Recommend the ideal second hand car

[Anonymous]

I'm moving from a big city to suburbia, thanks to COVID, which means I need to buy a car to go with my new house and semi-suburban lifestyle.

I'm single and WFH most of the time. Visits to my office will be by train. So no commuting by car. I will use the car to run errands, see family (who all live within a mile or two of my new house), take the bike out to the country for a cycle, dog to the vet, and the occasional expedition further afield. My house is an area with some walkability and I expect to take advantage of it. It's very likely the car will not be used 3/4 days each week.

Car will be parked outside. I want low maintenance, minimal fuss. But I don't want a Corolla or Civic no matter how great they are.

Looking to buy used. 2012-2016, up to 80k on the odometer. Pay cash.

Any suggestions? I know nothing about cars beyond that Japanese cars have excellent reliability and low maintenance costs and European cars are expensive and not so reliable anymore. Budget is flexible but as mentioned, really not interested in periodically dishing out thousands in repairs. Names that have been floated to me include the Outback and Honda CRV but looking for other ideas too. Highlander and Pilot are probably too big for a single.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Get a hatchback for the dog and bike. Outback and CRV would be good but you can go smaller if you're single. Impreza or Fit.

[Anonymous]

I love my used CRV. Bought a 2012 in 2015 with 45,000 miles. Now has 135,000 miles and still going strong. Splurged for the EXL AWD for $20k all in.

Would also recommend the Mazda CX-5 or cx7

[Anonymous]

So it does seem like either an Outback or CRV could be good choices. I'm not wild on the Fit for the same reason I'm not wild about the Corolla/Civic. Fine cars, I'm sure but oddly enough I'd feel a bit self-conscious driving these.

I'll take a look at the Impreza.

[Anonymous]

Subaru

[Anonymous]

VW Golf Alltrack

[Anonymous]

Japanese cars do not have low maintenance costs ime. I’ve owned Acura, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru.

They tend to have lower repair costs at times, but regular maintenance is still required and isn’t any cheaper than market. They are Often less expensive to maintain and repair than German cars, for example (I’ve owned Audi and VW).

We’ve had good luck with Subaru but imo you are best off buying a 2 year old car with a Certified Preowned warranty, etc.

At the age and mileage you described looking for, plan for major maintenance, perhaps including timing belt) in your future, apart from any repairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Japanese cars do not have low maintenance costs ime. I’ve owned Acura, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru.

They tend to have lower repair costs at times, but regular maintenance is still required and isn’t any cheaper than market. They are Often less expensive to maintain and repair than German cars, for example (I’ve owned Audi and VW).

We’ve had good luck with Subaru but imo you are best off buying a 2 year old car with a Certified Preowned warranty, etc.

At the age and mileage you described looking for, plan for major maintenance, perhaps including timing belt) in your future, apart from any repairs.

You have owned a lot of cars - Acura, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Audi, and VW? How old are you? 95?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Japanese cars do not have low maintenance costs ime. I’ve owned Acura, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru.

They tend to have lower repair costs at times, but regular maintenance is still required and isn’t any cheaper than market. They are Often less expensive to maintain and repair than German cars, for example (I’ve owned Audi and VW).

We’ve had good luck with Subaru but imo you are best off buying a 2 year old car with a Certified Preowned warranty, etc.

At the age and mileage you described looking for, plan for major maintenance, perhaps including timing belt) in your future, apart from any repairs.

If Japanese cars don't have low maintenance costs, then what cars do have low maintenance?

There's all these Honda and Toyota owners saying they practically put no money into their car other than basic servicing and replacing the battery and tires and their cars run 150k easily. That would suggest low maintenance to me compared to the stories one hears of Mercedes and Audi and Volvos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Japanese cars do not have low maintenance costs ime. I’ve owned Acura, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru.

They tend to have lower repair costs at times, but regular maintenance is still required and isn’t any cheaper than market. They are Often less expensive to maintain and repair than German cars, for example (I’ve owned Audi and VW).

We’ve had good luck with Subaru but imo you are best off buying a 2 year old car with a Certified Preowned warranty, etc.

At the age and mileage you described looking for, plan for major maintenance, perhaps including timing belt) in your future, apart from any repairs.

If Japanese cars don't have low maintenance costs, then what cars do have low maintenance?

There's all these Honda and Toyota owners saying they practically put no money into their car other than basic servicing and replacing the battery and tires and their cars run 150k easily. That would suggest low maintenance to me compared to the stories one hears of Mercedes and Audi and Volvos.

That poster was trolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VW Golf Alltrack

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

[Anonymous]

CRV sounds like you will like it.

If you go sedan, Camry XLE with a v6 engine.

[Anonymous]

Certified pre-owned Toyota or Lexus. Rock solid, excellent value & reliability.

Subaru’s are also a great value for all the safety tech that comes standard in their cars. For any other car company, all that stuff is expensive additional costs/trimlines.

[Anonymous]

Mazda 3 hatchback
Mazda CX-5
Hyundai Tucson. Kona, Elantra hatchback or Veloster that's still covered under 100,000 mile warranty

[Anonymous]

Jeep Wrangler 2 dr. They’re fun.