Update to MMM blog post "Top 10 Cars for Smart People"

[kiwi]

My teenage son needs a car, and I reviewed this post - https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/03/19/top-10-cars-for-smart-people/

Great info, but it's almost a decad old, and I couldn't find updates. I assume there's been some good updates in the forums, but I haven't found them.

Anyone have a good article or forum post they can recommend?

[ketchup]

I personally find it more useful nine years later.  Those same cars are still great and even cheaper than then!

I scored a 2010 Accent with 90k on the clock for $2500 two years ago.  Unfortunately, the used car market right now is so out of whack that deals are much harder to find.

[mm1970]

My teenage son needs a car, and I reviewed this post - https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/03/19/top-10-cars-for-smart-people/

Great info, but it's almost a decad old, and I couldn't find updates. I assume there's been some good updates in the forums, but I haven't found them.

Anyone have a good article or forum post they can recommend?

I still own two of these cars (06 Matrix, 09 Civic), and guess what my teenage son will be driving next year?  One of them.

[joedad189]

i have a mazda 3 hatch, its been a great car with very few issues, fits 8 ft lumber, and 5 - 6' tall humans (not well but can be done)

[Hotstreak]

Pontiac Vibe is still going strong.  I bought it in 2013 after reading that article, and it's still going strong.  Average $100/year at the mechanic, plus oil changes, tires, etc.  Only declined $1,500 in value based on KBB.  Should last another 100k miles.


It is an interesting question though.  I don't expect to remove any cars from the list, but maybe there are new ones to add?

[Sandi_k]

I personally find it more useful nine years later.  Those same cars are still great and even cheaper than then!

I scored a 2010 Accent with 90k on the clock for $2500 two years ago.  Unfortunately, the used car market right now is so out of whack that deals are much harder to find.

And it's going to be even worse with recent flooding and Ida damage! The news this morning said "no Labor Day new car sales" because the market is so hot, they want additional markups.

[Paper Chaser]

I'd think the Prius V and Ford CMax both deserve to make an updated list of MMM vehicles.
Both are super fuel efficient, reliable hatchbacks that can be had for reasonable prices on the used market. The Prius has more name recognition, but the CMax can be found really cheap because nobody knows about them (kind of like the Pontiac Vibe), and even comes in a PHEV variant.

Neither one is going to be spunky or enjoyable to drive like an older Fit or Mazda 3 with a stick, but for versatile, reliable hatchbacks with super low running costs they fit the bill.

I also think a modern version of that list would include some Hyundai/Kia hatchbacks too. They've really improved styling and quality in the last 10 years or so, and they've made a habit of giving people more features for their money than comparable Japanese or European products.

[ender]

I personally find it more useful nine years later.  Those same cars are still great and even cheaper than then!

I scored a 2010 Accent with 90k on the clock for $2500 two years ago.  Unfortunately, the used car market right now is so out of whack that deals are much harder to find.

And it's going to be even worse with recent flooding and Ida damage! The news this morning said "no Labor Day new car sales" because the market is so hot, they want additional markups.

A nontrivial number of dealerships are selling new cars above MSRP at this point.

[PDXTabs]

My son just got a Toyota Yaris!

Supplies are tight right now. I also whole heatedly recommend the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix (if you are willing to deal with HVAC issues), Honda Fit, and manual transmission Mk3 Ford Focus base.

[ChpBstrd]

If I needed to buy a car, I would look closely at:

Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Toyota Prius 5
Kia Niro
Hyundai Elantra GT

All somewhere in the 2015-2018 range. I'm also intrigued by the possibility of people panic selling Chevy Bolts that have just had brand new and improved batteries installed in them.

[AccidentialMustache]

A nontrivial number of dealerships are selling new cars above MSRP at this point.

And sometimes not just by "a little" -- when looking a month ago, I saw one trying to get 20% over MSRP.

I agree there's nothing wrong with the advice in the original article. We're still rolling the 2009 Honda Fit. Wife plans to road trip it next weekend to her folks while I play soccer dad with the kid and the EV.

The Bolt (if you can deal with the fire risk) and newer Leaf would of course both be worth considering.

[Monerexia]

He did an update on YouTube a couple years ago.

[kiwi]

Thanks for the pointer to the youtube video (https://youtu.be/atiltnc1icY).

Here's a summary:

2009 or newer toyota matrix/corolla
2009 or newer mazda 3
2011 or newer kia soul
2010 prius /lexus CT 200 - (lexus is same car, rebranded)
Rav 4 if you need offroad
2013 Nissan leaf or higher

It's worth watching the whole thing, though, he has some good tips on searching for a car as well.

[alsoknownasDean]

Have a look at the 'Buy this, not that' videos by Car Wizard on YouTube.

Obviously for anything Mustachian the thinking is 'buy as much as you need', and stick to proven reliable brands.

Many brands have particular vehicles or particular engines/transmissions that are problematic.

[JAYSLOL]

Earlier this year DW needed her own car for work, so I managed to find a 2012 Elantra Touring in excellent shape with under 100k miles for $3k.  Absolute steal IMO, and a good candidate for an updated Cars for Smart People list.  We also looked at some 2009/10 Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibes but when I saw the Hyundai I jumped on it.