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Low End Sedans (under $16k)

3871 messages,  Last post on Dec 30, 2011 at 10:54 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio, Nissan Sentra, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Kia Spectra, Suzuki Forenza, Sedan

Messages Page 228 of 388

#2265 of 3871 majorthomecho by dunworth

Jul 29, 2003 (6:19 am)

I really like the 2003 Echo facelift and the little changes in the interior like the logo on the steering wheel are nice touches. The car has real personality. Congrats to your friend.
 
My family has owned a pile of Toyotas; Tercels, Camrys Corolla, Highlander, Sienna and Avalon. They are great cars as long as they are properly maintained. I myself have an '02 Corolla which I love.
 
How does the Echo compare pricewise to the Kia (I am assuming) Spectra in your area? Not to upset any Kia owners, but IMHO there is no comparison between the two vehicles. There should be a substantial price difference between the two to make up for the Kia's shortcomings and there is not, at least not in Canada. That new Echo hatch will make the value equation of the Spectra even more dodgy over here.

#2266 of 3871 Spectra vs. Echo by majorthomecho

Jul 30, 2003 (10:46 am)

I went to the Kia site and equipped a Spectra LS the way she wanted and the MSRP was very comparable to the Echo, but the Echo did cost more.
 
But if you factor in the number of miles she will be driving per year (and the cost of gasoline) and the price difference will be made up in short time.
 
The papers were not finalized and everything signed until today so this was the first day that "we" got to drive her car. I say "we", but it actually was just me. I drove us down to the dealership in my Echo which she took to work while I drove her Echo from the dealership back to our place.
 
I had no choice but to take the highway coming back and I think my slow speed ticked people off. I felt like writing a big sign saying NEW CAR AND I AM GOING TO KEEP DRIVING SLOWLY.
 
Her getting this car does work out for me. Since we now have a automatic, I am free to look at manual transmission vehicles as my newest car. Note that I did not say next car. My little black Echo is going to be mine for a very long time even if I buy another car for myself.
 
My apologies for the typos in my previous post. My computer is so old and my connection so bad that if I try to spell check my messages before posting, I end up getting booted off. And I did not do the spell checking manually as I was running short on time.
 
Talk to you later. Happy motoring.

#2267 of 3871 majorthomecho by dunworth

Jul 30, 2003 (1:17 pm)

Thanks good post.
 
While you were looking at Kias did you not consider one of the Hyundai products like the Accent or the base Elantra? Up here they compare well with the Echo. The Accent is very solid although not terribly refined powertain wise. The Elantra is genuinely a nice car, although for a small car the Echo is hard to beat. It is the most fuel efficient gasoline vehicle we get up here (not including hybrids).
 
What other kind of car would you be considering? sedan, sport, SUV?
 
I myself only drive small cars and have never owned anything large. If I wanted to spend more on a car there would be a C class Benz in my driveway or a 3 series BMW.
 
I must admit though I get everything I want (quality, refinement etc) from my Civic and Corolla. I do not care about power since I don't drive fast and space is not a consideration since my family is small and we are physically small.
Today's affordable small cars (Civic, Corolla, Echo, Sentra Lancer, Protege, Accent, Elantra)offer so much value, it would be hard for me to justify spending more.

#2268 of 3871 Well said by dinu01

Jul 30, 2003 (2:07 pm)

"Today's affordable small cars (Civic, Corolla, Echo, Sentra Lancer, Protege, Accent, Elantra)offer so much value, it would be hard for me to justify spending more."
 
Dinu

#2269 of 3871 dinu01 by dunworth

Jul 31, 2003 (9:27 am)

How goes your car search? I think you still had quite a range of considerations including a number of Mazda products. That new 3 should be a winner but there should be deals-a-plenty on the excellent outgoing Protege. And since the new 6 looks like a sleeker giant Protege, buying the old model Pro will not make you feel like you are driving an old design.

#2270 of 3871 dunworth by dinu01

Jul 31, 2003 (3:21 pm)

Well since I got myself 2 mths ago a used Maxima, I'm sticking to my plan:
 
1. Graduate
2. Work (what a concept, eh?)
3. Go for a Mazda6 or Mazda3 in about 12-18mths from now - at the absolute latest when I turn 25 - August 2005 - so I can afford the insurance too
 
Dinu

#2271 of 3871 dinu01 by dunworth

Aug 01, 2003 (7:15 am)

Used Maxima eh? You sure you are going to be able to go back down to a Mazda3 or 6. My brother drives slightly used cars and sticks to Maximas and V6 626s because they are great cars and have lower resales than the Camry/Accord.
 
He was looking to replace an older Mazda with a new compact but he was so spoiled by the power of his previous cars that it would have been a difficult transition. Ideally he would have liked a new Maxima in keeping with his too much power is just enough philosophy. He had almost decided on a new Protege but ended up with his current low mileage Maxima instead - he just could not resist the more powerful car.

#2272 of 3871 dunworth by dinu01

Aug 01, 2003 (8:29 am)

"You sure you are going to be able to go back down to a Mazda3 or 6."
 
You're kidding, right?
 
Yes my 91 Maxi GXE is a GREAT highway cruiser, but that's all that it is. Is it boring to drive? Not exactly, but it's not fun either. I drove a V6 M6 and it was worlds apart from a 00 Maxima SE I also test-drove in the spring.
 
From how the car FEELS on the road, through corners, great brakes and decent acceleration, the M6 is superior to the prev gen Maximas IMO. Haven't tried a new 04 Maxi - too $$$!
 
Now if you believe me, I would rather drive the 01 Protege ES than a 00 Maxima SE - comparo #s don't do Mazdas justice: The PRO and 6 feel like nothing else on the road when we're comparing them to respective vehicles in their price range.
 
I like smaller nimbler cars with sporty-looking interiors, lots of steering feel, great brakes and that amazing cornering ability Mazda puts in their new cars.
 
Dinu

#2273 of 3871 BTW by dinu01

Aug 01, 2003 (8:30 am)

Are we the only ones posting here?
 
Dinu

#2274 of 3871 dinu01 by dunworth

Aug 01, 2003 (12:36 pm)

Yes we are the only ones on this board for now. It seems a lot of the boards are quiet with people out on vacation.
 
"I like smaller nimbler cars with sporty-looking interiors, lots of steering feel, great brakes and that amazing cornering ability Mazda puts in their new cars."
 
Ditto. I love the Mazda product but our local dealer sucks and I always buy and service locally. The Pro gets lower fuel economy (I drive alot and it adds up)and resale is dismal. My Corolla is pleasant but does not drive as well as the Pro, while my Civic drives (IMHO) nearly as well but does not feel a solid as the Pro. But both of my cars get great fuel economy, have decent resale and both my local dealers are nearly as good as my local Saturn dealership (I have two Saturns SLs in the past).
 
I think if I was moving up to a mid-size a 4-cyl Mazda6 would be a real contender, and maybe even overlook the service/sales issue. I think Mazda builds some of the best cars on the market regardless of price but in some parts of the US/Canada they need to address their less than stellar dealer body.

Messages Page 228 of 388

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