Used car dithering, New England edition
May 1, 2019 6:40 PM Subscribe
Due to an extremely unfortunate event, I'm likely to be in the market for a used car very soon to replace a beloved 15-year old, low mileage (70k) car. Looking for some advice about shopping for used manual transmission and some opinions about my major contenders--in particular I'd love any feedback on how they handle the snow.
So, things I think I definitely want:
-A manual transmission hatchback. (Unless do I want a Prius C?) My top contenders are either a used (new?) Honda Fit or a used Toyota Matrix. I am limited in my search by my desire to fit the car into a very small garage, so any compact SUVs are sadly out.
1. I'm especially looking for feedback on how the Fit--or any other suggestion--handles the snow. Is the low ground clearance an issue if I'm not big on off-roading?
2. Questions about used car buying (which I've never done): Is it totally foolish to go for a used manual? How can I be assured that the clutch is still in good shape?
-At my assumed insurance payout to break even I'm probably looking at cars with 120k+ miles. I'm resentful, given how low my mileage was. Is that also foolish (either statement)?
3. Given the limited selection of manuals and the sharp rise in price for low-mileage cars, I'm wondering if should bite the bullet and look into the new Corolla hatchback, though from the specs online it looks like the back seat legroom is atrocious. Can anyone attest to the comfort?
So, things I think I definitely want:
-A manual transmission hatchback. (Unless do I want a Prius C?) My top contenders are either a used (new?) Honda Fit or a used Toyota Matrix. I am limited in my search by my desire to fit the car into a very small garage, so any compact SUVs are sadly out.
1. I'm especially looking for feedback on how the Fit--or any other suggestion--handles the snow. Is the low ground clearance an issue if I'm not big on off-roading?
2. Questions about used car buying (which I've never done): Is it totally foolish to go for a used manual? How can I be assured that the clutch is still in good shape?
-At my assumed insurance payout to break even I'm probably looking at cars with 120k+ miles. I'm resentful, given how low my mileage was. Is that also foolish (either statement)?
3. Given the limited selection of manuals and the sharp rise in price for low-mileage cars, I'm wondering if should bite the bullet and look into the new Corolla hatchback, though from the specs online it looks like the back seat legroom is atrocious. Can anyone attest to the comfort?
Regarding question #2, I have bought numerous manual cars over the years... the ones which were showing signs of needing clutch replacement at the time of purchase ended up needing a clutch, and the ones which weren't showing symptoms of needing a clutch lasted many years and miles. Check for slipping... floor the accelerator in 5th gear, if the engine revs up without a corresponding increase in road speed, the clutch is shot. Chattering (vibration or jerkiness as you're engaging the clutch) can be a sign of wear, as can an excessively heavy clutch pedal. Also watch for squealing /howling noises as you depress the clutch . You could get some quotes from mechanics for clutch replacement for the particular model you're looking at just to get a feel for the worst case scenario. IMO, an automatic can be a riskier buy... very few people actually periodically change their transmission fluid and an automatic transmission failure will be much more expensive than a clutch job. Having said that, there is an issue with some versions of the corolla/ matrix having the bearings in the 5-speed manual transmission fail. Supposedly, it was resolved with the '06 model year and newer cars. Also, IIRC the Matrix was on the critical list for Takata airbag recalls, so if you buy one make sure the recall is done. Good luck!
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 8:14 PM on May 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 8:14 PM on May 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Sounds like Larry David Syndrome gave you some good advice. Supporting data point: I bought a used manual that showed no adverse symptoms and never ended up needing a clutch during the time I owned it. Also want to point out that if you're buying a car at 120,000+ miles, it's likely that the clutch has already worn out and needed to be replaced as part of normal wear and tear. I'd look for something with a recent clutch replacement, especially if it happened at 100k+ mileage - in general that would indicate an owner who drove the car gently.
Can't speak to the Fit but I've driven similar cars in the snow without issue. The tires are more important than the clearance when you're driving in normal conditions. I'd lean towards the Matrix since it offers AWD and the Fit doesn't.
To give you some reassurance - I wouldn't be all that phased by replacing a 15-year old car with 70,000 miles with, say, a 10 year old car with 120,000 miles. Especially in a snowy climate, the toll that the salted roads take on a car's bones are calculated by the years, not the miles. I've personally had great luck buying cars that are quite high mileage for their age; I've bought three such vehicles and never had anything other than routine maintenance (my first car was 8 years old with 220,000 miles when I bought it, criss crossed the country with me with only minor and expected repairs, and finally gave up the ghost 8 years later the same day that I'd driven it to drop off all my worldly possessions at my new city apartment where I couldn't keep a car anyway. I literally coasted into the suburban parking lot where I'd planned to stash it while I figured out what to do given my new car-free lifestyle). My current car was only two years old with 64,000 miles when I bought it. It had clearly been driven mostly on the highway, and had records of dealer services every 5,000 miles registered on carfax. I suspect it was owned by a salesperson or something that had a lot of highway driving to do and maintenance reimbursed by the employer. Has had zero issues.
posted by exutima at 11:47 PM on May 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Can't speak to the Fit but I've driven similar cars in the snow without issue. The tires are more important than the clearance when you're driving in normal conditions. I'd lean towards the Matrix since it offers AWD and the Fit doesn't.
To give you some reassurance - I wouldn't be all that phased by replacing a 15-year old car with 70,000 miles with, say, a 10 year old car with 120,000 miles. Especially in a snowy climate, the toll that the salted roads take on a car's bones are calculated by the years, not the miles. I've personally had great luck buying cars that are quite high mileage for their age; I've bought three such vehicles and never had anything other than routine maintenance (my first car was 8 years old with 220,000 miles when I bought it, criss crossed the country with me with only minor and expected repairs, and finally gave up the ghost 8 years later the same day that I'd driven it to drop off all my worldly possessions at my new city apartment where I couldn't keep a car anyway. I literally coasted into the suburban parking lot where I'd planned to stash it while I figured out what to do given my new car-free lifestyle). My current car was only two years old with 64,000 miles when I bought it. It had clearly been driven mostly on the highway, and had records of dealer services every 5,000 miles registered on carfax. I suspect it was owned by a salesperson or something that had a lot of highway driving to do and maintenance reimbursed by the employer. Has had zero issues.
posted by exutima at 11:47 PM on May 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Another fan of high mileage cars here...agreeing with exutima, good tires (2 sets even) make up for a lot of sins. Our most sure footed older cars were heavy front wheel drive manuals. Not the cheapest to buy parts for, but drive like they're on rails ~ late 90's to mid 2000's Saabs (owned two over 20 years) were a reliable, safe car and fantastic in bad weather.
Keep an eye on the re-released diesel Passat. We had a used one for 2 years before the recall and were so in love with it, we're stalking our local VW dealers for the 'fixed' ones as they make their way back on the market. It was a great car. Currently driving a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid and it's fine, but finding a used Passat is always on our mind.
Good luck!
posted by greenskpr at 2:29 AM on May 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Keep an eye on the re-released diesel Passat. We had a used one for 2 years before the recall and were so in love with it, we're stalking our local VW dealers for the 'fixed' ones as they make their way back on the market. It was a great car. Currently driving a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid and it's fine, but finding a used Passat is always on our mind.
Good luck!
posted by greenskpr at 2:29 AM on May 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
I’ve purchased two used cars with manual transmissions, just not in the size you are looking for. The first, a Honda CRV, had 70k miles and I drove it on the original clutch past 230k. My most recent is a Subaru Crosstrek that was a demo, which had under 10k miles and is up to 85k with the original clutch. So clutch-wise, it’s possible to get a great car. I found them through advanced search features on cars.com (owner, not dealer) and Carmax, which will bring a car from other inventory to your location. There were a couple prospects on Craigslist, too, but get on their test-drive dance card early. Good luck!
posted by childofTethys at 4:12 AM on May 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by childofTethys at 4:12 AM on May 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: This is all helpful, thanks, all. This gives me a good sense of perspective on the benefits of slightly younger/higher mileage. How does a private pre-purchase inspection work? If I find a car that's like 50 miles away?
The specs on the new Corolla's back seats give it 29" of legroom vs the Fit's 39". I can't even figure out how that works given the overall size of each...
posted by TwoStride at 4:37 AM on May 2, 2019
The specs on the new Corolla's back seats give it 29" of legroom vs the Fit's 39". I can't even figure out how that works given the overall size of each...
posted by TwoStride at 4:37 AM on May 2, 2019
If you decide to look at new cars and manual transmission is negotiable (I know! It's the best, but increasingly hard to come by), you might consider the new Honda HRV. It's like a Fit-sized SUV with better ground clearance and available AWD. I have similar preferences to you: desperately tried to buy a new Matrix circa 2008 with MT but the dealer was unable to find any with my required specs; ended up getting a Hyundai Elantra Touring hatchback a few years later. It's a solid car with good cargo space and flexibility, and handles much better in snow since I upgraded to Nokian all-weather tires. Anyway, I saw the HRV at the dealer when I was shopping for a bigger car last year and thought it looked like exactly what I would have wanted had I not needed space for a bunch of kids and their stuff.
posted by Jemstar at 9:29 AM on May 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Jemstar at 9:29 AM on May 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
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