Might be getting another car (no, not selling the Yaris)

[Thirty-Nine]

Our 1998 Civic has been a great car, however, now my wife is driving 40 miles a day for her new job, and the Civic is getting up there in mileage. So, she's driving the Yaris to and from work now. The Yaris gets great mileage, only has 17,400 miles on it, and still has warranty, so it only makes sense for her to drive it since I'm working out of thehome.

With that being said, it looks like we might sell our Civic for something else. However, my wife just started a new job and I'm just starting my self employment, so we don't want anything too expensive. We're looking for something under $9,000; something not too expensive.

There are a few must-haves on this next vehicle.

• 5-speed
• Fairly low mileage (under 60,000)
• Dual airbags
• Decent mileage (depends on kind of vehicle, though)

I would love to pick up something that's either 4WD or AWD, but it's not 100% essential. Here are a couple of vehicles I was thinking about:

• Toyota RAV4: I've found a couple around here with around 55,000 miles on a 2000. Not terrible mileage for something AWD, and it's a Toyota!

• Suzuki Vitara/Chevrolet Tracker: A true 4WD, cheap, and readily available. The V6 is a gas hog, though.

• Suzuki Aerio SX: I almost bought one of these a few times new, but didn't (got a Scion xB instead). I like the way they drive, and they're cheap with low miles.

• Hyundai Tucson: Never owned a Hyundai, but the newer ones (2004 +?) seem pretty decent. You can get the four-cylinder Tucson with AWD for around $10,000 (a bit more than I want to potentially spend, but it's newer).

I'm not looking to modify the heck out of any of these vehicles, and chances are no matter what it is it will not get lowered. Why? Because we want a vehicle we can put chains on if need be to get to up to Mt. Hood to go skiing.

Now I know this is a Toyota forum, but does anyone have any other suggestions or comments seeing the stats above?

[33OH]

All I can say is I have a 2007 Hyundai Accent GS and I hate it. I'll never buy a Hyundai again.

Having never driven a Tucson, it may be completely different.

[Thirty-Nine]

All I can say is I have a 2007 Hyundai Accent GS and I hate it. I'll never buy a Hyundai again.


Really? Why do you hate it? I mean, I've driven 2007+ Accents before, and although they're not the nicest car in the world, they seemed to drive ok. Have you had a lot of problems with yours?

[yaris-me]

Wait for the auto industry rescue package. They'll probably offer incentives that will make it affordable to buy new.:thumbsup:

[33OH]

Really? Why do you hate it? I mean, I've driven 2007+ Accents before, and although they're not the nicest car in the world, they seemed to drive ok. Have you had a lot of problems with yours?

It just feels like an extremely cheap car. And gas mileage that I'm getting is usually lower than advertised, less power than the Yaris.

I haven't had any problems with it yet. Just not a nice car.

[Thirty-Nine]

Wait for the auto industry rescue package. They'll probably offer incentives that will make it affordable to buy new.:thumbsup:

Really, we're only looking to spend $9,000 tops, so I doubt a new car will be in the future.

[supmet]

If you've driven honda and toyota for this long, you will be sorely disappointed if you buy hyundai or suzuki..

Suzuki makes decent motorcycles. They make horrible cars that rollover and kill you, if they don't fall apart first.

[tuckevalastin]

Not being a Toyota loyalist like many others here, IMO the Tracker (a 4dr 4WD ZR2) and the Hyundai Tucson (awd) would be good used car choices but I don't think I'd go with the Aerio SX unless it was new or very close to new... never really liked Rav4's especially for the price.

[SilverBack]

Why not have your wife just alternate cars during the work week? That way she'll put less wear-n-tear and gas usage on both, which should save you both a little more money to use as a huge down payment on a new car in the future with very low payments. Sticking it out with the Civic just a little bit longer might be a good thing:smile:

[Thirty-Nine]

If you've driven honda and toyota for this long, you will be sorely disappointed if you buy hyundai or suzuki..

Suzuki makes decent motorcycles. They make horrible cars that rollover and kill you, if they don't fall apart first.

I've had a Honda or a Toyota in my driveway for about 10 years.

Perhaps that was a tongue-in-cheek remark about Suzuki, but I know for a fact that they make good vehicles. (And let's not bring up Consumer Reports' Samurai nonsense.) I'm not talking about Daewoo-badged Suzukis (Forenza, Reno, Verona), I mean Japanese-made, Suzuki-engineered vehicles. Swift, SX4, Aerio, Vitara, etc. :wink:

[SurfinYaris]

Try Toyota 4runner? Maybe 1997 to 1999? I had good experience with it when i had it for 2 years.

[Thirty-Nine]

I'd love a 4Runner, but I think the mileage is a bit too low (15/18 w/V6 & 5-spd).

[33OH]

Have you thought about any Subarus?

[ChinoCharles]

I'm seriously not being a homer here. There are plenty of 'Yotas I'm not fond of (re: Corolla, Camry) BUT the Rav4 isn't one of them. They're built EXTREMELY well. Out of what is on your list, I think that one is a no briainer.

[Thirty-Nine]

I concur ... I've always liked the RAV4.

[ChinoCharles]

Best way to find out? Close the doors. The doors on a Rav4 are like armor-plated tank doors. Speaks of the rest of the car.

[Thirty-Nine]

Best way to find out? Close the doors. The doors on a Rav4 are like armor-plated tank doors. Speaks of the rest of the car.

Really, I've always liked the RAV4. Fast? Nope. Practical? Hell yes.

[Yar Is Word]

http://portland.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=Rav4&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[Nagoya_TRD.]

Subaru 2.5RS

[ChinoCharles]

Really, I've always liked the RAV4. Fast? Nope. Practical? Hell yes.

That is what I'm saying. If you close the doors and they feel solid, the rest of the car usually is.

Sure, the Yaris's doors remind me of slamming the lid on a Campbell's soup can, but we can make an exception. :biggrin:

[Thirty-Nine]

http://portland.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=Rav4&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

Yep; I looked through there. I actually like the old two-door RAV4, but wouldn't get that one. There's a vehicle up in Everett that only has like 55K on it that I'm interested in.

[Yar Is Word]

OK. If Everett, how about from the Seattle area?
http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=RAV4&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[Thirty-Nine]

Thanks! I don't mind driving a ways out to get a good vehicle, either.

[PetersRedYaris]

On occasion I have seen a Honda Element in your price range...

[Bob_VT]

Stay away from the older rav4 with the 4cylinder..... it had engine problems. Newer ones are fine.

What about the Matrix AWD? The older ones had the 1.8 engine?

[SailDesign]

What about the Matrix AWD? The older ones had the 1.8 engine?

Honestly, the new ones have that "Radioactive Rat" look to them (like a body-kit gone hideously wrong), and rumor has it that the older Pontiac Vibe (basically the same beast with a different skin) had the better engine and was cheaper. Not sure how that stands now, but if you're interested in the older Matrix, check out a similar-yeared Vibe as well.

[Bob_VT]

Honestly, the new ones have that "Radioactive Rat" look to them (like a body-kit gone hideously wrong), and rumor has it that the older Pontiac Vibe (basically the same beast with a different skin) had the better engine and was cheaper. Not sure how that stands now, but if you're interested in the older Matrix, check out a similar-yeared Vibe as well.

Same exact engine :iono:

[33OH]

Could be different components in the engines. :iono:

I had the first year Ford Focus (made in 1999) with the same engine as a 2004, but a lot of the parts had changed through the years.

[Thirty-Nine]

Stay away from the older rav4 with the 4cylinder..... it had engine problems. Newer ones are fine.


Really? I haven't heard that. Do you know of any specifics to look for? I know the 3SFE was in a bunch of Toyota products ...

What about the Matrix AWD? The older ones had the 1.8 engine?

Automatic only; I only buy manual transmission vehicles. :smile:

Really, if I want an AWD/4WD vehicle that isn't a pickup and doesn't get craptastic mileage, I'm sort of limited to RAV4, CR-V, and Subarus.

[ZING]

Noone likes the Swift Sport?

[Thirty-Nine]

We don't get the Swift in the U.S. We get the Suzuki SX4, but it's a bit out of my price range.

[firemachine69]

And gets pitiful gas mileage in the AWD variant...

[IllusionX]

We don't get the Swift in the U.S. We get the Suzuki SX4, but it's a bit out of my price range.

have you not though about getting a used yaris ? I don't know how far OR is from Canada, but there are plenty of used yarii here. 9000$ US, that's over 11000$ CAD. You can get a descent 06-07 3 or 5 doors here with 50,000-80,000km.


edit: less mileage than that... you can get 07's with less than 50,000km for 11,000$ CAD, manual, AC, power lock, power windows.

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-Toyota-TOYOTA-YARIS-2007-W0QQAdIdZ107948013

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-Toyota-2007-TOYOTA-YARIS-2DR-COUPE-41-000KM-CERTIFIED-AND-E-TESTED-W0QQAdIdZ107049571

[Thirty-Nine]

Yes, I have thought about getting a used Yaris, but I really would like an AWD vehicle for getting up into the mountains. And yes, I know FWD + snow tires = win. I have a set of studded snow tires on my Civic (which is, by the way, for sale now). They work great, but I'm really looking for something AWD, most likely.

[Yar Is Word]

1999 4X4 5 spd at Berg $8990
Berg Car Company
866-770-4418

About This Vehicle
Listing: Used Vehicle
Mileage: 86,938 Miles
Body Style: SUV
Exterior Color: Silver
Interior Color: [None]
Stock #: 20679
VIN: JT3HP10V1X7146476
Free CARFAX ReportEngine: 2.0L I4
Transmission: MANUAL 5SPD
Drivetrain: 4X4
Doors: 5
Wheelbase: 95 Inches
Features
Two Disc Brakes Including Two Ventilated Discs, Driver And Passenger Front Airbag, Tinted Glass On Cabin, Rear And Side, Front And Rear Steel Wheels With 16 Inch Rim Diam, 6...



http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/toyota-rav4-cars300982150?modelyearub=any&modelyearlb=any&askpriceub=9000&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&sortcol=price&sortdir=up&location=Portland%2C+OR+97206&listingtype=used&model=rav4&make=toyota&distance=50

[Thirty-Nine]

Nice find!

We're now actually considering spending a bit more to get something a bit newer/nicer. So, the SX4 is a possibility, as is ... another Yaris. :smile:

[Yar Is Word]

2008 Yaris hatch stick $10,900 4,500 miles
http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/toyota-yaris-cars295654904?sortcol=price&sortdir=up&askpriceub=11000&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&location=Portland%2C+OR+97206&listingtype=used&model=yaris&make=toyota&distance=300

[Thirty-Nine]

Lookin' for a Yaris sedan with power package, side airbags, ABS, and 5-speed. There's an S at Royal Moore, but it doesn't have power package.

[Yar Is Word]

2008 sedan 5 spd 4025 miles $11,225

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/toyota-yaris-cars300348690?bodystyle=sedan&sortcol=price&sortdir=up&askpriceub=12000&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&location=Portland%2C+OR+97206&listingtype=used&model=yaris&make=toyota&distance=200

[ILoveToyota]

Just to add my 2 cents, we've got a 2007 RAV4 and it's the nicest car we've ever had. We'll be driving it for a long time!

[Thirty-Nine]

I have to "LOL" a the "market adjustment fees some dealers are posting. I'm not paying an extra $2,000 for your car, folks.

http://www.subcompactculture.com/2009/02/lol-market-adjustment-upccharges.html

[Thirty-Nine]

Well, slight change of plans. We ended up paying off the Yaris (woo hoo!), and ended up taking the cash we got for the Civic and buying new: 2009 Suzuki SX4 AWD. Got it for $1,000 under invoice. I know it's not a Toyota, but I love the thing. Two subcompacts in my driveway now, both made in Japan.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Tekka_Maki/SX4-1.jpg

http://www.subcompactculture.com/2009/02/new-car-suzuki-sx4-awd.html

[Yar Is Word]

Congratulations! Nice car!

[2006fronty]

Congrats, if we get another car within the next couple of years I would like to get a SX4. Road Race Motorsports has some pretty cool stuff for them too http://www.roadracemotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=31&zenid=a33a52efca107c0095c78d25c94e5601

[2006fronty]

These guys make a lift for SX4's http://www.rocky-road.com/sx4sus.html

[Thirty-Nine]

Holy crap; I knew someone was making lift kits for them; I didn't know it was Rocky Road. That'd be pretty sweet, actually.