Pay the 100$ to have an Indy inspect before purchase for piece of mind. GL

mremg · 04-07-2016, 09:48 PM

Don't buy a Hyundai Accent. The older generations had really bad safety ratings. The current generation is a step up, but still not that great.

I recommend the Honda Fit.

jmg · 04-07-2016, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mremg

Don't buy a Hyundai Accent. The older generations had really bad safety ratings. The current generation is a step up, but still not that great.

I recommend the Honda Fit.

Hmmm... thanks I'll look into that. Darn, so cheap too.

hau_nguyen91 · 04-07-2016, 09:58 PM

Selling my Acura TL Type S @ 65K miles.

Super clean, no issues. maybe we can negotiate?

jmg · 04-07-2016, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hau_nguyen91

Selling my Acura TL Type S @ 65K miles.

Super clean, no issues. maybe we can negotiate?

Look for something local thanks!

ciaranob · 04-07-2016, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

My sister is going away to college and I will be buying her a car. The #1 priority is safety and reliability. I don't care how fun it is, it has to be safe and not break down. Any recommendations?

I'm finding CPO Hyundai Accents for $10k. Hyundai had a spotty past, and reliability wasn't a strong suit, but I hear things are different now. True? As reliable as Toyota or Honda?

Bought our daughter a Mitsubishi Lancer - she had it through undergrad and postgrad - still going strong and only now about to sell it!! Great all round visibility, good safety features and great gas milaeage and at least in our case pretty damn good reliabilty! She barely spent a dime on maintenance over 8 years.

Mywifes335 · 04-07-2016, 10:20 PM

E36 M3

jmg · 04-07-2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

E36 M3

I said reliable!

Mywifes335 · 04-07-2016, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

I said reliable!

Pretty reliable.... If you DIY.

Pheonix · 04-07-2016, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Pretty reliable.... If you DIY.

The OP not only posted "reliable" and the car is for his sister

I would recommend a small Japanese SUV such as CRV or Rav4. Stay away from the subcompact Japanese cars such as the Civic or Accord cause insurance will be more expensive.

TheYoungConnoisseur · 04-07-2016, 11:12 PM

lease a brand new chevy cruze for 150/mo zero down. do that for 8yrs or so for the total of 10k in lease payments

Mywifes335 · 04-07-2016, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheonix

The OP not only posted "reliable" and the car is for his sister

I would recommend a small Japanese SUV such as CRV or Rav4. Stay away from the subcompact Japanese cars such as the Civic or Accord cause insurance will be more expensive.

Ok, ok.. It's just THE $10k car I'd get.

But may I suggest:

Subaru Impreza...recommended it to two friends and they both love it. Safe, reliable, and affordable.

eluded · 04-08-2016, 02:17 AM

Four-cylinder Camry or an accord or a 340 or a civic

jmg · 04-08-2016, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eluded

Four-cylinder Camry or an accord or a 340 or a civic

I had a 340 and it's about 6 times what my budget is for her car!

BEM-S4 · 04-08-2016, 06:56 AM

Just to putt around town assuming she's not doing major HW driving. Fiat 500. Got one for a gf to drive around the city - she does like 5 miles a week. Anyway it's a blast to drive, lifetime warranty on mechanicals from dealer and leased for $160 per month. Her buyout is something like $4k if memory serves.

F80Dreamer · 04-08-2016, 06:59 AM

I bought my son a Mazda3...great little car. Fun driving dynamics, looks pretty good, and bulletproof reliability.

omega145 · 04-08-2016, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Ok, ok.. It's just THE $10k car I'd get.

But may I suggest:

Subaru Impreza...recommended it to two friends and they both love it. Safe, reliable, and affordable.

Surprised you were the first to mention a Subura. One that's been taken care of will last a while and having AWD is a nice bonus. Could go with a Forester for additional room instead of the Impreza.

GuidoK · 04-08-2016, 07:47 AM

If you want something safe there is really just one brand that stands out, and that is Volvo.
Usually very reliable too.
And the bigger ones are really practical.

Dont expect a sporty ride, they're usually build for comfort.

I dont know what you can get for 10k though. I dont even know of the smaller ones (V40, C30) were ever imported in the USA...

TylerJohnson97 · 04-08-2016, 07:52 AM

Toyota or Honda, you can find a 2012-2013 Civic/Corolla in that price range and it will be way more reliable than any Domestic or Korean car down the road

Never_Enough · 04-08-2016, 07:58 AM

Accord, Civic, Cruze, etc

Rich150001 · 04-08-2016, 08:01 AM

Seen some brand new, but no option 2016 Chevy Sonics sell for 10k at dealerships after some haggling.

04-07-2016, 09:30 PM	#1
jmg Lieutenant General 19421 Rep 14,305 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2025 BMW M2 [10.00] 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.89] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.90] 2018 BMW i3 REx [5.00] 2015 BMW i3 REx [0.00] 2016 BMW F80 M3 [7.29] 2016 BMW F30 340i ZTR [10.00] 2013 BMW F30 328i [0.00] 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro [7.00]	Looking for a sub $10k car My sister is going away to college and I will be buying her a car. The #1 priority is safety and reliability. I don't care how fun it is, it has to be safe and not break down. Any recommendations? I'm finding CPO Hyundai Accents for $10k. Hyundai had a spotty past, and reliability wasn't a strong suit, but I hear things are different now. True? As reliable as Toyota or Honda? __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///M3 Ordered • 2025 ///*M2
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04-07-2016, 09:34 PM	#2
jmmoore3 Enlisted Member 21 Rep 34 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Something japanese(Honda/Toyota/ect)probably 6-7ish years old, decent miles and you're good to go. Also inexpensive to repair if something should come up. Pay the 100$ to have an Indy inspect before purchase for piece of mind. GL
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04-07-2016, 09:48 PM	#3
mremg Private First Class 55 Rep 129 Posts Drives: TT RS, NC MX5 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Don't buy a Hyundai Accent. The older generations had really bad safety ratings. The current generation is a step up, but still not that great. I recommend the Honda Fit.
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04-07-2016, 09:58 PM	#5
hau_nguyen91 Lieutenant 202 Rep 574 Posts Drives: YMB 17 M3 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Memphis, TN iTrader: (0)	Selling my Acura TL Type S @ 65K miles. Super clean, no issues. maybe we can negotiate?
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04-07-2016, 11:12 PM	#12
TheYoungConnoisseur Lieutenant 92 Rep 455 Posts Drives: Your car at the track Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	lease a brand new chevy cruze for 150/mo zero down. do that for 8yrs or so for the total of 10k in lease payments
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04-08-2016, 02:17 AM	#14
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3173 Rep 4,149 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	Four-cylinder Camry or an accord or a 340 or a civic __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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04-08-2016, 06:56 AM	#16
BEM-S4 Major General 4542 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	Just to putt around town assuming she's not doing major HW driving. Fiat 500. Got one for a gf to drive around the city - she does like 5 miles a week. Anyway it's a blast to drive, lifetime warranty on mechanicals from dealer and leased for $160 per month. Her buyout is something like $4k if memory serves. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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04-08-2016, 06:59 AM	#17
F80Dreamer Major 901 Rep 1,028 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Canadian living in Texas iTrader: (0)	I bought my son a Mazda3...great little car. Fun driving dynamics, looks pretty good, and bulletproof reliability.
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04-08-2016, 07:47 AM	#19
GuidoK #buildnotbought 14211 Rep 5,549 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i ESS TS2+ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tinkering in the garage iTrader: (0)	If you want something safe there is really just one brand that stands out, and that is Volvo. Usually very reliable too. And the bigger ones are really practical. Dont expect a sporty ride, they're usually build for comfort. I dont know what you can get for 10k though. I dont even know of the smaller ones (V40, C30) were ever imported in the USA... __________________ Z4 3.0i \| ESS TS2+ supercharger \| Quaife ATB LSD \| Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear \| Schrick FI cams \| Schmiedmann headers+cats \| Powerflex/strongflex PU bushings \| Vibra-technics engine mounts \| H&R anti rollbars \| KW V3 coilovers/KW camber plates \| Sachs race engineering clutch \| tons of custom sh#t
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04-08-2016, 07:52 AM	#20
TylerJohnson97 Private First Class 32 Rep 104 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Austin Yellow Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Hickory, NC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Toyota or Honda, you can find a 2012-2013 Civic/Corolla in that price range and it will be way more reliable than any Domestic or Korean car down the road
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04-08-2016, 07:58 AM	#21
Never_Enough Banned 2230 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: Satan's Chariot 2.0 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: PA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2018 Charger Hellcat [0.00]	Accord, Civic, Cruze, etc
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04-08-2016, 08:01 AM	#22
Rich150001 Lieutenant 113 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Arlington (Ballston), Va iTrader: (0)	Seen some brand new, but no option 2016 Chevy Sonics sell for 10k at dealerships after some haggling. __________________ 16 M4 / 17 C7 (Sold) / 08 E92 M3 AW (Sold) / 09 Yamaha R6 (Sold)
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