What would be the best compact or subcompact car for the money?

Question

Current car: 2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS, almost 164,000 miles, runs great, only repair besides routine maintenance has been to replace water pump at about 155,000 miles. Drive 60 miles a day, four days a week, on straight highway, on cruise (except when roads are wet). I plan to drive this car until it starts going bad, i.e., more expensive to repair than what the car is worth. Next time, I'm looking to get a car with no more than 25,000 or 35,000 already on it which gets around 30 to 35 miles to the gallon. My budget will only be $12,000. What is a good used car for $12,000 or less that will last at least to 200,000 miles? (This will probably be a long shot, but still worth asking.)

Answer 1

I don't know how long our 2000 Ford Focus will run, but it's got about 110,000 on it now and it's going strong.  We had a Ford Escort that ran to  over 200,000 miles and was still going strong when the timing chain broke.  We put almost nothing into it in repairs.  I'm hoping our Focus will have the same record.

Answer 2

I read a report the other day that says most modern cars (built after 2001) should make 200,000 miles.   That shouldnt be much of a concern.

As for the answer, Id say a Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic.   You can get all of these under 20k, new, and a stripped down Yaris you can get new under 12k.  Hyundais do not hold their value well, and you can probably find a lightly used Elantra around 12k.

Nothing Ford makes is efficient for its size, and the Cobalt is overpriced, and the Aveo is a piece of junk.

Answer 3

Honda

Accord 03

Civic 04

CR-V 03

Hyundai

Elantra 06

Santa Fe V6 04

Kia Optima 06

Nissan Altima 4cyl 05

Pontiac Vibe 05

Toyota

Camry 03

Celica 03

Corolla 05

Matrix 04-05

If you want a Ford Focus stick to 03 to 07's the new version is bigger and less agile and less practical without the hatchback or wagon.

one owners review of 2001 Focus

I have so many problems with this car... i have replaced 3 tie rods, the struts, the heater, it is currently stalling and chugging and they are having trouble finding out what's wrong with it this this time! this car is killing my bank account!