Exercise in picking a car for me

Still thinking about a Volvo c30. BUT

Since i only drive 8k miles a year, I could just get a used hatchback of some sorts. Requirements would be - low maintenance (not a mechanic), small but safe, comfortable, hatcback, only two doors would be nice.

What should I look for on my local craigslist?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/search/cta

Don't you already have a nice 500T? It's exactly what you just described.

Powar wrote: Don't you already have a nice 500T? It's exactly what you just described.

I do, it's bugging me how cheap everything is on it. They rattle like a can of snakes and the interior is super cheap feeling even with all factory options. I also feels like it's trying to kill me all the time.

Oh, and I'm also newly single and dont want to be picking up ladies in a fiat..

Doesn't a 370Z, or 350Z if on a tighter budget, meet all of your stated requirements?

My lady thinks the Fiats are cute, think of it as a good way to filter out the junk

No real help except the answer is always Miata.

In reply to Coldsnap:

FWIW, I've always gotten more positive attention from ladies in small "cute" cars than anything else, it shows that you're a man with a sense of humor and aren't compensating for anything. On the flip side, luxury cars tend to get you the wrong kind of attention; the smart ones think you're a prick and the gold diggers just see you as a target...

Coldsnap wrote:

Powar wrote: Don't you already have a nice 500T? It's exactly what you just described.

I do, it's bugging me how cheap everything is on it. They rattle like a can of snakes and the interior is super cheap feeling even with all factory options. I also feels like it's trying to kill me all the time. Oh, and I'm also newly single and dont want to be picking up ladies in a fiat..

I was gonna say Golf GTi but that isn't low maintenance but a very nice place to be inside. The C30 is a nice choice.

Mazda 3 hatch and try to forget about the rear two doors.

C30, or if you're open to 4 doors, Fiesta ST/Focus ST.

or there's always...

could the rear be full of engine, and are you willing to throw safe completely out the window

also what about the Lexus version of the prius, the CT, or a Nissan Leaf

How about a Chevy Volt?

I wouldn't call the FiST or FoST low maintenance other than the fact that new ones come with a warranty. I expect them to be quite high maintenance when they get out of warranty.

Mazdaspeed3?

Yea.. I think the c30 is the choice now. As its a turbo but not DI so I won't have any carbon problems with my shirt trips. I also wanted something with a nicer interior than a Mazda or Ford and then c30 does that for me.

drdisque wrote: I wouldn't call the FiST or FoST low maintenance other than the fact that new ones come with a warranty. I expect them to be quite high maintenance when they get out of warranty.

Wait first I read this as "maintenance heavy" then I read the word expect.

Do you know or are you guessing here?

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: How about a Chevy Volt?

They are honestly pretty nice cars. Pricey, but the look cool, are fairly peppy and we have yet to see any come into the dealership for anything other than maintenance.

Mitsubishi Mirage. Just sayin'...

Coldsnap wrote:

Powar wrote: Don't you already have a nice 500T? It's exactly what you just described.

I do, it's bugging me how cheap everything is on it. They rattle like a can of snakes and the interior is super cheap feeling even with all factory options. I also feels like it's trying to kill me all the time. Oh, and I'm also newly single and dont want to be picking up ladies in a fiat..

It an auto still a requirement? That was a big reason for wanting to get rid of the 500 in the first place right?

Flight Service wrote:

drdisque wrote: I wouldn't call the FiST or FoST low maintenance other than the fact that new ones come with a warranty. I expect them to be quite high maintenance when they get out of warranty.

Wait first I read this as "maintenance heavy" then I read the word expect. Do you know or are you guessing here?

It's an educated guess. Direct Injection Turbo + a lot of electric doohickeys is not a recipe for low maintenance, and this is being proven out by the BMW DI Turbo engines that were introduced beginning in 2007 and are now reaching 8 or 9 years old. The fords may end up being better, but I seen no reason to believe that they will be.

Looks like I'm driving the fiat in tomorrow to trade for a 2013 C30. Dealership was willing to be really aggressive on the C30's price, it's about $2k lower than anything around here. I do think they are cars that sit abit because you can get more for your money over at VW or Ford.

SeanC wrote:

Coldsnap wrote:

Powar wrote: Don't you already have a nice 500T? It's exactly what you just described.

I do, it's bugging me how cheap everything is on it. They rattle like a can of snakes and the interior is super cheap feeling even with all factory options. I also feels like it's trying to kill me all the time. Oh, and I'm also newly single and dont want to be picking up ladies in a fiat..

It an auto still a requirement? That was a big reason for wanting to get rid of the 500 in the first place right?

Correct! Auto preferred. After driving some other cars (manual c30, manual golf, manual imprezza) I just think the clutch on the Fiat sucks, it catches super high and is extremely jerky. Maybe because it's such a light car and has a lot of torque.

Brokeback wrote: My lady thinks the Fiats are cute, think of it as a good way to filter out the junk

Ours is a magnet for young girls and effeminate middle age men.