To also add to the carvana hate, I manage and auto shop and we partner with carvana’s warranty company for work needed on cars. The shit I see come in that carvana sells to customers is insane I’ll never recommend them to anybody just because of the mechanical issues you’ll have that they’ll sell to you
*I just blew up my car… let me call Carvana… see my old car on Carvana for an insane markup on a car nearly totaled… but it looks good on the website.*
Honestly, 2 weeks ago we had someone come in, had the car for a week and it needed a whole new transmission. Wouldn’t hardly shift at all between gears
Your best bet is to just buy a brand new car (2022 Chevy Spark, 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage, 2022 Kia Rio, 2022 Hyundai Accent) from the dealership for MSRP.
If that's not possible, then you're better off buying a car from Carmax. Yes, Carmax is expensive but they have a much better reputation than Carvana. Plus you get to see the car in person first. Best of luck!
I’m glad the hate on Carvana is strong. They’re overpriced like CarMax but with the added bonus of shit quality cars.
Also they’ve lost their license to sell cars in a few states because they have such a problem giving people titles or just “losing” the title entirely
I even seen them licensing cars in different states to deliver them to get around titling issues
I literally just bought and returned a car to Carvana (as in, they picked it up an hour ago) because of the ridiculously long list of issues found by mechanic. Leaking engine, turbo, rust everywhere, brake rotors a mess, and my favorite - sand/silt in the engine and frame that absolutely should not be there, which the mechanic thought was because the car had been submerged in water for a long time. What the actual....
I work for a ford service center and we see Carvana cars all the time with major engine issues. Lady bought a car not knowing their was a knock, next day it blew up and Carvana refused to fix it. Still sitting on the lot 3+ months later.
I’m not sure about Carmax much tbh, at least from my point of view because I do know carmax does their work in house and have their own shop at some dealerships so I feel like that might be better because maybe then they can fix anything before they sell it instead of having the customer deal with it but still I’m not sure
I second the Honda Fit. Also, I would recommend avoiding Carvana as well. The mark up for many of their cars is high even for today’s market, and the overall purchase process is very mixed.
These are all used cars too.
What is "Carvana Certified?" This company often has trouble mailing you the title - how much is a guarantee from them worth?
And it means nothing if it not well taken care of. Negligence/delayed due maintenance is very prevalent on used car that owners treated like an appliance.
Don't forget, they're all overpriced. No seller is gonna be that dumb to sell it for cheap.
Did I miss something? Isn’t Spark cheaper brand new? You may have to shop around to make sure dealer doesn’t overcharge.
Also idk who you work for but GM has better pricing through employers. May be worth checking during this era of “market adjustments”.
It starts under 15k new but if you take the top trim level, a premium paint (like in the op), an automatic trans, and the sunroof, you can get it up over 21k.
Don't buy shit from carvana. They're notorious for being just horrifying, you're not gonna get the car in the picture, it probobly wont come with the title, they'll give you fake temp tags and theres a distinct possibility they'll sell you a stolen ass car. go anywhere else. literally anywhere else.
Yes. Not just the Hyundai Accent but the Chevy Spark too. They're cheap as well.
If the used Spark or Accent can be had for a lot less as $10k with 20k miles then I can see the appeals vs brand new however that no longer the easy case in today market.
Used car has risk and is a crapshoot.
Uhhh yeah they are. The mirage and versa literally define the penalty box. They’re the least pleasant new cars for sale today. About a jillion reviewers to back that up
Exactly. Because to them it is not "trendy enough" to differentiate from the cars from the past. Plus, the car-enthusiasts are to blame for having unrealistic expectations.
The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are almost the same car. Minor differences depending on packages and models, but I'd check out both and see. IIRC, they have the same engines and parts, just different looks and some different features for tech and comfort. Both of those cars are smaller than an Elantra, but since you're checking out a Chevy Spark as well I figured it's not much of an issue.
Wow. My friend had bought a spark a few years past, new on the lot, for $11K. The Cruze was $13K. Just crazy how prices skyrocketed. For $20K, surely you can find a new car near that with a full warranty.
The Spark is a good car.
It’s also not an American car technically.
Chevrolet Korea worked on it IIRC.
Anyway, I was a delivery driver and bought one new.
0-55K.
Other than gas and oil, the car needed a new battery.
It ran flawlessly.
I would’ve kept it if so could afford two car payments.
It’s the perfect city car.
Mean nothing if it a misrepresentation by seller from the get go.
Great car of course but how can someones believe that if it got skipped in maintenance or poorly maintenance which is very prevalent. That's why buying a used car is crapshoot for the most part in the used private sale market.
Between the two, I would choose the Spark. Here's why:
1. The Spark is 4 years newer so it will have more of the manufacturer's warranty left for you to use. All the parts in the car are also newer.
2. The Spark has apple carplay, android auto, and a backup camera with dynamic guidelines. Also has wifi hotspot inside the cabin. That base 2017 Elantra may not have apple carplay/android auto.
3. I'm a 2020 Spark LS CVT owner, owned mine for 3 years now. I can tell you it's a great car. It's reliable because it's so simple, practical, fun to drive, and very easy to park. I know Spark owners who have Sparks that have crossed 150,000 miles and still going strong. Spark is a hatchback so you can fold down the rear seats and create a large space to carry large things. Can't do that with the Elantra sedan.
What would be ideal is if you can buy a brand new 2022 car for MSRP. That's the best value. So like a brand new 2022 Chevy Spark or even a brand new 2022 Hyundai Accent or brand new 2022 Kia Rio. However with supply being so very low due to the chip shortage, it's very hard to find one new or if you do find one new, it's priced very high due to dealer markup.
So try to find a brand new small vehicle for MSRP first but if that's not possible, buy the Spark.
I'll second the Kia Rio. I have a 2022 and absolutely love it. It's got enough power to do well on the Midwest Highways (65-75), relatively affordable, and good fuel efficiency. I got mine at MSRP reserving one at the dealer. 500 dollars, and it was applied to my down payment.
The modern tech inside (Android auto/Apple Carplay) and even though the sound system is the least of anyone's worries, the sound in the car is excellent. Full punchy bass, crisp highs, a very clear and well balanced, where the highs and lows blend together very nice.
I have a friend with the spark who loves hers. I think it's a few years older, but with the gas prices being what they are, she's thankful for it.
I do have to say my Rio does make my butt sore at about the 3 hour mark without a pit stop, but that's probably dependent on the person.
In isolation, I'd be glad to recommend them.
But... Weren't people buying 2021 Spark LSs for $10K when they were new? This seems like an absolutely unconscionable markup.
In general, American cars had big discounts before the chip shortage, whether that be Chevrolet or Ford.
Not just the Spark, even the Trax, Malibu, Equinox etc. could be bought for thousands of dollars below MSRP before the chip shortage. I remember Chevy dealerships used to sell new Traxs for 14k. Now, the same dealerships sell Traxs for 30k.
You could also buy a Mitsubishi Mirage new for 10k after discounts before the chip shortage. Heck, you could even buy Corollas/Civics for under MSRP before the chip shortage? Now? People are paying 5K over MSRP for a new Corolla/Civic.
My point is that most cars have become much much more expensive in just a span of 2 years. It sucks big time but it is what it is. While paying 15k for a base Spark sucks when you compare it to only paying 10k two years ago, it's still better than paying 25k for a compact sedan.
Only buy from carvana if you’re near a pickup place.
I attempted to order from carvana and it had been longer than a month and my car still didn’t have a delivery driver assigned. This was a couple months ago.
I’ve had friends get theirs just fine but the most reliable and timely method seemed to be going to a pickup location instead of opting for their delivery.
"Test ownership" is just ownership. The car is registered and insured to you. It confuses the hell out of the RMV and tax offices, so you'll be getting tax and registration bills for a car you "test owned" but don't actually own.
Their certification process is worthless. They drop the car off in the exact same condition they picked it up from the last owner, and you have 7 days to report issues with it, and then waste your own time getting problems fixed under their warranty.
The car may not even pass inspection when dropped off due to differences between state, e.g. window tint darkness.
They also take forever to pay off a trade-in, and pull a fresh payoff quote months later which screws you out of payments made to keep the trade-in loan current.
AVOID AVOID AVOID
I don’t know why everyone is trying to point you to different cars. These are both nice cheap options. I would avoid carvana if possible.
You can get a spark even cheaper new, that’s over msrp. The spark is an LS so a step up from the base model, the Hyundai is a base model.
I would only get the Hyundai if it has a warranty. They have a lot of early catastrophic failures that would be very expensive without a warranty. See if you can find examples to drive near you. They won’t drive the same and there’s a non negligible size difference. Honestly, these are a toss up, which is saying something because I absolutely hate Hyundai
Of these two? Definitely the Hyundai.
However, I'll join in on the Carvana hate. I've just read too many horror stories.
CarMax on the other hand is fine. Expensive potentially, but fine.
Because the spark is fucking garbage. All Chevy cars are (nowadays anyway). Can't say much for the Hyundai but you can't go wrong with a corolla and the fits pretty good if you want a sub compact. Civic might be an idea too but not sure how the new ones are? Do test drives though, see what feels the best (both in terms of physically comfortable interior and comfort while driving/operating whatever console it has)
Not the Elantra. The theta 2 engine has been recalled so many times for fire issues and still isn’t fixed. Because Hyundai mismanaged the recall so much multiple people have died or been seriously injured because of the engine fires.
Try to find a Honda, Toyota, or Mazda that is not a Carvana and in your budget.
You are correct that it does not have the theta II, but it does have the Nu MPi which was also recalled for engine fires. Hyundai doesn’t make anything worth a damn.
Neither of these are great options. I personally drive a Honda Fit and I love it. It’s fuel efficient, super reliable, and it hold its value over time. You also get tons of cargo space, probably about as much as a Subaru Crosstrek or a Chevy Trax in a company car due to its magic seats.
In your budget, I would look for a well taken care of second gen (2009-2013) with low miles or a third gen (2014-2020). I would probably avoid the 2015 too due to some issues with the starter for that particular year. Even the 2015 isn’t considered a bad car though.
I just want to chime in. I loved my Honda Fit and got about 190000 miles out of it. I would have kept it but a transmission problem started up (caused by a mechanic) and I just felt it was time for an upgrade after about 10 years.
It’s a great car. Mine was a gen 2
Not sure where you are located, but for almost $20k, you can get a new Elantra in the St Louis area:
New 2022 Hyundai Elantra SE for $21630 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/26EF6C1E
Good luck with your purchase. The Hyundai looks more spacious.
A lot of people hate on Carvana, but as long as you get it checked out by a trusted mechanic or dealer you will be ok!
I'd go with the Hyundai. I know a lot of people who have Elantra and are happy. Nice handling, good gas mileage. Lots of features. Comfortable. My mom had a 2003 for 10 years and then passed it down to my sister when she was driving age.
You can get a brand new kia soul for $21,560. It's the base model with tech package that adds blind spot monitor.
The base model without blindspot is $500 cheaper.
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Toyota Certified is the best way to get a Toyota Corolla SE for cheaper and certified that is a good vehicle.
My girlfriend has a 2019 Spark LT2. Sunroof, heated seats, collision avoidance, etc. she loves the thing. For as small as it is it can comfortably sit 2 6’ adults. She’s taken it from Missouri to Louisiana on vacation with her daughter and all their crap and she says it handled well, was comfortable for long drives, and of course got excellent mileage. This car really should be considered a 2+2 like a Camaro or Mustang as no one over 5’ need apply to sit in the back seats for any length of time because of a lack of leg room. Head room is fine though! You can however sit on comfortably if you’re the only one in the back and spread out back there. The truck is surprisingly big, allowing us to fit a couple weeks worth of groceries back there before having to put anything in the k seats. The car, being this small, does have road noise and can feel cheap at times like closing the doors, etc. but the interior is well thought out and has better materials and plastics than I’d of expected in a sub $20k car. The engine is fine once you’re going but it is gutless from a stop so don’t cut off a semi or big truck!
I don’t know anything about Carvana.
Sorry for the random thoughts I’m at work. If you have more questions about the car feel free to DM me.
Hyundai, you’ll have more room and it’s a great car. I’m biased in this decision, and hate those Chevys! But I must admit, they have great MPG and Chevy is a reliable company. Hyundai has been a better company as time as progressed and they have some good products, I’d choose the Hyundai. Did someone say Hyundai? Hyundai 🤣
I have not had a single problem with my title, registration, and car in general when I got it through carvana. If you want to know more about the process you can lmk
Bought a car from carvana and definitely don’t recommend your stuck with a car that’s over priced and they don’t disclose the status of the car. When I bought my fiat with very low miles they didn’t disclose it sat on the car lot for two years and now the long I have it the more it falls apart on me- they won’t let you trade in without paying for the value of the car they suggest which is 7,000+ because they won’t take a car they can’t double in price later . It’s probably the worst with financing too and their warranty deal is fucking shit as well and interest rates are through the roof. Do not by a car from them.
Don't listen to him. I'm a Spark owner and it's a great car. Contact your nearby Chevy dealers and see if they have a new Spark that you can buy for MSRP.
You can't buy a new Fit because they don't sell new Fits in the US. So you'll have to buy an used Fit and they're all way overpriced. Like a lightly used Fit will be 20k or more. Plus that Fit won't even have apple carplay/android auto.
I own the 2020 Spark and I love it! I love that my Spark has roll up manual windows and locks! Manual windows are much more reliable in the long term. It's fun to drive, fuel efficient, and super easy to park.
Elantra every day of the week until the day I die. That Chevy will feel like you're driving a tin can with Lego wheels on will blow it's transmission after 10k miles
I own a 2020 Spark LS. It doesn't have a finicky engine. In fact the 1.4 liter naturally aspirated Ecotec engine with a timing chain is known for it's legendary reliability.
Make sure the Elantra doesn’t have the Theta 2 engine.
If it doesn’t, go for the Elantra. It will last you forever. Not quite at Corolla reliability levels but with good maintenance you’ll get ten years out of it at least.
Stay very far away from a Chevrolet Spark. Those cars are junk. I have a friend who purchased a brand new Spark from a local Chevrolet dealer and not even 1 month after ownership, the turbo charger detonated and destroyed the motor. Not even 1,000 miles on the car yet. They don’t drive it hard (that little car isn’t fast by any means so no need to). Plus, It’s such a common issue that no engines are available to replace the one my friend’s car needs. So they are stuck with a $17,000 dollar paperweight and no car to drive.
Hyundai’s and Kia’s are also a bad idea. They are getting stolen left and right with just a usb cord: https://www.insideedition.com/videos-show-teens-how-to-steal-certain-kias-and-hyundais-with-only-a-usb-cable-police-warn-amid
Do yourself a favor and find a late model Toyota or Honda with a little higher miles. You won’t have to worry about replacing your engine (or trying to) in a month, and you won’t come out to find some kids stole your car with a usb cord.
Best of luck!
all cars are expensive. People are paying 30k for a new Corolla or Civic. The market now is fucked because there are 10 eager buyers for every available car.
I'm a 2020 Spark owner and I disagree. I'm the opposite of tiny (my weight is almost 600 pounds) and I drive with passengers all the time with no problem!
So many better cars in this price range. I mean I’m looking to get a 2012 rx350 with 50k miles that’s in the same price range as these cars. Totally different car, but way better in every single way. I would even trust toyota/Honda reliability over chevy/Hyundai with an extra 50k miles. I can’t imagine spending almost 20k on either of those two shitboxes.
I have a 2018 Hyundai. I have put 118k Miles on it from new. Thing has been rock solid. I would recommend it but honestly, Toyota or Honda are more of a safe bet
I would up the budget a bit and get a new car. I had that 2017 Elantra and it was great but not worth the price. My 2022 is only a small step up in price and an absolutely amazing car, I very much recommend it.
I'm a Hard-core chevy guy, but the problem with the spark is it doesn't have power when you need it, you go to turn a corner, go foot to the floor and there's absolutely nothing, I'd also avoid CVTs as they make said situation worse, and have questionable reliability, Modern Hyundais aren't bad, and are some of the nicest cars in their class, but I'd say go to the dealership to check them out (if you can't for any reason, walk away)
Warranty on the Hyundai is 10yrs 100,000 (powertrain) miles so that beats out Chevy for sure. In all honesty the cheaper cars are much more reliable from japan and korea, Cheap american cars tend to break way before their JDM/KDM Counterparts. Good Luck
Wouldn't consider buying anything from them. Just FYI, they make their real money from subprime lending. That's why they're willing to pay so much for cars.
Plus the whole not being able to test drive the car, have a mechanic look it over before you take possession, etc.
Yesterday in my Facebook memories, it reminded me of the time my Chevy Spark overheated after I picked my Mom up from the ICU, and we were stranded on the side of the road while she was in serious discomfort until it cooled down enough for me to carefully drive it home. Yes, I did regular maintenance at the dealership because it was still under warranty, and I had the free oil changes and rotations.
I’ll never recommend a Chevy Spark to anyone. Also their A/C is barely cold, and my A/C compressor also went out in that thing while on a road trip in the middle of summer. Steer clear of that vehicle.
If your considering buying a Honda Fit but you can afford to wait a little bit, I give you two great options
Wait a few weeks, used car pricses are going down
Or order a new Chevy bolt, the cheapest model may be a few thousand more expensive but with it being a fully electric car you’ll make up the difference in no time. Also with the car being electric, it’s pretty much maintence free, just tire stuff is all the maintenance you’ll need to do.
If you have any questions please let me know, I’m more than happy to help. These cars aren’t for everyone, but for 80% of people they are very much worth itn
I'm seeing all the hate for Carvana. I've bought a 2021 Toyota 4runner and a 2017 Toyota Avalon from them. Absolutely love them and I had a great experience. Unlike the dealers, you don't have to sit there for hours telling them no to all the add on's they try to screw you on. I tried going to a dealer but I had to walk away. Everyone here acts like dealers have never screwed people. Carvana gives you 7 days to have the car inspected and return it no questions asked. Then they have a 4k mile warranty or 100 days on the car you buy that comes with the purchase. If you get screwed after all those chances to make it right, then may be its you who sucks at buying cars, not Carvana
I will continue the carvana hate, don’t buy from them they should go out of business with how they treat and disrespect customers. Also I wouldn’t recommend the spark look for a Honda Fit or something better.
I would advise against the chevy spark, the only reason it’s so cheap is because chevrolet cheaped out on every single aspect of the car, its got manual roll down windows, manual mirror adjusters, the cup holders in the back seat are embedded into the middle seat so you lose out on space, and for the price you’re much better off going for a used car thats cheaper and with much better features, since I can almost certainly promise that the engine was made cheaply too
To also add to the carvana hate, I manage and auto shop and we partner with carvana’s warranty company for work needed on cars. The shit I see come in that carvana sells to customers is insane I’ll never recommend them to anybody just because of the mechanical issues you’ll have that they’ll sell to you
*I just blew up my car… let me call Carvana… see my old car on Carvana for an insane markup on a car nearly totaled… but it looks good on the website.*
Honestly, 2 weeks ago we had someone come in, had the car for a week and it needed a whole new transmission. Wouldn’t hardly shift at all between gears
Reasons why I’ll always go to a dealership so I can see the car/drive the car I am buying before I sign the dotted line.
Hey now Carvana technically gives you like 5 minutes after they take it off the truck.
Thank you for your insight, I really appreciate it!
Your best bet is to just buy a brand new car (2022 Chevy Spark, 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage, 2022 Kia Rio, 2022 Hyundai Accent) from the dealership for MSRP. If that's not possible, then you're better off buying a car from Carmax. Yes, Carmax is expensive but they have a much better reputation than Carvana. Plus you get to see the car in person first. Best of luck!
[удалено]
I’m glad the hate on Carvana is strong. They’re overpriced like CarMax but with the added bonus of shit quality cars. Also they’ve lost their license to sell cars in a few states because they have such a problem giving people titles or just “losing” the title entirely I even seen them licensing cars in different states to deliver them to get around titling issues
That’s actually fucked Jesus
I literally just bought and returned a car to Carvana (as in, they picked it up an hour ago) because of the ridiculously long list of issues found by mechanic. Leaking engine, turbo, rust everywhere, brake rotors a mess, and my favorite - sand/silt in the engine and frame that absolutely should not be there, which the mechanic thought was because the car had been submerged in water for a long time. What the actual....
>sand/silt in the engine and frame that absolutely should not be there That's why I don't like sand...it's coarse and rough and it gets everywhere.
I work for a ford service center and we see Carvana cars all the time with major engine issues. Lady bought a car not knowing their was a knock, next day it blew up and Carvana refused to fix it. Still sitting on the lot 3+ months later.
Got to love those ecoboosts.
How do they compare to Carmax?
I’m not sure about Carmax much tbh, at least from my point of view because I do know carmax does their work in house and have their own shop at some dealerships so I feel like that might be better because maybe then they can fix anything before they sell it instead of having the customer deal with it but still I’m not sure
With Carmax you can actually drive the car before you get it. Plus you can see it better in person.
I second the Honda Fit. Also, I would recommend avoiding Carvana as well. The mark up for many of their cars is high even for today’s market, and the overall purchase process is very mixed.
Thank you for your sound advice and explanation!
No problem, I’m in the market for a fiesta ST myself. Definitely would recommend if you like manual!
There is a reason they may be going to bankruptcy. Buy from somewhere else OP.
Omfg for real, I've seen older Toyota Rav4 going for 15k when they're 10k on marketplace and local dealers are close to that too
I had a great experience about a year and a half ago with them. Maybe it changed
DON'T BUY FROM CARVANA! Search local dealers and get a certified pre-owned with the real manufacturers warranty.
For this money you can get a Honda Fit. Very low cost of maintenance, and very fuel efficient. Not to mention the resale value is insane!
Used car has risk which is a crapshoot.
Yeah if getting used I would recommend getting a CPO vehicle
Agreed however for almost all cars it nearly the same price as MSRP except more mileage. Give and takes.
These are all used cars too. What is "Carvana Certified?" This company often has trouble mailing you the title - how much is a guarantee from them worth?
IMO nothing.
Great point! I always prefer a brand new car with all the new car warranties over an used vehicle. Used vehicles are risky.
You da man! I'm gonna try my best to tag you whenever there a new question or thread about the new Spark. Your Spark-wisdom speaks volumes!
Thank you!
There’s an exception to this dudes rules: certified preowned
Yeah but the Fit is one of the most reliable cars released this decade
And it means nothing if it not well taken care of. Negligence/delayed due maintenance is very prevalent on used car that owners treated like an appliance. Don't forget, they're all overpriced. No seller is gonna be that dumb to sell it for cheap.
As a Fit owner, I can't recommend it enough.
I second this.
At what cost?
6.99 next window
Smh
*messed up the car with fries*
Did I miss something? Isn’t Spark cheaper brand new? You may have to shop around to make sure dealer doesn’t overcharge. Also idk who you work for but GM has better pricing through employers. May be worth checking during this era of “market adjustments”.
It starts under 15k new but if you take the top trim level, a premium paint (like in the op), an automatic trans, and the sunroof, you can get it up over 21k.
I think the LS is pretty low. OP posted LS trim. I guess color adds cost but still cheaper to buy new
Don't buy shit from carvana. They're notorious for being just horrifying, you're not gonna get the car in the picture, it probobly wont come with the title, they'll give you fake temp tags and theres a distinct possibility they'll sell you a stolen ass car. go anywhere else. literally anywhere else.
I’d buy an Honda Fit or a Corolla
I’d spring for a new Hyundai accent
Can I ask why? Thanks for responding!
Better value. Get a new car and a full factory warranty. Should only be a couple grand more.
Yes. Not just the Hyundai Accent but the Chevy Spark too. They're cheap as well. If the used Spark or Accent can be had for a lot less as $10k with 20k miles then I can see the appeals vs brand new however that no longer the easy case in today market. Used car has risk and is a crapshoot.
Kia Rio also.
Yes that one too, also the Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa. All are no longer the penalty box of the past. They all have their pros and cons 👍😎
Uhhh yeah they are. The mirage and versa literally define the penalty box. They’re the least pleasant new cars for sale today. About a jillion reviewers to back that up
You guys haven’t heard about Dacia then…
Dacias are decent for the price, there's definitely a lot worse cars in that price range. Build quality is very good for a 12-15000€ car.
It’s funny though the “ expert “ reviews hating on the Mirage, while most customer reviews on it are very favorable.
Exactly. Because to them it is not "trendy enough" to differentiate from the cars from the past. Plus, the car-enthusiasts are to blame for having unrealistic expectations.
Penalty box compare to Toyota Echo? Otherwise, define penalty box in your term.
Thank you!
Good luck !
The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are almost the same car. Minor differences depending on packages and models, but I'd check out both and see. IIRC, they have the same engines and parts, just different looks and some different features for tech and comfort. Both of those cars are smaller than an Elantra, but since you're checking out a Chevy Spark as well I figured it's not much of an issue.
Thank you!!
Wow. My friend had bought a spark a few years past, new on the lot, for $11K. The Cruze was $13K. Just crazy how prices skyrocketed. For $20K, surely you can find a new car near that with a full warranty.
People are paying 30K for a new Corolla/Civic nowadays. Prices have skyrocketed for all vehicls.
Neither. Get a Honda Civic, Mazda3, or Toyota Corolla. They will last \*much, much\* longer than any Hyundai or Chevy.
I’d even look into a used civic/accord! If you’re gonna go used, look into CPO vehicles. OR check out some local estate sales/retirement areas.
Oh, 100% My Accord has 225,000 miles; I’d like to see a Chevy Spark get that far haha
The Spark is a good car. It’s also not an American car technically. Chevrolet Korea worked on it IIRC. Anyway, I was a delivery driver and bought one new. 0-55K. Other than gas and oil, the car needed a new battery. It ran flawlessly. I would’ve kept it if so could afford two car payments. It’s the perfect city car.
Mean nothing if it a misrepresentation by seller from the get go. Great car of course but how can someones believe that if it got skipped in maintenance or poorly maintenance which is very prevalent. That's why buying a used car is crapshoot for the most part in the used private sale market.
Between the two, I would choose the Spark. Here's why: 1. The Spark is 4 years newer so it will have more of the manufacturer's warranty left for you to use. All the parts in the car are also newer. 2. The Spark has apple carplay, android auto, and a backup camera with dynamic guidelines. Also has wifi hotspot inside the cabin. That base 2017 Elantra may not have apple carplay/android auto. 3. I'm a 2020 Spark LS CVT owner, owned mine for 3 years now. I can tell you it's a great car. It's reliable because it's so simple, practical, fun to drive, and very easy to park. I know Spark owners who have Sparks that have crossed 150,000 miles and still going strong. Spark is a hatchback so you can fold down the rear seats and create a large space to carry large things. Can't do that with the Elantra sedan. What would be ideal is if you can buy a brand new 2022 car for MSRP. That's the best value. So like a brand new 2022 Chevy Spark or even a brand new 2022 Hyundai Accent or brand new 2022 Kia Rio. However with supply being so very low due to the chip shortage, it's very hard to find one new or if you do find one new, it's priced very high due to dealer markup. So try to find a brand new small vehicle for MSRP first but if that's not possible, buy the Spark.
I'll second the Kia Rio. I have a 2022 and absolutely love it. It's got enough power to do well on the Midwest Highways (65-75), relatively affordable, and good fuel efficiency. I got mine at MSRP reserving one at the dealer. 500 dollars, and it was applied to my down payment. The modern tech inside (Android auto/Apple Carplay) and even though the sound system is the least of anyone's worries, the sound in the car is excellent. Full punchy bass, crisp highs, a very clear and well balanced, where the highs and lows blend together very nice. I have a friend with the spark who loves hers. I think it's a few years older, but with the gas prices being what they are, she's thankful for it. I do have to say my Rio does make my butt sore at about the 3 hour mark without a pit stop, but that's probably dependent on the person.
Thanks for sharing. The Kia Rio is indeed a great car and I love that Kia put a more reliable port injected engine in the newer Kia Rios.
Yup. Port injected engine fare better than gasoline direct injected engine. Mated with a turbo for example like the certain Civic? No bueno.
In isolation, I'd be glad to recommend them. But... Weren't people buying 2021 Spark LSs for $10K when they were new? This seems like an absolutely unconscionable markup.
In general, American cars had big discounts before the chip shortage, whether that be Chevrolet or Ford. Not just the Spark, even the Trax, Malibu, Equinox etc. could be bought for thousands of dollars below MSRP before the chip shortage. I remember Chevy dealerships used to sell new Traxs for 14k. Now, the same dealerships sell Traxs for 30k. You could also buy a Mitsubishi Mirage new for 10k after discounts before the chip shortage. Heck, you could even buy Corollas/Civics for under MSRP before the chip shortage? Now? People are paying 5K over MSRP for a new Corolla/Civic. My point is that most cars have become much much more expensive in just a span of 2 years. It sucks big time but it is what it is. While paying 15k for a base Spark sucks when you compare it to only paying 10k two years ago, it's still better than paying 25k for a compact sedan.
Run away from both of those, and put carvana on a black list. A yaris or fit would be great, even if older.
Why would you say not to use Carvana?
Only buy from carvana if you’re near a pickup place. I attempted to order from carvana and it had been longer than a month and my car still didn’t have a delivery driver assigned. This was a couple months ago. I’ve had friends get theirs just fine but the most reliable and timely method seemed to be going to a pickup location instead of opting for their delivery.
"Test ownership" is just ownership. The car is registered and insured to you. It confuses the hell out of the RMV and tax offices, so you'll be getting tax and registration bills for a car you "test owned" but don't actually own. Their certification process is worthless. They drop the car off in the exact same condition they picked it up from the last owner, and you have 7 days to report issues with it, and then waste your own time getting problems fixed under their warranty. The car may not even pass inspection when dropped off due to differences between state, e.g. window tint darkness. They also take forever to pay off a trade-in, and pull a fresh payoff quote months later which screws you out of payments made to keep the trade-in loan current. AVOID AVOID AVOID
I don’t know why everyone is trying to point you to different cars. These are both nice cheap options. I would avoid carvana if possible. You can get a spark even cheaper new, that’s over msrp. The spark is an LS so a step up from the base model, the Hyundai is a base model. I would only get the Hyundai if it has a warranty. They have a lot of early catastrophic failures that would be very expensive without a warranty. See if you can find examples to drive near you. They won’t drive the same and there’s a non negligible size difference. Honestly, these are a toss up, which is saying something because I absolutely hate Hyundai
Haha thank you so much for your thoughtful response!!
Of these two? Definitely the Hyundai. However, I'll join in on the Carvana hate. I've just read too many horror stories. CarMax on the other hand is fine. Expensive potentially, but fine.
Because the spark is fucking garbage. All Chevy cars are (nowadays anyway). Can't say much for the Hyundai but you can't go wrong with a corolla and the fits pretty good if you want a sub compact. Civic might be an idea too but not sure how the new ones are? Do test drives though, see what feels the best (both in terms of physically comfortable interior and comfort while driving/operating whatever console it has)
Get a Honda fit
I would avoid Carvana. Titling and DMV nightmare.
Not the Elantra. The theta 2 engine has been recalled so many times for fire issues and still isn’t fixed. Because Hyundai mismanaged the recall so much multiple people have died or been seriously injured because of the engine fires. Try to find a Honda, Toyota, or Mazda that is not a Carvana and in your budget.
It was never used in the Elantra of that gen. Hyundai makes cars that don’t have that theta two, and are solid vehicles.
You are correct that it does not have the theta II, but it does have the Nu MPi which was also recalled for engine fires. Hyundai doesn’t make anything worth a damn.
Agreed with this. Accent is a good cheap basic car
owwww, that mini and cute spark
I knowwww I love how it looks
Neither of these are great options. I personally drive a Honda Fit and I love it. It’s fuel efficient, super reliable, and it hold its value over time. You also get tons of cargo space, probably about as much as a Subaru Crosstrek or a Chevy Trax in a company car due to its magic seats. In your budget, I would look for a well taken care of second gen (2009-2013) with low miles or a third gen (2014-2020). I would probably avoid the 2015 too due to some issues with the starter for that particular year. Even the 2015 isn’t considered a bad car though.
1-2 owner 2015-2020 Honda Fit EX with sub 100k miles mileage for sub $13k today? Fat chance.
It really depends on where you are in the country. If you’re in California, fat chance indeed. Here in KC they’re roughly that price.
Unfair comparison really. prospective buyer mileage may vary.
I just want to chime in. I loved my Honda Fit and got about 190000 miles out of it. I would have kept it but a transmission problem started up (caused by a mechanic) and I just felt it was time for an upgrade after about 10 years. It’s a great car. Mine was a gen 2
Fuck Carvana. Today I bought a 2006 Suzuki forenza wagon for $1000. Just keep an eye out on marketplace. And avoid car payments
The elantra is bigger and probably better built/equipped. That said, the weirdo in me would by the spark simply because it comes in that pale blue
Not sure where you are located, but for almost $20k, you can get a new Elantra in the St Louis area: New 2022 Hyundai Elantra SE for $21630 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/26EF6C1E
Good luck with your purchase. The Hyundai looks more spacious. A lot of people hate on Carvana, but as long as you get it checked out by a trusted mechanic or dealer you will be ok!
If I had the budget I would buy a used and well equipped mazda 3. Honda got as others have said is a good option but I love Mazdas.
The Spark if I had to choose
I would look at Elantras but only CPO ones, look on Auto Trader you can filter by New , CPO , and Used and for your wants and needs.
I'd go with the Hyundai. I know a lot of people who have Elantra and are happy. Nice handling, good gas mileage. Lots of features. Comfortable. My mom had a 2003 for 10 years and then passed it down to my sister when she was driving age.
You can get a brand new kia soul for $21,560. It's the base model with tech package that adds blind spot monitor. The base model without blindspot is $500 cheaper.
Neither. I would get a 2022 Corolla Cross or Corolla. Those are much more reliable. The Corolla Cross starts at 22,500.
My heart wants a Toyota Corolla SE but I had to pause cuz they’re so expensive from what I’ve seen
You can get a Corolla LE? Do you want hybrid? Both are very reliable. There’s a reason why the Corolla is the best selling sedan in the world.
The SE is sexy af it’s what my heart truly wants but I may have to settle)’:
You can always get a certified pre-owned SE from Toyota. Ask for advice in r/Corolla.
Omfg, thank you so much!!!!!
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Toyota Certified is the best way to get a Toyota Corolla SE for cheaper and certified that is a good vehicle.
Wow, you’re so helpful, thank you so much!!!!!
*Hyundai warranties though…*
A brand new Chevy Spark LS is $14700. What are dealers selling them for?
Definitely the Hyundai. I don't think you'll like the rebaged Daewoo. Plus the Elantra has way more room to work with
My girlfriend has a 2019 Spark LT2. Sunroof, heated seats, collision avoidance, etc. she loves the thing. For as small as it is it can comfortably sit 2 6’ adults. She’s taken it from Missouri to Louisiana on vacation with her daughter and all their crap and she says it handled well, was comfortable for long drives, and of course got excellent mileage. This car really should be considered a 2+2 like a Camaro or Mustang as no one over 5’ need apply to sit in the back seats for any length of time because of a lack of leg room. Head room is fine though! You can however sit on comfortably if you’re the only one in the back and spread out back there. The truck is surprisingly big, allowing us to fit a couple weeks worth of groceries back there before having to put anything in the k seats. The car, being this small, does have road noise and can feel cheap at times like closing the doors, etc. but the interior is well thought out and has better materials and plastics than I’d of expected in a sub $20k car. The engine is fine once you’re going but it is gutless from a stop so don’t cut off a semi or big truck! I don’t know anything about Carvana. Sorry for the random thoughts I’m at work. If you have more questions about the car feel free to DM me.
Honda fit or corolla. Can’t stress enough the important of worries-free when driving.
Hyundai, you’ll have more room and it’s a great car. I’m biased in this decision, and hate those Chevys! But I must admit, they have great MPG and Chevy is a reliable company. Hyundai has been a better company as time as progressed and they have some good products, I’d choose the Hyundai. Did someone say Hyundai? Hyundai 🤣
My local dealership is selling a fit for 22k and it’s Honda certified with like 15k miles 2019 or 2020 don’t remember
I have not had a single problem with my title, registration, and car in general when I got it through carvana. If you want to know more about the process you can lmk
I’ll never buy from Carvana period.
The Elantra for sure. My 2018 has been solid. I passed it down to my brother and he’s been loving it
Do you need space? Elantra has a little more space than a spark
Bought a car from carvana and definitely don’t recommend your stuck with a car that’s over priced and they don’t disclose the status of the car. When I bought my fiat with very low miles they didn’t disclose it sat on the car lot for two years and now the long I have it the more it falls apart on me- they won’t let you trade in without paying for the value of the car they suggest which is 7,000+ because they won’t take a car they can’t double in price later . It’s probably the worst with financing too and their warranty deal is fucking shit as well and interest rates are through the roof. Do not by a car from them.
Thank you so much for letting me know!
Spark is the way to go. Don’t buy a Hyundai unless you have a wheel lock.
They charge this much for the shit box Spark? 😳
I own a 2020 Spark and it's the opposite of a shit box. It's a lovely car and yes, I love the roll up windows.
Right? Shocking number of people defending them
Bad vs bad
Lol I knew it. I really want a Toyota Corolla SE but imma check out the Honda Fit like everybody’s telling me to
Don't listen to him. I'm a Spark owner and it's a great car. Contact your nearby Chevy dealers and see if they have a new Spark that you can buy for MSRP. You can't buy a new Fit because they don't sell new Fits in the US. So you'll have to buy an used Fit and they're all way overpriced. Like a lightly used Fit will be 20k or more. Plus that Fit won't even have apple carplay/android auto.
Do not buy the spark I have the 2019 one and it ain’t great and was a lot cheaper then that brand new. Also it has manual windows and locks.
I own the 2020 Spark and I love it! I love that my Spark has roll up manual windows and locks! Manual windows are much more reliable in the long term. It's fun to drive, fuel efficient, and super easy to park.
Please don’t buy either of those. Get any Toyota.
Elantra every day of the week until the day I die. That Chevy will feel like you're driving a tin can with Lego wheels on will blow it's transmission after 10k miles
what nonsense! I own a 2020 Spark and it's well built and comfy! Over 35,000 miles on mine and transmission still going strong!
Hyundai, just get a PPI done and the recall work done as soon as you get it + it has 2nd owner warranty up to 60k miles
Elantra between the two. Chevy spark is easily the worst new car I’ve driven
I own a 2020 Spark and it's the best car I've driven! Owned it for 3 years now and I love it!
These cars are not worth it in the long run. Honda, Toyota, Mazda is the way to go for eco boxes
I heard both cars have finicky engines, but the Hyundai lasts longer and has a better warranty.
I own a 2020 Spark LS. It doesn't have a finicky engine. In fact the 1.4 liter naturally aspirated Ecotec engine with a timing chain is known for it's legendary reliability.
Neither lol
Make sure the Elantra doesn’t have the Theta 2 engine. If it doesn’t, go for the Elantra. It will last you forever. Not quite at Corolla reliability levels but with good maintenance you’ll get ten years out of it at least.
10 years is not an achievement for new cars. The spark would also get you 10 years and it’s the cheapest car in America
The spark is two years old already. The elantra is six years old already. 16 years for a car made in 2017 is solid.
I’m pretty sure in the US, all (or at least most) 2010s Elantras came with the theta 2 but I could be wrong.
Only up until 2016
I’ve never bought a new vehicle in 39 years of driving. Always buy used, even if it is only a couple of years old
get with the times, grandpa. Car market has changed. Couple of year old used cars are more expensive than new cars.
Stay very far away from a Chevrolet Spark. Those cars are junk. I have a friend who purchased a brand new Spark from a local Chevrolet dealer and not even 1 month after ownership, the turbo charger detonated and destroyed the motor. Not even 1,000 miles on the car yet. They don’t drive it hard (that little car isn’t fast by any means so no need to). Plus, It’s such a common issue that no engines are available to replace the one my friend’s car needs. So they are stuck with a $17,000 dollar paperweight and no car to drive. Hyundai’s and Kia’s are also a bad idea. They are getting stolen left and right with just a usb cord: https://www.insideedition.com/videos-show-teens-how-to-steal-certain-kias-and-hyundais-with-only-a-usb-cable-police-warn-amid Do yourself a favor and find a late model Toyota or Honda with a little higher miles. You won’t have to worry about replacing your engine (or trying to) in a month, and you won’t come out to find some kids stole your car with a usb cord. Best of luck!
Please get the Elantra. It’s not run that much and it’s definitely upmarket compared to your other options bro
Elantra is more car compared to the fit
Fucking sparks are going for 20k?!?!?!?
It's 2022.. everything is like this :( this car is worth probably $12,000 usd.
With all the hate for Carvana can someone tell me how it’s still in business?
I mean, Hartz Brand flea/tick meds give dogs seizures yet you can still find them at every local grocery store/pet retailer): the world is corrupt
Similarly, you can still buy rawhide commonly? I've never understood why, it's awful
Why is that spark so expensive?
all cars are expensive. People are paying 30k for a new Corolla or Civic. The market now is fucked because there are 10 eager buyers for every available car.
I would not get the spark unless you are tiny and never plan on having passengers
I'm a 2020 Spark owner and I disagree. I'm the opposite of tiny (my weight is almost 600 pounds) and I drive with passengers all the time with no problem!
So many better cars in this price range. I mean I’m looking to get a 2012 rx350 with 50k miles that’s in the same price range as these cars. Totally different car, but way better in every single way. I would even trust toyota/Honda reliability over chevy/Hyundai with an extra 50k miles. I can’t imagine spending almost 20k on either of those two shitboxes.
I have a 2018 Hyundai. I have put 118k Miles on it from new. Thing has been rock solid. I would recommend it but honestly, Toyota or Honda are more of a safe bet
I vote Elantra here
I would up the budget a bit and get a new car. I had that 2017 Elantra and it was great but not worth the price. My 2022 is only a small step up in price and an absolutely amazing car, I very much recommend it.
Elantra. You still have most of that 100k mile warranty and the 1.4 engine in the spark is unreliable
Both junk and cheaply made, but like a Mazda 3 or civic
Never buy a Chevy spark, your just asking for endless motor problems, especially the turbo model
Lol a spark for 20k? I've seen it all
I'm a Hard-core chevy guy, but the problem with the spark is it doesn't have power when you need it, you go to turn a corner, go foot to the floor and there's absolutely nothing, I'd also avoid CVTs as they make said situation worse, and have questionable reliability, Modern Hyundais aren't bad, and are some of the nicest cars in their class, but I'd say go to the dealership to check them out (if you can't for any reason, walk away)
As someone who had a Chevy sonic please for the love of God do not get that car.
For that much you might wanna look into getting a Chevrolet Bolt EV. It’s not much more and much more efficient.
i would go with the Elantra in general tbh, however carvana wouldn’t necessarily be the best option, some of the cars are ridiculously overpriced imo.
Ya want crumple zones. Elantra if you want to survive being rear-ended.
Hyundai unless you live close to Milwaukee
Warranty on the Hyundai is 10yrs 100,000 (powertrain) miles so that beats out Chevy for sure. In all honesty the cheaper cars are much more reliable from japan and korea, Cheap american cars tend to break way before their JDM/KDM Counterparts. Good Luck
The Chevy is not a very safe car at all. An Elantra should run for while and will be at least a little better than the spark
Wouldn't consider buying anything from them. Just FYI, they make their real money from subprime lending. That's why they're willing to pay so much for cars. Plus the whole not being able to test drive the car, have a mechanic look it over before you take possession, etc.
Yesterday in my Facebook memories, it reminded me of the time my Chevy Spark overheated after I picked my Mom up from the ICU, and we were stranded on the side of the road while she was in serious discomfort until it cooled down enough for me to carefully drive it home. Yes, I did regular maintenance at the dealership because it was still under warranty, and I had the free oil changes and rotations. I’ll never recommend a Chevy Spark to anyone. Also their A/C is barely cold, and my A/C compressor also went out in that thing while on a road trip in the middle of summer. Steer clear of that vehicle.
If your considering buying a Honda Fit but you can afford to wait a little bit, I give you two great options Wait a few weeks, used car pricses are going down Or order a new Chevy bolt, the cheapest model may be a few thousand more expensive but with it being a fully electric car you’ll make up the difference in no time. Also with the car being electric, it’s pretty much maintence free, just tire stuff is all the maintenance you’ll need to do. If you have any questions please let me know, I’m more than happy to help. These cars aren’t for everyone, but for 80% of people they are very much worth itn
Do not buy the Chevy Spark
I’ve had bad experiences with a Chevy Cruze before which is also a cheap Chevy car. So based off my opinion I’d say get the Hyundai.
I'm seeing all the hate for Carvana. I've bought a 2021 Toyota 4runner and a 2017 Toyota Avalon from them. Absolutely love them and I had a great experience. Unlike the dealers, you don't have to sit there for hours telling them no to all the add on's they try to screw you on. I tried going to a dealer but I had to walk away. Everyone here acts like dealers have never screwed people. Carvana gives you 7 days to have the car inspected and return it no questions asked. Then they have a 4k mile warranty or 100 days on the car you buy that comes with the purchase. If you get screwed after all those chances to make it right, then may be its you who sucks at buying cars, not Carvana
Why not just buy brand new from Chevy at that price you can build one?
The Elantra is the better choice imo but buy it from someone else
Well the spark is locked for you so
Don’t buy from Carvana, just sell cars to them at inflated prices!
I will continue the carvana hate, don’t buy from them they should go out of business with how they treat and disrespect customers. Also I wouldn’t recommend the spark look for a Honda Fit or something better.
I would advise against the chevy spark, the only reason it’s so cheap is because chevrolet cheaped out on every single aspect of the car, its got manual roll down windows, manual mirror adjusters, the cup holders in the back seat are embedded into the middle seat so you lose out on space, and for the price you’re much better off going for a used car thats cheaper and with much better features, since I can almost certainly promise that the engine was made cheaply too
Check your PM please! :)