My husband and I are in our early 70s and own a 2005 Toyota Echo and a 2011 Subaru Impreza, both with low mileage. We plan to keep the Echo, but want to replace the Subaru. We drive mainly in the city and would like a compact car with all the bells and whistles. We have been happy with Toyota service and the reliability of our Echo. What would you suggest? Wilma and Bill
Leeder: Let’s keep it in the Toyota family and get you into a new Prius c. This is a hybrid and since you do most of your driving in the city, it offers a chance to slash your gas bills by doing much of your driving via the on-board battery. It’s well-equipped and can be optioned up to include a backup camera, heated front seats, power moonroof, push-button start and a smart-key system.
Richardson: That’s a sensible choice. There’s a lot to be said for sticking with a dealer and a brand that gives you satisfaction. Good dealers will bend over backward to never lose a customer, so you’ll probably get a decent price on a new Toyota and a fair price on your Subaru as a trade-in (check canadianblackbook.com for reasonable values on your car). That said, it’s not always smart to keep all your eggs in the one basket. If Wilma and Bill are looking for a compact car that’s different from the trusty Echo, I’d point them to the Ford Fiesta. Fun to drive, small in the city, practical and reliable, and good value for money.
Leeder: Wilma and Bill might also consider the Kia Soul. It’s a bit out there – it’ll take them into a new brand they haven’t considered and it has a unique look. But that’s part of the fun with this high-value compact hatchback. It features a whopping 11 trim packages and the MSRP ranges from $17,000 to $27,500, depending on how many bells and whistles you want. It’s a bit higher off the ground, meaning Wilma and Bill will have an easy time getting in and out.
Richardson: “A unique look”? That’s an understatement. Wilma and Bill, take a look at the Kia Soul. Imagine it in your driveway. Do you both like it? Will you smile every time you see it or will you suck in your teeth and frown? It’s a polarizing design, popular with younger drivers, and you’ll either love it or hate it. If you love it, then Jessica’s right and you should test-drive it, but if you hate it, return immediately to the Prius c or the Fiesta.
Leeder: Mark, are you saying you feel old? There’s nothing like a new car to reinvigorate the soul. Get it? Honestly, my vote here is for the Prius c. It’s new, green and the interior will feel familiar – meaning Wilma and Bill can get in and out on the road without much fuss.
Richardson: My vote’s for the Fiesta. Keep the salespeople on their toes and make sure they know the competition has a hold on you, too. Besides, Wilma and Bill want all the bells and whistles. The top-end Fiesta Titanium, available as either a sedan or a hatchback and with heated leather seats and voice-activated Sync and whatnot, costs $26,950 out the door for the automatic. The equivalent Prius c is the “Technology” edition, which costs $31,440. Don’t forget: When you buy a hybrid, you’re paying for both a gas engine and an electric motor. It’s environmentally responsible, but you won’t get that money back in gas savings.
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