Mal ,'The Train Job'
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
It was an '00, so I did get a number of recalls on it.
My impression has been that they really improved the quality with the 2005 overhaul.
Oh, there's also the Nissan Versa that's really cheap if you are willing to go pretty barebones on features. Don't know anyone who owns one though.
The Kia Rio's looking like the cheapest at the moment, then Chevy Aveo, then Toyota Yaris. The Honda Fit's at the very high end of my range, but I'll take a look based on your recommendation (and my affection for Honda!).
Yeah, our Focus is an '00, we got it used, but barely used. mr. flea (who drives it) really likes the way it handles, but it is much heavier than a comparable Toyota and gets pretty crap gas mileage, compared. We had recall-o-rama the first few years, and generally have not been thrilled with its reliability. We're at about 120K miles right now and planning to replace it in a year or two, whereas I think a Toyota would have lasted us much longer.
We bought the Focus because it had a seat that adjusted up and down as well as front-back (seriously, mr. flea is 6 foot 6, this was a big deal). No cheap Toyota had that, or we probably would have gotten one.
I didn't like the Yaris ads, with the car showing up and terrorizing those small components of whatever. I don't want a car that's a bully.
I love my Fit. I got the base model, stick shift, no extras, and it's working out very well for me.
We bought the Focus because it had a seat that adjusted up and down as well as front-back (seriously, mr. flea is 6 foot 6, this was a big deal).
Argh. My 6-foot-tall best friend has headroom in the Echo, but I don't think she has 6 inches of clearance. Mr. flea! Shrink a little!
Emily, I suggest a slightly used "better" car. It will be the same price as a cheap new car and be of better quality. My DH and all the professional auto journalists we know always buy used for that very reason. You get more car for the money.
Toyota Yaris
...is the preferred vehicle of pirates everywhere!
...is the preferred vehicle of pirates everywhere!
...since they don't make the Oldsmobile Cutlass anymore.
...since they don't make the Oldsmobile Cutlass anymore.
My first car. An Oldsmobile Station Wagon Cutlass Supreme. Dang gas guzzling whale.