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Help Me Choose!

3276 messages,  Last post on May 19, 2013 at 7:38 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 293 of 328

#2916 of 3276 Re: Prius C two vs Honda Civic LX [linkin06] by mr_gone

Nov 14, 2012 (10:02 am)

Replying to: linkin06 (Nov 14, 2012 8:40 am)
New 2013 Civic coming this month that is to address 2012 shortcomings -- announced in past couple of days by Honda. Check web stories. Also check Ford Fiesta or Focus, which are getting good reviews. New 3-cylinder engine gets great mileage with good acceleration.

#2917 of 3276 Re: Prius C two vs Honda Civic LX [linkin06] by sebring95

Nov 14, 2012 (10:11 am)

Replying to: linkin06 (Nov 14, 2012 8:40 am)
Out of those two choices, Civic all day long. 2013 Civic will be much improved though...the '12 is a bit lacking in the Honda scheme of things. But if you can't wait...you can't wait.
 
I'll throw out one more to look at...Hyundai Elantra. Should be priced about the same as Civic, I'd dare to say it's better, and much longer warranty.

#2918 of 3276 Re: Prius C two vs Honda Civic LX [sebring95] by thegraduate

Nov 14, 2012 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: sebring95 (Nov 14, 2012 10:11 am)
I drove an Elantra GLS (2012, with Popular Equipment Package) to NYC from Birmingham, Alabama back in August. Me and three friends road tripped through the App. Mntns to get there. It more than met our needs for space, and we averaged 37 MPG for the entire 2,000 mile trip. One tank topped 41 MPG, but loaded as we were, we were happy with our overall average, especially considering we drove into and out of Manhattan.
 
Yes, the engine dropped to 4th gear up some of the long grades (approx 4,200 RPM at 70MPH) to keep us moving, but it was very relaxed otherwise, running low RPM quietly. The price was similar to the Civic LX, but it had more equipment and interior space.
 
In comparison, the Civic I've driven was much noisier, if similar in the power department.
 
I know you didn't ask about the Elantra, but give it a test drive. It is a substantial feeling car and a good value.

#2920 of 3276 Overwhelmed (and underbudgeted) by songlady

Nov 15, 2012 (3:50 pm)

Stumbled on this forum while researching used vehicles and thought I would give it a try as you all seem so knowledgable.
 
I am needing to replace my commuting vehicle, a 1995 Lexus 300, as it is finally getting to the point where fixing anything wrong on it would be more than the car is worth. I live just off a short rural gravel road, but it is paved highway after about 2 miles - lots of hills that can be a problem in the winter. My Lexus conquered them all like the champ he was. I drive about 50 miles per day round trip to work.
 
I have literally not even looked at cars for about ten years, so all the new bells and whistles are a bit much to take in. I tend to drive cars a VERY long time, so reliability and low maintenance are important. I take reasonable care of my vehicles in terms of routine maintenance, but need a mechanic for heavy duty repairs (56 year-young lady).
 
My budget is unfortunately limiting and I realize that. I have between 8-11K to spend on a good used vehicle. My basic needs are:
 
Must be able to transport 4 people of middle age and above - need 4 doors, with not-too cramped back seat and legroom and not too low to climb out of.
 
Open to wagons, sedans, crossovers or suvs that are not too high to get into (5'2"). (Don't like running boards)
 
I like Toyotas and have had a Tercel, a Corolla, a Camry and my Lexus in the last 35 years, but I will consider most any car as they have all improved over the years in terms of reliability.
 
I prefer leather or leatherette seats over cloth for durability, and I love my sunroof but I would give it up if I had to. I know where I am going at all times, so I don't need navigation, and I have never backed into anything so I don't need cameras. (Although after looking at some of the newer cars where the back windows are rapidly shrinking to the size of portholes, I can see why so many cars have backup cameras!) One cup holder per person is a luxury as far as I am concerned, and there are no children that need to be entertained with DVD's or full scale audio systems.
 
I should add that aesthetically I hate the look of the newer boxy things like Scions and Souls.
 
Am I asking the impossible here for the price? All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
Forgot to add - I can drive a manual. Don't particularly want to, as it makes holding a cell phone difficult in city traffic, but it's not a deal breaker.

#2921 of 3276 Re: Overwhelmed (and underbudgeted) [songlady] by sebring95

Nov 15, 2012 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: songlady (Nov 15, 2012 3:50 pm)
I would certainly recommend a Camry given your history and wants/needs. It will do the job without much complaint and there are examples out there that fall into your price range. It will probably be the newer equal to your 18 year old Lexus. There are tons of rental and lease returns out there...which I would avoid. Find a one-owner that's been cared for and drive it ten years. It might be tight on the budget but I'd try to get in a 2008 or newer.

#2922 of 3276 Re: Overwhelmed (and underbudgeted) [songlady] by maxx4me

Nov 16, 2012 (4:14 am)

Replying to: songlady (Nov 15, 2012 3:50 pm)
In that price range for a used vehicle that fits 4 adults, with great leg room and head room in the back, I have two contenders:
 
1. Hyundai Elantra Touring. Finding one between 8-11k may be a bit tricky, but they are out there. If not the ET, then the prior model Elantra GT hatchback would be my next choice.
2. Nissan Versa Hatchback. Much easier to find in this price range.
 
Both cars offer easy entrance/exit for aging adults, great visibility, and a compliant ride. Plus, if you often carry multiple adults as passengers, both offer room in the back to store/haul their items. If you don't need storage room or the versatility of a hatch/wagon, they I agree with the previous poster that an older Camry or Accord would be my third and fourth option for you.

#2924 of 3276 Re: The MOM list contined- why certain models didn't make the list! [igozoomzoom] by benrey23

Nov 16, 2012 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Nov 06, 2012 7:07 pm)
I would ask your dad if he would pay 11-12k for the Explorer.lol.. Full disclosure, I am a Sales Representative. I first want to say the reason many might believe Ford,GM are less reliable is because for years they were the mass producers you will hear about more problems than you would foriegn makes. So if you look at it as a percentage Ford/GM are as reliable as any. Honda, Toyota sales have reached higher levels in the past years and what do you hear about now? Well they have recalls often as well. Now the Explorer is getting a bad wrap here. It was a corporate vehicle. I understand a friend drove it but I promise he didnt not drive it like he owned it. As a salesman I know how important a good service department is. If your is really that bad then I can not think of a good reason to buy a Ford. They have great cars but a good service department is key. I am glad mine is good. I will say I hate selling used vehicles unless it is under 18k miles and a CPO preferably. Ford has a great CPO that adds 2 years and 40k miles of warranty. Chevy has great warranty for new. Honda has great CPO program as well. Good luck. Wish you all well.

#2925 of 3276 Re: Overwhelmed (and underbudgeted) [songlady] by plekto

Nov 17, 2012 (2:19 am)

Replying to: songlady (Nov 15, 2012 3:50 pm)
Here are my top choices:
 
1: Believe it or not, you can get a 2-3 year old *non-rental* Grand Marquis for about your price range. It's big, extremely overbuilt, and parts are extremely inexpensive. Toyota breaks less often but the parts are getting hideously expensive as of late. It's big, comfy, and perfect for a 50 mile highway commute. It's as close to your old Lexus as you'll find in that price range, IMO. The fact that you want a solid and comfortable ride over amenities and frills makes you the perfect buyer for one of these, IMO.
 
And there's tons of glass. You can actually see out the back. And sides. And it's not nearly as hard to park as you'd think, thanks to being rear wheel drive.
 
2: A Buick Park Avenue. This is the last of GM's overbuilt large cars. It's basically a Cadillac DTS with a V6 instead of a V8. This means decent MPG on the highway but the exact same ride and quality - just different body panels for the most part. The downside is that 2005 was the last year. The up-side is an absolute mint condition one can be had for about $7K. Not bad for almost a decade newer than your Lexus.
 
Also, FYI, GM builds the best automatics on the planet, with Ford 2nd.
 
3: A Honda Accord with manual. Why I mention this be because the 4 cylinder with manual is exactly as fast as the 6 with automatic in actual driving. But it's literally video game simple to shift gears in. The clutch must have all of 10 lbs of spring on it and it appears to just be controlling a set of servos instead of a direct linkage. So simple anyone can learn to drive it. It's also amazingly reliable.
 
4: Going even smaller, a Toyota Rav4 is great. Especially the first generation one with manual. It's quick, has 4WD (plus an actual diff lock) and is extremely fun to drive. The 2nd generation model is also quite nice.

Messages Page 293 of 328

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