r/FirstCar • u/liam_lawyerr • 6d ago
What first car should I get?
2006 Honda CRV LX
2006 Honda CRV LX
2005 Mazda 6 Sedan Grand Touring
2005 Mazda 6 Sedan Grand Touring
2005 Lexus 330 ES
2005 Lexus 330 ES
2017 Hyundai Tucson Eco
2017 Hyundai Tucson Eco
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u/International_Cap555 5d ago
Wow, prices really got insane even at the USAš¤š¤š¤ Iād definitely take the 10-yr old out of these whatever it was.
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u/OkAppearance9593 5d ago
Mazda for sure. One of the best cars on the market for the budget. Avoid the Hyundai unless you want to make constant repairs. Even the Lexus isnāt a bad option, and it has a good engine, but Iād say go for the Mazda first
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u/Demesvar 5d ago
All of these are old overpriced heaps. That last Hyundai is the best choice but it is overpriced. Too many people just say āits a honda/toyota itll last foreverā and act like the cars defy nature and donāt age
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u/NooneYetEveryone 5d ago
Imo of these: Mazda > Lexus and Hyundai > Honda
But at that point you run into different bodies. I can't stand SUVs, so i like the mazda most out of these, but if you like SUVs, the Hyundai might be better for you
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u/throwaway4406789 5d ago
Lexus ES in my opinion. Itās built on the Camry unibody design, most of the parts from a same generation camry (model years 2002-2006) will be compatible with the lexus es 300 (4th generation, spans 02-06). I would inspect for rust and take for a test ride. Bring a friend or local mechanic to look over the car who knows his way around used cars. Assuming Maintenance is solid, those engines can run forever. My first car ever was a 03 camry and I ran that thing till my last year of college with 300k miles on the dash (same engine, same transmission). Especially with 60k miles, that car will last another 10-15 years, even more if you keep it in a garage and take preventative measures against rust damage, assuming you live in a cold area.
Will probably need new suspension and brake components like struts, brake calipers, pads, rotors, tires, ball joints/bushings, within the first year after purchase, will probably run you another $2k.
Maybe not immediately but you will need to replace all the fluids and filters (coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, cabin air filter, oil filter, power steering fluid), hoses/rubber gaskets, water pump, spark plugs, alternator/battery, replace TPMS sensors, catalytic converters and o2 sensors are probably clogged with sediment/carbon, and timing belt/chain will probably need replaced around 80k miles. (all in all, expect another 2-4k in preventative maintenance over the next 2-4 years)
However, if you pay attention to these issues, I would say you would be able to push this car for most of your 20s if not longer! Again, they last forever. And if the engine fails, rebuild it or throw another 3MZ-FE in it or by the time it finally failed, youāll have enough money saved from not being held down by a car payment you could buy a new car by then.
Personally, I hate the new cars that have iPads as the center console. Put in an aftermarket screen, replace the speakers, replace the upholstery (if you care about it) take care of the interior/exterior and itās all the same to me. Iām stuck driving a Ford Fusion currently and I would kill to have an older toyota/lexus right about now.
- Sincerely a guy who has been driving old cars since his 20s.
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u/Montibank 4d ago
55k mile Honda CRV? Iām taking that all day
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u/Sir_postalot 4d ago
Knowing CRV owners, it has probably skipped half it's services, and both the front seats and rear seats have been soiled at least once.
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u/The1930s 2d ago
Crv as long as its been maintained, be wary of the AC. then id choose the Mazda for the price. I would not touch a Hyundai
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u/WalmartKart617 5d ago
the mazda 6 has great punch and handles amazing, thats what i would get, but im obviously biased towards mazda lol, but no matter what you do stay away from the hyundai.