Learn me low maintenance daily driver options $5k and 10 years old

My future bro-in-law is not a car guy. At all. But like most of us, he needs a car. His current ride is a 98 or so Taurus that is well past its prime.

He has approx $5k to spend, I can look at and find anything (prefer private party) since we live in the same town.

No firm requirements, something good on gas, midsize to mid-compact (not a Spark, for example, but an Impala is probably too big). Something that doesn't rust too badly (no Nissans or Mazdas), since we live in Wisconsin. Something with utility, hatchback is nice. FWD or AWD, but FWD may be better for simplicity. He can drive a manual but prefers an auto.

A quick CL search has me looking in the direction of 09 Honda Fits, Scion TC or XB, maybe a Civic or Accord, but not a Hybrid variant.

Anything I am missing out on? Camry?

Any trusty GRM'ers selling something that would fit the bill? A fly-n-drive is definitely in the cards for the right deal.

If Nissan was an option, Leaf would be perfect.

Mazda 3?

Hard to go wrong with a Honda Fit. Our 09 we bought new is now over 185k and will be heading with our oldest daughter & future husband to Germany in 6-months, and we just picked up an 07 with 180k for our youngest.

Leaf or other electric is out as he has friends in North Dakota, parents about 3 hrs away, and doesnt live in a place that is friendly to charge a car.

Mazdas are out because they are all returning to the earth here in Wisconsin. Saw a Mazda 3 hatch the other day that - no lie - half the outer trunk skin was gone. Salt has not been kind to the Mazdas.

A Honda Fit looks pretty good. Are the autos stout, or should we focus on the manuals?

My sister was recently car shopping with pretty much this exact criteria. She looked at Pontiac Vibes, Priuses, and Hondas but ended up with a nice 07 (I think) Hyundai Elantra with which she is very happy. All I can tell you is that it's the easiest oil change I've ever done.

Prius!

I paid $5,800 for a '07 Prius with 78k miles that I bought about 6 months ago. VERY Happy with it.

The Scion tC seems to sell cheap. I think the 2 Dr configuration limits the pool of potential buyers and keeps prices down. In the same fashion, I see the Solara (Camry 2 dr) sell a lot cheaper than the 4 Dr version.

4cyl Camry or accord with the lowest miles he can afford.

In reply to 93gsxturbo:

Both our Fits are autos. They definitely suck some of the fun & acceleration out of the car, but they've been completely reliable.

Honda Fit

Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe

Accord/Camry/Corolla/Civic

Cobalt, and you don't even have to go 10 years. Very reliable, and if something breaks, parts are cheap and everywhere.

I third the Prius. Base on your requirements they are hard to beat.

Klayfish wrote: Honda Fit Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe Accord/Camry/Corolla/Civic

This^^^

I drove a Cobalt, I don't think I would wish one on my worst enemy.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks.

Any love for the Scion XB?

Side note, Subaru prices are nuts! I bought my 03 WRX (manual, 140k miles, original owner, some mods) for $2750 last fall, needed a few things but nothing major. 9 months later and you can't get a WRX that runs and drive for under $5k, and anything decent is $6k plus!

midniteson wrote: 4cyl Camry or accord with the lowest miles he can afford.

...which won't be very low. Seriously, I just bought DD#2 a minty 2006 Impala with under 50k on it for less than I could find any Camry or Accord that was 2 years older and well over twice the mileage.

I know you said no Impalas, but... this thing is nearly flawless and will carry half a rifle squad. $5k.

Be careful of the Xb, iirc there's an oil burn issue with the pre-09 ones (based on my searching around last year)

I'll echo the Vibe/Matrix and Fit.

Toyota Carolla maybe?

Acura RSX, not S-Type?

Here you go. Boring as the day is long and away from the salt zone.

https://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/6140415122.html

Been looking in this price range and age for a while. Seems that the 2012 Ford Focus has some pretty step depreciation.

It's high miles but being a 2012 there almost sure to be all highway. https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/6144562445.html

If he can live without the hatchback here's a 2013 sedan with only 81k miles for $5000 https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6142831203.html

Both from non-rustbelt states, they look like good fly and drive candidates.

Elantra, Spectra, Forte. Find hte nicest one with the lowest miles. You'll be good to go.

t25torx wrote: Been looking in this price range and age for a while. Seems that the 2012 Ford Focus has some pretty step depreciation. It's high miles but being a 2012 there almost sure to be all highway. https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/6144562445.html If he can live without the hatchback here's a 2013 sedan with only 81k miles for $5000 https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6142831203.html Both from non-rustbelt states, they look like good fly and drive candidates.

I would avoid the first few model years of the current Focus, Ford was really having trouble with the PowerShift DCT early on.

Any love for the Scion XB?

It's ok until you compare it to a Prius. Other than cargo area height i dont know what it's better at.

My good friend bought a first or second year DCT Focus for his Mrs. The statements about awfulness are true!