Probably going car shopping soon...

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

My 2000 Saturn has almost 150,000 miles on it, and has had a great run. But my coolant tank has a steady leak, and the timing belt could go at any time. Instead of pouring almost $2000 of repairs into it, that money might be better spend for a down payment on a new ride. I really dig the Prius, but also like Civic, Jetta, and could be drawn by a "loyalty discount" to go for an Ion.

I'm looking for decent interior room, good gas mileage, reliability, and under $20K. Some bells and whistles and a good stereo with iPod compatibility would be a plus. Any suggestions???

[mondo joe]

1. My Scion XB hit all your points: decent interior room, good mileage, under 2k and reliable.

Also an iPod compatible stereo.

The deal is that the XB comes as a basic model at a non negotiable price, all bells and whistles optional at set prices. The interior space is impressive - everyone who's been in mine comments on it. Also, it looks like a toaster. :-)

You can "assemble" yours online at http://www.scion.com/ and get the exact price right there, I believe.

[MissMillie]

4. I have one too!

and I love it!

[mondo joe]

7. Yes! Toaster drivers unite.

We really do like ours. It's amazing the parking spots we can squeeze it into.

[MissMillie]

9. I fit a washing machine into mine

and it gets 33 mpg.

It's HUGH!!!!11!!!1!

[kwassa]

11. it looks less toaster-like now.

here is the 2008 body style

http://image.automotive.com/f/crossovers/2008-scion-xb-still-the-most-stylish-box-around/6381824+w630+cr1+re0+ar1/2008-scion-xb-front-leftjpg.jpg

[MissMillie]

12. yeah, but the newer model has a bigger engine

so the mileage isn't as good.

and it looks like a mini-Hummer

[AllegroRondo]

2. Toyota Carolla

close to 40 MPG, decent room (even for me, I'm 6ft), no problems with maintenance, and a nice 6 speaker stereo with CD. All for about $15K.

[CreekDog]

14. Toyota Corolla seconded

Those are great cars and they get terrific mileage, even with the regular old gasoline engine. They have enough pep too.

I like the Mazda 3 but their mileage is considerably lower. For similar mpg, I would get a Subaru and get the all wheel drive which can make life a little easier. In other words, I would only take the mileage penalty if you got something for it. Otherwise, Corolla for that price.

[flvegan]

3. Check out the Mazda 3.

Both the hatch and the sedan are best buys in their class. The models you've suggested are all good, though. Best to drive a bunch and see what's best for you.

[harmonicon]

18. I second the Mazda 3

It's a great car, not just great for the money. I think you can get the bigger engine and fancy features and still come in under 20k. I also like VWs, but haven't driven the new models (rabbit is probably the only one under 20k).

[Initech]

22. Mazdas are nice.

I test drove both the 3 and the 6 and they are very nice cars. I almost bought one but decided to go with Nissan instead.

[One_Life_To_Give]

5. Did you put 150k on in 8 years?

if your putting on 20,000 miles a year. I would look at the diesel Jetta. 50+ mpg could save you a few bucks over that many miles.

[AngryAmish]

6. My 98 Honda Accord is still running like a top

Not as many miles as you (115k) but it starts every time and not nagging issues.

This is my first Honda and I suspect I'll never get another brand. (Unless I can afford on of these

[AlCzervik]

8. here you go

http://www.vw.com/vwfeatures/newbeetle/en/us/

for $17k you can get a brand new beetle, i have a convertible, i wish i bought one years ago.

[lutefisk]

10. You can buy a 4 cylinder Accord or Camry for less than $20k

Sometimes these cars are overlooked because people assume they are well over $20k, but if you stick with the 4 clinder models and do a little price shopping, they can be less expensive than a smaller car. Roomy, safer than a smaller car in an accident, reliable, comfortable, better mpg than many smaller cars, and excellent resale value if you ever want to sell.

If you stick with the 4 cylinder, you can easily buy one in the $17k to $19k range, depending on how much you want to shop around (use the internet sales department of dealerships to solicit firm price quotes). If you don't shop around using the internet sales departments, you can spend much more, of course.

[MrCoffee]

13. I traded in my 98 Saturn for a Chevy HHR

I heart my new ride. We get pretty decent city milage, it's got CRAZY huge interior room, I think Chevy's doing the 5yr/100k warranty either now or soon.

OK stereo, but even the basic stereo has XM (we got three free months when we bought it) and an iPod jack.

[Hobarticus]

21. Had a hard time getting used to the windows in our HHR, at first...

But all in all, a fun little ride.

[Strawman]

15. The Saturn Aura is a nice affordable new car

http://www.edmunds.com/saturn/aura/review.html

My mom bought one last year and likes it alot. It was car of the year in 2007.

[CreekDog]

16. My Subaru Forester was 19k (new) back in 2005

It's a handy car. Mileage is around 22 in town, 27 highway (I've gotten 31-32 before). It kicks butt in the snow. This weekend was in Tahoe and I was the only one of the cars that didn't need to be pushed out of the driveway (and one of them was an Escape!). The highway between Tahoe and Truckee was such a mess that even the SUV's were sliding backwards, but I didn't have a bit of trouble.

I really wanted to buy the Mazda 3, but I forced myself to buy this car because I kept getting my VW Golf stranded in the high desert, hated putting chains on that thing and didn't like the way it slid on ice. After getting it stuck a couple of times, one of those times as it was pulled from the sand it nearly rolled into Pyramid Lake, I said to myself next car will have all wheel or 4 wheel drive. I go off road or in snow too much. Thing is, I hate driving trucks and SUV's but Subarus drive like cars.

So that's what I got.

[yellowdogintexas]

17. I really love my Chrysler Sebring, which I purchased used

it was a former lease or rental model a "program" car.

These can be really good deals, all dealerships will have them,

I can drive from Fort Worth to Little Rock on 1 tank of gas, and this car has >100K miles on it. Usually a car with this many miles on it loses fuel efficiency as it ages. Not this baby.

Really comfortable and because it was a rental, had lots of options.

So it is another consideration. Rental companies have to retire their cars at 18,000 miles and msny do it sooner.

[TreasonousBastard]

19. Which Saturn? My 2000 LS1 has dual timing chains...

and the engine is a European one called the "million mile engine."

Anyway, by all reports the new Aura is a very nice car, and the Green Line Aura isn't that much of a premium over the base model, although the mileage improvement isn't as good as with some other hybrid systems.

I have had three Corollas over the years, and the only good thing about them is that I got them used and damn cheap. Repairs on them when something does go wrong are ridiculous, though. Most people get rid of them sooner so don't get hit too hard and think they are great. The Toyota that does impress me, though, is the Yaris, which is dirt cheap, has lots of room, and seems pretty solid. For 10 grand less than a Prius, you gotta put on some serious miles even at these gas prices to cover the price difference.

Ford's Fusion/Milan is a very nice car, and getting a good reputation for reliability. Considering that Ford makes all those cop cars, limos, and cabs that last damn near forever under horrific conditions, their reputation for so-so reliability seems a bit undeserved. Biggest problem with getting a Ford is all your friends will laugh at you for not paying more money for a Japanese car. "You bought a WHAT?"

I don't know if VW's reputation for flaky quality control is deserved or not, but, yeah, I might hold out for a diesel Jetta. Last time they were selling diesels here everybody who had one loved it and used ones around here are snapped up in a day or so. Other than that, VWs are not known to be too thrifty with gas, although they are a lot of fun to drive. Back in Joisey, they were on top of the stolen car list. Not as good as Civics for wheelies, but better at everything else. Beware of diesels in winter, though, so I don't know if it's a good idea in, say, North Dakota.

And, there's that Mini. We gots tons of them around here. Great mileage and loads of fun to drive-- BMW's best idea ever.

My personal short list, based on the comfort of my aging ass, usefulness carrying stuff, gas mileage, and in no particular order-- Chevy HHR, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, Mercury Milan, Ford Escape Hybrid and (dreaming right along) Mercedes Bluetech diesel.

[Initech]

20. The new Nissan Sentras are nice.

I own an Altima and I fucking love it.

Word of advice though - do not buy Volkswagen.