$10k-$20k used, efficient, reliable and safe (CA, USA)
$10k-$20k used, efficient, reliable and safe (CA, USA)
Hey Y’all,
Cool to see this community already exists! Would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks so much.
Here’s what I’m looking for: -used and as close to $10K as possible but up to $20K for something really solid.
-fuel efficiency important, hybrid ok. Not sure about full EV.
-Not a daily driver. Maybe 3-4 trips a week max. Mostly in town. And a ~100 mile round trip commute once a week or so.
-I want this car to last 10yrs at least. But I intend to drive it until one of us goes first.
-I live in Oakland CA, we have lots of potholes and some particularly dangerous drivers so I want something safe and reliable (solid).
-don’t care about aesthetics.
-I like to drive but fun to drive is just a nice to have.
-trunk space: enough for light camping or moving my bass and amp around.
-size: no SUVs or trucks please, prefer sedan or smaller (parking). 2 door/seat is ok as long as it has trunk space. I’m short, if it matters.
-I do like my music so some media controls are nice (like on the steering wheel), but can upgrade the sound system and console later ;)
-the simpler the better in terms of components, controls, maintenance. I’ll be happy with a roller window, no key fob, etc.
-it’ll be parked in a garage most of the time.
-some cars I’ve looked at that seem decent are: prius, golf, Mazda M3. Golf’s seem fun to drive and is a good size for me I think.
-I’m down with a manual if that comes up.
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I was in a similar dilemma with similar preferences a couple years ago. You have good tastes!
I went with a 4th generation Prius (2016-2022 I think) when I found a 2021 with 37k miles for 17k. It was more than what I wanted to spend but honestly I couldn’t be happier.
I’m averaging 62 mpg with city driving, best is 72.1 mpg, and 46 mpg when I drive 300 miles to see my family at 90 mph. This generation is averaging over 350k miles on the battery in NYC taxis and doesn’t have favorable catalytic converters to steal either. Steering wheel media controls, tons of space for camping, comfy enough on bumps, I even got gently rear-ended and the bumper absorbed it all…no damage at all! Just had to pop a sensor back in place.
This will last you forever, cheap to maintain, cheap to run, cheap to insure, aaaaaand nobody will steal it lol.
Hey, I appreciate your thorough response to my points! Seems like I came to the right place. Prius is a solid contender. I'll look at these in particular. I've been wondering what happened to those bumpers that used to be on older cars (80s/90s?), just give me a bumper car hahah.
Hahah I’d so take a bumper car