What's The BEST Vehicle For LESS Than $35,000, Out The Door, TODAY?

Here at AutoSpies we tend to spend a lot of time critiquing autos that are either in production or in concept form. It's not because we're haters. We just want them to get better.

Sometimes they do. And, sometimes they don't. You can bring a horse to water...

While it's easy to get taken in by today's luxury vehicles (e.g., anything costing over $85,000 USD), we like to make sure we're keeping in touch with all ends of the market. Often overlooked, the sub-$35,000 mark is incredibly competitive.

That's because there's SO many choices.

Having said that, I am curious: If a friend or family member came to you asking for the best, overall, vehicle for $35,000 — out the door — what would YOU suggest they drive home with?

mre30 - 10/12/2019 12:09:27 AM

-1 Boost

If a friend or neighbor wanted to spend $35,000 on a car - I would bypass all the new ones and suggest they get a 1-2 year old MB, BMW, or Audi if they wanted German. That gets them a car at 60% of the new price and basically the same warranty (CPO warranties add a year).

They can also see the service history of the vehicle and see if there were any "problems" because those all get worked out in the first year.

valhallakey - 10/12/2019 3:27:14 AM

-2 Boost

That's tough, my initial thoughts would be maybe an Audi A3 or Kia Stinger 2.0 for sedans, a Kia Telluride or Jeep Wrangler for an SUV, Ford F-150 for a truck.

Car4life1 - 10/12/2019 7:42:17 AM

-2 Boost

Similar here
Mercedes A Class/Genesis G70, Kia Telluride/Volkswagen Atlas, F 150, Nissan Leaf

However when in doubt or want more for your money, go certified pre owned

jeffgall - 10/12/2019 8:28:17 AM

+3 Boost

Lololololol. Until it rusts apart or catches fire, or runs over someone in the parking lot when driving itself.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2019 9:14:50 AM

+6 Boost

AS $35k does not go very far in Canada, if a true friend asked what they should buy, I would say a Camry or an Accord. They would go away happy and I could sleep at night with that solid recommendation. There are cooler or better performing used cars, but none more reliable or a better value IMHO.

Foncool - 10/13/2019 7:28:50 AM

+1 Boost

35,000 Canadian isn’t that like 10,000 US??

Foncool - 10/13/2019 7:28:51 AM

0 Boost

35,000 Canadian isn’t that like 10,000 US??

malba2367 - 10/12/2019 9:33:00 AM

+9 Boost

new: Top of the line Honda Accord
Used: CPI Audi A4

rdce34 - 10/12/2019 10:01:51 AM

+3 Boost

Subaru Forester Limited with Subaru gold extended 10year/100,000 mile, Zero deductible warranty. Another choice is Kia Sorento mid model.

OBSERVER1984 - 10/12/2019 10:30:03 AM

+1 Boost

Scotty Kilmer: Toyota Corolla!!!

SuperCarEnthusiast - 10/12/2019 10:45:08 AM

+1 Boost

$35K is pretty limited amount for a car if you include the sales tax, regisration, tabs, doc fee, etc... You have to limited to $30K p, the final price of the vehicle!

MDarringer - 10/12/2019 10:59:25 AM

+1 Boost

And there are NUMEROUS excellent cars that you can get nicely equipped for under $30K:

Civic, Accord, CRV, Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Sonata, Elantra, Tucson, Kona, Optima, Forte, Sportage, Fusion, Escape, Equinox, Cherokee...

Agent00R - 10/12/2019 10:45:49 AM

+6 Boost

I am going Honda Accord or Accord Hybrid.

Runner up would be the all-new Toyota RAV4 w/ AWD.

MDarringer - 10/12/2019 1:00:17 PM

-6 Boost

LOL you must love ugly cars then.

atc98092 - 10/12/2019 11:34:07 AM

+1 Boost

Even my Kia Niro PHEV was out the door for well under $35k, and that was for the top trim. But you can probably get the base trim Niro EV, Soul EV or Hyundai Kona EV for less than $35k. Even if you pay slightly more, the gas savings make up for it quickly. Of course, I'd only recommend an EV if charging is convenient. And for many people, it just isn't convenient yet.

TomM - 10/12/2019 12:17:11 PM

0 Boost

THe problem is that question is just plain OVERLY broad to actually answer. Type of usage MIGHT pare down the options - but if you really just want an Appliance that gets you from ONE place to another reliably - you really cannot beat a Bicycle - they are relatively cheap - hardly ever break down - use little petroleum product (Only grease). ANd they are classified as a vehicle legally. Only real problem - flat tires.

For $35,000 - I can get dozens of them - maybe a Lifetime supply too.

MDarringer - 10/12/2019 7:16:29 PM

0 Boost

My sister-in-law just got a 2020 Escape nicely equipped and stickered at a hair over $29K