As I have mentioned on this forum multiple times I have been having a lot of trouble with my 2006 MINI r53. Even if the MINI is fixed (unlikely) I still plan on getting a used car to last me the next couple years of college. I am considering a Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or a Subaru for my DD in New England. Does anyone have any hard data as to how these cars compare to each other in mileage, longevity, and maintenance? I love the MINI but its a little too much money for me to keep driving it. Any advise or help would be appreciated.

 

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Corolla and Civic tie, Subie more expensive to maintain. I'd get the more driveable Civic.

 

I'd get Civic or Toyota.
Have had two Honda CRXs, a Civic, and a Prelude.

 

Thanks! What do you mean by drivable civic?

Thanks, I am leaning towards these as well. Do you think these will last over 200K?

 

More fun to drive. Will help with the severe MINI withdrawal.

 

Ok gotcha. I wont have withdrawals from the cost of ownership of the MINI thats for sure. I will miss the MINI but I sure as hell wont miss the breaking down and dropping at least 1k every time it needs fixing.

 

If the car will be a keeper, one thing to consider is cost of replacement wearable parts such as brake / suspension parts.

Toyota Parts = Arm and a Leg
Subaru Parts = Hand and foot
Honda Parts = Relatively cheap in comparison to the other two.....that includes OEM parts.

 

I've taken several Hondas over 200,000. But my Subaru Outback that I gave my son after I put 250,000 on it now has over 300,000 and just now getting close to needing a lot of repairs. Engine is still going strong though.

 

TRD brakes on my FJ at 118K cost under $250.
That was the real first maintenance it needed.

 

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Thanks! I find that interesting though, my uncle who is a mechanic said the Toyota parts are the cheapest because there is so many of them, and they last so long.

WOW! Thats awesome, I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

Yea I have heard they are cheap too.

 

I've had two Civics, two CRX's, and used to be a tech at Honda. My last CRX was still tracked and autocrossed at 330,000 miles. I have found the opposite for Toyota parts, they are not as cheap as Honda. A guy I work with at an independent Jeep shop, just sold his WRX and picked up a Civic. He was tired of doing exactly the same thing you say you are tired of. Paying out the *** to do regular maintenance and repairs.

 

Good to know. Thanks!

 

You'll undoubtedly hate the Civic less than Corolla.

Source: lots of rental cars and different generations of both driven.

 

Haha, we will see who gives me more for the MINI trade in. And if I can get a new Subaru Crosstrek I am doing that. I just sadly don't want to abandon my MINI i love the car too much!n

 

I'm in a similar situation!!!

 

It is a unique situation thats for sure. What are you going to end up doing?

 

I have a current issue with MINI and debating selling.

 

IMO, Toyota and Honda are the better of the three. I have used both. I have a Civic with a butt ton of miles on it (at higher mileage, has begun to require maintenance often) and have had several Toyotas that have required minimal maintenance, even at higher mileage.

 

Oh I hear you. I am still heavily considering selling mine once I get it back to the East Coast.

Yea I agree with you there! My girlfriend, brother, and grandma all have high mileage corollas and love them. I am def leaning towards that route, unless I get my dream BMW 1-series.

 

If you're buying a beater, you cannot go wrong with a Toyota. My last car was a Toyota, and I loved it until my life circumstances changed and I moved on. Great cars.

 

Agree!