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Low End Sedans (under $16k)

3820 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2008 at 9:45 AM

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

#3137 of 3820 Ford Focus ZX5 vs. Kia Spectra SX, or something else? by huntley Jun 13, 2005 (7:38 am)
As a 54 year old male who does minimal driving, I am trying to decide on whether to purchase a Ford Focus ZX5 ($16,800) or a Kia Spectra SX (14,800). I have narrowed my choices down to TWO vehicles. According to Consumer Reports, the Ford Focus is rated number one, whereas the Kia Spectra is "out of contention" due to poor crash results . Owners of the Kia Spectra have said the car suffers from "nose plow" when braking, as well as "understeer" and a noisy engine at highway speeds. I tried BOTH vehicles and found that the Focus had a better seating position, but cheap looking interior materials. The Spectra's interior looked superior and the handling felt similar to the Focus, even though it had a much lower stance. This is a difficult decision. I also drove the Mazda3 but ruled it out because I found the seats were as hard as concrete. I tried the Cobalt and those seats were the same. The most comfortable seats are in the Focus and the Spectra. Because of Kia's poor history and "pooh poohing" from the auto industry, I am reluctant to purchase one, plus I have never seen one on the road. Even the salesperson at KIA told me the car was a hard sell. Could someone please offer some advice and suggestion to help me make my final choice? Are both cars silly looking for a 54 year old male? One added piece of info . . Kia and Ford are both conveniently located near my home. Replies to this message: navigator89 (Jun 13, 2005 11:53 am) explorerx4 (Jun 13, 2005 5:11 pm)
#3138 of 3820 Re: Ford Focus ZX5 vs. Kia Spectra SX, or something else? [huntley] by navigator89 Jun 13, 2005 (11:53 am)
Replying to: huntley (Jun 13, 2005 7:38 am) Here's my take.   I'd get the Ford Focus for a few reasons. The Focus, I heard has some good crash test results. It's got a pretty good stereo, and excellent driving dynamics. It's got a relatively large interior for a car in its class.   The Spectra5 has a low price, a long warranty, like 10 years, and the build quality is supposed to be pretty good, and the interior materials are also above average.   However, there are some othe vehicles that you might not have considered. Consider the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. Both of those cars look great, have available AWD, plus a lot of cargo room. The Vibe has available satellite radio and I think even a NAV system.   There is also the Suzuki Reno, if you're looking for a budget hatchback. However, I'd take a Focus over the Reno, because of it's handling and interior volume,   My final recommendation to you is a Honda Element. If you can get over the styling, the vehicle has a lot to offer. Build one at the Honda website and you will see.   Hope this helps, and good luck on your car purchase!   P.S. I have to admit, I dont usually see 54 year old males driving compact hatchbacks. Males that age usually drive either a large SUV or a large luxury car. But hey, nothing wrong with driving a hatchback
#3139 of 3820 I'm 60 and I LOVE hatchbacks... by csandste Nov 11, 2001 (12:37 pm)
Have a Malibu Maxx-- best 16K I ever spent.   Close friend has a 2000 Focus ZX3. Like the handling but seats aren't too good as per lumbar support. Supposedly Focus has improved in both comfort and handling since then.   Had a Hyundai Elantra 4 door before the Maxx. More comfortable than the Focus, Maxx is worth the extra 5 grand difference. However if I was looking at that size car I'd still be looking at the Elantra hatch (none was available when I was buying in 2001).   Passed on the Kia because of poor initial crash scores, however Kia has now improved in that area and would definitely be looking at the car now. Nice looking although I still think the Maxx is worth the extra $$$, especially since the mileage is roughly the same. (I'm getting about 1.5 mpg less than I did with the Elantra 5-speed.)   I also looked at the Scion xB and the Toyota/Pontiac hatch twins. All were far too noisy and the Suzuki Aerio SX-- really liked the 5-speed, interior is MUCH improved this year and there's a great level of standard features. Still, concerned about Suzuki dealer quality and the Aerio sales are tanking even with the recent improvements.   Chevy dealers appear much better than local Hyundai dealer (they were always trying to nickel and dime me on services and don't like dealer addons and high pressure sales of closest dealer). Kia dealership tied to local Dodge dealer that's better than Hyundai but not up to my experience with local Chevy dealerships (I think they've been Saturnized for the better).   Did drive a Forenza wagon (with the automatic), much less car than my Maxx--and MPG's were worse--- and cruder IMHO than the Kia/Hyundais. I assume the same would apply to the Reno.   Drove a Mazda 3, but reliability not as good as the Maxx.   All in all, I wish we had many more wagons and hatches to consider. A decade ago both the Camry and Accord came in wagon form. Now there's only the Maxx and the Mazda 6 in that class and a handful of Focus class cars with hatches and wagons. Too bad-- got to get more 50 and 60 year olds (as well as 20-30-and 40 year olds) out of those SUV's. Replies to this message: npaladin2000 (Jun 14, 2005 4:48 am) csandste (Jun 14, 2005 11:07 am) alpha01 (Jun 15, 2005 6:42 am)
#3140 of 3820 Re: Ford Focus ZX5 vs. Kia Spectra SX, or something else? [huntley] by explorerx4 Jun 13, 2005 (5:11 pm)
Replying to: huntley (Jun 13, 2005 7:38 am) huntley... am a bit younger than you, (but not a bunch). have an '04 focus zts(sedan, 2.3, 5 speed). can comment of the focus. have had it a bit over a year, and my wife and i love it. bought it to keep miles off our 'good' vehicles, plus next year we will have an addtional driver. we end up driving way more than we expected, because it is a really good driver. i'm assuming the numbers you posted are msrp. you can get a focus for way less than that. i won't go into everything i like or dislike(unless you ask me to), so i'll stick to the dislkes. the stereo is pretty good(blaupunkt), although it can get overwhelmed with the windows or power moonroof open. the interior surfaces are cheap(hard, easily scratched). the driver's seat is not all that comfortable for me. people think you are some kid and try to turn stop lights into drag races. gas mileage is pretty comparable to epa sticker.
#3141 of 3820 Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx by huntley Jun 14, 2005 (4:30 am)
csandste . . . . . interesting that you recommended the Malibu Maxx. The Maxx is my THIRD choice. I had driven the other two vehicles, unable to make a choice between them and decided to try something out of character for me . . . the very funky looking Maxx. I absoulutely loved it! I loved the power, heated fabric seat along with the back seat sunroofs and reclining bucket seats . . such a flexible vehicle. The gas mileage looked excellent and the comfort was way better than the other two, plus it's more "adult" looking for a guy of 54. As a single person who drives alone, only a mile from his job, do I need a car that size? A ZX5 of Spectra seems to be all I really need. One thing I didn't like on the Malibu . . . the dash looks like tupperware. Then I read that the 2006 model will have a tweeked front end. I have always had smaller cars. This past weekend I tried the new Sonata 4 cyl. version. What a wonderful car!!! But it felt too large for me. The mileage on the 4 is almost the same as the Ford Focus . . . just 2 miles less per gallon. My conclusion on that car is that it's just another "nicer looking" Camry which I would never buy. Maybe I'll just stay with my 1999 Mercury Mystique LS until something really strikes my fancy. Replies to this message: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 11:20 am) micweb (Jun 14, 2005 12:16 pm) csandste (Jun 14, 2005 5:48 pm) and 1 more...
#3142 of 3820 Re: I'm 60 and I LOVE hatchbacks... [csandste] by npaladin2000 Jun 14, 2005 (4:48 am)
Replying to: csandste (Nov 11, 2001 12:37 pm) Drove a Mazda 3, but reliability not as good as the Maxx.   I think there's only one way to respond to that statement:   HUH!?!?!?!? Replies to this message: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 11:07 am) alpha01 (Jun 15, 2005 6:42 am)
#3143 of 3820 yea, seriously by alpha01 Jun 14, 2005 (6:39 am)
The 3 gets the top "Much Better than Average" rating from CR, the Malibu isnt even close.   ~alpha
#3144 of 3820 Re: I'm 60 and I LOVE hatchbacks... [npaladin2000] by csandste Jun 14, 2005 (11:07 am)
Replying to: npaladin2000 (Jun 14, 2005 4:48 am) I was going by J.D. Power Initial Quality. I believe that Mazda as a brand is near the bottom of the list. BTW-- I like both the 3 and 6. I think the 6 is a better looking and sportier car than the Maxx, so I'm not dissing it, just stating that I have some quality issues-- you could certainly argue that the Maxx will drop off the charts in the near future but the last generation platform (although a very unpleasant car) was at least reliable at the end of its run. The problems with the 04 Bu fit in with GM's rushing things to market. Unlike my 01 Elantra which was rock steady in its first year there seems to be a significant difference (subjectively) in what people are reporting between the 04's and 05's.   'Bu/3/6   Mechanical Quality 5, 2,2 Feature and Accessory Quality 5,5,4 Body and Interior Quality 4,3,2 Overall Quality 5,2,2 Replies to this message: alpha01 (Jun 15, 2005 6:42 am)
#3145 of 3820 Re: Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx [huntley] by csandste Jun 14, 2005 (11:20 am)
Replying to: huntley (Jun 14, 2005 4:30 am) (Do I need a car of that size?)   My feelings exactly when I got the Maxx. Seemed too big and I actually curbed it once or twice-- long wheelbase. However, after a month I adjusted to it and the Maxx delights me more and more. I'm even getting used to the automatic.   As far as the interior, most people seem to like the neutral better than the gray. I have the neutral and have always had a pure hatred for phony wood but even that is growing on me since it's there in a limited way. Dash design sure isn't Lexus like, but it's pleasant to be in. Kind of like an Equinox. I do think the seat fabrics on the LS are cheap.   The mechanicals are universally fixable by a lot of different people. The exterior isn't pretty but at least its unique. It has a whole load of crap on it, things like adjustable pedals-- even on the base car.   Give me that Sonata wagon and I'd be a happy camper, the sedan is way too Camcordy. Replies to this message: micweb (Jun 14, 2005 12:16 pm) csandste (Jun 14, 2005 5:48 pm) backy (Jun 16, 2005 7:26 am)
#3146 of 3820 Re: Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx [csandste] by micweb Jun 14, 2005 (12:16 pm)
Replying to: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 11:20 am) You said:   even on the base car.   If you got the 4 cylinder, I'd appreciate a report on its handling, acceleration, noise level at cruise (at 80 if you drive that fast) and freeway gas mileage. I am interested in the 4 cylinder Malibu because it gets such great freeway gas mileage, accordig to reports, and because while both the 4 & 6 are reported to have good handling, the 4 has been reported to have better handling (lighter weight in the nose) than the 6 by Consumer Reports and also one of the car enthusiast magazines. Replies to this message: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 5:48 pm) backy (Jun 16, 2005 7:26 am)

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