| Author | Message | ||
     Buellish |
I will be buying a used car in the 8 to 10 thousand dollar price range,hopefully in the next month or two.I need decent fuel economy.I'm looking for 30 mpg or better on the road. I also need utility.I've been thinking along the lines of an '04 to '07 Mazda3 5 door hatch or an '05 to '07 Ford Focus wagon. I know a standard Mini doesn't have the kind of room in the back that the other two have,but I think I would enjoy owning one. I'm on a fixed income so I don't need something that would turn into a money pit. I'm looking for thoughts on reliability,the utility of a Cooper and weather to consider an "S" or a standard model. | ||
| Honolulu_blue_esq |
My wife has an 08 Cooper S, which we bought new. Just rolled over to 40k, no problems yet at all. It really is the closest thing to two wheels you can get driving four. Over the life of the car, we've averaged 31 mpg (onboard computer says so). Regarding the room in the back, there is plenty if you intend to use it as a two seater. The back seats lay flat and give you a nice size storage area. If you intend to use it as four seater regularly though, look elsewhere. | ||
| Buellish |
I really don't need a 4 seater but I would be hauling guitars,amps and miscellaneous stuff in the back. | ||
| Edgarr |
I have had family members that have owned Mazda3 and the Ford Focus. Everyone liked the vehicles, and they were reliable. Good choice. The Mini is well above the pricing that you stated. It is a cool car that I had a chance to drive for an extended weekend. According to Consumer Reports, the reliability of the Mini went up after '08, but the Mini S didn't have good reliability until '10. "Based on the latest survey, we expect reliability of new models will be 23% below average" Good luck (Message edited by edgarr on May 23, 2011) | ||
| Buellish |
I am finding Mini's in my area in my price range. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
what about a honda pilot or something, they have TONS of space and still get good mpg | ||
| Buellish |
"what about a honda pilot or something, they have TONS of space and still get good mpg" I'm not much of an SUV fan. | ||
| Doerman |
Might still be in the SUV category of sorts.. How about the Ford Transport. It will meet cargo requirements. Falls short by on your MPG requirement (24MPG). | ||
| Court |
I bought a 2010 Ford Focus as an interim replacement while waiting for a new Mercedes-Benz E-Series Cabriolet. We fell in love with the car (which cost less new than the options on the Cab). The car has heated leather seats, sunroof, kick ass stereo system with sub woofer in the truck, goes like a scaled dog, has back seats that lay flat to open up a spacious area for the trunk, is fun to drive and got 37.4 MPG (Gas Cubby and onboard computer agreed) the last trip to East Troy . . averages about 28.4 in NYC daily commuter role. It has Sirius sat radio, all the controls on the wheel and the gold standard of Bluetooth systems . . Ford Sync. It rocks. I'm waiting on the RS, just shy of the Porsche Cayman at 245HP, which should be released in December of this year. Data point | ||
| Buellish |
Doerman,if you mean a Ford Transit,they are way out of me price range,but I do like them. A 2010 Focus,also out of my price range.My nephew just got one to take to the U of Ga, and loves it. | ||
| Buellish |
Court,I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Cayman or an RS today! Apologies to Wimpy.I know he's still hungry.  | ||
| Sub65chris |
3 years ago my wife adn i purchased a 2006 chevy hhr for 10,000. it had 26000 miles and it is very comfortable. scince then we have run it to 95000 miles with only having to replace sheduled items like brake pads and tires. they can be had for very reasonable prices. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Mini will be my next car. Test drove one a few months ago, still get a goofy grin when I think about that ride. | ||
| Court |
>>>still get a goofy grin That's a common reaction . . .everybody I know who has owned one ALWAYS talks about how darn much fun they are. The new 4 door Countryman is appealing. I, too, am looking hard at the moment . . but the more I look . . the more I like my old 2006 truck. | ||
| No_rice |
This is the new small car we just picked up a few days ago. 87 vw golf Gt 1.8 four banger. 5 spd. It will actually get up and boogie, and should still get 35-40mpg. 132000 miles.  | ||
| Davegess |
I like my 2004 focus SVT. 25000 miles 8500 bucks. 25-27 MPG, 170 HP, low profile tires, leather. Nice little sleeper | ||
| Buellish |
Dave,sounds like a little more grunt than the 2CV. Is it the coupe? | ||
| Reducati |
picked mine up last week...grin factor is an Understatement....almost as much fun as my Buell   | ||
| Dynasport |
I bought my son a Mazda 3 about 7 or 8 years ago. He has run the daylights out of it and it has been totally trouble free. The only downside to it is that it eats tires. Very reliable and fun though. I bought my daughter a Honda Fit the first year they were out. A good bit cheaper than the Mazda 3 and to me the interior quality shows it. Still, it has been trouble free and well and a good bit cheaper to maintain. Better gas mileage and very cheap maintenance. I can highly recommend it. | ||
| Dynasport |
Oh, and the Fit actually has more room in the back than you can imagine to haul your gear around. | ||
| Court |
I'm kinda holding out for the Focus ST . . . we'll see if it's up to all the hype. For a small commuter car . . it's looking like a lot of fun . . . about the same HP as the Porsche, upgraded suspension, bi-xenon, lighter weight and all the sync features to boot . . . . I'd love to see an American car mix it up in this group . . . they are all great little cars. | ||
| Honolulu_blue_esq |
If you are fine with treating it as a two seater, there is alot of space in the back of a cooper. Put that rear seat down, and you should be fine getting your guitar and amp in there. | ||
| Buellish |
Justin,do the rear seats fold completely flat? | ||
| Crackhead |
Dynasport, You might need to get an adjustable camber kit for the rear of the Mazda 3 to stop it from eating tires. Buellish, What are you currently driving? A small enclosed trailer can be towed by even a Miata. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I am really looking closely at the Fiat Arbath 500, not for fuel economy, but really the overgrown go cart feel and it is closer to the size of the original mini. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
suprised no one mentioned the scion xB had an 05 until the divorce. not as much fun as the mini reliable as a brick the back seats fold down giving much cargo space. good mileage. can be turbo'd or super charged easily. last i looked can be had for a song | ||
| B00stzx3 |
I loved my Ford Focus so much, I bought my sister one. Can't say enough positive things about it. Reliable, dependable, cheap, drives great, handles fantastic, and it's American. Could recommend the Mazda 3 as well since it's basically the same car. And it can tow provided you buy/install the correct hitch. Took my XB9R and a 636 to and from Summit Point a couple of times. (Message edited by b00stzx3 on May 24, 2011) | ||
| Buellish |
James,I'm driving an '02 Saturn L series.30 mpg,but its a 4 door sedan.I want something a little newer,with a hatch in the rear. | ||
| Chauly |
Currently have an '04 Prius. Follow this: 52 mpg avg/tank when new, 45-50 now. Tires at 52K, spark plugs at 106K. Front wheel bearing went out at 120K. Tires at 125K Front brake pads at 168K Tires at 180K (mileage fell at that time) Currently 190K miles. Mobil 1 every 10K, regular gas, holds a little less than an Outback SW, rear seats folded flat. Two deer strikes (each front quarter, both dead), buzz-saw from a truck front wheel in the LR passenger door. One tuff little booger, and a Great Car... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I'll put my vote in for the Honda Fit. I got it with a 5-speed and it goes pretty well. It gets very consistent 36 MPG on 10%Ethanol. Before that was jammed down our .... Gas tanks, It was getting just shy of 40. And yes, I beat on it. It's up to 97,XXX now with the only non-routine maintainance being a failed ignition coil. (It has four) | ||
| Davegess |
Yeah the SVT has a couple more horsepower than the 2CV  Loads of fun. | ||
| Buellish |
I got a Mini endorsement from a friend who has owned 3 different Mini's.Two Cooper S's and his daughter's standard Mini.He was bragging about the Volume of stuff he carried in the back.Of course he hasn't owned one past 60,000 miles.What I really need is someone who has put big mileage on one with no major problems. | ||
| Darthane |
I've got a 2008 Mazda3 manual trans. It will get over 30mpg on the freeway no problem, but as with all four-bangers, the way you drive it makes an enormous difference to the gas mileage it gets. It'll get up and go when you want it to. When I was in the market I drove everything in the segment except the Minis and luxury brands, simply because they were too expensive. At the time, the 3 was far and away the best-driving and highest quality vehicle, particularly the interior. These days the new Focus takes that title, IMO, but you won't find a used 2010 for what you're looking to spend. The stock tires on Mazda3s are absolute crap for wear. They are summer 'sport' tires and you'll be very lucky to pull 30K out of them - in addition to them being downright dangerous in the snow. Replace them with all-weathers, they'll last twice as long and perform just as well as long as you're not a grand prix driver. The car's very utilitarian - I have even crammed a 6cuft chest freezer into the back, still in the box, and gotten the hatch shut. I'm planning on putting a hitch on it this year so I can tow a small trailer camping. | ||
| Buellish |
Bryan,I have been interested in the Mazda3 hatch for 3 or 4 years.When I was still employed I was looking at the Speed3 and the GTI.Then I lost my job,got sick,may not ever be able to go back to work.And the old budget just ain't what it used to be.I'm selling off the car and a couple of bikes I have now to try to get a better car that will last for a while. You may not remember,but on the Northeast Touring Adventure we road together from Binghamton,NY. to North Plattsbug,NY.,in the rain.Do you remember the three Parkway Blue S2T's? |
