New daily? Scion iM?
 

Been considering a new daily for a while. I really wanted to get a "better" car but the more I think about it, it really doesn't make sense since it is 90% of the time commuting to work and most of that is in NYC traffic.

Scion iA caught my eye as its a Mazda 2 and my friend got a Mazda 3 which seems to ride and handle well with decent features for the price.

But I didn't like the rear suspension and rear drum brakes.

Then I saw next to it the Scion iM. Seems like a much better bang for buck. Independent rear, rear disc, more practical, more power (but a lot heavier), better stereo. And "only" ~2,000 more

I really wanted a car with def eatable traction/stability control but I think I will settle for pulling the ABS fuse. I like that the iM has a hand brake (not electronic) and rear disc so I can upgrade the compound.

TLDR: Should I look at anything else? The Honda Fit is a couple thousand more used. Mazda 3 hatch seems a lot more used.
As far as budget, cheaper is better. I wanted to put $ in my current daily but I need to put in ~3,000 and it would still have issues (burns oil, disappearing coolant, transmission starting to slip from stop on hills sometimes)

It's just a corolla, so yes there are plenty other options to look at.

Honestly I have had two foresters as daily drivers and they're way more practical / usable than the average hatchback could hope to be. Versa note could also be included since its a direct competitor to your mazda 2 option and it has an ebrake handle....although in your daily I guess I would look at just driving the thing and usefulness over ebrake handles and rear discs....

I look at that because my current car I keep destroying rear brakes doing hand brake turns in the snow :\

Also I drive "spiritedly" more than the average driver.

For example a huge selling point for my BRZ was the standard rear vented disc with drum hand brake. Add in RWD, fold flat rear seats, etc. WOW

But my BRZ is basically a weekend/track car now so ...

My choice before this current consideration was actually a Forester XT. But I think as a daily it is just too much car/cost

I had a 2.5x manual forester and it was awesome. Such a useful car. It also did donuts in the snow easily, had a hand ebrake, discs in back.... and if you upgrade to one of the later years (pzev) it shares some engine parts with brz / frs. My forester had brz wheels on it..but a lot of those can cross over...:burnrubber:

What about one of the more recent Imprezas (not the WRX or ST!)? In the upper trim levels they are a very good daily car even without the extra power.

The iM is the updated Matrix, which is what I had before my FRS.

The Matrix was a great car for what it is. Nice ride, a crap ton of space, great reliability, etc. and I would expect the iM to be the same. When my wife finally gives up on the crappy Hyundai Accent she's driving now I would push her towards an iM.

And it's still available in a 6-speed manual.

Well technically the iM is the Toyota Auris which has been around for a long time in Japan, which is basically another Corolla variant just like the Matrix was.

We looked at the iM when shopping for the wife. The thing about them is that they are still a pretty barebones car with no more bells and whistles than Scion ever had. Great if you are after the basics but not so good if you like gizmos and doodads. In other words my wife hated it!

I suggest a Chevy Sonic LTZ Turbo or RS in Hatcback.

Generally cheaper than Honda Fit when used. Good space for the Size.

The power on paper doesn't look crazy, but it comes on smooth. Even with 4 people in the car, I get up hills no problem. It's fun to drive, too, as the suspension is relatively firm. I have had the back end step out before.

Big traction control/SC button in the middle, also.

Well they have enough features for me. They are about 13k for a nice low mile one.

I feel like the money in repairs for my car would put a nice downpayment on it and remove the uncertainty of future repairs, even though its replace with a car payment. Should last me at least 10 years

Thought I've experienced cooling problems as of late (typing this at the dealership) I think the features of my LTZ are nice. The one big upgrade from LTZ to RS is discs in the back. That can be changed relatively easily, thought

I even have heated seats up front and a remote starter. I'm always impressed by how easily it accelerates at highway speeds, and without much increase in RPM's.

Plus, if you get an AT in the Fit, you get a CVT.
Sonic has an actual 6 speed AT.

And, again, it's cheaper, and better looking, IMO.

EDIT:


I bought my 2016 through Hertz. Got a good enough deal for the milage and condition (28k, only some scratches, nothign crazy, though I suspect they knew about the coolant leak.)

I did a search for you wihtin 100 Miles of NYNY.
Several turbo 2016 models under 10K.
I know I can disable my TC/SC. I'm not sure if the E brake is mechanical, I would assume electronic, but I have done plenty of snow skids with mine. I actually cut my best FWD donut in it the other day in a cul de sac.

https://www.hertzcarsales.com/Search...5&pageNumber=1

Me as well. Not so much for her.


Keep in mind that you will now have two cars that may need repairs over their lifetime though.

My younger brother was recently in this position. The iM had come out just before he started car shopping. He ended up in a Corolla with the... I want to say tech pack and maybe sport trim.

Every time I hop into his car, I'm amazed at just how nice it is, and for how inexpensive they are.

Also, likely just like the Matrix, I'm willing to bet that in terms of usable space, the Corolla and the iM are much closer than you'd think.

We just crossed over 250k on my wife's Matrix, and in the 14 years of ownership it's only needed a few batteries, some clean oil, tires, brakes, and new cats. It's due for a manifold as well, but that's not needed right now.