Recommend your economy car

Gingersnap · July 2016

We have an SUV that we LOVE and H has his sights set on a particular vehicle, but is not buying it until he gets his masters.
Our trusty old Honda bit the dust and now we need a second car.
We did the math on leases, and figured we would probably spend about 10-15k on a 3 year lease, so why not just buy a cheap get-around-town car.
Anything in that ball park that you would recommend?

MrsDrKirkpatrick · July 2016

My Honda recently went kaplat as well back in February. We researched several cars some luxury some not, and came out with a '13 Hyundai Sonata. We spent a little more than your budget about 18k, but I bet with some research you could find one within your budget. We LOVE it! Hyundai has come a long way, and for our money we got a lot of car which was important to us. After some research it was the best option for us, and the maintenance on it is really affordable as well. It has 5 start crash safety ratings from all except for one (I believe it the passenger front coming at an angle, but can't remember 100%). It's got a back up camera which is nice, and lots of other great features. A friend of our just recently bought one as well ('11 I believe) and she really likes it too. She has two kids and I asked her how both the car seats fit and she said really well. She said the only time it's a tight squeeze is when her husbands drives (he is 6'9 keep in mind) but they have been really pleased with it as well. Car shopping is my least favorite, but hope this helps!

Gingersnap · July 2016

I'll check that out. We are willing to go a bit higher, it's essentially going to just end up as trade in.

angeltennis3 · July 2016

I have driven a Toyota Corolla since '10. It is very dependable. It gets good gas mileage and at 80,000 miles I have never had an issue outside of normal maintenance. I think I purchased for about $17k brand new, so I am sure you could find a gently used one within your price range.

My brother drove a '00 Corolla with no issues up until he decided to purchase a new car this year. His choice to switch cars had nothing to do with functionality - he was just ready for an upgrade.

It would be impossible to put the infant bucket seat in the car AND have someone sit in the front seat. The convertible car seat, rear facing, fits fine. We have a small SUV that we use as a family car. My car works great to get me to and from daycare/work.

SweetT · July 2016

I've had my sonata since 2008 and have never had an issue. I definitely recommend one. We want a bigger car soon and I'll be sad to see my sonata go.

glitterdragon-2 · July 2016

I have a Mazda 2. I bought it 4 years ago and haven't had any issues but it's reallllyyyy small so I need to trade up. What kind of SUV do you have?

Gingersnap · July 2016

I'll pm you @GlitterDragon

joyful08 · July 2016

Xstatic3333 · July 2016

I love my Honda Fit. Yes they look small, but they are EXTREMELY roomy on the inside, rate well in crash tests, and are super reliable. I plan to just keep getting more of them; it's my permanent car choice.

mjsommer · July 2016

Another vote for Hyundai Sonata I have a 2012 and it's great on gas, roomy for two car seats and another backseat passenger plus the two up front. Good luck car hunting!

ohstars · July 2016

DH has a Mazda 3 and I don't recommend it. You cannot have a rear facing bucket or regular car seat installed and still use the seat in front.

varimama · July 2016

I second the toyota Corolla. DH's family has all had several of them and they last forever. I have LS Premium one (navigation, heated seats, moon roof, keyless entry) and my 3 yr total of payments will be $9k. DH is 6'2" and finds it has plenty of room.

Mama.Anna · July 2016

2014 Subaru Forester with 32MPG. We got ours for 21k and it's amazing in the snow. Overall safe great family car.

bubbybear15 · July 2016

We've had two Priuses and absolutely love them. They're spacious, great safety rating, and of course get great gas mileage. My husband commutes a lot, so we recently bought a 2008 with 100,000 miles, back up camera, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and solar panels (keeps the car cool when it's turned off and outside), for $10K. You can drive them up to 250,000+ miles.

kswiger06 · July 2016

Gone

Xstatic3333 · July 2016

bubbybear15 said:

We've had two Priuses and absolutely love them. They're spacious, great safety rating, and of course get great gas mileage. My husband commutes a lot, so we recently bought a 2008 with 100,000 miles, back up camera, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and solar panels (keeps the car cool when it's turned off and outside), for $10K. You can drive them up to 250,000+ miles.

Yes! I used to have a Prius and loved it. I had an '07, but it was totaled (not my fault) while I was in grad school and I couldn't afford to replace it. Starting in '09 they made some changes to the interior I'm less find of, but an '07 or '08 without too many miles is an awesome way to go.

Gingersnap · July 2016

H hates Prius.

Tennis11785 · July 2016

Another vote for Hyundai, although I have the Elantra. We did a lot of research and looked at the Sonata and the Elantra. The only thing that made us choose the Elantra over the Sonata is that I commute into (and thus need to park in the city), and therefore preferred the smaller car. But we've really liked it.

kjd291 · July 2016

I love my Subaru Imprezza! Top of the line safety, 4wheel drive, and great gas mileage

I think it's decently roomy, fits my DD's huge conversion car seat and her stroller in the trunk. Planning on keeping it for two babes.

MrsDramaK · July 2016

Another vote for the Corolla, I love my 2009 Toyota Corolla.

silvercamaro77 · July 2016

Whatever cars you look at, I would highly encourage you to look up how well car seats fit both across and front to back, especially if you/SO are pretty tall.

I have an '07 Toyota Camry that is pretty car seat friendly (even for 3 across with a 6'1" hubby, but it does take the right combo of seats). It had 88k miles and we paid $12k in October for it. I'm getting between 24 and 28 mpg depending on my combination of interstate vs city driving.

cantalopes24 · July 2016

We haven't personally owned a Sonata but I know several people who have and loved them. My parents own a Hyundai SUV and it's probably the longest they've ever owned any car, most people I know who have bought Hyundai's have been very happy with them. Before my husbands current car we had a Chevy Cruze we were really happy with, we just outgrew it now with baby #3 coming. I would recommend it.

hispenguin · July 2016

When we first had DD we had a Corolla. It was a big tight with a RFing carseat, but we also had a Diono so it was a bit higher than some others. Now we have a Hyundai Sonata. Tons of room, even with two carseats in the back seat. We test drove an Elantra as well. It was a still a good car at a slightly lower price point. A friend of mine has an Elantra and she has three year old twins, plenty of room for all their gear.

Gingersnap · July 2016

We've been looking an pricing things out.
The Sonatas have some great deals for used ones!

MrsDrKirkpatrick · July 2016

Honestly, I know I already put in my input, but they really are awesome. And the back up camera is one of the nicest I've seen, and it predicts where you will be with the turn of the wheel. So unlike other ones I've seen its way easier to back into a parking spot. Not to mention it's EXTREMELY ACCURATE. I've made some close calls and pushed my luck with that thing and it hasn't failed me yet!

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