Reliable car for college and road trips, no costly repairs, planning on having this car for a while

The Focus is an often overlooked fun little driver and a reasonable choice for your described wants and needs. As a student making road trips I think you would find the wagon or hatchback versions have added utility and would be great for hauling your gear.

I agree with Michael on the Kia Soul. We have rented Souls 4 different times while traveling, very roomy with both good passenger and cargo space, reasonable gas mileage... The only negative we have noticed is the ride is bit stiff, but it handles reasonably well. Soul is likely to be more reliable than Focus.

Both good choices, but if you can find a gently used Soul in your price range, that would be my recommendation. Woujld love to hear what you get.

The Fusion is a good car. The Focus is good if you don't get the automatic dual clutch like Michael said. The automatic is one of the worst transmissions put into a modern car. The Soul is also a good choice, but the Focus would be more comfortable on the highway because the Soul is based on a subcompact platform while the Focus is a compact platform.

The 2008-2011 Focus was reliable regardless of transmission while the 2012 and newer were the bad transmissions.

Also take a look at Mazda3s since they are cheaper and reliable. Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra were also OK.

Avoid the Chevy Cruze.

So the Fusion, Focus MANUAL, Kia Soul, and Mazda 3 are good choices.