Hawaii to Connecticut: Looking for Car Advice

[Dragonstrike]

I'm moving my wife and newborn daughter from Hawaii to Connecticut soon to be closer to family and friends. Sadly, my 2009 Honda Civic just blew out on the AC clutch and compressor ($1600 fixup) and the car is only worth about $3000 right now. It makes no sense to repair the AC moving back to a 4 season state, and I doubt the car is going to survive a winter after being in the salted island air for 11 years.

MMM hasn't come out with a car buyers guide as of recent to the best of my knowledge. That being said, I'm intending to sell my current car and using that and savings towards buying two used vehicles for my wife and I, keeping budget somewhere between 15-20k. We are looking to commute maybe 5-6k miles each per year, and relatively would like something like a sedan da small SUV cars with at least 10 years till it's run into the ground.  I've been looking into brands like Honda hrv, Toyota Rav 4, Nissan leafs, etc., but my research seems to be coming to higher than normal process for high mileage pre-owned cars. It almost makes me want to buy new, but I know that's financially stupid.

Anyone have any good, sound advice if they were in my shoes looking to buy two used cars? What would you consider reliable nowadays for mileage and maintenance? What years/makes/models have you owned or currently ownthat make you proud to drive a beater car? Thanks in advance.

[alsoknownasDean]

Hyundai and Kia generally make decent cars these days. They're worth a look too along with Toyota, Honda, Mazda, etc.

If you are only doing a few thousand miles per year in one car, maybe it's OK to get something a bit bigger and heavier on gas, such as an old Buick with the 3800 V6. Something like that is probably worth almost nothing on the used market.

Would it be worth buying a car down south and shipping it to CT? I'm guessing roads are salted up there and rust is an issue.

[ctuser1]

Rust is a major issue in CT.

I purchased a $3600 minivan once in CT. That turned out to be a *major* headache + money sink due to rusting. I tried to resurrect it for 2.5 years by pouring more money in, and then gave up and sold it for $1200.

Roads are salted + most population centers in the state are in coastal areas. The salty air apparently does a number on the cars as well.

Of course, if you are good at inspecting the car then you can avoid the rust buckets. I wasn't (and probably still am not), so I paid a few grand to learn my lesson. I purchased my second new car in my life after that rust-bucket experience.

Even for new cars, CT dealers don't seem to offer a good price. Of the two new cars I have purchased, one was from a dealer in MA, and the other one was from NJ.

Don't buy cars in CT. Buy somewhere else and drive/ship.

[RWD]

What years/makes/models have you owned or currently own that make you proud to drive a beater car?

You can get a pair of 2010 Lexus for under $20k (~$10k each). For example, an IS/GS/ES 350 and RX 450h. They are very reliable, comfortable, will depreciate slowly, and exude the aura of a financially responsible doctor. It tends to be easier to find these well cared for than run-of-the-mill economy cars too. With your expected mileage these will likely be a sound economic choice as well.

[norajean]

I bought a 2010 GS350 a couple years ago for $10K.  It is fabulous.  I have considered buying a second one.

[GreenToTheCore]

If you are only doing a few thousand miles per year in one car, maybe it's OK to get something a bit bigger and heavier on gas, such as an old Buick with the 3800 V6. Something like that is probably worth almost nothing on the used market.

I second this. My ol' 2006 Buick LaSabre was fantastic in the snow (with good tires) and she's continuing to live out her days as the transport vehicle for a group of traveling semi-pro hockey players. She's gotta be getting close to 300mi by now. When I had her she was getting 29mpg on road trips and 24mpg for city driving.

Our family trick: buy cars from retirement areas. Older folks tend to take really good car of their vehicles and put almost no mileage on them...

[Paul der Krake]

Not sure where you are in Hawaii but in my area I'm seeing a lot of people trying to sell their cars because they're leaving the state. You may have a hard time selling.

[Dragonstrike]

Aiea, oahu

[Kierun]

Not sure where you are in Hawaii but in my area I'm seeing a lot of people trying to sell their cars because they're leaving the state. You may have a hard time selling.

Also why there's a ton of abandoned vehicles, can't sell and just end up leaving.

[Dragonstrike]

So I just sold the Honda Civic to a service member and I'm sure he will take good care of it. Got a rental for 33 days for under a grand, leaving $2k towards the next car.

Been looking into the Toyota rav4 lines as they are pretty dependable. Was told to steer clear of Nissan Sentras due to poor engine performance, and not sure how accurate that info was.

Really would love a Honda fit or a Toyota Prius down the line.

[freeat57]

What about Subaru?  They are made for winter weather.

[BoostJunky]

12+ Acura TL's are fantastic cars (can be found with AWD) and hold value and seem to be very reliable. It does have a V6 but you aren't doing a ton of miles. These can be found for 10-12k if you look hard enough.