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Help Me Choose!

3274 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 3:48 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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

Messages Page 288 of 328

#2871 of 3274 Re: I need help buying my first new car ever [plekto] by backy

Oct 04, 2012 (7:01 am)

Replying to: plekto (Oct 03, 2012 8:53 pm)
Have you driven the Soul? A huge difference between that and what was available as a basic small car in 1995. Actually the Versa hatch is also.
 
The OP said he wants a new car, so while I'd go with a used car myself for this kind of money, I am trying to give him advice related to his question.

#2872 of 3274 Re: I need help buying my first new car ever [huh4] by igozoomzoom

Oct 04, 2012 (7:03 am)

Replying to: huh4 (Oct 03, 2012 1:15 pm)
You could get a 2012 Mazda3 i Sport 4-door for around $15k (give or take a few hundred). I'm 6'2" 230 and it has more than enough room for me. It's a lot more fun to drive than any other $15k car, too!

#2873 of 3274 Re: I need help buying my first new car ever [igozoomzoom] by huh4

Oct 04, 2012 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Oct 04, 2012 7:03 am)
I have found a Ford Fiesta SE from private party for $12k. It has 1940 miles on it and is a 2011. It has automatic, cruise, PW and PL
 
Please tell me if I should buy this car. I am ready to pay the man and avoid dealer fees and new car depreciation and still get a fairly new car.
 
It was kept in the garage and still smells new.
 
Is Ford Fiesta a reliable car or trouble?

#2874 of 3274 Re: I need help buying my first new car ever [huh4] by backy

Oct 04, 2012 (5:52 pm)

Replying to: huh4 (Oct 04, 2012 5:26 pm)
Nice little car as long as you don't need to haul adults in the back seat.
 
Do yourself a favor and run a carfax on it... just in case it's been in a major accident.
 
Why are they selling it with only 2000 miles on it?

#2875 of 3274 Re: I need help buying my first new car ever [backy] by huh4

Oct 04, 2012 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: backy (Oct 04, 2012 5:52 pm)
ran a carfax and it was clean. they got it in an inheritance from grandma who bought it new and garaged it and drove it 1940 miles. carfax says that is the mileage too.
 
NADA retail on it with listed options is almost $16k.
 
we are meeting at tax collector office to transfer car so I know title is legit.
 
factory bumper to bumper for 2 more years and 34k more miles

#2878 of 3274 Honda, Kia, Hyundai, or Mazda?? by hondaman2010

Oct 24, 2012 (3:58 pm)

I need help picking out a car. I want something reasonable but I also want a car that is very good quality also (no junk). I currently have a 2011 Honda Accord LX-P and I think it has been a little too big (and expensive) for me. It is also not very good with gas. Here are the cars I am looking at:
 
2013 Hyundai Elantra or Sonata
2013 Kia Optima
2013 Honda Civic (NOT the 2012)
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2013 Mazda (2 or 3)
 
I found out that the new Civics go on sale on November 29th so that is why I am waiting to see what that new car is like. I have read a lot of good reviews on the Fit and I notice many people driving the Hyundai and Kia but not sure about their quality or resale.
 
I use my car mostly driving around the city going to work, meetings, grocery store, etc.
 
Also, leasing vs buying??
 
Any suggestions? I am 6'1".

#2879 of 3274 Re: Honda, Kia, Hyundai, or Mazda?? [hondaman2010] by sebring95

Oct 24, 2012 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: hondaman2010 (Oct 24, 2012 3:58 pm)
If expense and gas mileage are mainly driving your decision....it's not likely you'll come out ahead on any of these financially. Normally I'd say a 2011 Accord should have good resale but they're practically giving away the 2012's right now. You can buy a new '12 Accord LXP for $18k pretty easily.....I'm betting that's far less than you paid for yours when new so you'll take a beating on trade. How much gas do you have to save to make up that difference? Plus, around town I doubt you'll see a huge fuel savings between any of these and the Accord. Couple mpg maybe at best.

#2880 of 3274 Re: Honda, Kia, Hyundai, or Mazda?? [hondaman2010] by backy

Oct 24, 2012 (11:25 pm)

Replying to: hondaman2010 (Oct 24, 2012 3:58 pm)
You didn't provide enough information to narrow this down much. You have a wide range of vehicles on your list--from tiny subcompacts (Mazda2) to mid-sized cars with large-car interiors (Sonata and Optima).
 
Think about what's most important to you: fun to drive? ride comfort? lots of passenger room? lots of cargo room? fuel economy? etc.
 
The Fit Sport is a good around-town car if you want something small, fun to drive, good fuel economy, and versatile, but are ok with it being fairly noisy.
 
If you want fun-to-drive but want something a little larger, the Mazda3 would be a good choice. Hatch is available if cargo room is important.
 
The Elantra is a good choice if you don't mind relatively numb steering compared to a Fit or Mazda3, but want a smaller car with fairly roomy interior and a smooth ride. It does have a hatch version, Elantra GT, that has crisper steering than the sedan and IMO a nicer interior.
 
Not sure why Sonata and Optima are on this list, since you are looking for a car to drive around town. They are pretty big for that purpose, but good values. But there's lots of other good cars in the same class, such as the new Accord LX, Altima, and Passat.
 
One option you might consider since you'll be driving this car in-town a lot: a 2010+ Prius. Great fuel economy around-town, roomy interior for 4 adults, and a hatchback. But not engaging to drive.

Messages Page 288 of 328

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