Car Recommendation for My Daughter | GTAMotorcycle.com

Car Recommendation for My Daughter

J_F

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looking around for a used hatchback for my daughter
needs to be a hatch for her dog - my granddaughter
she's not good with a manual, so needs to be an auto
don't need AWD - she lives in TO
budget of around 5K, preferably under 200 k on it

I like Subies but with miles on them the head-gaskets are a crapshoot
I like the Focus, the 5 spds are bulletproof, but the autos are a risk
VW? Golf is a good car, strong resale = well worn out in that budget
anything Honda or Toyota are the same as VW - big km
Mazda 3? some lower km examples in good shape, no idea on reliability
haven't really thought about the Korean brands, general impression is to avoid them used

any suggestions ??
I'm going to be out of the country for a bit and not able to help out if she has trouble
 
looking around for a used hatchback for my daughter
needs to be a hatch for her dog - my granddaughter
she's not good with a manual, so needs to be an auto
don't need AWD - she lives in TO
budget of around 5K, preferably under 200 k on it

I like Subies but with miles on them the head-gaskets are a crapshoot
I like the Focus, the 5 spds are bulletproof, but the autos are a risk
VW? Golf is a good car, strong resale = well worn out in that budget
anything Honda or Toyota are the same as VW - big km
Mazda 3? some lower km examples in good shape, no idea on reliability
haven't really thought about the Korean brands, general impression is to avoid them used

any suggestions ??
I'm going to be out of the country for a bit and not able to help out if she has trouble
If she's looking for utility and not looks, I'm sure there are deals to be had with a Mazda 5

Also, with the exception of a coworker needing an engine for her 2013 Elantra, everyone else I know that owns one loves them.
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My wifes last few vehicles have been used Hyundais. Nothing too bad to say. The last one needed a caliper almost everytime I did brakes which was super annoying (leaky seals but it wasn't much more to get a rebuilt caliper).

My first thought was matrix, but you may be correct about mileage for the money.

I wonder if small korean suv's will be cheaper than the hatchbacks as there are more of them in circulation?
 
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Suzuki SX4 AWD hatch is such an underrated little go-kart. I worked with a guy at BC Hydro who ever so slightly jacked one up and put mud tires on. He said it was the best vehicle he'd ever owned for getting to their remote sites (some of the generating stations in BC are way up in the mountains). He'd had Jeeps and 4x4 pickups, none were better.
 
If she's looking for utility and not looks, I'm sure there are deals to be had with a Mazda 5

Also, with the exception of a coworker needing an engine for her 2013 Elantra, everyone else I know that owns one loves them.
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they sure are ugly, but lots of space and this looks like a decent deal

also she'll be street parking, and not great at it :)
so the smaller the better, SUV with size and blindspots maybe not a great idea

will check out Hyundai...I grew up with the Pony on the road
you younger lads prolly have a better impression than I
 
My vote would be Hyundai Accent, or Toyota Yaris. No one wants them because they're super basic, slow, and ugly. They're both reliable, cheap to fix, and can be found in good shape for cheap because no one wants them. A bit more expensive, but a much better ride, would be an Elantra GT.

Recent Hyundai's are pretty damn good, some engine problems, but Hyundai Corp has been good at taking care of them.
 
they sure are ugly, but lots of space and this looks like a decent deal

also she'll be street parking, and not great at it :)
so the smaller the better, SUV with size and blindspots maybe not a great idea

will check out Hyundai...I grew up with the Pony on the road
you younger lads prolly have a better impression than I
The 5 is surprisingly small for how much room it offers.
The Pony's were great till they caught on fire.
I'm older than you think...I drove a Pony, Stellar & and Excel.
Fyi drove the Stellar for a year before I realized it was RWD lol

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they sure are ugly, but lots of space and this looks like a decent deal

also she'll be street parking, and not great at it :)
so the smaller the better, SUV with size and blindspots maybe not a great idea

will check out Hyundai...I grew up with the Pony on the road
you younger lads prolly have a better impression than I
Another huge plus for mazda 5 is rear doors are sliders which is very convenient.
 
Subaru cross trek

i have had great luck with Subaru and by far the best in winter driving conditions
 
I'm a big fan of the first generation Yaris (2006-2010), but I've never tried the auto to see what it's like (the auto is an unimpressive old school 4 speed). Engine is bulletproof, car is simple to work on, is reasonably safe. Parts are dirt cheap, fuel economy is very good. Plus I think it's cute.

Later versions gain a lot of weight but still use the same engine, so acceleration and fuel economy suffers. And when I say acceleration, I don't mean to imply your daughter cares about her 1/4 mile times - the extra 400 pounds makes the difference between 108hp feeling sufficient and feeling anemic.

They are generally all going to have high KM, but as long they got semi regular oil changes it doesn't matter. Cams are chain driven, lifters are solid, they originally specified 10 year coolant (will be pink). Pretty much anything you would need to worry about you can see with your eyes - rust, glass, suspension, etc. There were barely any options either - the "RS" is just nicer wheels, a shift knob, and a leather steering wheel, that's it. A/C might have been optional. ABS might have been optional too?

Addendum: There are PLENTY to choose from, so if you go this route, make sure to look at at least three in person!
 
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Subaru cross trek

i have had great luck with Subaru and by far the best in winter driving conditions
I really like Subies
but on a 5K budget it'll be punched

speaking of the Mazda 5 and ugly
that Rondo makes it a stunner!
but that is a good deal, thanks regder

and yeah she has 75% Scots genetics
remainder Irish
needs a beater
 
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I really like Subies
but on a 5K budget it'll be punched

speaking of the Mazda 5 and ugly
that Rondo makes it a stunner!
but that is a good deal, thanks regder

and yeah she has 75% Scots genetics
needs a beater
Get her some bumper guards so her car looks like its' wearing a diaper. That will distract people from the ugliness of the Rondo.

Best-Bumper-Guards-Featured-300x186.jpg
 
how much you charge her to do the head gaskets, lucky?
I won't be around to do it

Subie tech told me the fix is to use the gaskets for a turbo on the NA's

edit: had a look at that Outback
carfax looks great
no accidents and tons of service history on file

good find, thanks
 
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