ISO a tiny car in LA
December 15, 2014 3:57 PM Subscribe
As with many transplants to LA, I am in need of a new-to-me small/tiny car, as well as a mechanic somewhere between Santa Monica and Koreatown. Any small car advice or other welcome; ca(r)eats inside.
Looking for: a used small car. A very small car. Probably a little larger than a Smart car or a Spark. Something shorter than a Focus (we already have one) but the Fiesta hatchback is on the list.
Needs to be:
Automatic
Available in the 12k-13k price point (though I have been driving a Prius C and love it, I think they tend to go a little higher but if Prius C owners have any compelling arguments about the 4-5k difference, please let me know!)
Small and easy to handle
Easy to care for as it will be my first car
Safe
This car will: live in or on the top floor of a garage in southern California. It will rarely see rain. It may never see snow. It might go as far north as San Francisco or as far south as San Diego but will probably never do anything but commute. It will be driven by a new driver who hates driving; it will not be driven to do anything exciting or more adventurous than going hiking in the canyons. It will be added to existing car insurance, and I will probably get a AAA membership. Financing is not a big issue.
This car would preferably be purchased and ready to go within the next three to four weeks, which doesn't leave very much time for sifting through Craigslist leads. The idea has generally been to go to one of the big Carmaxs in the valley to test drive as many tiny car models as possible. Should we still try to find a mechanic to vet this car, or is Carmax generally safe enough? Definitely no negotiating at Carmax?
The Focus has been a really great car in that all it has ever needed are new tires and new oil, which is ideally all I would need to provide for this car for a while. Many of the local small used cars are ex-rentals: good? Bad? Neutral? Test driving by renting is not an option.
(I know everyone loves used Civics and Accords and Camrys but I am not looking for either of those.)
Previous questions I have seen: this one, this one, this one, and this awesome one on women and car care.
Thank you!
Looking for: a used small car. A very small car. Probably a little larger than a Smart car or a Spark. Something shorter than a Focus (we already have one) but the Fiesta hatchback is on the list.
Needs to be:
Automatic
Available in the 12k-13k price point (though I have been driving a Prius C and love it, I think they tend to go a little higher but if Prius C owners have any compelling arguments about the 4-5k difference, please let me know!)
Small and easy to handle
Easy to care for as it will be my first car
Safe
This car will: live in or on the top floor of a garage in southern California. It will rarely see rain. It may never see snow. It might go as far north as San Francisco or as far south as San Diego but will probably never do anything but commute. It will be driven by a new driver who hates driving; it will not be driven to do anything exciting or more adventurous than going hiking in the canyons. It will be added to existing car insurance, and I will probably get a AAA membership. Financing is not a big issue.
This car would preferably be purchased and ready to go within the next three to four weeks, which doesn't leave very much time for sifting through Craigslist leads. The idea has generally been to go to one of the big Carmaxs in the valley to test drive as many tiny car models as possible. Should we still try to find a mechanic to vet this car, or is Carmax generally safe enough? Definitely no negotiating at Carmax?
The Focus has been a really great car in that all it has ever needed are new tires and new oil, which is ideally all I would need to provide for this car for a while. Many of the local small used cars are ex-rentals: good? Bad? Neutral? Test driving by renting is not an option.
(I know everyone loves used Civics and Accords and Camrys but I am not looking for either of those.)
Previous questions I have seen: this one, this one, this one, and this awesome one on women and car care.
Thank you!
A Honda Fit is what you want. You should be able to get a late model used one for that price. Just go to a Honda dealership and tell them what you want.
posted by Sara C. at 4:08 PM on December 15, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by Sara C. at 4:08 PM on December 15, 2014 [5 favorites]
Awesome rebates on the Nissan Leaf in CA right now! You can put down $2,000 and get a rebate for $2500!
This is what I would have if I was not still driving my low mileage old school Jeep.
Memail me about mechanics. I'm not posting that on the internets ;))
posted by jbenben at 4:13 PM on December 15, 2014 [2 favorites]
This is what I would have if I was not still driving my low mileage old school Jeep.
Memail me about mechanics. I'm not posting that on the internets ;))
posted by jbenben at 4:13 PM on December 15, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm a Fit fan but don't forget to look at the Scion iQ. It is a shade larger than a Smart and I like the way they look and I have faith in Toyota and Carmax has a couple near you in your range; but I can't speak for it otherwise.
posted by ftm at 4:38 PM on December 15, 2014
posted by ftm at 4:38 PM on December 15, 2014
Best answer: Yeah, thirding the Honda Fit. It's pretty much the perfect urban car: tiny (about the same length as the Fiesta), fits anywhere, shockingly roomy inside, fun to drive, and bulletproof. The only problem is that because they're so awesome they have good resale value, so it's harder to find a great deal, but you can definitely find a good one in your price range.
posted by The Michael The at 4:40 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by The Michael The at 4:40 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fourthing the Fit. Husbunny has one an he LOVES it! What's cool is that the seats configure and re-configure so you can transport all kinds of stuff. Cheap on fuel too!
I love my Civic, but might be bigger than you like.
Hondas RULE!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:50 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I love my Civic, but might be bigger than you like.
Hondas RULE!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:50 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I know a couple of people that are totally in love with their fits.
For a mechanic, I've been quite happy with Pacific Coast Tire and Service. I've only used them for service, and they've good work on my insanely customized van - being able to work outside of standard equipment is a really good sign to me.
posted by flaterik at 4:52 PM on December 15, 2014
For a mechanic, I've been quite happy with Pacific Coast Tire and Service. I've only used them for service, and they've good work on my insanely customized van - being able to work outside of standard equipment is a really good sign to me.
posted by flaterik at 4:52 PM on December 15, 2014
Best answer: I love my Fit so hard as well(I live and drive in Los Angeles). They are priced up at Carmax, but Honda dealerships will be pretty fair(and if you want an odd colour, those are surprisingly easy to find).
I'm on my second Fit. My last one was totalled(t-boned at an intersection) and I walked away without a scratch(side airbags!).
And Ed Little Auto in Culver City.
posted by sawdustbear at 4:54 PM on December 15, 2014 [4 favorites]
I'm on my second Fit. My last one was totalled(t-boned at an intersection) and I walked away without a scratch(side airbags!).
And Ed Little Auto in Culver City.
posted by sawdustbear at 4:54 PM on December 15, 2014 [4 favorites]
As with many things in Los Angeles, there are many good mechanics and my advice is always to go with the most conveniently located rather than the absolute best, which is not going to be much better than the others in its class!
And sawdustbear is one of my friends who loves their Fit so you can reduce the number of total Fit-lovers mentioned by 1
posted by flaterik at 5:00 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
And sawdustbear is one of my friends who loves their Fit so you can reduce the number of total Fit-lovers mentioned by 1
posted by flaterik at 5:00 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
I love my Toyota Yaris 2-door! It's tiny on the outside and big on the inside and it's Toyota quality!
The designs at one point where very dorky and "eggy," but the last re-design made great improvements. Look for the one with the taillights that jut out a bit.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:14 PM on December 15, 2014
The designs at one point where very dorky and "eggy," but the last re-design made great improvements. Look for the one with the taillights that jut out a bit.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:14 PM on December 15, 2014
I love small cars. I drove a mini cooper in SoCal for 4 years, and...... freeway driving/commuting was not its forte. The fit etc are lighter and less stiff than the cooper.
What is your commute like? Freeway? Or urban?
I know you say you want a small car. If this is out of desire for fuel economy on a mostly freeway commute, your desire is misplaced. One step up from the fit etc come some very aerodynamic cars with tall gear ratios and relaxed engines, which will be much HAPPIER doing 50-70 mph, rather than being in a buzzing box which can be windblown around etc, and probably have a 1-2% TOTAL penalty on fuel economy compared to something like the fit. Diesels are great for this too; a bigger diesel will get better economy on the freeway than the fit.
If you buy a 3-4 year old car like this with 30k miles on the odometer, you could definitely get $12k (diesel a little more).
If you're thinking of going around town a lot, then a hybrid is definitely the best way to go....
Either way to look for economy, looking here would be a good start. Don't fall for the "it's small so it must be environmentally friendly" fallacy; the correlation is NOT perfect.
posted by lalochezia at 5:30 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
What is your commute like? Freeway? Or urban?
I know you say you want a small car. If this is out of desire for fuel economy on a mostly freeway commute, your desire is misplaced. One step up from the fit etc come some very aerodynamic cars with tall gear ratios and relaxed engines, which will be much HAPPIER doing 50-70 mph, rather than being in a buzzing box which can be windblown around etc, and probably have a 1-2% TOTAL penalty on fuel economy compared to something like the fit. Diesels are great for this too; a bigger diesel will get better economy on the freeway than the fit.
If you buy a 3-4 year old car like this with 30k miles on the odometer, you could definitely get $12k (diesel a little more).
If you're thinking of going around town a lot, then a hybrid is definitely the best way to go....
Either way to look for economy, looking here would be a good start. Don't fall for the "it's small so it must be environmentally friendly" fallacy; the correlation is NOT perfect.
posted by lalochezia at 5:30 PM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Commute is a mixture of surface streets, highway, and a short stretch of freeway. Small is because I hate driving and I do not like driving larger cars (yet.) Decent mpg is a plus, and I appreciate the Prius C's gas mileage but it isn't correlated to the size requirement. Sadly, electric is not an option because our complex doesn't have any hookups available and it might be needed for longer errand trips.
posted by jetlagaddict at 5:38 PM on December 15, 2014
posted by jetlagaddict at 5:38 PM on December 15, 2014
Best answer: nthing the Fit suggestion.
I am also on my second Fit as I totaled my first one. I also walked away without a scratch.
I considered a Prius C, but appreciate the back seat leg room and haul-ability the Fit affords. It's not the most comfortable car on long rides, but I do 300+ mile one-way trips relatively frequently, and it's not uncomfortable in the least.
For smaller cars, I'd definitely consider the 2 dr Yaris or the iQ, keeping in mind the road noise appreciates greatly as the pricepoint goes down.
posted by Mysterious Trousers at 5:56 PM on December 15, 2014
I am also on my second Fit as I totaled my first one. I also walked away without a scratch.
I considered a Prius C, but appreciate the back seat leg room and haul-ability the Fit affords. It's not the most comfortable car on long rides, but I do 300+ mile one-way trips relatively frequently, and it's not uncomfortable in the least.
For smaller cars, I'd definitely consider the 2 dr Yaris or the iQ, keeping in mind the road noise appreciates greatly as the pricepoint goes down.
posted by Mysterious Trousers at 5:56 PM on December 15, 2014
FWIW I live in Los Angeles and have commuted in a Honda Civic hatchback (A '97, a time when Civics were much smaller than the current range, much more like a Fit) and a Toyota Corolla (still definitely a compact car). Both are fine on the freeways here. The Corolla is more comfortable on my long commute for reasons unrelated to size and which are not germane here*, but all in all, I would not let a freeway commute preclude you from getting a Fit, Scion iQ, Mini Cooper, etc.
Also, the notion that you're going to be doing 50-70 mph on the freeways here at rush hour is laughable, unless you're coming from really far away or not doing it during drive time. I commute from East LA to Culver City on the 10 and rarely get above 50 the whole way.
Being windblown around is a non-issue. I've been out here for two years driving compact cars the whole time, and it has never been a thing.
*The stereo and AC both work!
posted by Sara C. at 6:33 PM on December 15, 2014
Also, the notion that you're going to be doing 50-70 mph on the freeways here at rush hour is laughable, unless you're coming from really far away or not doing it during drive time. I commute from East LA to Culver City on the 10 and rarely get above 50 the whole way.
Being windblown around is a non-issue. I've been out here for two years driving compact cars the whole time, and it has never been a thing.
*The stereo and AC both work!
posted by Sara C. at 6:33 PM on December 15, 2014
Also, I see tons of Fits, Mini Coopers, Scions, etc. on the freeways here in all conditions.
posted by Sara C. at 6:34 PM on December 15, 2014
posted by Sara C. at 6:34 PM on December 15, 2014
Given that you have quite few makes & models, I found my used Honda CR-V on cars.com with their private seller option. I looked at what was posted in the past week, compared with Blue book and found a winner. I agree that Craigslist can be like playing night baseball.
posted by childofTethys at 7:44 PM on December 15, 2014
posted by childofTethys at 7:44 PM on December 15, 2014
My problem with Carmax has been a serious lack of Toyotas and Hondas and a surplus of American cars.
posted by mecran01 at 10:21 PM on December 15, 2014
posted by mecran01 at 10:21 PM on December 15, 2014
Best answer: Umpteenthing the Fit. We have one. Love it. The thing is practically TARDIS-like in its ability to swallow-up any load you might want to haul.
The only caveats I would voice are:
1.) The ride is pretty damned firm, even by typical Honda standards. The seats, especially, are a bit rock-like.
2.) It's not the peppiest car around. It's reasonably quick, but don't plan on making any sudden blasts into traffic from a stop.
3.) That enormous, sloped windshield is a huge PITA to clean on the inside.
But, we do love it. Fantastic gas mileage, of course.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:31 AM on December 16, 2014
The only caveats I would voice are:
1.) The ride is pretty damned firm, even by typical Honda standards. The seats, especially, are a bit rock-like.
2.) It's not the peppiest car around. It's reasonably quick, but don't plan on making any sudden blasts into traffic from a stop.
3.) That enormous, sloped windshield is a huge PITA to clean on the inside.
But, we do love it. Fantastic gas mileage, of course.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:31 AM on December 16, 2014
A little above your price point for a new model, but what about the Fiat 500?
posted by kuanes at 6:31 AM on December 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by kuanes at 6:31 AM on December 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
I live in Los Angeles and I have two Honda Fits (2013, 2015). My wife & I both have one and we love them.
2013 avgs 29 MPG combined city/hwy
2015 avgs 33-35 combined city/hwy
The horsepower difference in the 2013 vs the 2015 is noticeable, plus they moved manufacturing to Mexico vs Japan in the new models. They put in more bells & whistles for sure in the 2015 at the same price (Bluetooth standard, CVT, more HP, better styling).
At the price range you're aiming you can get a new one financed* very cheaply and it comes with a factory warranty. Some dealerships also offer extended power-train warranties "for free" to get your business.
* You can also negotiate with the finance person if you get a good rate they'll beat it. Plus it seems every few months Honda offers .9 % financing for 60 months. 3-4k down at that rate gets you ~$250/mo payments.
I did consider a Prius C, Regular Prius, Honda Insight, Ford Fiesta as well. Priuses were nixed due to I'm 6'5" and my knees hit the steering wheel. The Honda Insight was a slug on the test drive. Ford Fiesta I just didn't like the style and it was smaller. Also, all the above are a good $2-5K more than the Fit.
posted by wcfields at 4:56 PM on December 16, 2014
2013 avgs 29 MPG combined city/hwy
2015 avgs 33-35 combined city/hwy
The horsepower difference in the 2013 vs the 2015 is noticeable, plus they moved manufacturing to Mexico vs Japan in the new models. They put in more bells & whistles for sure in the 2015 at the same price (Bluetooth standard, CVT, more HP, better styling).
At the price range you're aiming you can get a new one financed* very cheaply and it comes with a factory warranty. Some dealerships also offer extended power-train warranties "for free" to get your business.
* You can also negotiate with the finance person if you get a good rate they'll beat it. Plus it seems every few months Honda offers .9 % financing for 60 months. 3-4k down at that rate gets you ~$250/mo payments.
I did consider a Prius C, Regular Prius, Honda Insight, Ford Fiesta as well. Priuses were nixed due to I'm 6'5" and my knees hit the steering wheel. The Honda Insight was a slug on the test drive. Ford Fiesta I just didn't like the style and it was smaller. Also, all the above are a good $2-5K more than the Fit.
posted by wcfields at 4:56 PM on December 16, 2014
"The horsepower difference in the 2013 vs the 2015 is noticeable"
Which one has the higher horsepower?
posted by I-baLL at 10:09 AM on December 17, 2014
Which one has the higher horsepower?
posted by I-baLL at 10:09 AM on December 17, 2014
The 2015, 130 vs 117 (so about 10% more in the newer model).
posted by The Michael The at 1:18 PM on December 17, 2014
posted by The Michael The at 1:18 PM on December 17, 2014
Response by poster: Just a quick update: given the detailed love for Fits here and from friends in LA, I have now own a wee 2013 Honda Fit. I did get it from Carmax because given the week and a half in LA I had to buy it, it was the easiest/lowest stress option. For future readers, I think we could have saved a couple thousand shopping around through all of the LA Honda dealers, but the salesman at Carmax was the opposite of pushy and very accommodating given the timing. They even managed to get my car transferred between San Diego and LAX on New Year's day. Thanks all for the advice.
posted by jetlagaddict at 12:43 PM on January 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by jetlagaddict at 12:43 PM on January 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by jetlagaddict at 3:58 PM on December 15, 2014