C
ars are expensive. Gas is expensive. Most people get taken in by the promises of sales people at car dealerships and get their fancy new car home to find out that it is going to cost them far more than they expected to drive around and also that they are paying a ton of interest on a car loan for a car that just lost thousands of dollars in value because it drove off the car lot.
Want to avoid this endless cycle of spending too much on your car and too much on gas? Want a car that will take care of you for over 200,000 miles? This list of our top picks will help you get started shopping for the right car.
1.Honda Civic: Honda has always been known for creating cars that stand the test of time and go the distances.
They make quality vehicles that offer lots of great options for comfort at a reasonable price point.
A new Honda Civic will run you anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 and be reliable for over 200,000 miles easily with simple maintenance.
Best of all, it’s comfortable for everyone who rides in it and it looks really sharp.
As a final bonus, Honda Civics hold value extremely well, even when they are high mileage and can be sold for cash as long as they run and drive, even after they pass 200,000.
2. Toyota Corolla: Like it’s Honda counterpart, the Corolla has always been considered to be a reliable car that will last you for well over 200,000 miles.
The company offers lots of great options for Corollas at an affordable price point, making it one of the best cars to buy if you value comfort options as well as durability.
Corollas are a bit pricier than the civic, coming in new at about $22,000 to $30,000, but a Corolla is well worth the investment.
This is also a great choice if you want the fuel sipping quality of a Honda but need a slightly bigger car.
3. Buick Regal: Buick has worked hard in the past 5 years or so to shrug off its image a car that young people don’t drive. The new Buick Regal is comfortable, attractive and super reliable. It sits comfortably at the same price point as other choices in its class, coming at new at about $25,000 and up. This is another car that holds great value and gets great mileage. Buicks also have a great resale value if you are thinking of driving it past 200,000 miles and then selling it.
4. Chevrolet Equinox: If an SUV is more your style, the Equinox offers the quality and comfort that Chevrolet is renowned for while also offering up attractive looks and an affordable price point.
New, the Equinox will cost you around $24,000 and it will come standard with loads of great options that will make driving it a pleasure.
This is a great choice if you want to get away from a sedan but want to get good mileage and really love to drive your car every day.
5. Kia Sportage: Another great choice if you are looking for an SUV, the cute little Sportage has long been known to be a reliable, gas-sipping car that holds its value.
Revamped recently by the company, the car has sportier lines now and really great options that will make driving so comfortable that you will never want to leave your car.
This is a great choice is you want value for your dollar and a new Sportage comes in at about $24,000.
Kias consistently drive well over 200,000 miles for their owners and the fun color choices and customization packages on offer from Kia can make your ride as fun to look at as it is to drive.
Always remember to test drive the cars you are interested in before you buy and make sure that you think about the cost of gas compared to the needs of your family.
Smaller cars typically cost less and are more fuel efficient, but that may not be the best fit for your family.
These five cars are a great place to start shopping and you will likely find that any one of the cars on this list will make you very happy that you went to the reliable side of the car fence.
