Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Fair enough but do they make small cars? Any examples of a good USA small car?
Best Small (American) Car To Buy Used?
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yeah chevy makes the cobalt and some other small cars
ford makes the focus and other small cars
dodge makes the Stratus? i think and some other small cars
they all make small cars and they sell well, the idea that we all drive lifted trucks is a stereotype
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
As I said, I don't really rate the Ford Focus through personal experience. Dunno anything about those other cars but I'll take your word for it. Seems a very weird title to this thread though. If I'm buying a car for whatever reason, I couldn't give a shit which country it comes from, all I care about is how good it is for my personal needs.
One example... the Ford Focus you drive, that would be one example
Joe the meek
Active Member
For up in Maine, I'd look at a Honda CRV all wheel drive, perhaps between 80-100k miles on it. I inherited a CRV (company car) with 100k on it because I work up in the mountains in NC, and in two years have put 100k on it with perhaps $1000 dollars in service work (less oil changes and tire rotations) and overall the vehicle has held up remarkably well.
Hard to beat a used honda civic or accord, or perhaps Toyota corolla. Nice thing about these cars is most small mechanic shops are use to working on them and parts are readily available and in most cases, won't cost you an arm and a leg (unlike some of the V.W's I've owned).
If you can, try to find a used car down below the mason dixon line. I had a truck I traded in that I had for 3 years (bought used) that I had for New York and West Virginia, and I couldn't believe the difference between "northern" and "southern" vehicles with the undercarriage and engine compartment. No snow in the south means no salt to deal with on the roads in winter. Northern cars really do get the salt spray effect over a couple of years. Just being a yankee for so long, I never realized it until I hit north carolina.
Hard to beat a used honda civic or accord, or perhaps Toyota corolla. Nice thing about these cars is most small mechanic shops are use to working on them and parts are readily available and in most cases, won't cost you an arm and a leg (unlike some of the V.W's I've owned).
If you can, try to find a used car down below the mason dixon line. I had a truck I traded in that I had for 3 years (bought used) that I had for New York and West Virginia, and I couldn't believe the difference between "northern" and "southern" vehicles with the undercarriage and engine compartment. No snow in the south means no salt to deal with on the roads in winter. Northern cars really do get the salt spray effect over a couple of years. Just being a yankee for so long, I never realized it until I hit north carolina.
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Avoid! They are a gimmick and a complete rip off for what they cost, you can do far, far better for a lot less.
See my opinion of them.
Alien Allen
Froggy the Prick
cars sold in the south are more expensive and you have to be careful because a lot of northern cars are auctioned off to be shipped south.
another tip is to get a car fax report. They are pretty cheap and while not perfect should indicate if there has been any major incidents.
if you do decide to buy another option is a certified used car if you have the money for one not too old. You pay a bit more but they come with some warranty.
last if you decide to buy then be sure to run the car for a good half hour to make sure it has more than warmed up. I made the mistake years ago of taking a car I really wanted for a ride around the corner. All was fine. When I got it home and ran it longer all kinds of shit showed up.
and remember that if the price seems too good then be leery.
another tip is to get a car fax report. They are pretty cheap and while not perfect should indicate if there has been any major incidents.
if you do decide to buy another option is a certified used car if you have the money for one not too old. You pay a bit more but they come with some warranty.
last if you decide to buy then be sure to run the car for a good half hour to make sure it has more than warmed up. I made the mistake years ago of taking a car I really wanted for a ride around the corner. All was fine. When I got it home and ran it longer all kinds of shit showed up.
and remember that if the price seems too good then be leery.
See my opinion of them.
The ford focus is rated higher in satisfaction and reliability than many other small cars. Just do a quick search to see how they rank among other manufacturers.
Just because there are things you don't like doesn't mean it isn't a great car.
I would probably recommend a Jeep Liberty for bad winters, they are not teeny cars, but small for their type, and I've heard good things.
For cars on the small side, I'd look into the Focus, as far as I know they rate close to the Chevy Cobalt but for cheaper. Might be wrong. I hope to get a Focus myself, knowing they're not the greatest car out there, they'll do what I need it to.
For cars on the small side, I'd look into the Focus, as far as I know they rate close to the Chevy Cobalt but for cheaper. Might be wrong. I hope to get a Focus myself, knowing they're not the greatest car out there, they'll do what I need it to.
Joe the meek
Active Member
Problem IMO is parts and service if you don't have a factory authorized dealer nearby, and being used, the car may be out of warranty to begin with, then good luck charlie if you need to get something worked on out of warranty.
As far as bad winters, people up north still can't seem to grasp the fact that having a 4x4 or AWD will do NOTHING for you but get you in trouble when they're driving fast and have to hit the breaks.
Joe the meek
Active Member
Whatever you do, don't take your drivers exam with a 72 chevy with a three speed on the column. I failed miserably LOL
My Escort cannot get out of a snow pile. My ex boyfriend's Liberty could get out of a snow pile. I'd assume most people would like to get out of a snow pile. Even in areas with good plow services, a bad snow storm means little cars can't get out. That's my point.
Alien Allen
Froggy the Prick
most cars are front wheel drive and they do well in snow if they are not too low to the ground. The only thing stopping them is if the snow is too deep and it lifts the car off the ground enough to lose traction. I went thru some deep snows with my cars. If you could get it to move you just about plow with em.
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