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Seeker of Clarity
Picture of r0gue
posted
Need to get a new or certified pre-owned car for my kid to take out east for grad school. Sending him in my 1998 MB E430 doesn't seem wise, Razz though it's served us well these last six years! But at the distance I'll be from him, it will be hard for me to support if anything goes awry.

Contenders would be: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Subaru Crosstrek (maybe Impreza) and whatever the Mazda one is (a 3?). Importance is safety, reliability and resale value retention. I lean away from the Korean stuff. It's probably ok now, but I'm kind of set in my thoughts on the Japanese products.

Would like input on lease vs. buy as well. I'm assuming if I can swing the cash, that leasing is just plain more expensive given that they are essentially carrying the financing, right?

So, -- Any strong feelings in the group here about those models?

THANKS ALL!




 
Posts: 11474 | Registered: August 02, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Drill Here, Drill Now
Picture of tatortodd
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Big Grin No loyalty to your name (i.e. Nissan Rogue)? Big Grin

Out of the list, Honda Civic.

Given your listed priorities on safety, reliability and resale value retention - I'd suggest changing from car to SUV. It's about $1000 price increase, but SUVs are selling/reselling much better than cars. The Mazda CX-30 would be the best choice here. My buddy bought one for his daughter when she earned a full ride to Texas A&M, and she was unharmed when she was in an accident that was bad enough to total a 1-year old vehicle.

BTW, I did a quick check Caredge.com as they're really big on showing days on lot as the longer on lot the more likely the dealership is to deal. Around here, most Mazda CX-30 has been on lot for about 60 days (a little long) but the Civics most have only been on the lot 35 to 45 days (kind of normal). Some CX-30s have been on lot over 100 days.



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DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
 
Posts: 23956 | Location: Northern Suburbs of Houston | Registered: November 14, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Partial dichotomy
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I'd pick the Honda Civic too.




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Posts: 39493 | Location: SC Lowcountry/Cape Cod | Registered: November 22, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Thank you
Very little
Picture of HRK
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problem with giving a college kid a SUV is they have room to carry the keg..... Same for pickups

Of the list Toyota Corolla, low cost, high value, plenty of inventory as others buy up SUV's, they have several offers such as 2.9% at 36 months, a $239 a month lease they have a military rebate of $500,

Missed the grad school, Graduates of university get an additional $500 rebate with Toyota

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HRK,
 
Posts: 24667 | Location: Gunshine State | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I Am The Walrus
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Another vote for the Civic. Great mileage and the hatchback model will give him great versatility in being able to transport stuff when the need arises.


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Posts: 13359 | Registered: March 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Corolla. Period


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Posts: 4053 | Location: Northeast Georgia | Registered: November 18, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Chilihead and Barbeque Aficionado
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We got junior a used, well-maintained Accord to get him through college. If your son is going to live in a snowy or hilly area, I’d be looking at Subarus. An old Camry or Corolla would also serve him well. I wouldn’t overlook 4 cylinder Accords or Camrys.

Nice used Civics that haven’t been smashed to smithereens and rebuilt are hard to find.


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Posts: 10567 | Location: FL | Registered: December 29, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I'll go against the grain and say Mazda3...My brother has one and he's had ZERO problems with it. He got it with the premium trim package, AWD and Manual Trans. It's quite sporty and an excellent car!

If he's likely gonna be parking on the street any car will certainly be more prone to possibility of theft, and those Civics and Corollas are more desirable to car thieves. Something to think about... Wink


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Posts: 9660 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: October 29, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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All that you mentioned would be good choices. One problem with these little cars is most who own them don't want to sell or trade, and a lot of people are looking for nice used ones. Needless to say that helps them hold their value.

One of the more affordable ones is the Toyota Corolla. I have a hatchback SE that I bought when the redesigned 2019's just came out and IMO it'd make a great little car for a young person. It's fairly small but rides nice, carries 4 in comfort or with the rear seats down can hold a lot of stuff. Mine's been completely reliable and never back to the dealer. I love the 6-speed manual but I'm not sure if Toyota still offers it, most will want the auto anyway, which is a CVT but with an actual first gear to start out then it shifts up to CVT. I also like that the 2.0 is normally aspirated with direct and indirect injection. I think you should be able to buy a 2024 for low to mid 20's, might even find a 2023 on a lot.



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Posts: 7391 | Location: Northern WV | Registered: January 17, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hold Fast
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Find a Honda / Toyota you like and buy it.


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Posts: 7668 | Location: Georgia  | Registered: May 16, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Age Quod Agis
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A grad student? He obviously needs a Subie WRX sTI, a 5 liter Mustang, a C7, or an old M3.

Jeez. Grad students need tire liquifying power and a little style.



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Posts: 13042 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: November 02, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Civic/Corolla would probably be my first choice.
Mazda 3 & the Subaru Impreza/Crosstrek after that
Not a fan of most Nissan models, especially on the lower end.

Across the water, I wouldn't rule out Kia/Hyundai as well. Coworker has a newer Elantra for a commuter & it's been good for him.




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Posts: 16287 | Location: Spring, TX | Registered: July 11, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Void Where Prohibited
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I would also recommend the Mazda 3, or the CX-3.



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Posts: 16731 | Location: Under the Boot of Tyranny in Connectistan | Registered: February 02, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Alienator
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Stick with a Honda or Toyota unless you want a headache.


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Posts: 7204 | Location: NC | Registered: March 16, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Best reliability and resale?

Corolla,
Available in Sedan or Hatch, gas or hybrid


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Posts: 342 | Location: Land of 10000 Taxes | Registered: March 19, 2022Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I've always been a Toyota fan so my vote goes to the Corolla and after that the Civic. Ive always read good things about Mazda and Subaru but I don't think you could go wrong with either. Id try and find the best deal possible on a new car and cost would be my number one consideration determining which car to buy. Ive owned several Toyota's and for the most part all i had to do was change the oil, tires and brakes.
 
Posts: 1779 | Location: USA | Registered: December 11, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Oriental Redneck
Picture of 12131
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quote:
Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic

No brainer, either of these. They are like the G19 and the P228 of the car world.


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Posts: 28224 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: September 04, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Mazda 3, only one without a CVT.



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Posts: 4653 | Location: Oklahoma | Registered: October 11, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Optimistic Cynic
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Next door neighbor bought his son an Outback, this car recently was involved in a major collision on the NJ turnpike where two cars were totaled. including the Subaru, and almost totaling a Peterbilt. Nobody in the Outback was hurt. Sample size of one, but if I had a son, I know what I'd pick.
 
Posts: 6945 | Location: NoVA | Registered: July 22, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hop head
Picture of lyman
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
quote:
Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic

No brainer, either of these. They are like the G19 and the P228 of the car world.


this,

for the smaller car (tho my 2015 Civis SE was almost as big as our older Camry), or bump up a size ot the Camry or Accord,



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Posts: 10672 | Location: Beach VA,not VA Beach | Registered: July 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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