Recommend the ideal second hand car

[Anonymous]

If it helps for price point, just bought a Honda HRV (smaller than CRV but roomy enough) 2017 with 45000 miles for $12600 at a Honda dealer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VW Golf Alltrack

No unless you want it to spend more time in the shop than actually being available to you.

You must have gotten a lemon. That sucks. Mine has run beautifully for a couple years with just the basic maintenance.

[Anonymous]

OP back.

Thanks for the suggestions on here. I am increasingly leaning towards the Outback. The CRV has the advantage of being a bit higher and I like that from driving my mother's CRV, but as my mother owns a CRV ...

Is there any particular difference between the Outback and Honda/Toyota in terms of reliability as well as maintenance costs/repairs? I've been browsing the various car talk forums and I suspect probably not but there did seem to be concerns with the 2014/2015 Outback model and failed transmissions.

It had me wondering that for someone who is a light driver, what is the biggest concern I should have regarding car ownership and keeping it well-maintained if the parts aren't being driven steadily? Does it make a difference if you're only driving 600-800 miles a month (if that?).

Perhaps I'm also overthinking it! And just get the car and hope for the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VW Golf Alltrack

No unless you want it to spend more time in the shop than actually being available to you.

You must have gotten a lemon. That sucks. Mine has run beautifully for a couple years with just the basic maintenance.

Don't worry, just wait a few more years, the big expenses are just around the corner....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back.

Thanks for the suggestions on here. I am increasingly leaning towards the Outback. The CRV has the advantage of being a bit higher and I like that from driving my mother's CRV, but as my mother owns a CRV ...

Is there any particular difference between the Outback and Honda/Toyota in terms of reliability as well as maintenance costs/repairs? I've been browsing the various car talk forums and I suspect probably not but there did seem to be concerns with the 2014/2015 Outback model and failed transmissions.

It had me wondering that for someone who is a light driver, what is the biggest concern I should have regarding car ownership and keeping it well-maintained if the parts aren't being driven steadily? Does it make a difference if you're only driving 600-800 miles a month (if that?).

Perhaps I'm also overthinking it! And just get the car and hope for the best.

Toyota/Honda will be a bit more reliable than the Outback, and Toyota even more reliable than a Honda. We had a 2013 Outback and few years later traded it in for a 2010 (older and better) Honda.

[Anonymous]

American cars have lower maintainence costs then foreign cars. But they are known to break more hence more repair costs.

If you are single buy a somewhat cool car. I had a red Jeep Wrangler and liked it a lot in my 20s. Mini Cooper, etc.

Cheap and late model a used Chevy Cruze. They discontinued it and very cheap and reliable. Can get a very late model low Mileage one under warranty for same price as a older and higher mileage Toyota off warranty.

Casey’s ave Accord are great cars but used are pricey

[Anonymous]

I had similar needs to yours and bought a 2016 Kia Soul. I've been very happy with it.

[Anonymous]

I'm also a single person who uses my car in a similar manner and I really like my 2014 Mazda CX-5. I've also consider a Subaru Forester or Outback if you like more of a rugged look/feel. And it has AWD!

[Anonymous]

Buy a Subaru SUV. They are very reliable and will last for years.

[Anonymous]

We own a 2019 Outback and it’s a very good car. However, I’m pretty disappointed with the MPG. You realistically get only high 20s. If you’re on the highway and going 75 mph, you’re getting only mid 20s mpg. We are currently on a road trip and driving with a Thule roofbox and I’m getting 22 mpg average for my 800 mile trip.

Toyota, Lexus, and Honda’s will get better mileage than the Subaru’s, imho.

[Anonymous]

OP didn't provide a budget.

Tesla 3. Accord. Any Subaru.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VW Golf Alltrack

No unless you want it to spend more time in the shop than actually being available to you.

You must have gotten a lemon. That sucks. Mine has run beautifully for a couple years with just the basic maintenance.

Don't worry, just wait a few more years, the big expenses are just around the corner....

Truth! We have 2 VW and will not go there again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We own a 2019 Outback and it’s a very good car. However, I’m pretty disappointed with the MPG. You realistically get only high 20s. If you’re on the highway and going 75 mph, you’re getting only mid 20s mpg. We are currently on a road trip and driving with a Thule roofbox and I’m getting 22 mpg average for my 800 mile trip.

Toyota, Lexus, and Honda’s will get better mileage than the Subaru’s, imho.

We very rarely need AWD here and it makes the MPG worse. I would get a car not an suv for OPs needs. You can add a bike rack

[Anonymous]

6-speed mazda miata

[Anonymous]

We've had two used Accords and they were great cars.