As you dress your front lawn with fake tombstones and cotton spiderwebs in preparation for Halloween trick-or-treaters, a glance to the driveway instills a dread far deeper than any zombie or vampire ever could. That old beater isn't going to make it through another winter without serious repairs, and those rust holes aren't getting any smaller.
But you're in no position to afford a new vehicle, and even a used car might be a strain on your wallet. All you want is a reliable, compact, four-door hatchback as a cheap ride to work. Fortunately, there is a good offering of used hatches for less than $4,000.
Sensible
In winter, all-wheel drive is a definite asset. Subaru's famous symmetrical AWD is standard on all Impreza hatches, which we can find up to 2007. The Impreza offers a comfortable interior with more standard features than many cars in its class, such as cruise control, power locks and air conditioning. Two versions of a 2.5-litre boxer engine are offered, and while the five-speed manual is more entertaining, the automatic is relatively low-tech with just four speeds, which results in relatively poor fuel economy in the segment. But it's proven durable, which may be its downfall on the used market: it's difficult to find any for sale with fewer than 200,000 kilometres on the clock. Recalls on early models look at loose seat bolts, faulty cruise control and an automatic transmission that can shift out of park.
Ford introduced the Focus five-door hatch to North America in 2001, and it can be found here up to 2007. It's a solid, roomy economy car that adds a dash of fun behind the wheel, thanks in part to a stiff chassis. And it has a higher-than-normal fit and finish inside, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and standard stability control on some models. Best to look at cars from 2005 and later. Not only were they refreshed with a 136-horsepower 2.0-litre engine, but the change also eliminated a few reliability issues that plagued the Focus. Fuel economy was average for this segment, but the car was good enough to land on Car and Driver's 10 Best lists on multiple occasions. The only recall deals with a faulty rear hatch.
Indispensable
It's hard to beat the Mazda3 on so many fronts. The wagon version is peppy, sharp handling and just a fun-to-drive car, and we can find it here up to 2009, just before a redesign. The exterior styling has kept its appeal and freshness, and inside there are quality materials and a sporty layout. Front passengers have plenty of room, and the rear quarters are a little tight, but cargo room is good. It's 2.3-litre inline-four isn't just powerful and reliable, it also has a timing chain instead of a belt, so you don't have to worry about replacing that. The biggest thing to look for is rust, which was an issue, but if you find a clean one you'll have a versatile, entertaining ride. Reliability was good enough to earn a "good bet" by Consumer Reports. Recalls involve problems with windshield wipers, power steering, electronic stability control, a wiring harness and air bags.
Questionable
The Dodge Caliber is macho, with a tall stance and hard-edged design, and can be found up to 2009 here. Inside is roomy, and the engine power from three different four-cylinder engines ranges from 148 horsepower up to 172. But the package feels unrefined, with plenty of road and engine noise, wide panel gaps and cheap plastic used inside an uninspiring cockpit. The ride is firm but not anywhere near agile and, despite having a CVT, fuel economy was at the lower end of the segment. Recalls deal with a sticking accelerator, a faulty circuit board and a parking brake that won't engage.
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