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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 289 of 328

#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.

#2881 of 3274 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 3274 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 3274 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 3274 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 3274 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.

#2886 of 3274 Re: Honda, Kia, Hyundai, or Mazda?? [hondaman2010] by mr_gone

Oct 26, 2012 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: hondaman2010 (Oct 24, 2012 3:58 pm)
Ford is now or about to put a three-cylinder engine in its Fiesta and Focus that is supposed to be both economical and punchy. Extremely light weight, which is important for handling purposes in a front-wheel-drive car. I've never driven either, but they get very positive reviews from those who enjoy driving. I also read that they're relatively quiet, unlike the Fit.
 
I doubt the Civic will be so different for 2013 that it's worth waiting for them -- they're stuck with that design for at least a couple more years. They can tweak it a bit, but this generation has been roundly booed. Your negative reaction to the Accord you're driving is widely shared -- the new one seems to address a lot of the misgivings people have about the 2008-12 size.
 
By the way, I don't mean to sound down on Honda. My family owns three of them.
 
As for the Mazda3, I had high hopes for the SkyActiv engine finally addressing the relatively poor MPG of the 3, but apparently the trade-off is that it's fairly stodgy in terms of performance.

#2887 of 3274 Re: Help me find my new commuter [akamrtoad] by kyfdx HOST

Oct 27, 2012 (5:16 am)

Replying to: akamrtoad (Oct 26, 2012 9:29 am)
Three car seats?
 
Why wouldn't you want another mini-van? Seems like a good choice, until you get one kid out of a booster, and the twins out of carseats..
 
I mean, I know why you don't want another minivan, but that seems like the perfect vehicle for your situation....

#2888 of 3274 Re: Help me find my new commuter [kyfdx] by bpizzuti

Oct 27, 2012 (7:08 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Oct 27, 2012 5:16 am)
Three car seats across is rough in anything smaller than a crew cab pickup. Nice part about a minivan or three row SUV is that you don't have to have them all in a row. If the size is an issue, you could consider a small people mover like the Mazda5. It'd be nice if the Ford C-Max also offered a third row but it doesn't currently do so...

#2889 of 3274 Re: Help me find my new commuter [akamrtoad] by suydam

Oct 28, 2012 (4:01 am)

Replying to: akamrtoad (Oct 26, 2012 9:29 am)
I hate to see it but I see you in another minivan. No other vehicle will give you the room and power you need. The newer ones get much better mileage than your old one. You don't mind a minivan, why not go with another? Yes, they'll be out of car seats but you'll be hauling around their friends too, and who would want to miss that fun? These are your minivan years. They'll be over before you know it. Advice from a mom of 3.

Messages Page 289 of 328

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