Good first car?

[bubbshalub]

So it's happening! I need some information on what would be a good reliable car. I've checked out cars like the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6, and even took a look at Toyota Tacoma and a Ford Ranger. I know nothing about cars, but I want a pretty reliable one! Any advice?

[dalekphalm]

54 minutes ago, bubbshalub said:

So it's happening! I need some information on what would be a good reliable car. I've checked out cars like the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6, and even took a look at Toyota Tacoma and a Ford Ranger. I know nothing about cars, but I want a pretty reliable one! Any advice?

Really, just decide budget/price, and what features you want:

 

Eg:

Carrying capacity

Towing capacity

Fuel efficiency

People capacity

AC

Cruise Control

Heated Seats

etc

 

Budget will really dictate most of your decision.

[vetali]

Without years provided, its difficult.

 

7th gen accords are really good. 8th and 9th aren't bad either. Avoid the v6 Mazda 6s, and the 2.3l too. Tacoma is reliable. Don't get a 4.0l or 2.3l ranger. 

 

Honda and Toyota are really reliable, older Mazdas and Fords are about average. Newer post Ford partnership split (2014+) Mazdas are on par with Toyota or Honda if not better.

[Donut417]

On 3/21/2017 at 8:29 PM, bubbshalub said:

So it's happening! I need some information on what would be a good reliable car. I've checked out cars like the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6, and even took a look at Toyota Tacoma and a Ford Ranger. I know nothing about cars, but I want a pretty reliable one! Any advice?

Check in to replacement parts cost  as well. Because the more expensive the parts the more the repair will cost. You dont need to know the price of every thing just get an idea how things. Check out Youtube and the internet for general issues with the cars your looking at.  For instance. 2006 Ford Focus's have issues where the door latches like to break. I had this happen on my drivers side, I repaired it just fine. But you check in to known issues and how much the repairs will be. 

 

Also, remember older cars mean more miles and more that can go wrong. Struts and shocks and stuff start going out around the 100k to 150k mile marks. My dads 2007 Camry Just had new front struts installed because one broke. So be aware of that. Cost him about $400 to get the pair replaced.