Best car for a single mom?

**rennigade** · 08-04-2015, 10:13 AM

Wow...something is off here. A mom who doesnt insist on having a SUV and using the excuse "because its easier to get a kid in and out of."

Civics or corollas are reliable, pretty inexpensive to operate (good gas mileage,) and will serve your needs. If you're looking for a used one you could always check out a carmax.

**Fishindude77** · 08-04-2015, 11:10 AM

I think four door cars are much handier for loading kids in /out, passengers getting in / out and just for throwing things like groceries in the back seat. Lot's of options. The Honda's and Toyota's get praised on here, but all the American manufacturers, Subaru, Hyundai, KIA and many other all make pretty good reliable small cars. Just find one that fits your budget and will do what you need.

**Drake3287** · 08-04-2015, 12:53 PM

I agree with sicking with something like a Honda, Toyota or similar Japanese car. They go for ever with much less mechanical issues then US cars in the long run. A four door is also your best bet for safety with a child plus insurance for a 4 door is WAY less expensive then a 2 door.

We have a perfect driving record and no tickets but the insurance for my 2007 Honda Civic 2 door is almost twice the cost of our brand new 4 door 2016 Acura ILX. That's just crazy.

Good luck in finding a manual transmission though, getting harder and harder to find. When we recently bought our Acura they told us they no longer even offer one any more. Most dealers order the majority of cars with automatics these days.

**bjl584** · 08-04-2015, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by marywantsmoney View Post

Hi!

This is my first day on the forums. Thanks for having me!

I already have a question: what's the best car for a young single mom? Most of my friends just drive whatever can they can find. But I want to find the best car for my situation. Here it is:

I'm a single mom to a beautiful baby girl
I don't mind the 'hassle' of putting her in the backseat of a 2-door
I love getting good MPG
The car doesn't have to be super new. I only drive about 100 miles/week and my brother is really good at fixing cars. And he likes it so I'll usually have him maintain the car for me doing something for him.
I actual prefer a manual transmission!

What car might that be? Honda civic? I really like the looks of Mitsubishi Eclipse's and Eagle Talon's but I don't know if I can find one in decent shape. The Fast and Furious generation was not kind to those cars.

What can you afford? That is the first thing that you need to figure out. Do you have cash saved up? Do you plan to finance?

There are plenty of gently used cars out there that are affordable, but we'll need more info concerning your income, current assets, and current debts if we are to provide any useful advice.

**FLA** · 08-04-2015, 01:21 PM

I had a Prius, I drove a ton for work and get reimbursed so the car with the best mileage would give me a better mileage check. I loved that car, but someone hit me and it was totaled. I think it was 2 yrs old. I had a wake up call when I got that insurance check, no way would I ever spend that much on a car again. I had planned to drive it well past that break even point Consumer Reports says about hybrids and their high cost. Well, that did not work out.

I have two teens, single mom, two dogs and my trunk was at least half full of work equipment. I bought the most reliable but cheap car I could find with good MPG. I did buy new because except for the Prius, I keep cars forever but know nothing about them so new feels safe. Not true, next time used for sure. I bought the least expensive Hyundai Accent I could find, it actually only opens with a key, no remote. Bare bones. $120 payments, paid within the year.

My son is over 6ft, I have my DD and then the two dogs and the work supplies, so surely I needed a big car? Nope, this has been fine, little crowded for DS but not horrible. I've had the kids and each brings a friend, the dogs sometimes and we manage fine. I could even grocery shop and not have to take work stuff out of the hatchback. "Needing" an SUV, unless you live on top of a snowy mountain or you have many kids, I think is actually a "want". A very small, inexpensive car can work for a single mom, it really has been totally fine. I miss heated seats but that's it, lol

**greenskeeper** · 08-04-2015, 01:55 PM

100 miles a week I'd get something mid to full size. MPGs don't really matter driving that few miles and there are a LOT of idiots on the roads these days.

Our family has 2 crew cab pickups for various reasons and we love them.

**ua_guy** · 08-04-2015, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by greenskeeper View Post

100 miles a week I'd get something mid to full size. MPGs don't really matter driving that few miles and there are a LOT of idiots on the roads these days.

Our family has 2 crew cab pickups for various reasons and we love them.

I came here to post the exact same thing. 100 miles/week is nothing, and large cars are much safer compared to smaller cars of the same era.

Remember, crash test ratings are only comparable between cars of the same class. If a fullsize pickup collides with a Honda Civic, even though the Honda has a 5-star crash rating, occupants are still likely to die in the Honda.

**Tabs** · 08-04-2015, 03:27 PM

Good news! Based on your liberal requirements, the real question is what CAN'T you drive?

First of all, I'm going to assume that you want a reliable vehicle for not too much money. Based on that assumption, take a look at this link.

Now, if you really insist on having a manual shifter, that would eliminate that list down to the Scion xB, Civic Si, and the Yaris (but please skip the Yaris).

If you really want fuel efficiency (and I do highly recommend this unless something else is a higher priority to you), then you are looking at the Prius. Although the Prius C is on the list, really, any Prius is good.

If the weather or road conditions where you are can get pretty bad, then you want the Subaru Crosstrek (or better yet, the basic Impreza, but really any Subaru AWDs that are no more than a few years old are excellent).

If you still want something sporty (with the manual) then you want the Civic Si. Just keep in mind that your insurance is most likely going to cost more with the Si.

Your choice really depends on what is more important to you.

edit: Here's an article on crash safety. Center of gravity is not to be taken lightly. I've personally seen minivans and trucks flip in car accidents with my own eyes. Equally important is the ability to evade collisions in the first place. If that is the case, but still insist on a bigger vehicle, I highly recommend the Subaru Forester.

**FLA** · 08-04-2015, 03:57 PM

I second Forester, I had one for over ten years, excellent safety record. Various family members have them, love them and buy and keep forever. I would choose this in lieu of a SUV type vehicle

maybe go to the library and read the latest Consumer Reports Auto issue for ideas and safety ratings

and as the other poster said, how much can you spend?

**snafu** · 08-04-2015, 07:46 PM

Welcome to SA
Adding my voice to others, it's important to start with how much money you have available to spend on a car. Before you settle on a car, call your insurance agent to verify insurance cost. I bought an old, cheap PT Cruiser and nearly stroked when I got the sky high bill for insurance.

I'd also search for a Hyundai Accent, having 1st read Lemon Aid [Phil Edmonston] for which years were best. [available at the library] Please don't buy anything without doing some research to learn the general rules of buying a car. You want something reliable, reasonable to run and insure. Ignore paint color and cuteness, they don't factor in getting you where you need to go.

**marywantsmoney** · 08-05-2015, 08:33 AM

I am overwhelmed by the responses! Thanks, everyone!

It's true - I am weird because I don't insist on buying an SUV just because I have one tiny child.

That's crazy about 2-door insurance being so expensive on a cute little car like a civic! Maybe I'll go with a sedan. They make civic sedans I think. Or a toyota corolla might be alright.

And I'm sorry I didn't post my budget! My parents are giving me $2,500 for a car - anything above that is on me. I have almost $2k saved. The car I drive now is worth probably 2k. But again, I don't need a nice car...

**Drake3287** · 08-05-2015, 12:07 PM

I know everyone recommends against buying a new vehicle but if you look at the cost of a new Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for $20,000 out the door, with your down payment your monthly payments are still pretty inexpensive for 60 months if you can swing it.

A car for you could easily last 10 or 15 years based on your driving habits. You really have to look at the long term costs, 5 years of payments for a car that'll last 15 years or buying another used car down the road when this one's worn out.

I have a neighbor that sells Toyota's and he's always saying how it makes more sense to buy a new inexpensive car vs buying a used one. Why buy a used Corolla for $12,000 or $13,000. when you can buy a new one for $20,000? especially if the intreat rate is low. Something to think about and run the figures.

**wincrasher** · 08-05-2015, 12:51 PM

Like others, I highly recommend any sedan from Honda or Toyota. A Ford Focus is also a high quality car.

Used ones are not really that much less than a new one when the incentives come around. You can be assured a long life out of it, so financing is not really too much of a worry - but a term no more than 60 months - less if you can swing it.

Avoid the lower tiers of the Asian brands - Mitsubishi has a terrible record. Also, consider the insurance rates on what you buy - you can always call your agent and ask about specific cars - you can be quite shocked that an otherwise boring car can have really high premiums based on factors you may not have thought about - like theft occurrence and repair costs.

Currently I'm driving a Honda Accord. It's a really amazing car - powerful, sophisticated and smooth handling, attractive and it gets almost 40 mpg - much higher than the sticker - Honda's tend to do that. I've had Toyotas that usually get the posted MPG and Fords a little less.

The best kind of car to get though, is the one that comes without any payments. Having occasional repair costs and poorer mpg is always better than having that car payment every month.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

**Fishindude77** · 08-05-2015, 01:22 PM

I have a neighbor that sells Toyota's and he's always saying how it makes more sense to buy a new inexpensive car vs buying a used one.
Of course he's going to say that, he sells cars for a living.

Why buy a used Corolla for $12,000 or $13,000. when you can buy a new one for $20,000? especially if the intreat rate is low. Something to think about and run the figures
Because that's $7000 more you don't have, won't be borrowing, and won't be having to make payments on.

Best car for a single mom?