Help me find a new car

[Patrick425]

I subscribe to Consumer Reports online. In their Used Car ratings they have a "reliable list" and a "Used cars to avoid" list. The Honda Civic (Yrs 02-05) is listed on their reliable list in the small cars for under $10,000 category. The Kia Sodona (02' - 11') is listed under "Used Cars to avoid".

 

Again, this is just based on research and member surveys that they conduct. There are always exceptions.

 

Also, have you priced these cars out on Edmunds.com or Kelly's Blue Book? $7,900 for a 2003 vehicle seems kind of high (even if it is a Honda Civic) unless it is still in outstanding condition. I don't know anything about the model of the car or what type of shape it's in, but when you plug into Edmunds a 2003 Honda Civic LX , 90K Miles, in average condition, you get a Dealer Price of $4,800 and a Private Party price of $3,950. In "Outstanding" condition it comes out to $7,800 (Dealer) and $6,300 (Private Party).

 

Edit: I would always price used cars out on these sites before buying. Bring the print outs to whoever is selling you the car (assuming they are lower than what the car is priced at) and use that as negotiation. Bring multiple condition reports as well (Avg., Clean, Outstanding). That way if you say the car is in Avg. condition and they say it's in Outstanding condition, maybe you can agree on the "Clean" price.

[GAME05]

it does help, actually. i just read that some portion of the transmission is Hyundai-made.

 

i'm reading that 02 Sonatas made later in the year are better than early-year versions. i guess in general the engine mounts are terrible and that there are small electrical failures that happen here and there with the car.

 

i'm actually starting to lean toward the Civic now. Sedona is $1500 cheaper initially, sure. but Civic is more certain to last 20,000 miles longer. assuming the same maintenance needs, Kia parts will be twice as expensive and harder to find, and figuring gas at $4/gal the Civic gets 20 mpg more. so a higher capital cost for the Civic, sure, but probably a better value within a 4/5-year timespan.

[Gobias Industries]

Cars under 10k are bringing high NADA value or even over NADA value. That's just the way the market is right now, unfortunately. Your best bet is going to cars.com and searching similar inventory and see if they'll beat or match a price.

 

To answer your question, Civic for sure. Early era Kia's are junk. Plus, you'll double your gas mileage.

[RobDeer 45]

When in doubt, or just looking for a reliable car, I'd always go Honda. I've grown up with them, and owned two and never had an issue (except when I hit a deer!). Usually it's just maintenance here and there that you have to keep up with. Just really can't go wrong with them.