[Anonymous]

I just landed a position as a auditor. I will be doing some more driving and its time to get a newer car.

I have narrowed my search…based on price, mpgs, reliability

2012 Hyundai Elantra

2013 Honda Accord

2012 Toyota Camry

I choose 2-3 years back to avoid paying for all that depreciation when buying new. Anybody recommend or can comment on their experience?

[golfball7773]

2013 elantra has better ratings then the 2012

Plus the models you picked out do not depreciate as fast like your Fords, etc

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Missy]

Consumer reports. I'd research there.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

To be quite honest … go with a Honda. … couple months back I totaled my CRv and it was a 2011 I ended up only “losing” about 1500 from what I paid and it was brand new when I bought it …

[Anonymous]

Hands down the Honda. No contest, not even close. But do research new. A friend of mine saw how amazing my Element was and wanted a used one, found out the cost was so close to new that it didn't make any sense to buy used. My coworker just traded in his Accord. $100k miles, runs smoother than when new, zero issues since inception. My Element was around for a decade before some (insert word they don't want you using on this message board, now substitute with a worse word) smashed into it and also had zero issues until year 10, when I had to replace the horn and a window motor, which is nothing. Toyotas are the next best, but they're not as reliable now as they were 15 years ago.

Consumer reports and IIHS safety ratings are a must, but that said, I'd still pick Honda. And while you're in there, tell 'em to bring the Element back! All those knockoff Elements (badly) mimic the boxy shape but have zero of the features that makes the Element so awesome.

[04cobra]

I am a big car guy. So I can help with this

What is your budget?

Do you plan on keeping the car long term or just a few years?

Do you need All Wheel Drive?

My recommendations would be the following:

1. Subaru WRX – Fast car and best in bad weather

2. Kia Optima/Hyundai Sonata – Great looking car and has the most standard features

3. Ford Fusion – Best bang for your buck overall car in terms of quickness and standard features

I would recommend buying these cars new, they are not that expensive and their value will not drop quickly compared to say German cars. If you plan on keeping your car along time buy new. If you plan on getting rid of the car after 3 years lease it. If you just want low payments and don't care really about what your drive, get a used car.

REG - 78
BEC - 83
FAR - 77
AUD - 74 (Bulls***), 85

[Texan_176]

I'm in my mid 30s and beyond the phase of wanting a car to be sporty and fast as the top priority. Besides, if you drive something that looks fast everyone wants to drag race at lights.

IMHO the best 2 used cars out there are the 2005-2012 Acura RL and the 2004-2006 Lexus LS430.

The RL is the choice if it snows where you live. It's AWD and premium everything in a not so pretty body style. The car was a total sales failure for Honda but this is great for someone who wants a deal on one. By new car standards the NAVI/interface is dated but the value for the money can not be beaten. Around $18-22K buys a very low mile example closer to the 2012 model year. The older ones are under $15K. Brand new they were around $60K.

Lexus LS430 is RWD and never had bluetooth. Those are the only cons for it if you live in a snow area or are a heavy phone/streaming music user. The LS did have traction control but compared to AWD it is at a disadvantage. This was Toyota's flagship car so it is premium everything. You can not hear the engine running and it just floats down the road. Just avoid the models with air suspension because it costs big bucks to fix. Fuel economy is excellent for a big heavy V8 sedan at around 20-22 mpg. These cost even less than the RL but if you spend $18K you can buy with under 30K miles in some cases. The grade of material and design in it is $70K car level.

Around $25-30K buy the newer LS460 but I personally dislike how many electronics it has in it. There is just too much to go wrong if you own it out of warranty.

Maintenance is higher than it would be in an economy car but it's not crazy money like $850 per brake rotor on a Jaguar XJR. Expect to spend about $1800 every 60K miles for a major service and $650-800 for the 30K services. Other than that it is just oil changes and adding gasoline.

BEC 11/29/14 77 (Roger)
AUD 2/23/15 60 (Roger) 4/13/2015 83 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
REG 5/30/2015 66 (Roger & Ninja MCQ(7 hours only)) 8/23/2015 78 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
FAR 11/23/2015 60 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 2/24/2016 74 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 5/25/2016 83 (Roger+Roger CRAM & NINJA MCQ/NOTES)
Texas Ethics Exam 92%

Licensed TX CPA Aug 2016

[Anonymous]

I drive a 2014 accord, which is the same generation as the 2013, and I love it. I have the V6 model and still get 35ish on the highway. My commute is about 30-40 mins each way, and its a very comfortable ride.

[Anonymous]

Btw, where i live, all the Chevy commercials have the tagline, “chevy, made for colorado.” So if you live anywhere else (i can't imagine why they only air those here), chevys are not suitable for you according to chevy.

Personally, i don't think they're suitable for anyone except maybe people who text and drive, since they don't need their brakes or power steering anyway.

[Author]

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