Used Car in $10 k range

[ladgrewal]

I am looking for a used car in 10k range and I am having really hard time finalising one. Car is supposed to be my wife's first car and Reliability is my top priority. It looked pretty simple to choose a car based on looks and feel but when I did some research things got complicated. So far I have zeroed on

2006-2009 Civic - there are many complains about cracked engine block.
2006-2009 Sonata - Seat belt and airbag issue,So far least number of complaints.
2008- 2009 Accord - Brake wear issue and excessive oil consumption
2007-2008 Camry - excessive oil and jerky transmission, but way less complains then accord.
2007-2008 Altima - excessive oil and CVT
2008-2009 Lancer - bad interior, underpowered but 10 year warranty.

I am not much interested in corrola but if that's the only choice then be it. Mazda is out because of rust issues. So far I am leaning towards sonata and lancer but I am worried that low number of complaints might have something to do with lower sales as compared to honda toyota.

Most of research has been based around Edmunds and carcomplaints. I have been searching for cars on Kijiji, carpages and autotrader.

So please share your input.

[bugsbunny01]

in the altima avoid the 4cylinder one(2.5) and you are good.
Im looking for an altima 3.5 from those years as well

[DavidY]

2008-09 Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix

[IamToronto]

I am looking for a used car in 10k range and I am having really hard time finalising one. Car is supposed to be my wife's first car and Reliability is my top priority. It looked pretty simple to choose a car based on looks and feel but when I did some research things got complicated. So far I have zeroed on

2006-2009 Civic - there are many complains about cracked engine block.
2006-2009 Sonata - Seat belt and airbag issue,So far least number of complaints.
2008- 2009 Accord - Brake wear issue and excessive oil consumption
2007-2008 Camry - excessive oil and jerky transmission, but way less complains then accord.
2007-2008 Altima - excessive oil and CVT
2008-2009 Lancer - bad interior, underpowered but 10 year warranty.

I am not much interested in corrola but if that's the only choice then be it. Mazda is out because of rust issues. So far I am leaning towards sonata and lancer but I am worried that low number of complaints might have something to do with lower sales as compared to honda toyota.

Most of research has been based around Edmunds and carcomplaints. I have been searching for cars on Kijiji, carpages and autotrader.

So please share your input.


for 10k id get a first generation IS (is300) or a first generation g35
RWD + beast engines..

all those cars you listed are boring as hell except the lancer...
the altima has a lot of problems.

[ladgrewal]

in the altima avoid the 4cylinder one(2.5) and you are good.
Im looking for an altima 3.5 from those years as well

Do you mean 3.5 doesnt have any excessive oil consumption issues or is it better because of V6. Also it still has a CVT, I heard somewhere Nissan extended warranty on CVT to 10 years, does anyone have details on that?


2008-09 Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix

That does seem like a very good idea, but I dont like the interior of first gen matrix, I will look if i can find any 2009 matrix in 10k range.


for 10k id get a first generation IS (is300) or a first generation g35
RWD + beast engines..

all those cars you listed are boring as hell except the lancer...
the altima has a lot of problems.

This is supposed to be first car for my wife. Driving RWD in first winter isnt exactly safe.

[DavidY]

This is supposed to be first car for my wife. Driving RWD in first winter isnt exactly safe.

Driving a RWD is a bit more difficult to drive in winter (vs. FWD)...but not impossible...all you need is a light foot, a set of four winter tires and maybe, some weight in the trunk (kitty litter or sand bags).

Subaru Impreza is an AWD that should be on your shortlist. Subaru Legacy or Outback too.

Dave

[ladgrewal]

Driving a RWD is a bit more difficult to drive in winter (vs. FWD)...but not impossible...all you need is a light foot, a set of four winter tires and maybe, some weight in the trunk (kitty litter or sand bags).

Subaru Impreza is an AWD that should be on your shortlist. Subaru Legacy or Outback too.

Dave

If she spins in middle of winter, then I can assure you after that, the balancing weight in trunk will be me. I personally love driving a RWD stick shift, but the car is not for me.

I will definetly look into subaru, but how's reliability and maintainance on those.

[Rehan]

Most of research has been based around Edmunds and carcomplaints. A much better resource for reliability is TrueDelta (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability). Here's a glimpse of their info:

http://www.truedelta.com/Toyota-Corolla/reliability-266/vs-Civic-109
http://www.truedelta.com/Honda-Accord/reliability-108/vs-Sonata-121

The stats there are based on repairs per 100 vehicles. So that eliminates the issue with less popular cars having fewer overall complaints.

If reliability is top priority, I'd lean towards the Corolla. Your wife probably won't notice any difference in the driving experience between than and the competition.

[Billa-786]

I had the sonata from those years. Boring beyond belief and gas consumption on the 4 cyl was worse than average. During winter my combined was never below 10.5l/100km with a light foot. I could overlook the gas consumption, but the drive was B O R I N G . No feel whatsoever.

2.5 issues of the altima were resolved for this gen.

[IamToronto]

This is supposed to be first car for my wife. Driving RWD in first winter isnt exactly safe.

well with modern technology + winter tires + sand bags, youre good to go

if you want something that will handle amazing all season, go impreza or lancer

i know a few women who drive lancers shed probably like that

[Xiaohaibao]

Why you don't consider any american cars? Are you one of those guys that think, american cars are only for redneck and trailer trash?

[ladgrewal]

Why you don't consider any american cars? Are you one of those guys that think, american cars are only for redneck and trailer trash?

American?

With the exception of Lancer I think all others are american.

[xserverfd]

Amercan?

With the exception of Lancer I think all others are american.

not sure if serious ^ but none of them are American.

but yea +1 for lancer. Can't beat that warranty.

[jordanr19871]

Amercan?

With the exception of Lancer I think all others are american.

i think he means gm/ford cars

i bought a 08 pontiac g5 2 door for 9k OTR
fully loaded(cloth seats) steering wheel controls, cruise, a/c, factory xm radio, sunroof, foglights

you can also look at the pontiac g6 chevy malibu cadillac cts etc

[canadiantj]

in the altima avoid the 4cylinder one(2.5) and you are good.
Im looking for an altima 3.5 from those years as well

I have an 07altima 2.5 now with 154000 kms on it and have had zero problems. Other than regular maintenance, the car has been flawless. Great gas mileage, good looks and lots of standard features. The cvt is warrantied to 200000 kms or 10 years. Bought it new with 10 kms on it and will be taking the 2013 version for a test drive soon. The 2.5 has plenty of power at 175 hp and the heated cloth seats.are great in the winter. The 3.5 engine is also good and gas mileage isn't terribly worse than the four. I think you should take one for a spin and see how you like it, much sportier feeling than a Camry or Accord.

[ladgrewal]

I have an 07altima 2.5 now with 154000 kms on it and have had zero problems. Other than regular maintenance, the car has been flawless. Great gas mileage, good looks and lots of standard features. The cvt is warrantied to 200000 kms or 10 years. Bought it new with 10 kms on it and will be taking the 2013 version for a test drive soon. The 2.5 has plenty of power at 175 hp and the heated cloth seats.are great in the winter. The 3.5 engine is also good and gas mileage isn't terribly worse than the four. I think you should take one for a spin and see how you like it, much sportier feeling than a Camry or Accord.

My wife does prefer altima over camry/accord, so its good to know that its been reliable. I am looking at cars with less than 130k mileage(approx), so that should give us couple years of peace with CVT warranty. Heated seats, were they a standard feature on all trims?

[canadiantj]

My wife does prefer altima over camry/accord, so its good to know that its been reliable. I am looking at cars with less than 130k mileage(approx), so that should give us couple years of peace with CVT warranty. Heated seats, were they a standard feature on all trims?

I believe its standard on the "s" trim and above. There are a few "just 2.5" versions out there, they tended to be rentals. Also with the S and SL trims you get things like the heated seats, mirrors, keyless entry and push button start. SL adds leather and more electronic goodies.

Good luck!

[koalorka]

2003 Honda S2000.

[Buggy166]

i can vouch for an 06 altima with 2.5 engine. had it in the family since 08 as a daily driver and nothing went wrong with it as of yet, just regular maintenance. had 60k when bought, now closing in on 130k. Only downside is that its a big car, which, isnt really a downside. Very comfy for long trips too.