Need advice on which car to buy

[photon]

Looks like our Murano is going to be written off (will find out in a few days), and once they've decided that I guess we only get 3 days of the car rental to decide and buy a replacement (and negotiate if at all possible in that short a span I guess).

I figure we'll probably get $8-10k for it, looking at various sites as to what that vehicle is selling for. We can kick in a bit more, but this comes at the exact wrong time so we can't do what we'd planned and use proceeds from the Murano towards financing something near-new.

So I think we'll set a limit of $15k.

It's going to be a commuter car primarily, so something small and efficient is good. I'd like a hatchback for the added flexibility, but doesn't have to be one. Most of since at that price we're probably going to be getting something off warranty or nearly so, so reliability and cheap to repair/maintain is probably high on our list; both our cars have cost us a LOT to repair the past few years.

Good resale might also be a plus as we might turn around and sell this in 6 months.

Suggestions?

My random to-look-at-list:
My wife likes the Mazda 3, and the Hyundai Elantra.
A Mini would be cool but I think that would violate the inexpensive to repair criteria since it's BMW, but I am willing to be corrected.
MB B200's are popping up in that price range, though 2006 range.
Toyota Matrix.
Suzuki SX4, no idea about Suzuki.
Fiat 500 lol, no idea about them either.
Also not averse to something a bit bigger like a Volvo or even a small SUV.

[burn_this_city]

What about a 5 door Golf or GTI? My wife loves ours, it's her commuter.

[Knut]

My buddy really likes his 2007 Mazda 3. Has not had a problem yet with it.

[Boblobla]

My wife had an 06 Mazda 3 and liked it. It is pretty light though and does not handle great in the winter even with snow tires.

[Northendzone]

ford escape?

[Hatter]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ454482308

Here's a 2011 Mazda3 with only 11,000k on it. Never owned a 3, but I have a Mazda6 Wagon and love it. My next car will likely be a Mazda as well.

[blankall]

The Toyta Matrix is boring to drive but handles very well in snow. The upgraded Matrix with FWD and the XR motor will be funner to drive and handle even better. The big trade off on that one is fuel efficiency.

Edit: The Mazda 3 is suppossed to be bad in the snow. There's also rusting problems. With Calgary's salt I'd research the specific year. Snow tire might cure a lot of the Mazda 3's snow handling probems.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Hatter

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ454482308

Here's a 2011 Mazda3 with only 11,000k on it. Never owned a 3, but I have a Mazda6 Wagon and love it. My next car will likely be a Mazda as well.

That says "recertified" which I think means it was written off then repaired. I would never buy a car that had been written off. That's asking for all kinds of trouble.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

ford escape?

If you're thinking of this route, I'd also look into the Chevy Equinox.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That says "recertified" which I think means it was written off then repaired. I would never buy a car that had been written off. That's asking for all kinds of trouble.

Agreed. Any car that potentially has frame damage of any kind is going to be trouble. Any damage beyond simple panel repair is going to be trouble.

[Canada 02]

We were in the market a few years ago for something similar. We went with a subaru forester, but if we had gone with a hatchback, these are the ones I liked the most in order

VW GTI
Subaru Impreza
Mazda 3
Honda Fit
Toyota Matrix

My wife would likely give you a different order based on function, convenience and fuel economy, vs my preference for performance, styling, fun to drive. She loved the Honda Fit

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That says "recertified" which I think means it was written off then repaired. I would never buy a car that had been written off. That's asking for all kinds of trouble.

Oops. . It did seem like a particularly good deal

[photon]

Thanks for the input! Yeah an Escape or Equinox might be something too.

The Forester is one I hadn't thought of.

I like the Golf, but given how much I've put into my Passat in repairs I don't think I can go VW again

[photon]

Originally Posted by blankall

The Toyta Matrix is boring to drive but handles very well in snow. The upgraded Matrix with FWD and the XR motor will be funner to drive and handle even better. The big trade off on that one is fuel efficiency.

Edit: The Mazda 3 is suppossed to be bad in the snow. There's also rusting problems. With Calgary's salt I'd research the specific year. Snow tire might cure a lot of the Mazda 3's snow handling probems.

I had a friend that had a Matrix and he liked it as a get around car, plus it can come in AWD which my wife says she wants.

[Sliver]

The GTI is a good suggestion since resale value is important. VWs are ridiculously easy to sell used in Calgary and they hold their value like mad. I've had a Passat and a GTI - there was practically a line-up to buy both when I sold them. On top of that, since you're not going to keep it for long hopefully you won't have to put up with VW's pitiful reliability and over-priced repairs.

Edit: Replied before I saw you didn't want a VW. Once you own a VW, you never go back (to VW, that is). hah

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by photon

I had a friend that had a Matrix and he liked it as a get around car, plus it can come in AWD which my wife says she wants.

Matrixes (Matricies? ) hold their value pretty well. When they were still selling the Pontiac Vibe, the Matrix would be worth several thousands dollars more for the exact same vehicle.

I have a Mazda6 hatchback. Tons of space in the back to put whatever. If you don't mind a little smaller I've heard nothing but good things about Mazda3s.

[Bmuzyka]

I love my Kia Soul. They are fun to drive, have kick-ass sound systems, look pretty cool, and are REALLY easy on gas. I drive from Citadel to Quarry Park and back every day, and I only use $35-$40 worth of fuel a week

[blankall]

Originally Posted by photon

I had a friend that had a Matrix and he liked it as a get around car, plus it can come in AWD which my wife says she wants.

I drive a Matrix as well. Like I said, very boring to drive when compared with a Mazda 3. I have the base model though, and the XR is a big upgrade in terms of pep, but a big downgrade in terms of fuel efficiency.

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That says "recertified" which I think means it was written off then repaired. I would never buy a car that had been written off. That's asking for all kinds of trouble.

Depends who did the repair. That one looks like it has a front licence plate which could mean Ontario or Quebec car and the front bumper does not color match as well as it should (most bumpers are a little off that one looks very dark). For that reason alone I would pass on it.

[East Coast Flame]

Another Mazda 3 owner here, 2008. I love it and have never had any problems. Would definitely recommend.