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Help Me Choose!

3286 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 2:50 PM

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 289 of 329

#2878 of 3286 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 3286 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 3286 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.

#2881 of 3286 Help me find my new commuter by akamrtoad

Oct 26, 2012 (9:29 am)

Ok Edmunds help me out. My 13 year old daily driver is finally dying. I need to start looking for a replacement. Here are my needs:
 
Must seat 5 – That is two adults in front and 2 car seats and a booster in back. ( I have twin 3 year olds and a 6 year old)
 
No SUV – I have a minivan so I am looking for a Sedan or Wagon
 
At least 30 MPG – I commute 26 miles each way to work
 
Under $30K
 
Wants:
Sporty – I know it’s hard to have good MPG and sporty but its listed under want’s not needs
 
Ok that’s what I am looking for. I know the 2012 Camry fits the bill, but it’s just kind of boring. I used to have an old 911 that was my fun car, but I had kids and sold it to buy my minivan. I know tragic but it really is a nice minivan.
 
I want something that I can enjoy driving on my daily commute, something that has power enough to merge onto the 101 during rush hour, but still fit my family if we decide we don’t want to all pile into the van.
 
My biggest restriction is the 2 car seats and 1 booster. The back seat in many sedans and wagons for that matter are just not wide enough.
 
So Edmunds, whatcha got for me?

#2882 of 3286 Re: Help me find my new commuter [akamrtoad] by ajr1775

Oct 26, 2012 (9:40 am)

Replying to: akamrtoad (Oct 26, 2012 9:29 am)
At akamrtoad...
 
Taking all your concerns into consideration you should go with the Passat TDI SE with Sunroof and Navigation. You may not need the Navigation but that level gets you the fog lights and nicer wheels etc. Go with the Premium if you can afford it. You can acquire the SE with Sunroof and Nav for less than 30K. It has the BEST backseat room and great mileage, the mileage is usually better than advertised. Advertised is 42mpg on highway but people are getting almost 50mpg while doing 70mph on the highway.

#2883 of 3286 Re: Help me find my new commuter [akamrtoad] by qbrozen

Oct 26, 2012 (9:50 am)

Replying to: akamrtoad (Oct 26, 2012 9:29 am)
I commend you for having a thorough list of needs.
 
Unfortunately, its a TOUGH list when taken together. Since you mentioned the Camry, I'll assume you don't want a manual transmission.
 
The biggest problem I see is the seating. As you said, finding one wide enough for that is damned near impossible. I know I wouldn't be able to do it in my volvo.
 
The only new wagons I can think to check out are the Jetta wagon and Ford C-max Hybrid. I have no idea if they'd fit all the carseats. Probably not. Maybe the Passat. Again, I have no idea with those carseats. You have to get out there and try them.
 
Otherwise, I'd be looking at the used market. A 2010 528i would get pretty close to your targets, I think. A little down on mileage (28mpg highway) but score high in sportiness.

#2884 of 3286 Re: Help me find my new commuter [akamrtoad] by mr_gone

Oct 26, 2012 (10:00 am)

Replying to: akamrtoad (Oct 26, 2012 9:29 am)
VW Passat TDI (turbo diesel.) Under $30K, EPA rated 30 mpg city, 40 hwy. I heard a guy saying he routinely gets 47 mpg with this car. Can't vouch for its reliability, but it's within an inch of the Camry in backseat dimensions and I'd guess it would be a lot more fun to drive.
 
There's also the new Ford Fusion that should be out soon, with many trim options and better looks than in the past. Hybrid is 47 mpg, both city and hwy. Price and size similar to Passat.
 
Do us a favor -- test them both and tell us what you think, okay?

#2885 of 3286 Re: Honda, Kia, Hyundai, or Mazda?? [backy] by sebring95

Oct 26, 2012 (10:11 am)

Replying to: backy (Oct 24, 2012 11:25 pm)
In addition to the Passat, I'd also look at the new Altima. Decent driver, economical to operate, and decent size back seat. The good news is they'll all three be in boosters before you know it.

Messages Page 289 of 329

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