best economical new car?

[ottofly]

Well I've pretty much decided on a Toyota corolla S. $20000 all in. Super low running costs and ongoing maintenance. And should be super reliable. A friend has one with over 250000 on it and has done nothing other than basic routine maintenance.

The golf did still appeal. But over all even vw fanatics admit they are not that great reliability. There's always something needing attention. And the small saving in fuel economy is off set by the higher cost of diesel.
The diesel I would like as I always had diesels in Europe and like how they drive. But I just couldn't see me trusting the golf past about 5 years. So the higher initial cost wouldn't pay off.
Plus. The corolla is costing me less than $320 a month vs $500 for the golf. So big saving right there.

Thanks for the help guys.

Given your need for cargo space, I would have thought a Matrix S would have suited you better. It's a hatchback Corolla after all. I have the same power train in my Vibe. The 1.8L with manual is amazingly efficient. Super cheap to operate. In the summer months I get 6.5L/100km and below that is easily attainable on straight highway trips. Oil changes is all you have to do for the first 5 years. Enjoy your car.

[crunchiespg]

Okay, that makes sense. You mentioned $320/month, so I thought you were going to finance it.

I will probably just use my line of credit as I get better rates. And the $2000 cash incentive is worth it.

[crunchiespg]

well..... toyota couldn't get me the car i wanted. and will be a while until they can...

so the search resumes...

[Spray]

sounds like a veloster is everything you could want?

[ottofly]

well..... toyota couldn't get me the car i wanted. and will be a while until they can...

so the search resumes...

What about a Matrix S? Maybe you missed my post above yours. Hard to imagine a Toyota dealer can't get either car.

[crunchiespg]

What about a Matrix S? Maybe you missed my post above yours. Hard to imagine a Toyota dealer can't get either car.

the matrix is more expensive, and worse on gas.. so that somewhat defeats the object of my search. but i do like the cargo space in the matrix.

I've got a rental for a few days to give me some time to figure something out.

[frenetic26]

sounds like a veloster is everything you could want?

Veloster has an amazing mpg, and I would get the extra warranty so it has 7 years bumper to bumper. for 25k with all the trimmings (bluetooth, touchscreen, gps you name it)

I need to go try one. My next car is going to be that one or a mazda 3 skyactive.

[crunchiespg]

Veloster has an amazing mpg, and I would get the extra warranty so it has 7 years bumper to bumper. for 25k with all the trimmings (bluetooth, touchscreen, gps you name it)

I need to go try one. My next car is going to be that one or a mazda 3 skyactive.

have you tried sitting in the back of veloster? i have and it isn't pleasant. and the reviews all agree that its a very bland drive.

so if you're getting a bland car it might as well be practical.

[googoo]

My next car is going to be that one or a mazda 3 skyactive.

It was on my list of possible next cars, but I still have a fear of rust after 3-4-5 years.

[ottofly]

have you tried sitting in the back of veloster? i have and it isn't pleasant. and the reviews all agree that its a very bland drive.

so if you're getting a bland car it might as well be practical.

Me thinks you're trolling us. You've shot down every suggestion given to you, eliminated cars for ridiculous reasons and now you call a Veloster a bland drive yet you chose to purchase the most bland boring car sold, a Corolla. If a Veloster is bland what is a Corolla/Matrix/Vibe? I drive one and although it is a very comfortable, cheap car to own I'm fairly certain a Veloster is a sports car compared to any Toyota. I doubt there is anything more bland then a Corolla.

[crunchiespg]

Me thinks you're trolling us. You've shot down every suggestion given to you, eliminated cars for ridiculous reasons and now you call a Veloster a bland drive yet you chose to purchase the most bland boring car sold, a Corolla. If a Veloster is bland what is a Corolla/Matrix/Vibe? I drive one and although it is a very comfortable, cheap car to own I'm fairly certain a Veloster is a sports car compared to any Toyota. I doubt there is anything more bland then a Corolla.

Yes the corolla is completely bland I agree. But it's dirt cheap and practical. But also not available in manual locally any time soon so I've discounted it.

The veloster tries to be a sports car. But it isn't. And it's not very practical either. I may take an elantra for a drive. They look good for the money. The new civic ex was not a bad drive when I tried one today. The tdi golf is still the best. But about $8500 more than all the others I'm looking at.

What ridiculous reasons have I given?

[masterc]

OP, if your driving mainly on the highway I'd suggest a mid-sized sedan. I know it sounds boring, but current gen Accords, Fusions, Mazda 6, Sonata or even the Optima - all have fantastic highway mileage.
You'll find their real world highway mileage is not that far off the smaller cars.
And they give you a good combination of people and cargo carrying options. Plus they can be equipped with any options you choose and they are safe and comfortable highway cruisers.... I must be getting old.

[ottofly]

What ridiculous reasons have I given?

OK, I'll bite but I still think you're trolling us.

You nixed the Honda Fit because it "lacks bluetooth and is made in China" yet you were OK with looking at a VW despite a higher price and that some are made in Mexico.

You nixed the Kia Forte5 SX claiming "it doesn't have the fuel economy I need" and you reference the Golf that you nixed claiming it was "too expensive" The Forte gets 5.7L/100KM, if you are looking for less then that you have already nixed everything else, except the Civic.

Another member tells you the Bluetooth issue can be fixed for $100 yet you rebuted that as well saying the AUX isnt good enough "and the hands free kit gets a bit screwy when using the phone".

You nixed the Accent because it "struggles to get up hills and suffers at higher highway speeds. I think it would be too laboured on long journeys" How ridiculous is this statement when virtually all the cars in this class have similar amounts of power.

You vetoed the Kia Soul because "The soul seems a great city car. And I certainly don't live in the city". I guess the Kia Soul is a fail in rural Alberta.

You totally ignored the Cruze ECO which is by far and away the most fuel efficient of all the above including Golf/Jetta TDI, at 4.6L/100KM highway. But I am sure you will veto the Cruze because it's $2-$3000 more than your Corolla.

You also ignored the Mazda 3 Skyactive, Focus, Elantra. I'm sure come up with some excuse, like they won't go up hills because of the high altitudes in Alberta or the bluetooth isn't stable...

You claim to have driven $55,000 trucks and your budget is $1-$30,000 yet you claim the Matrix is "more expensive and gas mileage is worse" than a Corolla. Yeah, it's more expensive by a whole $400 and gas mileage is 1/2 a liter/100K more because it's carrying more weight. It'll cost you an extra $60 a year gas for the Matrix because it's like a mini tank. Have a look at the crash ratings on YT. You claimed to care about safety....

And lastly, you claim to want 5.5L/100KM cars. Good luck getting anywhere near that in real world conditions. You need perfectly flat roads, warm weather and to keep your speed to 100KPH and below. I know Alberta has lots of hills, so you can add a good 10-20% to those numbers.

I wish you luck in your search.

[crunchiespg]

[COLOR="rgb(160, 82, 45)"]

OK, I'll bite but I still think you're trolling us.

You nixed the Honda Fit because it "lacks bluetooth and is made in China" yet you were OK with looking at a VW despite a higher price and that some are made in Mexico.

[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"] i'd never buy a mexican made VW, if I'm paying for german i want german, likewise with japanese.[/COLOR]
You nixed the Kia Forte5 SX claiming "it doesn't have the fuel economy I need" and you reference the Golf that you nixed claiming it was "too expensive" The Forte gets 5.7L/100KM, if you are looking for less then that you have already nixed everything else, except the Civic.

[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"]i stand corrected about the forte, i thought it was much higher than that.[/COLOR]

Another member tells you the Bluetooth issue can be fixed for $100 yet you rebuted that as well saying the AUX isnt good enough "and the hands free kit gets a bit screwy when using the phone".

[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"]that $100 unit does not work well as a phone and an audio stream device. so it doesn't meet my needs. i spend 2-3 hours a day in the car, my internet radio is the only thing that passes the time, and the hands free phone is essential. so yes this is one point I'm not flexible on.[/COLOR]

You nixed the Accent because it "struggles to get up hills and suffers at higher highway speeds. I think it would be too laboured on long journeys" How ridiculous is this statement when virtually all the cars in this class have similar amounts of power. :face palm:


[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"]i was only quoting two friends who own those cars. they got them because they were a cheap city commuter as a second vehicle, and bot say no way to primary car[/COLOR]
You vetoed the Kia Soul because "The soul seems a great city car. And I certainly don't live in the city". I guess the Kia Soul is a fail in rural Alberta.

You totally ignored the Cruze ECO which is by far and away the most fuel efficient of all the above including Golf/Jetta TDI, at 4.6L/100KM highway. But I am sure you will veto the Cruze because it's $2-$3000 more than your Corolla.

[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"]im not a fan of any domestic vehicles, hence why i haven't looked at those.[/COLOR]

You also ignored the Mazda 3 Skyactive, Focus, Elantra. I'm sure come up with some excuse, like they won't go up hills because of the high altitudes in Alberta or the bluetooth isn't stable...

[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"]elantra i said i would test drive when i have opportunity. mazda I'm with someone else who said lets see if they stop rusting after 3 years.[/COLOR]

You claim to have driven $55,000 trucks and your budget is $1-$30,000 yet you claim the Matrix is "more expensive and gas mileage is worse" than a Corolla. Yeah, it's more expensive by a whole $400 and gas mileage is 1/2 a liter/100K more because it's carrying more weight. It'll cost you an extra $60 a year gas for the Matrix because it's like a mini tank. Have a look at the crash ratings on YT. You claimed to care about safety....:face palm:


[COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"] the whole point of this is to get my costs as low as possible, not because i need to, but because i want to. the savings i will make will pay for a vacation every two months or something similar. I used to want flash cars, now my priorities have changed and they are not important in that way anymore.. so if I'm trying to save i might as well nit pick and find the absolute cheapest ways. and the matrix as good as it is does not meet that criteria, and is getting that much closer to the golf in price i might as well get the golf.[/COLOR]
And lastly, you claim to want 5.5L/100KM cars. Good luck getting anywhere near that in real world conditions. You need perfectly flat roads, warm weather and to keep your speed to 100KPH and below. I know Alberta has lots of hills, so you can add a good 10-20% to those numbers.

I wish you luck in your search.

im not trying to be a jerk. its just a difficult balance for me. i want something as cheap as i can get, but without hating the fact I've given up nicer cars to do so.
i'd love to find a super low milage, but older golf TDI. as the older cars have removable stereos which would solve my bluetooth needs, and are as good or better than the new models on diesel. i just don't want something that will be a money pit in ongoing repairs.

im not trolling, its just not easy to meet all the criteria. Canada's market for cars like this basically sucks.. in europe i would have had 100's of car to choose from... in fact there would be no decision required, id just have the same as one of my old cars