Used Car Needed ASAP ... No Idea What to Get

mulherinjp

First off, I apologize if I posted this in the incorrect area ... I could not decide whether it should be a question or discussion topic.

My girlfriend is purchasing a used car on Monday and, despite having visited the dealership and extensive research, we are hopelessly lost. Neither of us know anything about cars. She recently found employment and needs a car for the 80 mile round trip journey she will take each day.

Her budget is around $10,000, with a little bit of wiggle room on either side.

We went to the Hertz dealership expecting to purchase a Chevy Spark, but she felt uncomfortable with its slow acceleration on the interstate, plus she preferred the handling of a car more like her deceased Honda Civic. We have decided to stick with Hertz, as they have a no-haggle policy and seem to offer fair deals.

We want a car that is very safe, reliable, has decent acceleration and gets solid gas mileage. She has no want for unnecessary bells and whistles or a particular color.

Possible cars:
2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS
48K miles
$8,300

2013 Chevrolet Cruze LT
45K miles
$10,200

2014 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT
50K miles
$10,200

2013 Chevrolet Sonic LT
54K miles
$8,200

2014 Chevrolet Sonic LT
50K miles
$8,700

2013 Chrysler 200 Touring
57K miles
$8,998

2013 Dodge Avenger SE
58K miles
$8,998

2013 Dodge Dart SXT
48K miles
$9,998

2013 Ford Fiesta SE
48K miles
$8,900

2014 Ford Fiesta SE
52K miles
$9,998

2013 Ford Focus SE
58K miles
$8,800

2014 Honda Civic Sedan
33K miles
$12,700

2013 Hyundai Accent GLS
54K miles
$8,100

2014 Hyundai Accent GLS
45K miles
$10,300

2014 Hyundai Elantra SE
47K miles
$10,900

2015 Hyundai Elantra SE
29K miles
$12,300

2014 Hyundai Sonata GLS
51K miles
$11,998

2014 Kia Forte LX
43K miles
$12,500

2013 Kia Optima LX
51K miles
$11,998

2013 Kia Rio LX
50K
$8,300

2013 Mazda Mazda2 Sport
40K
$8,200

2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
43K
$10,900

2014 Nissan Sentra SV
30K
$11,200

2013 Nissan Versa SV
50K
$7,998

2014 Nissan Versa Note SV
54K
$9,298

2013 Toyota Corolla LE
69K
$9,298

2014 Toyota Yaris L
31K
$9,500

I know that is an absurd number of options. I would be forever indebted to anyone willing to help me unscramble this mess and solve this mystery. Any help is appreciated and I would be happy to hear about a few good or bad options if you do not feel up to selecting the #1 from the list. Thank you in advance!

stever

A new discussion is fine - welcome!

A good friend has a '13 Cruze and I've driven it quite a bit and enjoy driving it (maybe because my usual ride is a minivan). She wishes it was bigger though.

@PF_Flyer here has had great luck with Versas. I think he's on his fourth.

This list features cars a bit older than you are shopping for but may trigger some other ideas:

Best Used Cars for 2014

With an 80 mile round trip commute, I'd pay a lot of attention to mpg (but I'm cheap). But some good pep on the Interstate is a big plus too.

kyfdx

@mulherinjp The Civic and Sentra stand out to me, but of course they are the most expensive.

The Focus is a decent car, if it's a hatchback. Wouldn't want it as a sedan.

20K mi/yr just to commute.. Try to pick one that gets great gas mileage.

isellhondas

No real "bad" choices here but I would stay away from the Chrysler products. I'm not a fan of the Korean makes but, that's me. I still remember the garbage they used to build. I know they've improved.

For me, it would be a toss up between that Civic and any of the Toyotas with the Sentra in third place.

Mr_Shiftright

I'd vote for the Mazda2, (probably the most fun) the Corolla (boring and bulletproof), the Civic (what she's used to) or the Nissan Altima (roomier, better highway car) . I would avoid the Chrysler products as well.

Good for your GF to take the car out on the freeway. Some of these charming lower-priced cars may not have the passing power or higher speed cruising ease necessary for modern freeways.