Mazda2, Hyundai accent, Shevy Spark, Ford Fiesta....

[toxigal]

something else?

Discuss.

i'm not big into cars. I want something that is inexpensive, reliable and gets decent gas mileage. i currently drive a manual transmission, but i really don't care about that too much. back seat is required.

Mazda currently has 0% financing for 5 years, which is appealing.

i feel like i was spoiled by my Saturn.

[Sailaway]

At the risk of opening a religious debate, Fords and Mazdas are POS'. Hyundai is ok or, better yet, get a Honda Civic or Toyota.

It was never a joke to those of us who owned one that FORD stands for "Found On Road Dead" or "Fix Or Repair Daily." Ditto for anything made by Chrysler.

[Moonraker]

Check out thE Consumer Reports auto edition with the best & worst used cars as well as recommendations
For best of the new. My female classmate did well with a 3 year old Elantra. I suggested Hyundai or Kia since Subaru. & Toyota seem to be overpriced for equivalent models. I also suggested she shop at Enterprise. & Carsense or at least check prices @ KBB & Edmonds.

I spent 1/2 hour at the library tonight researching new vs. used cars via consumer reports. Given you like the small cars, the new Fiat & Scion wet my appetite. I'll be going for a test ride soon.

4 of my 16 vehicles were Fords, they have made a major recovery in engineering & workmanship, and reinstated their stock dividend, too! .....finally!

[Juan]

Go with the Ford.

Their quality has come a long way. They needed no government bailout money and you're supporting an American company.

I just bought a Ford last year after back to back Japenese cars, the 1st of which, an Acura which is made by Honda had tons of problems.

[toxigal]

i will check out consumer reports when i visit my dad tomorrow. i don't like honda civics at all. i would consider a toyota yaris. the fiat was more expensive than i expected. i actually kinda like the scion iQ even though i think it may be ugly.

[Sailaway]

Stay away from Consumer Reports...if anything, if they say "buy", sell. I can't stress that enough...

Try automotive review sites or people knowledgeable. Generally, stay away from magazines of any type as "independent." You might not like Honda and might be lukewarm to Toyota, but on the larger scale, you're going to get what you pay for, just like everything else.

[DocAwesome]

I tried a lot of the small cars and the ford was the most fun to drive. The fiesta has the folding flat rear seats which help it stay practical. Not much space in front though, so I ended up elsewhere.

[toxigal]

I tried a lot of the small cars and the ford was the most fun to drive. The fiesta has the folding flat rear seats which help it stay practical. Not much space in front though, so I ended up elsewhere.

what did you end up with?

[The Count]

something else?

Discuss.

i'm not big into cars. I want something that is inexpensive, reliable and gets decent gas mileage. i currently drive a manual transmission, but i really don't care about that too much. back seat is required.

Mazda currently has 0% financing for 5 years, which is appealing.

i feel like i was spoiled by my Saturn.

Hyundai: Review: 2012 Hyundai Accent SE | The Truth About Cars

Mazda: Review: 2011 Mazda2 Take Two | The Truth About Cars

The free money from Mazda is attractive.

I would also consider a Subaru Impreza.

[2happy4u]

The fact is any car could turn out to be a lemon, or problematic. Honda & Toyota have the best record.

[thegreattwizz]

As an executive in the industry........

At the risk of opening a religious debate, Fords and Mazdas are POS'. Hyundai is ok or, better yet, get a Honda Civic or Toyota.

It was never a joke to those of us who owned one that FORD stands for "Found On Road Dead" or "Fix Or Repair Daily." Ditto for anything made by Chrysler.

Days of yore, that was quite true. Current Mazda offerings (really, since Ford got involved) have been very reliable machines. Chrysler has been the fastest growing manufacturer for the past 18 months, namely due to the the new, innovative product and superb quality ratings.

The fact is any car could turn out to be a lemon, or problematic. Honda & Toyota have the best record.

Any new car can be a problem, and while Honda and Toyota USED to lead the reliability studies, not so much anymore.


In the arena you're looking (ultra-compact), be sure to consider the FIAT 500 and new Dodge Dart. Shopping at an auto-rental place like Enterprise is NOT recommended (they repair their own accidents, thus they never show on Carfax, and they don't provide frame damage disclosures; these are not required in PA. Many of the vehicles on their lots are cars they cannot sell at dealer auction because of those required disclosures).

Subaru isn't a fair inclusion, as AWD (all wheel drive) is generally not found in that class.

Feel free to send me a PM; my dealer group has 11 franchises, a number of which you're considering, and at the very least, I can set you up with hassle-free test drives.

[DocAwesome]

I went with a more unconventional 2008 Suzuki SX4. I love it, though it is not always accepted as a reliable pick. Also AWD.

[2happy4u]

As an executive in the industry........





Days of yore, that was quite true. Current Mazda offerings (really, since Ford got involved) have been very reliable machines. Chrysler has been the fastest growing manufacturer for the past 18 months, namely due to the the new, innovative product and superb quality ratings.



Any new car can be a problem, and while Honda and Toyota USED to lead the reliability studies, not so much anymore.


In the arena you're looking (ultra-compact), be sure to consider the FIAT 500 and new Dodge Dart. Shopping at an auto-rental place like Enterprise is NOT recommended (they repair their own accidents, thus they never show on Carfax, and they don't provide frame damage disclosures; these are not required in PA. Many of the vehicles on their lots are cars they cannot sell at dealer auction because of those required disclosures).

Subaru isn't a fair inclusion, as AWD (all wheel drive) is generally not found in that class.

Feel free to send me a PM; my dealer group has 11 franchises, a number of which you're considering, and at the very least, I can set you up with hassle-free test drives.

So who leads now??? do you have a Honda or Toyota franchise?

[thegreattwizz]

I went with a more unconventional 2008 Suzuki SX4. I love it, though it is not always accepted as a reliable pick. Also AWD.

Great choice; there isn't really a comparable AWD vehicle for under 20k. Great choice, and a well built car. You also can't beat that 7 year/100k warranty (that is transferable, unlike Hyundai and KIA).

So who leads now??? do you have a Honda or Toyota franchise?

JD Power, who is less biased than CR, ranks the top five nameplates for 2012 based on problems per 100 (PP100) in order: Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota, Scion. No, I do not have a Honda or Toyota franchise.

Of note, part of Toyota's operating philosophy is to 'head-off' these type of reports. Their contact with consumers in the first year after purchasing a vehicle is ridiculous; the proactively reach out to the consumers, offer incentives for coming into service for 'maintenance', and go over 'consumer confusion' about what is expected with their vehicle.

[Radical Ed]

I'm a Ford man, always have been. Never had a problem with any of my Fords and currently own a 2001 mercury Grand Marquis with 140K on it.
I spent less than a grand in repairs since I bought it over a decade ago, and that includes inspections.

I trust Edmund's Auto Reviews completely, so here's a review of the Ford Fiesta, a good one at that.

2012 Ford Fiesta

[BarryG]

JD Power, who is less biased than CR, ranks the top five nameplates for 2012 based on problems per 100 (PP100) in order: Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota, Scion. No, I do not have a Honda or Toyota franchise.

Interesting, but three of those are Toyota. Would be curious to see the list by manufacturer.

[thegreattwizz]

Interesting, but three of those are Toyota. Would be curious to see the list by manufacturer.

Would be curious? Or are curious? (LOL, sorry. I used to say 'I'd be curious' all the time, and my fiancée broke my balls relentlessly about it...)

2012 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study | J.D. Power Autos



Interestingly enough, with Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and RAM, being at the bottom of the list, our Chrysler Group service manager complains about the lack of warranty work, and in the 10 I've had over the past 2 years, I only had one issue to report, which was a known problem on a totally new, ground up vehicle. ALL of my closest friends have Chrysler products and have been very satisfied, and I'd buy and recommend them to friends and family without question.

[OldMama]

I tested a lot of subcompacts very recently and ended up buying a Hyundai Accent (my first foreign car). It had good rating in CR, the price was good, the warranty was great, and I really liked the body style and interior room. It's fun to drive as well. I always had Chryslers as well (Dodge Dart, Plymouth Volare, Plymouth Reliant, Dodge Shadow,Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Patriot) but I wasn't thrilled with the new Dart, even though my first car was a used '66 Dodge Dart.

[Polar Cub]

Ford Fiesta
Hyundai Elantra
Honda Fit

[O.H. Lee]

....

It was never a joke to those of us who owned one that FORD stands for "Found On Road Dead" or "Fix Or Repair Daily." Ditto for anything made by Chrysler.

I thought Ford stood for "First on race day?"

Now Mopar, that is "Many odd parts arranged ridiculously"