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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 315 of 387

#3141 of 3871 Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx by huntley

Jun 14, 2005 (5:30 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.

#3142 of 3871 Re: I'm 60 and I LOVE hatchbacks... [csandste] by npaladin2000

Jun 14, 2005 (5:48 am)

Replying to: csandste (Nov 11, 2001 1:37 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!?!?!?!?

#3143 of 3871 yea, seriously by alpha01

Jun 14, 2005 (7:39 am)

The 3 gets the top "Much Better than Average" rating from CR, the Malibu isnt even close.
 
~alpha

#3144 of 3871 Re: I'm 60 and I LOVE hatchbacks... [npaladin2000] by csandste

Jun 14, 2005 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: npaladin2000 (Jun 14, 2005 5:48 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

#3145 of 3871 Re: Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx [huntley] by csandste

Jun 14, 2005 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: huntley (Jun 14, 2005 5:30 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.

#3146 of 3871 Re: Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx [csandste] by micweb

Jun 14, 2005 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 12:20 pm)
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.

#3147 of 3871 See MT by backy

Jun 14, 2005 (5:51 pm)

Look at the current issue of Motor Trend, they have a 5-way comparo including the Spectra and Focus (and 3 and Corolla and Cobalt). I think the Spectra out-pointed the Focus but the 3 edged the Corolla for first.

#3148 of 3871 Re: Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx [micweb] by csandste

Jun 14, 2005 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: micweb (Jun 14, 2005 1:16 pm)
If I did I misstated. I bought an LS Maxx, which I guess is the base Maxx since the 4 cylinder isn't available. I think the 3.5 liter engine is great, although not ohc. Gets almost as much mpg as the four and has a lot more power. The 'Bu is well suited to a torquey engine. FWIW-- Other than a van this is my first non-four in more than 30 years so I'm not a large car guy.
 
I only paid $16K for the Maxx. With a card and the new discounts it should be quite a bit lower than that. That's about 3K less than a Sonata four banger.

#3149 of 3871 Re: I'm 60 and I LOVE hatchbacks... [csandste] by alpha01

Jun 15, 2005 (7:42 am)

Replying to: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 12:07 pm)
Initial Quality is first 90 days only. Much more time is spent past that mark, and while initial quality, for me, is an significant metric, Im much more concerned with long term.
 
~alpha

#3150 of 3871 Re: Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Spectra SX, Malibu Maxx [csandste] by backy

Jun 16, 2005 (8:26 am)

Replying to: csandste (Jun 14, 2005 6:48 pm)
Re $16k for a V6 Maxx, was that with the GM credit card rebate or other special rebates? That's FAR below any price I've ever seen for a new V6 Maxx.

Messages Page 315 of 387

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