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]

Originally Posted by ryank

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.

[33OH]

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

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]

Originally Posted by yaris-me

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

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

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Yar Is Word]

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