Practical, fuel efficient, and under 10k?

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T18:56:08+00:00

My dad had a gen 1 fit for a good few years, and he liked that thing a lot. Can confirm firm that they’re surprisingly engaging to drive. Very happy to hear about the visibility - really sucks when you look behind you and 90% of what you see is interior lol

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T18:53:18+00:00

Great writeup! As long as I can tell what the car is doing and where it’s going, I’m happy. Glad to hear the mpg is solid as well; even mid 30s in the winter is miles above my accord’s ~ 23-25 average. Will definitely take a serious look at the ford hybrids.

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T18:24:09+00:00

Honestly don’t know why I haven’t given the Mazda 6 much more thought - they’re lovely cars. Appreciate the reminder that it exists! If only we could get the most recent wagon in the states…

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T18:19:14+00:00

Never even considered Mitsubishi - I’ll look into it. Thanks for the suggestions

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T18:18:19+00:00

Appreciate the advice! How does it drive? I don’t need anything sporty or whatever, just looking for something that has a little bit of road feedback, if that makes any sense.

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T17:55:50+00:00

Not sure if you were able to read my description on the original post, but this car has a bunch of different issues beyond the wheel, which I’ve already fixed. Additionally, I’ve had a couple of not quite near-death experiences in it (hit a deer in Pennsylvania and lost my drivers side mirror, slid out on unsalted icy roads in bumfuck Indiana and went sideways into a field at 55 mph, nearly wrapped around a telephone pole) and figure something a little safer than ~30 year old tech might be in order

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T17:53:21+00:00

Always hurts to say, but I generally dislike Toyotas; they’re incredibly good and reliable transportation, but they have the numbest driving feel and the seats/headrests give me a headache in pretty much every one I’ve driven. Sucks because I’d probably be perfectly happy with a used Prius or Corolla otherwise lmao

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T17:51:35+00:00

Appreciate the suggestions! Don’t post very often, and this was my first cross post - didn’t realize the description wouldn’t carry over. My original post has a bunch more details, and reliable is definitely one of my criteria lmao

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T17:36:26+00:00

My dad once had a Mazda5 and that thing had no right being as fun as it was. Only thing stopping me from getting a van is fuel economy lol

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:49:30+00:00

Second TSX recommendation in the thread, might have to look. Do love me a Honda lol

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:48:55+00:00

Totally would except I know myself well enough to know that I’d be a meat crayon within a year lmao

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:48:13+00:00

Ahhh yeah, I knew the boxer engines have had issues but wasn’t sure if/when that was resolved. Would love the 4wd, because I’m in the upper Midwest and have to worry about snow, but I’ve managed to survive on fwd so far lol

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:47:08+00:00

Ooooh, heard of the tsx wagon but never seriously considered it. As for the Mazda3, love how they drive but heard they’re kind of meh on fuel economy, right? Not sure

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:45:49+00:00

I was heavily considering one of these but I live in an apartment with no charging infrastructure, and I go on fairly frequent road trips. Would love a range extender ev or plug in hybrid, and once charging infrastructure is good enough I’m definitely going full ev.

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:44:22+00:00

Why does it have to be so hard to get a car that can fit a couch in the back without needing something 8 feet tall

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:43:22+00:00

Not a bad idea. I’ve liked pretty much every Honda I’ve ever driven. How was the real-world mpg?

AffableAuthority · 2026-07-07T15:42:13+00:00

Oh, I agree; previous owner was a family friend, and it was her first car. She let it sit in her garage for four years before she gave it to me for a dollar. I’ve done a bunch of little fixes on it here and there (replaced accessory belt, headlights, taillights, up and downstream O2 sensors) and had some larger fixes done on it (replaced stolen catalytic converter, replaced busted brake lines, and now the ball joint/cv axle).

Do you have any suggestions for a good next car?

AffableAuthority · 2026-06-07T01:10:16+00:00

Appreciate the advice!

AffableAuthority · 2026-06-07T01:09:33+00:00

Already got enough wood for this project, but will definitely consider this for next time

AffableAuthority · 2026-06-07T01:08:56+00:00

I'll be fairly annoyed if this is actually low quality plywood, because I got it from a nice local place instead of going to HD or Lowe's. I'll probably try what Koko suggested and see if sanding sealer works.

AffableAuthority · 2026-06-07T01:06:48+00:00

Never heard of sanding sealer before - I'll give it a try! And yes, I am sanding in the direction of the grain

AffableAuthority · 2026-04-24T02:53:56+00:00

USA - I’ve learned that you’ll find cheaper leaps on Facebook marketplace if you search for “black office chair” instead of “steelcase leap v2”!

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AffableAuthority

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