Aza said: @Dean
A little of both—reliability with decent looks under $20k OTD, but Reddit is making me consider a beater car to save money
There’s value in owning a beater for a while. It offers a chance to learn basic maintenance and repairs. Back in 2008/09, I bought a Volvo for around $600.
I’m not sure of your financial situation, but there’s merit in purchasing a car significantly under your budget. It could serve as a learner vehicle, helping you build confidence for when you’re ready to invest in something nice and new.
@Dean
I support the Mazda suggestion. I had a 2003 Mazda6 for 11 years with over 180k miles. It lasted that long despite a lack of maintenance due to job struggles.
Ultimately, I’d recommend Mazda—my wife’s Mazda 2 held strong at 185k, despite her not knowing much about car maintenance.
I notice many saying a Kia can’t be good just because it’s a Kia. Talk to the seller yourself. My 2012 has been running perfectly, and I have no issues (I bought it from family, so I know for sure). If you go for it, just monitor your oil levels more frequently than usual.
From my research on similar listings, it seems like a good deal. The $20k retail price seems inflated—most listings I’m seeing are around $16k-$17k with similar mileage.