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Sedans 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
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Replying to: kocho (Sep 12, 2009 4:28 pm) It really comes down to what vehicle better serves your needs -- both are great vehicles for their intended use. I do agree that Subarus are very inexpensive to maintain and repair. Good luck - both are vehicles that offer above average value for their customers compared to the competition. |
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A reporter is looking to interview consumers for story who are currently in the market looking for a new vehicle. Please send your daytime phone number to ctalati edmunds.com by Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Thanks, Chintan Corporate Communications Edmunds.com |
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I'm starting to shop around for a car to replace my 2000 Camaro (V6, 5 speed). It's in good shape actually, only 97k miles on it and the engine is strong...it's just everything around the engine starting to go. Plus I'm ready for a bit more practicality and luggage space! I'm torn between going with something new around the $17-20k mark or going with something slightly used around the $14-15k mark. I think I've decided to go for a sedan type car. But basically I'm looking for: more usable space decent gas mileage more usable space good handling more usable space On the issue of stick vs. auto, I think I want to stay with a stick. That's what I've been driving for ... lets just say a long time ... and while I've thought about going auto I don't think I can bring myself to do it yet. I have looked around a little bit so far...and spent many hours on edmunds.com the last few weeks. What has really surprised me so far is that for all the talk about cars getting better gas mileage, etc...there are really very very few that average anywhere close to 30 or higher. I mean yeah, the Prius, Insight, Jetta TDI but below that there are an awful lot of cars that sit in the mid 20 mpg range for an average. For reference, the EPA estimates on my Camaro are 17-29 and in my normal commute I average 22. And on straight highway runs I do get 28 or 29 (at an average mph of 70-75). Anyway, mpg aside... I briefly thought about a small SUV (ie. Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4) but after driving the RAV4, I think I've decided against them. They do have space...but they carry a premium price new (well, and used too) and I didn't really care for the handling of the RAV4. While at the Toyo dealership, I also drove a Matrix and Prius. There's no way I'm ready to get used to the way the Prius drives. The Matrix is maybe a possibility but I wasn't crazy about the way it handled either. It was just numb...no feedback. The other two cars I've driven so far are a Mazda 3s sedan and VW Jetta TDI (w/DSG). Both of those I liked much more than the Toyotas...handling! But they were both autos, so I need to go back and drive the MT versions. So, the new cars on my list right now are: Mazda 3 sedan Mazda 3 hatchback VW Jetta SE and as a stretch, the VW Jetta TDI (I liked the TDI I test drove, but...1 it's over the top of my $$$ range (but there is that tax credit thing), 2 high demand so little movement on price, 3 is it worth it since I only average about 12k miles a year?, 4 I don't really know how much maintenance would cost for the VW but I'm assuming more than some other models) As for some other popular models...since I plan to keep the car for 8-10 years, if I can't stand to spend one day looking at a car, then it's off the list...ie., the current model Honda Accord and Civic, the Corolla, the Ford Focus all fall into this category. So, given all I mention above: 1. Is there any other "new" car I should seriously take a look at? 2. What "used" cars should I consider? Luckily, my Camaro is still running good enough that I'm not in any particular rush...I have time to look around. |
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Replying to: texasnightowl (Sep 15, 2009 7:02 pm) Others to check include the Impreza wagon (FE not as good as the FWD cars, but nice little wagon and has AWD. If you like the Jetta, did you look at the Sport Wagon? Much more space than the sedan. Also the Rabbit would be more versatile than the Jetta. You should also look at some mid-sized sedans that fall under $20k with a stick, such as the Fusion (really nice blend of ride and handling), Sonata SE I4 (has sport-tuned suspension so it's crisper than the normal Sonata), and Optima LX. Lots of room in those. And they get excellent FE for such large cars, as good as many compacts.
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Replying to: texasnightowl (Sep 15, 2009 7:02 pm) Personally, I like the Mazda hatchback better than the 5-cylinder Jetta sedan..
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Replying to: texasnightowl (Sep 15, 2009 7:02 pm) Just a thought. |
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Replying to: backy (Sep 15, 2009 9:00 pm) Yeah, coming from the Camaro, usable space is important. The only somewhat flat surface you get for luggage in the Camaro is the rear deck or the back seat folded down. The cargo area is just a place to put the T-Top panels. Realistically, the trunk area in most sedans will be wonderful. At first I was going a little overboard in favor of SUV and hatchback models, but really, 99.9% of the time a trunk will be plenty. That said, I did notice that the trunk opening on the Mazda 3 sedan is kind of narrow? Because the rear glass comes so far back, there is no way to 'indent' the top opening of the trunk so it is more narrow than on some other cars. I did think about the Jetta Sport Wagon but the dealers in my area have none right now...not sure when they will get any...and again, realistically I don't really need that type of layout. Single, no kids :> I did have a friend mention the Ford Fusion, so I may check that one out. I looked at pics of the Elantra Touring but have not seen in person. The exterior doesn't really grab me but I may drive by a dealer for a quick look. Thanks! |
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Replying to: kyfdx (Sep 16, 2009 3:17 am) Personally, I like the Mazda hatchback better than the 5-cylinder Jetta sedan.. Yeah, I guess it is...after all...I plan to drive it for hopefully 8-10 yrs. Might as well enjoy it. Of the Mazda s sedan vs the Jetta TDI, I liked the pep and handling of the Mazda better (though the TDI had plenty of torque and passing ability) but I liked the more conservative refined interior layout of the Jetta. Both of those were automatics though...I need to go back and try the stick versions.
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Replying to: texasnightowl (Sep 16, 2009 8:03 am) You may want to check out a slightly used WRX wagon. Another would be a used 2.0T VW GTI. I haven't checked, but I would think those are down in your pricerange by now. And, last but not least, a used Volvo V50 T5.
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Replying to: qbrozen (Sep 16, 2009 12:41 pm) The "sport" model hatchback would be at the top of the range...and that would be without the moon/audio or tech package. The GT model would be a no because it would be over. So it would depend what type of deal could be scored on the Sport model with the MT. Luckily, I am not in a real rush at the moment, so I can sit back for a month or two and see how sales go now that C4C has been over a few weeks. |
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