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.
I've been very happy with Chevrolet's low-end sedans since the mid-90s. My '98 Cavalier ran about 170,000 miles before maintenance issues became problematic. And the current Cobalt is going strong at 106,000 miles, still getting about 32mpg on the highway. Don't know how the Aveo stacks up durability and maintenance-wise, but it's about 3/4 the price and probably gets better mileage.
Emily, if you do go with a slightly used car and decide to buy it through a dealership, see if you can get an extended warranty with it. My mom bought a used Caddy and got the warranty, which has more than paid for itself with all the work she's had done on it in the four years since.
