I need a new car, and I'm not wild about anything that's out there. Maybe I'm missing something great, so before I buy something I don't love, I thought I'd ask for your suggestions.

It will be a new car. I know all the arguments for buying used, but I don't buy for resale value, I buy to own it.

Must be compact or relatively small. No SUVs, trucks, minivans or boat-sized cars, but nothing that looks like a cartoon car, either (meaning no Smart4Twos or Fiats).

Other needs:
-- good gas mileage
-- reliable (will last 10+ years or 200,000 miles)
-- $20,000 or less
-- seat backs that go straight up. My Honda Civic seat slants back, and I'm tried of the neck problems from sitting back and craning my head forward to look straight ahead.
-- headlight controls MUST be on the lever by the steering wheel, not a separate button. No kidding, this annoys me no end. (Meaning no Ford Focus.)
-- must use a key. No push button ignitions. Call me old-fashioned, but I want to be able to turn the thing OFF and not have a button failure.

I have tried:
Hyundai Elantra - highly rated, but the seat area is tight and I couldn't see over the windshield or side windows to the lane lines on the road or for parking.
Mazda 3 - love how it drives, but gas mileage isn't great and there's the window problem.
Ford Focus - weird controls
Nissan Versa - hated it. Especially hate that the dashboard is lit when the headlights are OFF amd dim when it's dark and the headlights are on.
Toyota Corolla - seats don't go straight up and it doesn't drive as nicely as the Camry, which is bigger than I want.
Kia Rio - comfortable to sit in and drive, but cheesy looking inside. So far the front runner, though. I'll take a look at the Forte, but only to hope that it's not as cheesy looking as the Rio.
Audi A4 - my one try at a used car. No matter how great the car, I can't make myself take a used one. The headlight control is just like that of the Ford Focus.

I have a Nissan Altima, 6 cyl..great on gas..four door, very roomy for MrG and the pups.

I have a Toyota Matrix. Paid less than 20k. Same engine & chassis as the Corolla, but different interior, 4 door, has hatchback & back seats fold down so lots of cargo room. 6cyl great gas mileage. Oh and the seats adjust straight up (I think like what you are talking about), the headlight controls are a lever on the steering column, and has a key ignition. :) I LOVE mine an have never had 2nd thoughts about getting it.

Seems like you've done quite a bit of work as far as research. I guess it comes down to you.

Go to Edmunds.com and do your comparative research there. You know what features you like and they have every car on the market AND they give great pricing advice. I used the info when I bought my last car (which is no longer made).

I'm on my second Hyundai Accent, I liked the first one so well I bought another. Mostly I like the seat, I have back/neck problems and with this car I can drive forever. It has great AC, the interior is upgraded, wonderful gas mileage. It is a cheapy car, I only drove the first one 100 thousand miles, no trouble with it. I bought the new one because I live in the desert and I will not drive an old car for fear of being stranded in the heat. Good luck in your search.

We picked up a wonderful used Lexus from the dealer for $10,000. Like brand new. We love it.

Great research and I applaud that you know what you want and need!!

My recommendation is the Honda Fit. Not sure about the price ... but it's right around that mark. Seat backs are adjustable to perfectly straight to tilted back. Mileage is outstanding, I'm currently at 40+ (I do mostly highway driving - if I do ALL highway on a long trip I'm around 43MPG). Headlights are on the left steering wheel lever. Uses a real key. Reliability is ranked very high - it's a Honda.

Tons of room in the back. 4 seater but the seats fold COMPLETELY flat. Front seats are roomey (to me).

Outstanding visibility. The windshield is raked plus there are side windows in the front. Back window is perpendicular so nothing obstructs rear view.

I would second this, and perhaps maybe looking at a Ford Fiesta? My mother has a diesel VW Jetta and she gets anywhere from 43-47 mpg, she's very happy with it.

That was one of the cars I looked at when buying my last one and one of the sales people (can't remember which lot) actually referred to the "Fit" as a "Clown Car." He said it reminded him of the skit where clowns keep pouring out. Every time I see a Fit, I have to chuckle.

I drive a Scion XB, $15000.00, 30 miles around town, over 40 on the highway.
I love it.

Cars are like sewing machines.everyone has a preference. Maybe you should go American made and try a Chevrolet Impala..they get good gas mileage and are a comfortable ride. I am partial to my Dodge Grand Caravan but then that is my preference.....lol!

Have you tried the Car-Talk website?

try the Hyundai Tiburon. You simply can't got wrong with Hyundais. We have owned a total of 5 of them for over 6 years. We have the tiburon, sonata, tucson and the santa fe. I bought the Tiburon and drive for 4 years then passed it along and bought the Tucson. I love the Hyundais, 90k+ miles and oil changes and brakes only. The Tiburon drives great, seats fully adjustable, etc. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

I'm a Mazda 6 girl. I get awesome milage out of it.

I have a toyota corolla. It is a 1999 and it has 510,246 miles on it and it goes 153 miles a night 364 days a year, orginal trans and engine. Toyota is the only thing I will own. Good luck find a car.

Have you tried the Hyundia Sonata? I have a 2004 and love it. No problems and gets great gas mileage.I believe in them and my next new car will be a Sonata,if this one ever wears out.

I'm a dyed in the wool Honda fan. I have owned once since 1991 and had no bad luck. The Fit is a little unique looking, but I've ridden in one and it handles nicely, very roomy and excellent gas mileage. Like you, can't buy used - too much risk of a car someone else didn't take care of.

I just sold my Mazda 3 to get an SUV as we needed the space. But, I LOVED that car. It was a 2006 model, so I can't speak for the new ones, but I got great gas mileage. Also, I'm short (5'2"), and visibility was very important when I was looking. It had the best visibility and handled the best as well. My husband has a 2007 Mazda 6 and loves it as well. It is larger though, and has more of a sedan feel. Great car though.

My mom just got a new Kia Optima and loves it, it gets really good mileage but I don't know too much about it.

The Chevy Aveo meets all of those requirements expect it may look cartoonish to you. There are two versions and one is much less cartoonish than the other. My daughter gets 32 MPG. The seats set VERY straight. (That's one of her things, too.) It comes in bright, fun colors.

http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/sedan/pictures/

Could check out the Ford 500..is it? They are really sharp and smaller than the Taurus (my next family car). I also am a big fan of the Scions by Toyota. Currently drive a 4-Runner ltd, which I will never get rid of.

I have a new style Honda Civic 2 door. I LOVE it. Only problem is it is a little noisy.

I also drive a Scion XB for many of the reasons you listed in your criteria. I am disabled and have problems getting into some vehicles where I have to lower myself into the car. The Scion is just right for me to enter and exit. It is made by Toyota. Now it does have drawbacks being a lower end model (not a Lexus) with my main complaint being that it is preset from factory to unlock all the doors automatically when placed in park - not a good idea at ATMS and such. I checked and it can be changed - at a cost of $50! I would have made that a condition of the sale had I known it beforehand. I have had it for two years and never had any problems and regular maintenance and oil changes.

We have this car also, and LOVE it. It also sits a bit higher, and is easier to get in and out of. We looked at a Civic, and decided it sat too low to the ground.

I'm another XB owner. I love it. Mine is new and not broke in yet so my milage isn't as good as nyelphaba's. I don't like having to pull myself out of cars and the XB is up a little higher so it is very easy to get in and out of. It is roomy even in the back. The lights are on the steering wheel. I think you should go test drive one.

I'm a Honda owner. I drove a Honda civic for 13 years, bought a new one in 2010 and love it. (Son has old Honda, stills runs good.) Good gas mileage (40 on highway). My DH drives a Honda ridgeline (truck).

My wife bought the Scion XD last year (not quite as boxy as the XB) and loves it, frankly so do I since I got her 1996 Corolla wagon with over 200,000 miles on it. So far no problems what so ever and averages mid 30s in gas millage and that is in town and open road combined.

Thank you all for answering! I checked out many of your suggestions online, will head to the auto-plex tomorrow for more test drives.

DebraK, you made my jaw drop. $10,000 for a Lexus? However did you negotiate that? I'm sure it wasn't sitting in the lot with that price on it. (I'm not interested in a Lexus. Gas mileage is too low, and I'm sure maintenance costs would be high, but I'm still awed by your deal.)

DogHouseMom, if the Honda Fit seats really adjust to straight, I'll give it a try. MadQuilter, I agree, the look is goofy, which I wanted to avoid, but on the other hand, I do like my Honda. The other problem I have with the current Hondas is the high rise of the doors and slant of the windshield, which blocks visibility to lane lines and the ground. Worth a test drive, though.

nyelphaba, I hadn't thought of a Scion. I wouldn't be comfortable with your XB, but I looked at the TC online. Nice-looking, but the gas mileage isn't good.

You struck a nerve, because I grew up in Detroit, so there's always some guilt about not buying American. However, reliability and long car life is a must, and American brands don't have that. Also, American auto workers tell me that most parts come from overseas anyway. Add to that the fact that many foreign brands have factories here (most Hyundai Elantras are made in Alabama, for example), and it's meaningless now.

MrsM, I do use cartalk.com, should take a look at their brand recommends. Thanks.

The Ford Fusion has a great rating and my inlaws love theirs.

I have a kia rio, and had a honda accord (2 door, needed 4 door for baby), gas mileage was about the same, the accord was way smoother, features i do like on the kia tells you when you have low tire pressure, headlight turn off when you turn off the car regardless if the switch is left on( ie no dead battery like the honda. Dislikes no automatic windows, (sorry to me a pain to roll). Overall I think your problem is going to be finding all your features in one car. I have had a ford escort now the focus which to me is on the same level as the rio on smooth driving, do like toyotas, but think hondas are better quality and stand the test of time longer than the toyota (accord vs camry, both heavy driving my old honda, now my brothers, is 13 years still going , camry was about 10). Haven't had an audi, but don't discredit used cars. Carmax in california does used but the are only a few years old with limited mileage, and sometimes warranties are still good, that is where I got my rio. Me personally I like the size of the rio over the accord, but if I have the chance will probably get a civic, the rio seating does make my back hurt, the honda didn't so keep that in mind as well. I also noticed some listed scion xbs, my brother in law has one, and it does not get that great of gas mileage, he drives long distance and is currently looking to to get a new car for that reason, so also take that into consideration as well

Wow! My Honda is a 1999, and I was hoping for something like that, but it has needed several repairs. I've rented Corollas, just have not liked the way they drive, and the seats don't adjust to straight up.

Jennifer and nana kate, again, Hyundai cars are a tight fit for me. I feel very hemmed in in the driver's seat. Can't do a Hyundai.

JenBlossom, I drove new Mazda 3s as rental cars for much of this past year. They feel and drive great, but the gas mileage (in southern California, no cold or snow) was too low. And I had the problem seeing over the windows. I'd otherwise be quite happy with a Mazda 3.

LOL, yeah, Hondas are noisy. Mine is now very quiet after having had some maintenance last winter. The newer models don't have seats that go all the way straight up and the slant on that windshield and the length the dashboard/console jut out really bother me. I'll check out the latest models tomorrow, though.

Dolphyngyrl, your choices sound closest to mine. Except that we are opposites re what we need for our backs. I need the straight-up seating for my back; my Honday Civic has always bothered it. I drove a Kia Spectra a few years back as a rental and would have gone for that one if they still made it. My back (and I) loved it.

Again, thanks all. I'll check back for more posts and will let you all know what wins out.

Sorry I can't help you, but personally, I wouldn't buy a new car, I just don't like them. The first and last new car I bought was in 1973. LOL

How about a used Prius? They are good cars.

Now there's a thought. Thanks!

Check out the Honda Fit. It addresses a lot of your requests.

I paid $16,000 for mine. Gets 38 mpg around town between 40 and 50 on hwy. I went with the cheaper model so no keyless entry. They hold their value and have all the great Honda warranties. Get the oil changed 2 times a year and that is it. Seats sit up strait. Lots of space in bag for shopping trips.

I LOVE MINE. I will never own anything else.

After being in a car accident in our Honda Accord (1992) two years ago, we went to a Honda CR-V (we don't consider it an SUV or a van or anything. We get 23 mpg or more (even with the heater or AC on), we sit higher up and my husband feels comfortable with me driving it and I feel very safe driving it. My husband is 6'5" and is comfortable driving, legroomwise). We were sideswiped by an 18 wheeler and dragged for a block (he didn't know we were attached to his front wheel well). So the heavier (which the CR-V is not that heavy) the car, the higher up you sit (so you can see what is going on around you), the safer you or your family will feel. Hang the looks, I say, concentrate on safety, comfort and reliability and Honda has that. We have a 2002 and we are over 150,000 miles and it is still just like new. (We bought it used from my sister and her husband). The neatest thing is the AM/FM radio, which has a CD player and a tape player. I really like that. The back end is high enough. You don't have to bend down into a trunk to get stuff out, it is right there - good on the back. I don't think we will ever get a sedan/coupe again. It will always be a CR-V, just because of its safety factor, reliability and ease of handling both inside the car and outside the car. It is great for an old broad like me!!!!!!! And, I think it really looks neat!!! Edie

I also drive a Dodge Grand Caravan, love my giant station wagon!

I just bought a Hyundai Elantra.
The drivers seat pumps up. This is my second one.
The gas mileage is good. Inside looks expensive.
I got the top of the line. Only because my DH
pushed. good luck
LC

I have a Mazda 3 hatchback with leather interior and Bose music system. Electrically controlled driver's seat gives infinite levels and provides a very straight back. Great for moving all kinds of quilty stuff. Love it!!!

Our other car is a Toyota Prius. We are thrilled with its performance and gas sipping quality. Looking to get a new one soon.

Have you considered buying American? We're a dedicated GM family. I have a 5 year old Pontiac ( don't make them any more) that's as great as the day I bought it. Still a delight to drive. My kids are fighting over who gets it when I trade, but suprise, I'm never giving it up.