Reliable Car for under 10K

[Anonymous]

We got our son a Ford Fusion 2010 SEL 4 years ago. One owner, mint condition, leather power seats, back up camera, etc.

He loves his car. Unfortunately, he is away in College in rural VA and recently got into two accidents on the snow. Yes, the snow we had just had.

The 1st time got a front bumper damage (black ice/hit a pole) and before we could fix it he got into another ice accident and the car ended up in a small ditch that got the right axle and back wheel bent.

He's never gotten in an accident before and is a pretty decent driver, so the car might not be very reliable in the snow.

Need a recommendation for a "cool" but reliable car for a College kid. He has two more years in College.

No Toyotas please!

[Anonymous]

Does his current car have winter tires?

[Anonymous]

Don’t get him a new car until he’s smarter. He doesn’t need a different car, he needs a brain that is better at assessing risk and making smart decisions. He can grow one while he waits for the bus.

Seriously, having multiple accidents is a HUGE red flag. Having one is a big red flag, but maybe you have a situation that isn’t your fault. What you’re describing is an unsafe driver.

[Anonymous]

Reliable or better in winter weather? Why not Toyota?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t get him a new car until he’s smarter. He doesn’t need a different car, he needs a brain that is better at assessing risk and making smart decisions. He can grow one while he waits for the bus.

Seriously, having multiple accidents is a HUGE red flag. Having one is a big red flag, but maybe you have a situation that isn’t your fault. What you’re describing is an unsafe driver.

Not sure why you have to be so rude about this. OPs son sounds inexperienced, not stupid. Black ice doesn’t happen frequently around here and these accidents can be because of inexperience, bad luck or even bad tires (although new tires may not help with black ice).

[Anonymous]

If you can have it repaired, do so. No car is immune to icy roads.

[Anonymous]

Good luck finding any used car under 10k. Also, he needs better tires and should slow down.

[Anonymous]

Repair it, get better tires, try to avoid driving when icy if at all possible.

[Anonymous]

Do you literally want people to shop around for you? Because it's not like there are standard cars that are under $10k. It depends on make, model, year, options, ..."coolness" I suppose. Pretty ridiculous question if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

Op here.
We got new tires in August right before he went back to College, so it can't be the tires.

Again, he's in rural VA so I don't think they do a very good icy road treatment like they do around the DMV.

Not sure if Axles damage and bumper is worth $$$ fixing it.

We just need a reliable (in the snow) car for the next couple of years...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you literally want people to shop around for you? Because it's not like there are standard cars that are under $10k. It depends on make, model, year, options, ..."coolness" I suppose. Pretty ridiculous question if you ask me.

Why the rudeness... Isn't this the Car Experts forum?

[Anonymous]

Hyundai Kona is AWD. Not under 10K tho. You might look for a Hyundai or Kia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Op here.
We got new tires in August right before he went back to College, so it can't be the tires.

Again, he's in rural VA so I don't think they do a very good icy road treatment like they do around the DMV.

Not sure if Axles damage and bumper is worth $$$ fixing it.

We just need a reliable (in the snow) car for the next couple of years...

Thanks for update. I think what you are looking for is a big ask. The cars you will find that are around $10K will likely be high miles and old and have other issues that might come up due to age. Also, when asking for an old reliable car the better ones are Honda and Toyota. You could check Subaru too, as they can be AWD but then it’s still old.

Regardless of age or condition, any car can have trouble on black ice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Op here.
We got new tires in August right before he went back to College, so it can't be the tires.

Again, he's in rural VA so I don't think they do a very good icy road treatment like they do around the DMV.

Not sure if Axles damage and bumper is worth $$$ fixing it.

We just need a reliable (in the snow) car for the next couple of years...

Once is a lesson, twice is a lesson not learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Op here.
We got new tires in August right before he went back to College, so it can't be the tires.

Again, he's in rural VA so I don't think they do a very good icy road treatment like they do around the DMV.

Not sure if Axles damage and bumper is worth $$$ fixing it.

We just need a reliable (in the snow) car for the next couple of years...

I beg to differ. I am sure the new tires weren’t snow tires. He sounds like a typical teenager- overconfident but inexperienced driver. Look at old Subaru or crv since you don’t want a Toyota.