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Help Me Choose!

1950 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan


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#1893 of 1950
Looking for suggestions... by kreuzer
Jun 27, 2009 (8:33 am)
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on alternatives to the pick-up truck and SUVs for cargo holding and light towing (<2000lbs.). Any ideas? I'm not really impressed with the small truck offerings due to their prices if I want seating for 4/5 people which I would like. The vehicles I am curious about are the Elantra Touring, Subaru Impreza Hatchback, Mazda 3 Hatchback. I can't think of anything else. If I'm missing some, please let me know. Thanks for your sugestions/comments. Also, I would like to stay under $20,000 buying new.
#1894 of 1950
Re: Looking for suggestions... [kreuzer] by backy
Jun 27, 2009 (9:57 am)
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Replying to: kreuzer (Jun 27, 2009 8:33 am)

The Elantra Touring, Impreza, and Mazda3 don't have a towing capacity anywhere close to 2000 pounds. Have you considered a small cross-over type SUV, which drives much more like a car than an SUV? For example, the Sportage V6 could be had for under $20k and can tow up to 2000 pounds (the I4 can tow up to 1500). It's quite roomy for up to 5 people. Another option, maybe hard to find new under $20k but there's the used option, is the VW Jetta Sportwagen--it can tow up to 2000 pounds and would definitely handle like a car (because it is). So maybe check out small crossover SUVs ala Sportage and RAV4 V6 (probably have to go used on that one to stay under $20k), or even the Santa Fe, which has big discounts now, and small wagons that can tow (pretty rare) like the Sportwagen.
#1895 of 1950
Re: Looking for suggestions... [backy] by kreuzer
Jun 27, 2009 (5:54 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jun 27, 2009 9:57 am)

Thanks backy for your comments. I will take them under consideration. I knew the Mazda doesn't have a towing capacity and believe it's not recommended, but pretty sure the Impreza can tow up to 2000lbs. The Elantra use to be able to tow up to 3000lbs., I believe , with trailer brakes. I saw this on the Edmunds website at one time. You're right that I'd have to go used with the Volkswagens and Toyotas.
   
Do you know much about how the I4 in the Sportage does as far as enough power to pull and carry 5 and what about gas mileage? Do you have or know someone that owns one?
 
Thanks again!
#1896 of 1950
Re: Looking for suggestions... [kreuzer] by backy
Jun 27, 2009 (9:14 pm)
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Replying to: kreuzer (Jun 27, 2009 5:54 pm)

The Elantra Touring has a towing capacity of only 750 pounds I think. It is heavier than the sedan but has the same engine. The current Elantra sedan doesn't have the same towing rating as the 2001-2006 Elantra for some reason. The 2009 Impreza 2.5i (the only one available for anything close to $20k) doesn't seem to have a published towing capacity. Where did you see it can tow up to 2000 lbs.?
 
The Sportage V6 has pretty good power for its size, and has a pretty good towing capacity as I mentioned. I've only driven the I4 Sportage and even with only 138 hp (same engine as the Elantra) I thought it moved OK--no barn burner of course. But that was only with 2 people in it, not towing, and not the V6. You might check the Sportage discussion for owner opinions, and for real-world fuel economy numbers. For fuel economy, I think you'd actually do just as well or even better with a larger crossover, such as the Santa Fe or RAV4.
#1897 of 1950
Re: Looking for suggestions... [backy] by kreuzer
Jun 28, 2009 (6:08 am)
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Replying to: backy (Jun 27, 2009 9:14 pm)

Wow, I wonder what happened to the tow capacity for the Elantras?!! I think where I got the info for the Impreza was based on the fact that it has the same engine as it's bigger cousins: Forester and Outback. I knew they were good for that.
 
The Sportage sounds like the way to go with the v6, anyway. I still think the Santa Fe and RAV4 will be out of my price range, although the Santa Fe would be my best bet to negotiate. Toyota won't budge on the RAV4.
 
Thanks again on your quick reply and info. It will help!
#1898 of 1950
Re: Looking for suggestions... [kreuzer] by backy
Jun 28, 2009 (10:29 am)
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Replying to: kreuzer (Jun 28, 2009 6:08 am)

It is quite possible to get a new Santa Fe around $20k, e.g. invoice on a GLS with AT and tow hitch is just over $23k, and there's a $2000 rebate now plus dealers are dealing on these. (For example, Fitzmall offers GLSes with AT for under $20k.) You might even be able to find an SE, with the superior powertrain (3.3L V6 + 5AT) for just a bit over $20k (Fitzmall's start at $21.4k). The RAV4 will be higher, but I noticed Fitzmall has new I4 RAV4s starting at just over $20.4k. But those have a towing capacity of only 1500 lbs., with the tow prep package. This is well under list, so it looks like Toyota dealers will budge on the RAV4. Toyota sales are down quite a bit this year.
 
I notice Subaru has pretty low lease payments on the Forester, e.g. $279 for 3 years with nothing down except acquisition fee being offered in my area. That might be another route for you.
#1899 of 1950
Re: Looking for suggestions... [backy] by kreuzer
Jun 29, 2009 (7:22 am)
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Replying to: backy (Jun 28, 2009 10:29 am)

Thanks, backy for your swift replies! I'll consider all of them.
#1900 of 1950
Re: Help me decide... [jbbevel] by jbbevel
Jun 29, 2009 (12:56 pm)
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Replying to: jbbevel (Jun 25, 2009 2:52 pm)

Well, I've ended up going with the new 2010 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback 6 speed Manual Transmission. I decided to dump the upgraded stereo and Moonroof option... just didn't seem worth another $1200.
#1901 of 1950
Costco Buying Service by bwia
Jul 01, 2009 (9:22 am)
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Has any boardie used or have experience with the no-haggle Costco buying service? I am not a Costco member yet so I was wondering:
1) Is it worth it to buy a $50 membership? and
2) Are the savings they promote significantly better than what I could get haggling the old fashioned way?
 
Furthermore, does Costco tend to recommend dealerships close to metropolitan areas or are they inclined to recommend out-of-the-way dealerships in Podunck USA?
Any feedback is appreciated.
#1902 of 1950
Re: Costco Buying Service [bwia] by jbbevel
Jul 02, 2009 (9:41 am)
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Replying to: bwia (Jul 01, 2009 9:22 am)

I think you have to take the Costco Buying Service... on a case by case basis. I used it to buy my wife's 2007 Toyota RAV 4... brand new.... back in 07.. I could not seem to get Toyota dealer to nudge much on the prices.... ended up just going with the Costco deal.. and did okay...
 
Comparatively, I just bought a new 2010 Mazda 3 on monday.... I used Edmunds and got quotes from about 7 dealers... told them I was pre-approved and would buy on monday ( end of month, end of quarter ) and would take the best dealer quote. I ended up doing better than Costco program or another program I was considering. Got my new ride for $400 below invoice... Costco was about $200 over invoice. So i made out with a $600 savings... by doing my homework and timing it right.
 
Good luck!

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