reliable use car for a single woman

A Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla would suit you nicely, I'd think. Both are reliable, quality automobiles, and neither has a CVT, which is something I'd avoid given how long you plan to keep the car.

You might also consider a Kia Soul - remarkably practical, easy/fun to drive, should prove reliable, though it certainly doesn't have the 30+ history of the other 2...

Good luck!

The 2014 and newer Corolla LEs and Civics come standard with only CVTs or manual transmissions. It's great for improving MPGs, but in the long run might not be the best transmission. IMO, I wouldn't worry because Honda and Toyota especially have had reliable CVTs (Toyota has experience with the Prius CVT).

The Kia Soul is another great choice, but the earlier ones were a little tinny and cheap. Reliable and very practical nonetheless.

Avoid the Sentra.

I said what do you think about a CVT to the transmission repair specialists who care for our cars.


I barely got "those transmissions that are Continuously Varia" out before they were all shaking their heads and saying Noooooooooooo

@eabpmn

Yeah, I get what you mean. They are definitely hit-or-miss with different automakers. In my two Prii the CVTs have been perfectly fine as expected. Prii are made for the CVT and thats fine, but Civics should have an option between Honda's new 10 speed auto, the CVT, and manual. Aside from Toyota with the Prius, I believe Nissan has been making their CVT the longest. And it's a piece of junk! I applaud Hyundai/Kia and Mazda for sticking with their 6 speed autos and 7 speed dual clutch (Hyundai). Also, if you've been driving for a long time, you're used to traditional gears, not a loud, constantly revving CVT. Your mechanic is probably a car enthusiast and I feel his pain with the new wave of boring CVTs (even though I have two myself).