What is a safe, affordable first car with reasonable gas mileage and a good depreciation value?

Question

I know this is kind of a loaded question, but I am 21 years old and thinking of buying my very first car. I need it to have all of the requirements I stated above. I've really fallen in love with the newer Volkswagen Jettas. If anyone has one, I would love to know how they like it. Some other options I've been thinking about are the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius. I would appreciate any insight anyone could give me. Thanks.

Answer 1

VW fan here- Currently driving Scion TC because of price /quaility/income factors

Jetta- deprciates more quickly and does not have a super realiabity rating but drives great and feels more expensive than it is- dealer service sucks.

Corrolla- depndable boring and runs wel - so so to drive feels cheaper and looks boring too- dealers ok for teh most part- ratlles some- holds value well

Civic dependable, holds value very well, loooks good but all over the place not super unique, drives good hard to get agood price

Prius- total scam- does not get milage indicated, who knwo how long the batery pack will last adn it is 8,000 to replace- cost much more has less power and inteh long run the harm to the enviorment is greater thtn gas because of all the toxins used and to be disposed of in the Hybrid drive- drives poorly and slowly- great at holding value- a great feel good car that screas look at me I am a saint in world of suv snobs and gasoline engine sinners who are out to destroy the world with their only gas cars- Look at me look at me Look at me I am great preson i am a god of greepeace.UGGGGG give me break.

Mazda 3- great look great drive great rep great fun decetn value decent reapirs and dec ent value to hold

Me - i'd rather drive the vw for 5 years have 3more problems but have cool car-
so here is my list on 100 scale-

Jetta - 89 pOINTs
mazda 3- 85 points
CIvic-80 Points
Corrolla- 75points
Prius- God save us all

Buyin used--

i woudl go for a dealer certified 1 year old civic or mazda 3- but if you can get new on for 800 more go new!!

Answer 2

Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic.

Used Corolla. Anything 2007 and under . They are covered by a 5 year power train warranty and 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. They are great cars even with out the warranty. You can get them a littler cheaper then the Honda Civic. Quality is the same . Its just that there is a little more of a supply on Corollas. Toyota is just more aggressive in their sales.



With the Corolla you can get it all with a good price. When you go used you can save from the get go. Its the first years that depreciation takes its biggest bite. Let some one else take that hit. After the 2nd year or so depreciation goes rather slow.

Corolla
Civic

They are close I think insurance wise the corolla will save you in the long run too. I love the civic and I own one but I would go either way depends what kind of deal I get. I have mechanic friends that work at Toyota and at Honda Dealers. They take care of my cars. Just maintenance , most of the time. They are not perfect but I hardly have any headaches with Toyota/Honda Cars.

Answer 3

Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, Toyota Celica.

Answer 4

Don't go with the Jetta. The '08 isn't really that great. It gives a loud and bumpy ride. It's good for high school students.

I would go with the Mazda6. It's reliable, it drives so smoothly, good gas mileage for its size, and it looks great.

I've also drove the Civic and Prius. You will like the Mazda better, trust me.

Answer 5

How about a 'certified pre-owned' Honda or Toyota? It would be several years old, but if it's certified the car should still be in good shape and come with a limited warranty. Honda's and Toyotas are usually nice-looking cars with great gas mileage.

Answer 6

1000-2000 - cheverloet cavalier/ pontiac sunfire
2000-3000 - honda civic/ toyota camry
3000-5000- honda accord
5000-9000- vw jetta

all depends on your price range (all of these used of course)

Answer 7

toyota an nissans have the market they hold a great book value an dont lose value fast..vws are not what there cracked up to be high maintainance when they start breaking down an parts are way to expensive trust me i bought a vw an my muffler cost 561.00 thats not including installing it on the vw passat..me personally it would be toyota or nissan.........

Answer 8

i have a 2002 vw passat and it has all the bells and whistles of a bmw, or Mercedes, but a much lower price tag!
why go with an asian tin box with wheels , when vw's keep their price better, they are 100 times more comfortable than American cars or asian.
i say go with wv and you will never regret it!!!!!
and i drove just about every car there is and vw is honesty one of the best!!!!

Answer 9

Hyundai, at least 6 years old.

Answer 10

EITHER THE HONDA ACCORD OR THE CIVIC WOULD BE YOUR BEST BET BY FAR.