[쌀국수]

Type of car: Economy
Price range: $15,000~$20,000 (the cheaper, the better)
New or used: New
Manual or automatic: Automatic
Years of driving: Buh? Driving experience? 6 Years
Cars currently suggesting: Rabbit, Civic, Jetta, Mazda3, Tiburon, Fit, Lancer, tC, Corolla

Needs and other info:
I feel kind of insecure posting here with all these car experts. So just to let you know, I know absolutely nothing about cars. "Some cars look cool." That's basically the extent of my car knowledge. But I'm probably going to have to purchase a new car by the end of the year. I want something that is cheap and reliable. But at the same time, I want something that is pleasing to the eye. Price is probably the top priority, though.

And I'm a horrible driver. I have 6 years of experience and I was a delivery person for 3 years. So you'd think I'm a good driver, but I've been in a million accidents and pulled over a million times. Also, I haven't driven for almost 2 years. (Yeah. I'm pretty old.) So I need a small car that is easy to maneuver and drive. So nothing with crazy blind spots or whatnot.

A lot of people seem to think Civic is the way to go for reliability and affordability. And my friends keep telling me to make it easy on myself and just pick up a Civic like everybody else. But I want something a little more unique. That's another priority, too. I don't want to see my car everywhere I look. Also, Civic EX is kind of expensive, I think. At least, when I checked on Kelley's Blue Book. I've really been looking at the Mazda3 and the VW Rabbit and trying to figure out what is better. But any other recommendations are more than welcome. Also, I kind of like the Tiburon. And that 10 year warranty is nice. But since I suck at driving, it might be too big for me to handle.

Anyways, I did a quick search on prices. And this is what Kelley's Blue Book gave me as the price people are paying for certain cars. If the prices are totally off, let me know.

-Volkwagen Rabbit 17,000
-Honda Civic 20,000
-Volkswagen Jetta 18,500
-Mazda Mazda3 19,000
-Hyundai Tiburon 18,500
-Honda Fit 15,500
-Mitsubishi Lancer 17,000
-Scion tC 17,000
-Toyota Corolla 16,500
-Toyota Yaris 12,000

If anybody can give me suggestions and opinions, I'd really appreciate it. Again, I don't have a clue about cars so any help will be nice.

Thank you Soompi!

Edit: Toyota Yaris! Insanely cheap! Is it good? Opinions please!

[youngnottheold1]

For affordable style I've always loved the mazda 3 hatch and the VW GTI.. lol I just reread your post in detail and it seems these two are the ones you are considering. Good on you

[OMGHIyori2U]

since u don't want a big blind spot, u can rule out the tC in your list.

And since you're looking at the Mazda3 u should check out the Subaru Impreza 4 door or 5 door. If u want exclusivity, this is the car for u out of the list cause there's barely anyone driving it.

[쌀국수]

since u don't want a big blind spot, u can rule out the tC in your list.

And since you're looking at the Mazda3 u should check out the Subaru Impreza 4 door or 5 door. If u want exclusivity, this is the car for u out of the list cause there's barely anyone driving it.

That car only comes in Manual? I can't drive stick, though.

[J*C*]

That car only comes in Manual? I can't drive stick, though.

dude get a fit.

[☆원이☆]

Volkswagen Jetta

my cousin just bought this car and it was pretty decent
i like it better than the car i have now..
interior is really similar to the audi a4

i liked the speakers theres an aux port in the side box thing so you can connect your ipod
and theres the dash board with the bass trebble etc etc controls
you should test drive the cars you want =)

one thing i noticed with this car is
the engine start is really really loud in the cold
but during the day its absolutely silent..

[ihigh]

dude get a fit.

i was just going to say that

[OMGHIyori2U]

That car only comes in Manual? I can't drive stick, though.

no it comes in automatic or manual

[PDURRR]

maybe a kia spectra? or hyundai elantra?
those are rather cheap D:
or the rio or accent but
iono if you want a smallll car

but since your really into the rabbit or the mazda3
i'd take the mazda3 D:

[b18c1]

fit fits your parameters... at least i think its cool. and its honda reliabilty and now they arent all marked up liek they were before. u should go test drive them and im pretty sure the fit is one of the best out of all those cars handling-wise.

[cksdayoff]

when i was at the VW dealership, i checked out the Rabbit and Jetta while I was signing papers for the R32.

Both had really nice, cozy interiors and the fit and finish were pretty good. Rabbit is a 5 door hatch which is cool.

go test drive the mazda3 and the rabbit...you might have more fun in the mazda3.

[KangJoon.]

ok as far as looks go, the tib is by far the best looking car on the list.
plus its not as common as the other cars. at least im my area.
and please dont take that crap ppl say about the tib. its got pretty good standard features. OK, for a V6, it does make a low amount of HP, but torque is about 181, which again isnt THAT much, but in that car, its really enough to make the car pretty fun. the handling is decent as well. its pretty crisp.
but if ur going to get a tib, get a GT trim or higher. the GS trim has crap specs.



^08 model
this car is pretty sexy in person.

[쌀국수]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems like a few people are saying Honda Fit. But compared to some of the other cars, it seems to have a really weak engine. I mean, power isn't really a big issue. But will I be struggling to accelerate in the Fit?

I checked on KBB, but they don't have Automatic Impreza listed.

And Tiburon, I also like the look of it. Nice and sporty. But what about blindspots and handling (manueverability)?

And people seem kind of split on Mazda3 and Rabbit, but Mazda3 is more fun to drive.

Hmm...decisions. Decisions. Well, I have a lot of time before I buy. So more opinions/suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

[boost]

well the rabbit has a bigger and more stronger engine than the honda fit (2.5L/170hp vs 1.5L/109hp) but they both have the same 0-60 times at 7.8 seconds. fit weighs a little under 2500 pounds and the rabbit weighs a little under 3000 pounds. acceleration difference wont be too noticable between the 2. The mazda3 weighs 2700+ depending on which trim. ease of drivability and acceleration difference wont be too noticable between these 3.

my best advice is to go out and test drive all and check out each car in person. that way you can have a better feel for the cars and see the build quality first hand. reviews from people online wont help much and most of the time...theyre all usually biased.

for what its worth... honda's and toyota's holds value very well.

[KangJoon.]

And Tiburon, I also like the look of it. Nice and sporty. But what about blindspots and handling (manueverability)?
Thanks!

blindspots are there, but nothing you cant adjust to.
the handling is pretty good. like i said, its crisp. like, its pretty responsive and takes corners pretty well. especially for just the ave. daily driver.

[OMGHIyori2U]

I checked on KBB, but they don't have Automatic Impreza listed.

Trust me, the Impreza has automatics. Manual is the standard option. Automatic w/Sportshift is optional for $1000 more

Like Boost said, go out and test drive some cars to see which one fits u. Everybody's going to give u a different opinion, in the end you're the one whose going to ultimately decide after test driving the cars.

[lisalee89]

Scion tC 17,000


aFter everything that they charge you at dealership, totals up to 22 grand. My friend just bought a new 2008 scion Xb yesterday for 17,000.
Her grand total was 22,000 after everything. THey gave 5,000 as down payment. monthly payments are 315.00.

[addicted2kdrama]

Volkswagen Jetta

my cousin just bought this car and it was pretty decent
i like it better than the car i have now..
interior is really similar to the audi a4

i liked the speakers theres an aux port in the side box thing so you can connect your ipod
and theres the dash board with the bass trebble etc etc controls
you should test drive the cars you want =)

one thing i noticed with this car is
the engine start is really really loud in the cold
but during the day its absolutely silent..

it looks nothing like the interior of an a4... The way i see it.

[papasmurf]

it looks nothing like the interior of an a4... The way i see it.

actually it does....for A4 1.8L with cloth seats..they actually look like that, because i test drove 2004 audi A4 5spd man. and the transmission was actually pretty good.

[addicted2kdrama]

Weird... I drive an A4 and it looks nothing like it ^^.