Please tell me about cars.

[Kwill]

I recently moved back to the US after 7.5 years in England. I sold my previous car at CarMax the day before the flight, and I've only driven once or twice a year since then. Now I'm back and starting to want my own car again. What should I know before I choose a car?

I want something reliable and safe that won't attract attention and will be easy to park and easy to take care of. I don't have any car maintenance skills, though maybe it would be good to learn some eventually if you have suggestions for where to start. I'd like to keep the cost to something that is reasonably frugal and sensible, but my budget can be flexible.

I am in the DC area and taking the Metro to work, so I'm looking for a car for evenings and weekend trips only. My parents are about 90 minutes away by car but inaccessible by any form of public transportation. I'll pay for an outdoor parking spot at my building but expect to also park on the street when I'm out and about. My mother has offered to lend me her car from October to early December, so if I can wait until October then I'll be looking to buy in December. Unless there is a best time of year to buy?

For context, I bought a new Toyota Corolla in the summer of 1999, and I drove that until 2008 when I moved overseas previously. Then I came back to the US and bought my grandmother's (2006?) Buick Century in the spring of 2010 and drove that until January 2016. So that's what I was driving when I was driving.

[curious_george]

I would just buy another Toyota Corolla.

But...I am sort of obsessed with Toyota though...

[Kwill]

Would you go with a used one or a new one? If used, how old is right for still being maintenance for a few years but getting a good deal?

I liked the Corolla, but the Century was a lot nicer to drive. I think for occasional use I would be just as happy with a Corolla as anything.

[curious_george]

Would you go with a used one or a new one? If used, how old is right for still being maintenance for a few years but getting a good deal?

I liked the Corolla, but the Century was a lot nicer to drive. I think for occasional use I would be just as happy with a Corolla as anything.

It's sort of a tough call these days...

How many miles do you drive every year, and do you do your own maintenance or take car to shop?

[GuitarStv]

I would just buy another Toyota Corolla.

+1

[GilesMM]

Used Corolla or Prius would be perfect.

[Kwill]

Would you go with a used one or a new one? If used, how old is right for still being maintenance for a few years but getting a good deal?

I liked the Corolla, but the Century was a lot nicer to drive. I think for occasional use I would be just as happy with a Corolla as anything.

It's sort of a tough call these days...

How many miles do you drive every year, and do you do your own maintenance or take car to shop?

I would take it to a shop. I have zero car maintenance skills.

I'm not sure how many miles per year. Because I wouldn't be using it to commute, I expect my travel would be disproportionately made up of road trips. There are a lot of people to catch up with after almost 8 years out of the country, so I hope to make a lot of weekend trips and spend time with my parents as well.

[SmashYourSmartPhone]

Used Corolla or Prius would be perfect.

A used Prius is a good option for a low maintenance car, as they have been proven to require very little in the way of ongoing maintenance.  However, any small Japanese car from the last decade, with the probable exception of Nissans (their new transmission is a pain) would do just fine, and the benefits of a hybrid are somewhat less with longer travel - though, a Prius is a fuel sipper even on the highway compared to some other vehicles.

[farmecologist]

Used Corolla or Prius would be perfect.

A used Prius is a good option for a low maintenance car, as they have been proven to require very little in the way of ongoing maintenance.  However, any small Japanese car from the last decade, with the probable exception of Nissans (their new transmission is a pain) would do just fine, and the benefits of a hybrid are somewhat less with longer travel - though, a Prius is a fuel sipper even on the highway compared to some other vehicles.

Watch out on the Prius front, especially with the Gen3's liftbacks ( 2010-2015 ) and Prius V wagons.  Lots of head gasket issues and oil consumption problems on higher mileage vehicles.  Even hearing rumblings of Gen4's having head gasket issues, which is a bit disappointing.

We have had multiple Priuses and the most reliable has been the Prius C ( different engine than the above ).   The Prius C is very small but GREAT for an around town car.  I'm actually looking for another one...our current Prius C went to our daughter.

[remizidae]

Be aware of the car theft issues with Kias and Hyundais. Especially in the DC area, where we have a ton of car theft. If you're going to buy one of these cars, get a club and always use it.

[farmecologist]

Be aware of the car theft issues with Kias and Hyundais. Especially in the DC area, where we have a ton of car theft. If you're going to buy one of these cars, get a club and always use it.

Note that only the key-only trim levels have an issue.   Trims with push button start are ok.  Of course, that probably won't stop anyone from trying...they will likely only find out after they attempt the theft and cause damage.

[SmashYourSmartPhone]

Yes, Kia and Hyndai are out.  Even if yours is not prone to the problems, you will pay for the problems in your insurance rates.  People have had their cars trashed and stolen a half dozen times in certain cases.

[Kwill]

I did the 'Build your own Toyota' page and requested a quote from a local dealer for the most basic version of a new Corolla. I am not sure yet what I want to do, but I assume they will try to convince me. I don't understand why they advertise one starting price and then only seem to list cars that are at least several thousand more. At what point in the year will the 2023 cars go on sale? Or would some of them just run out of 2023s and raise the price?

[curious_george]

I would probably buy a used one still, something 3-6 years old if you can find a good deal on one, unless you're planning on driving 20k miles a year or so.

Just my .02 cents.

ETA: If you can't find a decent deal on a used one then I would buy the cheapest new Corolla, like your quote.

[Kwill]

They quoted me $5,000 more than I saw on the Toyota website. I've written back to ask why. Meanwhile, I will look at the used ones.
...
After seeing the answer, I think I should look more seriously at used cars and/or other dealerships. I guess I was silly to think that car prices would be clear and easy to understand.

[SunnyDays]

Can’t go wrong with a Toyota, especially a Corolla.

It may not apply these days with such a shortage of all cars, but end of December used to be the best time to buy.  There was both a monthly quota and a yearly quota deadline to meet, so dealerships were often easier to negotiate with then.

[Kwill]

Can’t go wrong with a Toyota, especially a Corolla.

It may not apply these days with such a shortage of all cars, but end of December used to be the best time to buy.  There was both a monthly quota and a yearly quota deadline to meet, so dealerships were often easier to negotiate with then.

That's useful to know. I was surprised at how rude the person was who responded to my question about the price. She wrote like a non-native speaker of English, so maybe she didn't realize how it was coming across. Or maybe she figured I obviously wasn't going to buy from them.

I'm now looking at the CarMax website. Looking at 2018-2019 cars under $16,000 used and avoiding Hyundai and Kia, they have these: Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Jetta, and Chevrolet Spark. Are there any of those you would recommend? Is it really crucial to avoid Hyundai and Kia?

[GilesMM]

They quoted me $5,000 more than I saw on the Toyota website. I've written back to ask why. Meanwhile, I will look at the used ones.
...
After seeing the answer, I think I should look more seriously at used cars and/or other dealerships. I guess I was silly to think that car prices would be clear and easy to understand.

Look for a one-owner car with a spotless Carfax with just over 100,000 miles.  You should be able to get one 5 years old or less for under $15k.


E.g. https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/5YFEPRAE0LP102439

[Dave1442397]

I'm now looking at the CarMax website. Looking at 2018-2019 cars under $16,000 used and avoiding Hyundai and Kia, they have these: Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Jetta, and Chevrolet Spark. Are there any of those you would recommend? Is it really crucial to avoid Hyundai and Kia?

If you plan on keeping the car a long time, just stick with Toyota or Honda and keep up with recommended maintenance. There are so many Camrys out there it's fairly easy to find a low-mileage car in good shape.

If you want something a bit more luxurious, the Toyota Avalon is nice too.

Many of the cars you list above can have issues, depending on trim level/options. The Fords can have transmission issues, the Mirage is just terrible, Nissan CVTs are pretty bad, many Chevrolets are pretty crappy, and the VW is typically expensive to maintain.

[Kwill]

Thank you all for the advice. It makes sense to look for a used Toyota, given that they have a good reputation for reliability and that I was happy with the Corolla I had 20 years ago.

What is the best way to find and buy a used car? Would you use the Carfax site that was shared earlier? Or Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or a local dealer?

[Dave1442397]

Thank you all for the advice. It makes sense to look for a used Toyota, given that they have a good reputation for reliability and that I was happy with the Corolla I had 20 years ago.

What is the best way to find and buy a used car? Would you use the Carfax site that was shared earlier? Or Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or a local dealer?

www.autotempest.com will allow you to search many sites at once.

Craigslist and FB Marketplace can be good, but you really have to be careful with private sellers. A lot of those ads are people flipping cars - the cars may not even be in their name, and you never know what they're hiding. If it looks like the seller is really selling grandma's car and they can back it up with paperwork, then fine, but you really have to buy the seller on those sites.

You can go to sites like cargurus.com and search for private sellers.

CarMax.com is good if you want to get an idea of pricing in your area, but their prices are also fairly high. My mechanic friend took care of warranty issues for our local CarMax, and he said even when he replaced a Hyundai engine under warranty, CarMax still made money on the deal. On the other hand, if you want a hassle-free transaction with a decent warranty, it can be worth the peace of mind.

Dealers can be a good option, but again, pricing will probably be high.

I would also get the Vinwiki app. If you're looking at specific cars, run the VIN thru Vinwiki to get the car's (available) history.

For any car, check what you can. Look at the tires, make sure they all match and that the date code is recent (anything more than five years old may need to be replaced, even if the tread looks good).

Here's a good video on what to look for when buying used:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlTA5Laa48o

[ChpBstrd]

...I am in the DC area and taking the Metro to work, so I'm looking for a car for evenings and weekend trips only. My parents are about 90 minutes away by car but inaccessible by any form of public transportation. I'll pay for an outdoor parking spot at my building but expect to also park on the street when I'm out and about. ...

Honestly you sound like a prime candidate for car-free living. Maintenance, insurance, fuel, tires, and depreciation for any semi-reliable beater vehicle are a minimum of $3k per year (most people pay more like $8k). Then you'll be paying for parking it at all times. What's the cost of parking, maybe $2k more per year? Then you'll have random misfortunes such a fender-benders, break-ins, vandalism, premature mechanical failures, flats, towing charges, parking tickets, rock chips in the windshield, etc. which are liabilities not included in this best-case price! I should also mention that the sort of cars which only cost $3k per year to own require a decent amount of maintenance and vigilance to keep on the road, and it doesn't sound like you'll have a personal garage, tool kit, or the knowledge to keep an older car like that maintained. Ever flushed a brake line or diagnosed a vacuum leak?

So let's say NOT having a car is worth at least $7,000 per year. How many of your non-Metro, non-bus, not-bikeable transportation needs can you meet with $583 per month to spend on rental cars, taxis, or ride sharing services?

Throw in some corporate discount codes and credit card rewards and you could potentially be living a much more convenient life while saving thousands per year.

[Just Joe]

Beware of the Ford Fiesta and Focus "dual clutch" automatic transmission. I think they call them "powershift" transmissions.
They are similar to the VW DSG transmissions but with more problems.

I think Ford's traditional automatic and manual transmissions are okay, just not the Powershift transmission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_PowerShift_transmission
The article details the problems.

We've done the CarMax route now once for a personal car. A couple of friends went that path once each. And I've purchased a couple of cars for my employer through CarMax. All good experiences. We did provide our own funding i.e. we didn't finance through CarMax. I also requested that the car we purchased we put on their lift so I could walk under the car and inspect it from below which they happily did. I took a flash light and looked for damage, rust and fluid leaks - and it had none. Our car was ~45K miles old which is to say like new.

If you are looking for a city car then anything will do. If you want to take long interstate trips, consider how noisy the car is at interstate speeds. Loud cars are fine for short distances IMHO. Tiring on long trips. I guess if you were traveling alone you could choose earplugs or noise canceling earbuds.

[Kwill]

The thing is that I have been car-free for seven years and almost seven months already. It feels like time to have a car again. I live where I do partly because I don't have a car. Most of my old friends live in the suburbs, and even if I don't want to join them there, I would like to visit. My parents are beyond the reach of public transportation. I used to dance, but the dances are in awkward locations for public transportation and end late at night. I just kind of want a car again, and I feel like I have done enough car-free living that it is OK to spend a bit now and enjoy having a car again, even if it's not the most financially savvy thing to do. But I do want to be a bit sensible about what car and how, etc.

[ChpBstrd]

As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the tires are, the higher the costs of owning that car.

There are some brands to avoid (i.e. most of them) and you can find this info on sites like carcomplaints.com or YouTube.

You plan to drive low mileage, so a hybrid will probably not make economic sense. Similarly a brand new car would be overkill. I think you're looking for something like a 2015 Corolla.

[daverobev]

People always raved about the Honda Jazz/Fit (same car, I think the Fit is the non-UK name).

Pontiac Vibe (cheaper - because it's Pontiac - version of a Toyota Matrix).

Get a manual transmission if you can. IIRC Honda autos aren't great.

Or if you're not going to drive much, buy a Crown Vic, from some old person. I have a little electric car now but I still dream about shipping a mind Crown Vic or Grand Marquis over here from Florida... sigh.

[Kwill]

Lots to think about here. A 2015 to 2017 Corolla sounds about right. The idea of a 2016 or 2017 car appeals because the car would have been brand new when I left the US.

I went ahead and looked at car rental options in my area, just to get all the options. I'm most likely to want to rent a car Saturday morning and return it Sunday evening, but that seems harder than I thought it would be. The only places I saw with long hours every day were at the airport. There's a Nationwide car rental place very near my home, but it is only open Monday to Friday during regular business hours when I am at work in the city. I assume some places allow after-hours drop off. Would I need to call to get details? I thought it would be easy to tell online, but the site I was looking at was confusing.

[sonofsven]

I'm looking for a replacement car for my daughter right now; I'm targeting a second gen (2000-04) Toyota Avalon, as that's what she had, but it was damaged in an accident.
So far I haven't found the right one.
I'm looking for a well maintained one owner car, or one that was inherited from the original owner and taken good care of. Mileage is not as important to me as maintenance. I don't want one that was owned by a young person or a poor person, lol.
I've recommended the Avalon before on here. It sold for more than the Camry when new, but now it usually sells for less on the used market.
It is very quiet, solid, and well built, as it was designed and marketed to seniors. I doubt anyone under the age of 60 ever bought one new (kidding, kinda).

The Avalon, when maintained, regularly gets to 300k miles. The mileage is decent (30 ish), and they are roomy, especially the back seat, and safe, having air bags. And a huge trunk.  And did I mention they are undervalued? They ain't sporty and they ain't cool!
I think Toyota and Lexus's from this time period are some of the most solid cars ever built for the money. Efficient, reliable and safe.
My budget is $4k, but I would go a little higher for the right one.

I liked driving her other Avalon, we used it on road trips in lieu of my truck. I kept it so I can fix it and keep it for myself, probably dangerous as I already have numerous other "project" vehicles.

[LD_TAndK]

I just bought a 2019 Ioniq PHEV. It's like a stealthy prius. It has less of a cult following and so less markup than used toyotas.

It is eligible for the Used Clean Vehicle Credit, up to $4000 tax rebate, if the sale price is under $25,000.

It doesn't have the kia/hyundai theft issue.

[Kwill]

Fascinating. There are so many different cars out there.

I forgot about something I wanted the car for, and that makes me want to go older and bigger than the ca. 2016 Corolla I was talking about yesterday. My last year in the UK, I had an allotment (like a community garden plot), and there were a lot of things I would have wanted a car for. I was able to get to a garden center by bicycle, but getting back with compost / potting soil and plants was literally a pain. I had a bag of soil in my backpack and an assortment of small pots of herbs in the bike basket, and that was already a lot to manage. One day I brought a pitchfork back on the bicycle, and I had to hang it from my handlebars and walk. I wasn't able to get materials to build any kinds of barriers, and a deer ate most of my zucchini. Anyway, I've just joined the waitlist for a community garden plot here, and a couple friends outside the city have also said I was welcome to help with their gardens.

If I think about gardening and bringing dirty tools around, then I want a car that's not so new and pretty that I will be sad about the trunk getting a little dirty. A car with a larger trunk would be nice, though a Corolla would probably be sufficient.

So maybe an older Avalon or Camry? Not as old as 2004 because I am concerned about maintenance, but not something perfect looking from 2019 either. . . .

[daverobev]

Much less common in NA than Europe, but try and get a hatchback - they are much more flexible at exactly this stuff. Or, again, if you're not doing long distances, if you can find a cheap minivan, you can fit a load of stuff in there.

Alternatively, is there a UHaul nearby? See if they have pickups to rent. Get a car where the back seats go down (unfortunately the Crown Vic's don't... awwww), and you can carry long things in sedan/saloon cars no probs, just get a couple of tarps. (Edit - meaning, you can use the car for most stuff, but rent a pickup when you want a load of compost).

[Paper Chaser]

The Toyota Matrix ended production in 2014, but was essentially a Corolla hatchback (shared platform/mechanicals under the sheet metal). The older Pontiac Vibe was a Matrix in different clothes, which means it's often cheaper. But it was last made in 2010, so even more difficult to find in good shape.

Both are (or were once upon a time) favorites of many around here for their reliability and functionality. They're  obviously going to have higher miles and more years under their belts than a 2017 Corolla would, so there's less life remaining and you're probably more likely to encounter minor failings and maintenance. But the plus side is that they're less expensive up front and you won't care about dirt, scratches, etc on a ~15 year old car with over 100k miles.

Honda Fits also have a great reputation for reliability and functionality in a fun, efficient and inexpensive wrapper. These were sold in the US from 2007-2020 (3 different generations).

[ChpBstrd]

The Toyota Matrix ended production in 2014, but was essentially a Corolla hatchback (shared platform/mechanicals under the sheet metal). The older Pontiac Vibe was a Matrix in different clothes, which means it's often cheaper. But it was last made in 2010, so even more difficult to find in good shape.

Both are (or were once upon a time) favorites of many around here for their reliability and functionality. They're  obviously going to have higher miles and more years under their belts than a 2017 Corolla would, so there's less life remaining and you're probably more likely to encounter minor failings and maintenance. But the plus side is that they're less expensive up front and you won't care about dirt, scratches, etc on a ~15 year old car with over 100k miles.

Honda Fits also have a great reputation for reliability and functionality in a fun, efficient and inexpensive wrapper. These were sold in the US from 2007-2020 (3 different generations).

A 2nd generation Matrix/Vibe is still being produced. Since 2019 it's been called the Corolla Hatchback, and it gets 7mpg better than the old Matrices(?). See all the similarities in the comparison. Even the tires are the same. Prior to the CH, there was the Corolla iM from 2017-2018. As these become more affordable on the used market they will become the next popular car amongst cheapskates.
https://carbuzz.com/compare/toyota-corolla-hatchback-vs-toyota-matrix

What pisses me off is how I cannot buy a Honda Jazz hybrid like they can get in the UK. These get 60mpg and are much better cars than the money-incenerating garbage people drive here in the States. C'mon Honda! Put a spoiler on it if you must, just sell it in the U.S!

[farmecologist]

The Toyota Matrix ended production in 2014, but was essentially a Corolla hatchback (shared platform/mechanicals under the sheet metal). The older Pontiac Vibe was a Matrix in different clothes, which means it's often cheaper. But it was last made in 2010, so even more difficult to find in good shape.

Both are (or were once upon a time) favorites of many around here for their reliability and functionality. They're  obviously going to have higher miles and more years under their belts than a 2017 Corolla would, so there's less life remaining and you're probably more likely to encounter minor failings and maintenance. But the plus side is that they're less expensive up front and you won't care about dirt, scratches, etc on a ~15 year old car with over 100k miles.

Honda Fits also have a great reputation for reliability and functionality in a fun, efficient and inexpensive wrapper. These were sold in the US from 2007-2020 (3 different generations).

A 2nd generation Matrix/Vibe is still being produced. Since 2019 it's been called the Corolla Hatchback, and it gets 7mpg better than the old Matrices(?). See all the similarities in the comparison. Even the tires are the same. Prior to the CH, there was the Corolla iM from 2017-2018. As these become more affordable on the used market they will become the next popular car amongst cheapskates.
https://carbuzz.com/compare/toyota-corolla-hatchback-vs-toyota-matrix

What pisses me off is how I cannot buy a Honda Jazz hybrid like they can get in the UK. These get 60mpg and are much better cars than the money-incenerating garbage people drive here in the States. C'mon Honda! Put a spoiler on it if you must, just sell it in the U.S!

I'm also a big fan of small cars and I love our Prius C/Aqua.  Of course, the Prius C was discontinued in North America just as the newly refreshed model was being released...sigh.  The Honda Jazz hybrid also looks great!  Unfortunately, we will never get them here unless something drastic happens.

[dcheesi]

My 2011 RAV4 was perfect for DIY or gardening use; plenty of cargo space with a large rear cargo entry.

It was @ 150k miles and still going strong, until a tree fell on it last month ;(

[Kwill]

My 2011 RAV4 was perfect for DIY or gardening use; plenty of cargo space with a large rear cargo entry.

It was @ 150k miles and still going strong, until a tree fell on it last month ;(

Oh, no! I'm sorry you lost the car. I hope everyone and everything else were alright.

[CurledMoss]

Regarding cars nothing has changed except they cost more and insurance has gone up.

[SunnyDays]

If you want to haul gardening stuff, can you attach a small trailer to your car?  Then you won’t need to buy anything that accommodates such items and can get whatever suits your other needs best.

[Kwill]

If you want to haul gardening stuff, can you attach a small trailer to your car?  Then you won’t need to buy anything that accommodates such items and can get whatever suits your other needs best.

I think that would work better if I weren't in an apartment, but it's an interesting idea. I don't think I necessarily need a lot of big gardening things. It's more that I wouldn't want a super new car. A trunk would be a lot better than a bicycle basket or backpack for bulky or heavy things. I think I probably could have squeezed a big shovel and a pitchfork in the Corolla, but I'm not 100% sure.

[YK-Phil]

I was going to recommend you to check the Toyota Avanza, a 4-door Multi-Purpose Vehicle with a hatchback, roomy enough for two people to sleep at the back for the occasional road trip, that I'd love to get once my old diesel-guzzling van dies, but I just found out it is not sold in the US or Canadian market. I guess if you want to stick with Toyota, there aren't a lot of options for something big enough to carry gardening stuff but if you are willing to look at other makes, Mazda makes a five-door wagon, marketed in North America as the "Sport Sedan", "5-Door" and "Sports Wagon", respectively.

[Kwill]

I was going to recommend you to check the Toyota Avanza, a 4-door Multi-Purpose Vehicle with a hatchback, roomy enough for two people to sleep at the back for the occasional road trip, that I'd love to get once my old diesel-guzzling van dies, but I just found out it is not sold in the US or Canadian market. I guess if you want to stick with Toyota, there aren't a lot of options for something big enough to carry gardening stuff but if you are willing to look at other makes, Mazda makes a five-door wagon, marketed in North America as the "Sport Sedan", "5-Door" and "Sports Wagon", respectively.

That's interesting. I think Toyota probably just sells different big cars in the US. There are definitely some. I just looked it up, and the Highlander seems somewhat similar to the Avanza. But I may have a while before I can garden in any serious way. It sounds like people can be on the waitlist for a community garden plot for years. I would like to help in friends' gardens, but I don't expect I would be carrying around a wheelbarrow for that.

[dcheesi]

My 2011 RAV4 was perfect for DIY or gardening use; plenty of cargo space with a large rear cargo entry.

It was @ 150k miles and still going strong, until a tree fell on it last month ;(

Oh, no! I'm sorry you lost the car. I hope everyone and everything else were alright.

Thanks, yeah it was parked, so no harm done besides the car itself.

[jrhampt]

I just bought a 2019 Ioniq PHEV. It's like a stealthy prius. It has less of a cult following and so less markup than used toyotas.

It is eligible for the Used Clean Vehicle Credit, up to $4000 tax rebate, if the sale price is under $25,000.

It doesn't have the kia/hyundai theft issue.

I have my eye on these!  For a while there the ioniq was a lot harder to find, but I'm starting to see them more.

[Just Joe]

If you want to haul gardening stuff, can you attach a small trailer to your car?  Then you won’t need to buy anything that accommodates such items and can get whatever suits your other needs best.

Any car can tow a 5x7 utility trailer. The trailer itself is just a few hundred pounds. Northern Tool and Harbor Freight both sell a 3x4 trailer even. This is borderline capable of being towed by a motorcycle or a scooter. I have both a 4x7 trailer and a 3x4 trailer. Both are quite useful.

[Just Joe]

If you want to haul gardening stuff, can you attach a small trailer to your car?  Then you won’t need to buy anything that accommodates such items and can get whatever suits your other needs best.

I think that would work better if I weren't in an apartment, but it's an interesting idea. I don't think I necessarily need a lot of big gardening things. It's more that I wouldn't want a super new car. A trunk would be a lot better than a bicycle basket or backpack for bulky or heavy things. I think I probably could have squeezed a big shovel and a pitchfork in the Corolla, but I'm not 100% sure.

Also consider a roof rack. That is another way to move things with a small car. Soil or sand goes in the trunk, the long handle tools can be strapped to the roof rack.

[Kwill]

I'm still hesitating about the car decision. For the past month, I've been practicing driving with my mother's car (Subaru Forester) now and then. I've only made about one trip a week, but I made a longer road trip yesterday and today and am starting to feel comfortable enough to look more seriously at cars. If I am going to buy a car, I'd like to do so before Christmas when my mother is taking her car back and when I'll want to go home for the holiday weekends.

[use2betrix]

For used vehicles, I have bought and sold many vehicles on www.cargurus.com - very good source for finding both new and used cars. They’re only a place
To advertise, they don’t actually sell the vehicles.

As interest rates rise, prices are settling down. Depending how “used” you buy, maintenance records and history become more important.

[Kwill]

This morning I responded to seven ads on Facebook Marketplace. The only response so far seemed like a scam. I'm hoping one of the others turns out to be good. I'm also hoping to get out to a dealership today to start looking. I'd been putting this off, but I only have my Mom's car for one more month. Next weekend, I'll be busy with Thanksgiving, and then there are three more weekends. So it feels like time to start getting into details and looking at actual cars instead of just poking around the Internet thinking about this in the abstract.

If I drive my Mom's car to a dealership that is too far to walk or take public transportation to, how do I get both cars home? In a perfect world, I would bring along a friend, but if the timing doesn't work out, what do people typically do?

[daverobev]

This morning I responded to seven ads on Facebook Marketplace. The only response so far seemed like a scam. I'm hoping one of the others turns out to be good. I'm also hoping to get out to a dealership today to start looking. I'd been putting this off, but I only have my Mom's car for one more month. Next weekend, I'll be busy with Thanksgiving, and then there are three more weekends. So it feels like time to start getting into details and looking at actual cars instead of just poking around the Internet thinking about this in the abstract.

If I drive my Mom's car to a dealership that is too far to walk or take public transportation to, how do I get both cars home? In a perfect world, I would bring along a friend, but if the timing doesn't work out, what do people typically do?

If you're giving a company multiple thousand dollars they will usually accommodate you - come and pick you up, or whatnot.

[Metalcat]

I've had a lot of cars because I've had A LOT of bad luck with cars. I had a low mileage Corolla that was a lemon, probably the only Corolla lemon that has ever existed.

Where I live Hondas and Toyotas cost a fortune and used ones are over valued, IMO. I was willing to pay the premium once, but after my Corolla died of mysterious causes at only 5 years old and about 100k miles, I wasn't willing to pay that premium again.

I grew up with my best friend's family owning a Chevy dealership, and I've had pretty good luck with Chevy's. My first car was a used Sunfire and it held up really, really well to A LOT of abuse. It mainly died because I was a broke student and never rust proofed it.

I now have a Chevy Sonic hatchback and it's probably me favourite car that I've ever had. It's like a Honda Fit, but jacked up with a lot of luxury features. It's like a luxury SUV, just miniaturized.

Granted, we have the fancy package with all the bells and whistles, which cost us no premium because used Chevy's don't hold much value so higher level trims don't cost much more once they're used, unlike Toyotas and Hondas where the value of every feature carries over into the used market here.

I firmly agree with everyone about hatchback, it's a game changer and I would never go back to a trunk, my Sonic even has a false floor that raises the floor of the trunk so I don't have to bend, and makes the whole rear flat when the seats are down, and then underneath the false floor is storage. It's a really nice feature, probably my favourite feature of the car as I'm disabled and little cars tend to have very low trunks.

Corollas do come in hatchback, at least they existed in very specific markets back when I was looking at them in 2019, but they were over 40K and I was not paying that for a car, not when I could get a low mileage Sonic for 11K.

The Sonic isn't driven much except for two annual 30+ hr road trips and it's an absolute pleasure to drive for those. And we can pack A LOT into that tiny little car because of the hatchback.

I wouldn't consider it a car that I expect to last forever, but I live in very rusty regions, by the ocean in the summer and in a heavily salted region in the winter, so I don't bank on extreme longevity. Even then, replacing a Chevy more often here still costs less than buying one new or newish Toyota or Honda at the current prices.

So look at your local market and see what makes most sense for you.