I've traditionally dismissed the Korean stuff but I'm wondering if my bias might be costing me an opportunity to get something after this scarcity/price hike period has passed... I might be interested in a used appliance with room for four full sized adults. Let's assume something ~125K miles/sub $6500... Any ideas?
I would be more interested in the Korean hatchbacks.
In reply to stroker :
This is probably a good topic. If we only had a subject matter expert.
There was a time when the Korean vehicles were 2nd-rate. I would say that ended in about 2010-ish. Today, on the used market they seem to me to hold their value as well other makes, even up there with Toyota/Honda.
So, in the new world of used cars, 125k-ish for less than $6k may be a challenge needing to stay 2010 or newer. So, you might then have to consider a model older than 2010 to get into your price range.
I was helping my brother-in-law find a car in that price range last year and had originally constrained my search to 10-ish-year-old Toyotas and Hondas. I ended up buying a 2011 Hyundai Elantra from another GRM member that checked all the right boxes for my BIL. Also gets great gas mileage and is pretty cheap to insure (as was much roomier inside than I originally expected).
In that "value-price" used-vehicle class, I think the Korean cars have a lot going for them.
The whole world wants a SUV these days. That keeps demand high and prices high. But, the world is snubbing sedans. To find your "best value" I would focus on sedans.
Korean sedan means: Elantra/Forte and Sonata/Optima
Chevy Cruze?
I have a Korean box that was ~$6k and sub 120k. Its an astounding turd, but its reliable.
In reply to stroker :
Are you open to the idea of a manual trans? The Koreans offered a lot with manual trans, both sedan and suv. They are hard to sell because so few people are interested in manual but that can be translated into lower selling prices too. Just know, that a lot of the Korean cars with manual were the lowest option cars and they often did not even offer cruise control on those low models. So, if cruise control is important to you, be sure to check the model actualy has it.
As an example, Kia sold a lot of Kias Souls with manual trans.
I can feel Bobzilla's E36 M3box senses tingling.
Wife has had two Kia Optimas and both have been pretty nice but just a few little things piss you off.
-First one (2013) the A/C didnt work after the first 6 months and it took them a good while to get the line they needed to fix it under warranty. The paint was super bad on it (burgundy) and got some of the worst acid rain/bird poop damage I have seen. Otherwise not bad.
-Second one (2016) has been pretty solid, but some times the heated seats dont work, lights dont come on, nothin. Power cycle fixes that. Also all the door panels are delaminating in the middle, and the rear 02 sensor crapped out at like 35k miles. Of largest concern is every time I change the oil it smells really gassy. Its the 2.4 GDI motor which have some concerns. I do every 5k with Mobil 1 and factory filters. It also ate the factory tires pretty quick, 30k miles they were dangerously thin. I put on some nicer Toyos and that made a difference. Its probably getting close to needing brakes.
They do represent a lot of car for the money, get good economy, and have a giant gas tank. She paid $28k for her well optioned 2016 (heated and cooled seats, nav, pano roof, etc) and trades put it at around $17k today. She has around 45k miles on it, doesnt do much driving.
John Welsh said:In reply to stroker :
Are you open to the idea of a manual trans? The Koreans offered a lot with manual trans, both sedan and suv. They are hard to sell because so few people are interested in manual but that can be translated into lower selling prices too. Just know, that a lot of the Korean cars with manual were the lowest option cars and they often did not even offer cruise control on those low models. So, if cruise control is important to you, be sure to check the model actualy has it.
As an example, Kia sold a lot of Kias Souls with manual trans.
I have a Soul with the larger engine (2.0) and a 6spd manual, and cruise. But yes, for most years a manual is only going to get you the base trim (which is fine IMO), but often only the base engine as well. And a 1.6L manual Soul is a pretty hateful experience.
My wife had a Soul with the manual, it proved very reliable and gave us no issues. I had a Kia Rondo that gave many, many miles of mostly trouble-free service. I had a Kia Sedona that I did not pay enough for and was sketchy AF, but it was decent except for rust that eventually killed it. I now drive an Elantra, so I am fully on the Korean sedan bandwagon.
My M-I-L bought a 2011 Sonata new and gave it to my son last year to take to college. Here's everything that went wrong:
- starter needed replaced at 90k mi
- rubber "coupler" in steering column replaced free of charge at 103k mi (Google "hyundai sonata steering coupler recall")
- rod bearing failed at ~107k mi, and to my shock and amazement, Hyundai installed a new long block under extended warranty without a fight (I did pay ~$450 for all new hoses and belts at this time)
- windshield washer fluid level sensor failed at 120k mi (who cares?)
That's it. It's got 130k on it now and I'm surprised how tight the steering and suspension still feel. Maybe most amazing to me is that the 6sp auto trans still shifts like new on the original fluid.
If I were shopping for a midsize sedan, I'd be looking at the Fusion/Mazda6 first and the Sonata/Optima second.
Azera. It's like a Toyota Avalon, but cheaper to purchase. Same running gear as he 2006-2010 Sonata, big cush seats, massive trunk and 3.3 or 3.8 Lamda V6 power.
There's a Kia version but I already forgot it's name. The smaller cars, Elantra/Forte have a lot of rear seat legroom and front passenger space as well. When I'm not so busy with work on my friday I'll find you some local examples.
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