Looking for a new ride for doing lots of highway driving the next few years, then will be my kid's first car when he is old enough in 3.5 years.

Needs to be reliable, get good gas mileage, and be under $30k out the door.

Initial google searches suggest Honda HRV, Toyota Corolla Cross, Mazda CX30, Chevy Trax...any opinions from folks that know cars a lot better than I do?

Under $30 if you get the instant $7,500 rebate. Not sure on gas mileage

https://www.tesla.com/m3/order/5YJ3230_476714ecab89c0e3a2034f807b888311?titleStatus=new

drumboy said:

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Under $30 if you get the instant $7,500 rebate. Not sure on gas mileage

https://www.tesla.com/m3/order/5YJ3230_476714ecab89c0e3a2034f807b888311?titleStatus=new

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Charging in BFE MT/ND might present itself to be an issue.

Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Elantra

Both get > 35 mpg highway. Both have 10yr / 100k warranties. Both are well under $30k. A loaded Elantra is still in your range with TT&L.

Same with the Kia Soul and Kia Seltos. Soul EX (highest trim) will run you $25k.

The only reason to not look at the South Korean brands would be because of your pride. They're perfectly suited for highway cruising and for new drivers, easy to maintain, and reliable.

I'd think you could get into a Camry easily in that budget.

A Camry will start on the high end of your $30k max (a base trim LE starts at $26k).

A Corolla Hatch would be great. The Nightshade trim starts at $24k which would increase the cool factor if you're worried about what you'll look like commuting in a 4-cyl hatch.

I've not driven a new Camry as I tend to dislike Toyota vehicles, but I know for a fact that the Corolla is so gutless it's on the verge of dangerous.

I look for a Kia Forte as a rental when I'm trying to maximize fuel economy. A ecoboost Mustang is also pretty good on gas, but you'd be shopping used to be below $30k.

I'd rather buy and drive a used Toyota or Lexus over a new Kia, Mazda or Chevy Trax.

aggiedata said:

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I'd rather buy and drive a used Toyota or Lexus over a new Kia, Mazda or Chevy Trax.

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How much time have you spent in Mazda's?

A friend just got his kid a new Toyota rav 4 for about 40. I'd guess you could get a nice, used low mile one for 30.

ETA : or get the 4 runner from Fido in classifieds for 21. You could buy lots of gas with the extra 9k.

The corolla cross is sick, if it fits your needs get that

Also needs to be AWD.

El Chupacabra said:

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Also needs to be AWD.

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We have a 2020 Mazda CX-5 we picked up for our son in early 2021 and are very happy. Great gas mileage and the level we got was right near $30k and its AWD.

My recc in that price range is Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester. The Mazda will be more polished and fun to drive. The Subie has a better AWD system, more standard safety features (I think), and great outward visibility. As crossover/SUVs, they both offer better/safer driving positions (vs. sedans/coupes), decent cargo capacity (helps with moving to college), and relatively good fuel economy…plus a small amount of towing capacity in case you want to be able to pull a UHaul trailer.

I'm not sure how to post the link thru the app, but search for a thread on "help me buy a car for my teenage daughter" on this forum and you'll find a lot of other reccs.

My Hyundai Tuscon get's over 40 mpg on the highway when I drive like my grandmother.

I'd get the lowest mile 2017, 2018, 2019 Lexus IS250, IS300, NX200t you can find

Lots of Subaru CrossTreks available in Montana for $20k-ish. 2018-2020 models with around 50k miles.

MikesFamousJava said:

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My recc in that price range is Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester. The Mazda will be more polished and fun to drive. The Subie has a better AWD system, more standard safety features (I think), and great outward visibility. As crossover/SUVs, they both offer better/safer driving positions (vs. sedans/coupes), decent cargo capacity (helps with moving to college), and relatively good fuel economy…plus a small amount of towing capacity in case you want to be able to pull a UHaul trailer.

I'm not sure how to post the link thru the app, but search for a thread on "help me buy a car for my teenage daughter" on this forum and you'll find a lot of other reccs.

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Of course you can't go wrong with a Camry, but the above is my answer as well. Helped the kid car shop earlier this year and drove every crossover on the planet. Ultimately, they bought a '16 Forester due to the awesome visibility plus it was very well equipped. It's like driving in a fish bowl. And since they are navigating Houston traffic visibility was a priority as was AWD due to the weather . If you're giving it to a teen in 3.5 years I'd buy a pre-owned.

Sidenote: The kid's first 2 cars were Mazda3's. Both great cars. Both totaled after being rear ended by wreckless drivers. After that, they wanted a crossover. A pre-owned '14 GMC Terrain got them through A&M but aged out quickly. The Forester has been solid so far and is well equipped. My oldest has a '18 Crosstrek as they live in the Northwest. Also solid car with no issues.

Kid bought a new Chevy Trax for under 25K driveout last year. On long, 4 day trip it got 30+mpg and drove nicely. Back window is uber angled and not the best I have seen but no problems so far. That's all I have.

The Corolla or a Prius

Are Honda Civics above 30k these days?

I have a 2015 Lexus IS250 with 76k miles on it that will run forever with good maintenance. It has heated and cooled seats, just needs CarPlay installed.

Buy it for $20k and I'll put the CarPlay in for you

Toyota Prius or Subaru Crosstrek

I'm no closer but been eyeballing every car that goes down the road and stopped at a few dealers just to kick tires.

Toyota Camry, Corolla and Corolla cross are on the list. Honda civic and hrv are on the list. Subaru Legacy is on the list. That's about it right now. Not much else needs to be on the list. Since I don't need anything right now, I'm going keep looking for deals and make a sell decision on this car and also on what I want to do with my current truck.

cx5 if awd is a need

Mazda offering 0% interest if you are financing.

Texker said:

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MikesFamousJava said:

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My recc in that price range is Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester. The Mazda will be more polished and fun to drive. The Subie has a better AWD system, more standard safety features (I think), and great outward visibility. As crossover/SUVs, they both offer better/safer driving positions (vs. sedans/coupes), decent cargo capacity (helps with moving to college), and relatively good fuel economy…plus a small amount of towing capacity in case you want to be able to pull a UHaul trailer.

I'm not sure how to post the link thru the app, but search for a thread on "help me buy a car for my teenage daughter" on this forum and you'll find a lot of other reccs.

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Of course you can't go wrong with a Camry, but the above is my answer as well. Helped the kid car shop earlier this year and drove every crossover on the planet. Ultimately, they bought a '16 Forester due to the awesome visibility plus it was very well equipped. It's like driving in a fish bowl. And since they are navigating Houston traffic visibility was a priority as was AWD due to the weather . If you're giving it to a teen in 3.5 years I'd buy a pre-owned.

Sidenote: The kid's first 2 cars were Mazda3's. Both great cars. Both totaled after being rear ended by wreckless drivers. After that, they wanted a crossover. A pre-owned '14 GMC Terrain got them through A&M but aged out quickly. The Forester has been solid so far and is well equipped. My oldest has a '18 Crosstrek as they live in the Northwest. Also solid car with no issues.

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huh?

Also, OP, find a 2-3yr old used car. There is a ton of reliable stuff available for under $30k but still under warranty. If warranty is a concern , you can buy extended warranties from all the manu. now if the car is still in the warranty window.

Toyota should be at the top of your list for reliable and low maintenance.

drumboy said:

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Under $30 if you get the instant $7,500 rebate. Not sure on gas mileage

https://www.tesla.com/m3/order/5YJ3230_476714ecab89c0e3a2034f807b888311?titleStatus=new

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Anything Tesla still eligible for the $7500 in 2024 is over budget. Closest would be a base Model Y at ~$35.7k + destination after the rebate.

NM I see the winky and charging issues.

El Chupacabra said:

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drumboy said:

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Under $30 if you get the instant $7,500 rebate. Not sure on gas mileage

https://www.tesla.com/m3/order/5YJ3230_476714ecab89c0e3a2034f807b888311?titleStatus=new

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Charging in BFE MT/ND might present itself to be an issue.

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Or charging anywhere in general

Charismatic Megafauna said:

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The corolla cross is sick, if it fits your needs get that

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Does "sick" mean something different these days than it did back when Bill & Ted went on their excellent adventure?

The Corolla Cross is, by all definitions of car enthusiasm, not sick.

OP, choose your own adventure between AWD Japanese options. Honda has the best engines, Toyota is the most reliable, Mazda is the most fun to drive, Subaru is safest with best AWD system.

I've known a couple of people who had a Trax and have to say those things are the ultimate penalty box. I'd rather run around in the '87 Sentra my mom had than one of those.

The Cross is just a lifted Corolla like the Trax is just a lifted Aveo. Malaise era 2.0 cars

Hyundai Sonata or Tucson in AWD can be purchased for $30k. 10yr warranty is pretty nice with 5 year bumper to bumper.

My daughter has a Trax. It's been great.

lb3 said:

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My Hyundai Tuscon get's over 40 mpg on the highway when I drive like my grandmother.

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I had one as a rental this week and it is a comfortable little SUV. I liked it.