Used car website/advice for hatchbacks?

[GemInite]

My wife and I are starting to do research on buying a used hatchback and was wondering if anyone knows any good sites that I can use to start doing research to compare vehicles?

A couple of the cars we've started to look at are

Toyota Matrix
Nissan Versa
Subaru Imprezza
Volkswagon Golf or Jetta.

Our budget is $15-17K. Would prefer it to be around $16K all in. Our preference is something 3 years old (just returned from a lease). We're looking for somethingfun to drive and not too expensive to maintain/insure.

Does anyone have any advice?

I've read that VW's are really expensive to maintain? Is this true? Where can I find more info about this?

I should also note we don't drive that much and can actually expense gas through work. So if a certain car is not as good on gas but really cheap to maintain we'd consider it.

[Voltex]

Why on earth would you want a lease return?

[googoo]

Why on earth would you want a lease return?

Is that an actual "just wondering" type of question?? because it sounds like a "why waste your time with a lease return?" type of question, anyways.

The initial deprecation hit has been paid for by the lessee, the maintenance is all up to date according to the manufacturer, and the body should have absolutely minimal damage............isn't that enough??

[izzyzz]

You may want to add Pontiac Vibe to your list. It's the same car as Toyota Matrix with slight cosmetic differences (made at the same factory as Matrix). It should be slightly cheaper as well.

[coriolis]

Mazda3 Sport, 2008+ models seem fairly rust-free in the common danger zone for Mazda3 models between 2004 and 2007.

[GemInite]

The initial deprecation hit has been paid for by the lessee, the maintenance is all up to date according to the manufacturer, and the body should have absolutely minimal damage............isn't that enough??

That is the main reason for buying a lease return. We have no interest in buying a brand new vehicle.

[corvettefan]

Even the Suzuki SX4 is a decent AWD hachback. You should be able to score some good deals on a lease return.

Another bargain buy is a Saturn Astra. This is actually an Opel/Vauxhall Astra from Europe (Germany/UK) and is really well made. Because Saturn is no longer in business, you can get them for a steal. You can still harness Chevy's dealer network and other independent garages for parts /service etc.

[Insomniac05]

www.carsurvey.org. best. website. ever. i don't even think about buying a car before checking this site first. you'll thank me later :)

[GemInite]

www.carsurvey.org. best. website. ever. i don't even think about buying a car before checking this site first. you'll thank me later :)

Tnx, I'll check out that site.

Anyone have any comments on German used cars? I've heard from so many people that they are expensive to maintain? Is there a reason for this?

[Gunnerheadboy]

From the thread I started about VW reliability, it doesn't seem as though the VW Golf is too reliable. I would also shy away from the Versa.

[Voltex]

Is that an actual "just wondering" type of question?? because it sounds like a "why waste your time with a lease return?" type of question, anyways.

The initial deprecation hit has been paid for by the lessee, the maintenance is all up to date according to the manufacturer, and the body should have absolutely minimal damage............isn't that enough??

You would actually buy a lease return knowing that the majority of people who lease cars don't give a **** about them?



That is the main reason for buying a lease return. We have no interest in buying a brand new vehicle.

Are you just using the term "lease return" loosely to refer to vehicles that are 3-4 years old? Or are you actually only considering lease returns?

[GemInite]

Are you just using the term "lease return" loosely to refer to vehicles that are 3-4 years old? Or are you actually only considering lease returns?

I guess the better wording would be yest I'm looking for a used car anywhere from 2-4years. I just assumed most of the vehicles for sale in that age range are lease returns.

[new_vr]

Tnx, I'll check out that site.

Anyone have any comments on German used cars? I've heard from so many people that they are expensive to maintain? Is there a reason for this?

If cost to maintain is a concern, cross the impreza off the list. Just look into the cost of the 24k km maintenance

[DavidY]

How about a 2011 Kia Forte 5 hatchback....though not as common as the 4 door sedan (seen some 2011 EX sedan w/ auto with under 30K with a sticker price of $14-$15K)....they have a higher than average depreciation.....good for those who want to buy a slightly used car. Kia also has a longer than average warranty...5 years 100,000 km bumper to bumper warranty. Lotsa features for the buck too....EX has heated front seats...power almost everything. Lotsa headroom for a 6 footer in the front seat...lotsa rear room for 2 adults (3 might be tight) and a fairly large trunk. 156 hp and 144 foot-pounds are above average in it's class. Personally, I didn't like the driver's seat...too uncomfortable for long trips (needs to be broken in). If you want more hp, get the SX model...173 hp.

Some used Forte5 in Canada:

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/pv/Used/Kia/Forte5/all/?prx=-1&cty=Kelowna&prv=British+Columbia&r=9&loc=kelowna%2c+BC&cat1=2&cat2=7%2c11%2c10%2c9&yRng=2011%2c2012&hprc=True&st=1

Dave

[notanexpert]

The Matrix/Vibe will most likely be the cheapest to maintain. They are not as smooth, quiet and refined as the German cars though (VW or the Astra). It is a trade-off and I think it would be best if you drove these cars to see what you can live with. Drive them in the conditions that you will be driving in, so if you do mostly highway cruising, go do that with the prospective cars. I find the engine buzz at highway speeds in the Matrix/Vibe a little objectionable.

[flyinggonzo]

You would actually buy a lease return knowing that the majority of people who lease cars don't give a **** about them?


You take that risk with any used car.

[aemi]

Ford Focus wagon ;)

[Tha DraGun]

We've been looking around town for a Mazda 3 hatchback 2008 or newer.
Still test driving before I make the final decision tho.