Matt helps his eighteen-year-old niece seek for the correct set of wheels earlier than she goes off to varsity. She is presently driving an previous Prius that’s not dependable and is on the lookout for one thing dependable, and fuel-efficient for below fifteen grand. What automotive ought to she purchase?
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Quick Facts:
My niece is presently trying to find her first automotive to purchase. Currently she drives a Prius that’s on its final legs and isn’t secure to be on the highway. I’m serving to her hunt for a automotive and on the lookout for recommendations. The total gist right here is she wants one thing dependable with good fuel mileage. She would possibly be capable of stretch as much as $15,000. It also needs to be effectively fitted to a novice driver
Budget: $15,000
Location: Arlington, TX
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Reliable, straightforward to handle, good MPG
Doesn’t need: High upkeep prices
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Here We Go
Even with a altering automotive market, that $15,000 section continues to be a tricky one since a lot of the “affordable” automobiles have passed by the wayside. However, iff the goal is a pleasant, stable journey for a more recent driver with out breaking the financial institution, for me the reply is apparent, get a Mazda3. I’ve said that the Mazda3 could be the proper automotive for brand new drivers because it presents a superb stability of affordability, options, fashion, and high quality.
Sourcing a Mazda3 with affordable miles isn’t straightforward, however attainable. Here is an instance with below 50,000 miles for a really affordable value, although it does have an accident historical past so some sort of pre-purchase inspection can be advisable. This is a mid-level Touring trim, however the smaller 2.0-liter motor which doesn’t have the identical passing energy because the bigger mill, however can return as much as 40 MPG. Despite the fender-bender, it may very well be a stable purchase.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Let’s Live A Little
You’ve received a number of choices right here, Matt, however they aren’t going to be thrilling. In truth, they’re all fairly apparent. You might go together with a Mazda 3 like Tom steered, or a Toyota Corolla. Or a Honda Civic. Heck, simply level her within the path of the nicest Toyota Prius that she will be able to afford. Here’s a 2017 Prius in Denton for lower than $15,000. If she desires a crossover, Toyota, Honda and Mazda have you ever coated. Here’s a 2017 Mazda CX-5 that’s in finances.
On the opposite hand, let’s reside a little bit. You are in Texas, in any case. I say stick her in this 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T that’s technically inside finances. It’s received the 5.7-liter V8, so it’ll be simpler for her to drive than a Hellcat, and it will get greater than 20 mpg freeway, so it’s additionally extra fuel-efficient than a Hellcat. Most importantly, although, it has a guide transmission that may drive her to concentrate whereas she’s driving and reduces the percentages of it ever being stolen.
Will her dad and mom be thrilled when she rolls up in a 372-hp muscle automotive? Probably not. Will she look infinitely cooler when she reveals as much as school in it as a substitute of a 2017 Prius? Hell yeah, she is going to. And isn’t that what’s most necessary whenever you’re 18 and placing out by yourself for the primary time? Just make her promise you she received’t crash it, and you ought to be good to go.
Expert 3: Rory Carroll – Let’s Live A Little Longer
Unfortunately, $15k doesn’t get you fairly so far as it used to so far as a dependable used automotive, however there are nonetheless loads of choices. I used to be tempted to counsel this Accord Sport which is likely one of the prettiest sedans of the final 20 years, however the mileage is on the excessive facet. I don’t normally care an excessive amount of about mileage, offered that we all know lots about upkeep, however as a result of we’re on the lookout for a automotive for a younger driver, I gave it a little bit greater precedence than I usually would and ended up with this 2019 Corolla LE. Is it probably the most thrilling automotive on the earth? No. But the colour is sweet and it must be on the highway for an additional decade or so. Someday whenever you’re having fun with the unbelievable success afforded to you by a UT schooling, you’ll be pressured into buying and selling this Corolla in on one thing extra suited to your elevated station, and also you’ll assume: “I loved that car, there was nothing wrong with that car.”
Expert 4: Steve DaSilva – Why Not Have It All?
Matt, you’ve been given two essential faculties of thought right here as we speak. On one hand, you’ve received the kind of enjoyable a school scholar deserves (the Challenger) and on the opposite, you’ve received the kind of staid practicality that’ll see your niece via to commencement (the Mazda3 and Corolla). I’m right here to inform you that you simply don’t want to choose between the 2 — you’ll be able to have all of it, for those who simply know the way to discover it.
I’m speaking, after all, in regards to the Honda CR-Z. All the gasoline financial system that your niece has come to understand in regards to the Prius, however with the enjoyable of a smooth little three-door hatchback. These automobiles are secure, good on fuel, and dependable, however nonetheless have the nimble dealing with traits you’d anticipate from automotive of this measurement. The two-seat format means your niece won’t ever be The Person With The Car Who Has To Drive Everyone Everywhere, and a design this compact — with this a lot glass — makes school city parallel parking straightforward.
Here’s a stick shift CR-Z in your space for simply over half your niece’s finances. College prices sufficient already, so why spend greater than you must on transport? Get one thing comparatively cheap, and spend the remainder of your finances on live performance tickets and Everclear — I imply, uh, textbooks.
Source: jalopnik.com