Time for a new car for daughter

[bucketfoot]

We've kind of been planning for this day, but it looks like it is time for my daughter to get her first car of her own.

She's been driving my mother-in-law's old Impala that we bought from the estate (got her through high school and college) but it now needs repairs that will cost basically half the value of the car.

She is surprisingly frugal for a 23 year old and has had the Honda Fit at the top of her list pretty much since we started looking into cars.

Other contenders so far have been the Subaru Impreza (feels cheaper than the Fit but for more $$$), Mazda 3, Honda HRV, Mazda CX-3 (we're in Colorado so while not necessary, AWD would be nice -- but winter tires will go on whatever she gets).

She is pretty set on the practicality of a hatchback, so any other suggestions for what we should take a look at?

Cars she's looked at already and ruled out for one reason or another include:
VW Golf
Toyota Corolla M
Honda Civic
Hyundai Veloster
Chevy Cruze

My wife and I tend to keep our cars for extended periods and my guess is she will do the same, so long-term reliability is definitely a major factor.

[F80Dreamer]

I bought my son a 2015 mazda3. Very fun car, super reliable, and getting over 30mpg. Interior is a bit dated vs some other cars but I would do it again in a second.

[FriskyDingo]

I'd stay away from Hondas CVT's, personally. And I feel like the Fit and HR-V are total dogs in the power department. Mazda, Subaru, or the Golf would be my recommendations. Why did she cross the Golf off?

[bucketfoot]

Yea, I really like the Mazda 3. In fact I got my oldest daughter into a used one a year or so ago.

The biggest problem this daughter had with it is that she is really short and the 3 does not have vertically adjustable seat belts. So she had a hard time getting comfortable in it.

Personally this would be my first choice for a non-AWD vehicle for her, as I think she may tire of the Fit much sooner. That said, I really have nothing negative to say about the Fit.

[dzvero]

Considering hybrid ?

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

Why did she cross the Golf off?

Primarily poor reliability and high cost of ownership. Also the Fit has way more usable interior space.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by dzvero

Considering hybrid ?

I've tired to get her to look at the Prius Two, but she really hasn't seemed interested.

I think it's a bit bigger and bulkier than she prefers.

[Bluewater328iT]

The Fit is one of the most efficient cars. I'd get it with a manual for more fun, not sure if it has a CVT or regular auto, but check it for power. I drove a 2016 Golf in CA for two weeks and was impressed. That would be my choice, but Mazda 3 also has a good rep. Fit is definitely the most economical and has lots of room, so if she likes it, that might be it. It has small tires and looks like a roller skate to me, but it is practical.

[Buddy628]

Acura ILX is a really nice car my daughter has a 2013 ILX Hybrid with the Tech Package' I have been impressed by this little sedan. She had a Honda Fit which was an awesome car but the ILX is a lot nicer and gets better gas mileage.

[Chihuahua]

I had a Blaze Orange Metallic '07 Fit Sport, it was an awesome car for what it was. It had plenty of power to get around, awesome utility, and was easy to work on. Best of all it was a Honda, so it was dead reliable. and it had VTEC yo! Great car.

[48Laws]

991.2 GT3

[baege]

Originally Posted by 48Laws

991.2 GT3

manual

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

Yea, I really like the Mazda 3. In fact I got my oldest daughter into a used one a year or so ago.

The biggest problem this daughter had with it is that she is really short and the 3 does not have vertically adjustable seat belts. So she had a hard time getting comfortable in it.

Personally this would be my first choice for a non-AWD vehicle for her, as I think she may tire of the Fit much sooner. That said, I really have nothing negative to say about the Fit.

That's weird. I have a 2016 Mazda 3 S GT 5 door (great, simple name) and it has adjustable seat belts. I'm 6'2" and my wife's 5'2" and hers is all the way down and mines all the way up.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

That's weird. I have a 2016 Mazda 3 S GT 5 door (great, simple name) and it has adjustable seat belts.

We are swinging by the Mazda dealer after work today to take a quick look at both the CX-3 and the 3, so we'll have to double-check that.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

We are swinging by the Mazda dealer after work today to take a quick look at both the CX-3 and the 3, so we'll have to double-check that.

Beware of just how small the CX3 is. Also doesn't come with a manual, if that's important. New CX5 looks good though, but I prefer cars over SUV's.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Beware of just how small the CX3 is. Also doesn't come with a manual, if that's important. New CX5 looks good though, but I prefer cars over SUV's.

She actually prefers a smaller car (but it has to have lots of room), which is a big reason the Fit tops the list. There really isn't another subcompact hatchback that comes close to it.

[bucketfoot]

OK, why in the world did the word "space" get *****'d out???

[Red Bread]

Haha, that's a weird correction. I actually went to buy a Fit but production lags meant there were none in TX with a manual when I needed a car. Also turns out that the current one can't have a roof rack because the sheet metal is too thin. Deal breaker for my biking needs.

[1MOREMOD]

Z06

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Z06

Hold out for a Ford GT.

[48Laws]

Originally Posted by baege

manual

Yeah...so she can't text and drive.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Hold out for a Ford GT.

Yeah for the daughter ,the beast in yellow would be awesome .