Best new small car at reasonable cost

[okeydokey]

Every new Honda we've owned has been a dream. Over the years we have owned a Civic, Accord and a Pilot. And definitely look up the year and model in Consumer Reports before you buy - they are spot on.

We are a Honda family. Currently have a Pilot and a Civic. Have also owned CRV. They are great cars.

 

[Hollymom1229]

I have a 2012 Chevy Sonic, I'm pretty sure I was one of the first owner's of this model of car. I love it, it gets pretty good gas mileage (a little over 30 mpg on an automatic, mix of city and highway), responds and handles well, is cute to look at, and has needed very little maintenance beyond standard stuff. Mine had a few recalls early on, but I'm pretty sure that was the result of it being a brand new model. We got it for right at $16K with the extended maintenance package.

 

[yoopermom]

VW Golf 2015 just got Motortrend's Car of the Year award, and we're looking at it pretty seriously. Excellent gas mileage, "sporty"/fun, reliable, safety, etc.

Terri

 

[happybaker]

I really enjoyed my 2009 Ford Focus. It was great on gas and it felt like a nice solid car. I just traded it in this past March because my boys were way to cramped in the back seat.

We went through this last December, we were looking at gas mileage, safety, and cost. It came down to Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus. In the end we ended up with the Ford Focus hatchback and have been very happy with it. The styling of the Cruze was just meh for us and we liked the flexibility the Focus gives with the hatch. Ride is nice and gas mileage has been very good so far - mid 30's on the road (in hills, dodging trucks) and in town in the upper 20's +. This vehicle doesn't see a lot of miles (~5000 so far) so mileage may still improve a bit. Earlier this year the Cruz has a big recall and dealers actually weren't selling this model for a bit but it was worked out pretty quickly as I recall. .

I'm still driving my 2004 Ford Focus and it still gets great gas mileage. Luckily, I haven't had any major repairs in the last 10 years, so I've definitely have gotten my money's worth. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Focus in the future.

Good luck shopping!

 

[Barry Browning]

My suggestion is to go to Carmax.They have practically every car even if you don't buy one here it is a great way to try all brands.Also used is always cheaper in most cases.You can also have your car appraised and sell it to them.This simplifies buying one as you know how much cash you then have to buy one anywhere.You may not end up with a vehicle from here but you will sure know more about which ones you like.Think of it as Consumers Guide live all brands and models to try out.

 

[solfan68]

I drove my first Civic from 1998 to 2013 when it had over 200k miles on it. I'm now working on my next Civic. Just might buy another if they are still around in 15 years.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Love my new Mazda 3! Sporty, fun, safe and great gas mileage. Consumer reports loves it too!

 

[disney1990]

We got a Kia Soul. Good ratings and I love it.

 

[Sinderelly]

I LOVE my Sonic hatchback. Great gas mileage and feels much more "solid" than alot of the small cars we test drove. Very impressed with the room in this small car. There is actually plenty of room in the back for adult passengers.

Test drive all models you are interested in before making that important decision. We test drove the Fit, Yaris, Prius C and Sonic. The Fit, Yaris and Prius all looked and felt more "cheaply made". Good luck with your car hunt.

 

[supersnoop]

Depending how you drive, you might consider an electric car. The Nissan Leaf is pretty small and cheap, and, depending on your electric rates, can get the equivalent of 100 mpg.

 

[daddey]

I have a 2012 Chevy Cruze and have never had any issues with it. 80,000 miles and just oil changes and tire rotations since new. It runs and rides like the day I bought it and gets 42 mpg. The last car before was a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. I would still have it if I hadn't wrecked it with 180,000 miles on the odometer.

 

[tvguy]

Just so you know. Nissan Versa is 1 of the top 6 cars to avoid. If it were me, I would get the Honda Fit. It's a hatchback and it gets excellent mpg.

Not sure avoid is the right word. I think Versa was the number one car on the list of cars that current owners would not buy again despite pretty good reliability. I lived with a Versa Note for a week that I rented, it was fine, but it is one of the cheapest cars you can buy, so people who buy one normally can't afford any other new car, so they hope to buy a nicer car the next time.
During cash for clunkers a co-worker traded in an Explorer he bought a year before for $500, used the $4,500 cash against a new Nissan Versa, and walked out after writing a check for $6,000. But his commute is 2 miles, and that is all he used the Versa for. He has a Land Rover and a Toyota Sienna for anything else.

 

[xlxo]

Depending how you drive, you might consider an electric car. The Nissan Leaf is pretty small and cheap, and, depending on your electric rates, can get the equivalent of 100 mpg.

I test drove the Leaf and love it. If you have lots of traffic lights with congestion, you get quick payback. The 360 camera is so cool.

Issues I heard...

• Charge rage when there is not available outlet around
• Crash tests were poor.

 

[Dashzap]

When I was car shopping, I went to Carmax and drove some 5-6 year old versions of the cars I was considering.

It is very telling how quickly some brands fall apart. I want a car to last 10+ years. You have to drive several of each to begin to get the feel for it.

 

[momtwoboys]

reading along! we are in the market for a smallish car. New to us but used with low miles....

 

[DOOM1001]

I bought a new Nissan Versa note (the hatchback) several months ago and I don't have anything negative to say.I'm getting an average of 34-36 mpg and the car has a backseat with more room than a 5 series BMW.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

reading along! we are in the market for a smallish car. New to us but used with low miles....

We were too, but ultimately went with new because the rebates & discounts on the 2014's made them cheaper than the used 2013's and not much more than the 2012's. There's been a shortage of used cars for several years & as such, used cars aren't always the bargain they once were.

On the flip side, experts are predicting a wave of off-lease cars will be driving used car prices back down sometime over the next 18 months.

 

[famy27]

I test drove the Leaf and love it. If you have lots of traffic lights with congestion, you get quick payback. The 360 camera is so cool.

Issues I heard...

• Charge rage when there is not available outlet around
• Crash tests were poor.

We have a Mitsubishi I-Miev. It's another all-electric. With the $7500 tax rebate, we paid a little over $16,000. We also got over $3000 from the state. We've gone from $300-400 per month for gas to $50 for electricity. I'd highly recommend the car to anyone.

It has horrible resale value, but that is the only negative. It's fun to drive and it saves money on gas. It also handles really well in the snow. I've been pleasantly surprised.

 

[powellrj]

another vote for a ford focus. My DH used it for a work car and would still be using it if he wasn't hit while stopped to make a turn and the car was totaled. We had been a toyota family that has switched to fords for the last 10 years and have been really happy.

 

[auralia]

We got a Toyota Corolla last year for 14500 (+tax) with 3 years of mantinance included. I am good a dealing with salesmen though. It has all the bells and whistles too. Back up camera, Bluetooth, antilock breaks, variable intermitant transmission and I aberage 34-36 in town. Also had a huge trunk and a roomy back seat.