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, 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!

No loyalty to your name (i.e. Nissan Rogue)?

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.

I'd pick the Honda Civic too.

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, January 03, 2024 09:44 AM

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.

Corolla. Period

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.

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...

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.

Find a Honda / Toyota you like and buy it.

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.

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.

I would also recommend the Mazda 3, or the CX-3.

Stick with a Honda or Toyota unless you want a headache.

Best reliability and resale?

Corolla,
Available in Sedan or Hatch, gas or hybrid

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.

quote:

Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic

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

Mazda 3, only one without a CVT.

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.

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,