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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 298 of 329

#2968 of 3286 Used car under 10k by suydam

Dec 02, 2012 (5:22 pm)

Not sure the Accord would be a fit for your board. Did they even have split folding rear seats? -- The Vibe/Matrix may be boring but they definitely have a ton of room, get good fuel economy, do well in bad weather with all season tires. What I'm not sure of is if they have the oomph for mountain driving. I have one but I live in Ohio where it's fairly flat or just hilly. An older Subaru Impreza hatch or even the Legacy wagon might be good. Fuel economy isn't horrible and they are quite reliable and dependable. I saw a lot of them in Oregon. Of course another Camry would probably do just fine too.

#2969 of 3286 Re: Used car under 10k [suydam] by mr_gone

Dec 02, 2012 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Dec 02, 2012 5:22 pm)
The Accord has a back seat that folds down. If you're just carrying snowboards, a sedan with a folding seat is plenty sufficient. I don't think I'd go the AWD route if you're trying to save gas. I've lived in the Northwest and AWD isn't really necessary.

#2970 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mattsnowboard] by qbrozen

Dec 02, 2012 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: mattsnowboard (Dec 01, 2012 3:03 am)
Protege5 or mazda3 hatch. I know you said mid-sized sedan, but you did say you are just "leaning" that way. A compact wagon will obviously fit your board.
 
Used Camcords just aren't worth what people wind up paying for them, IMHO.

#2971 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [qbrozen] by mr_gone

Dec 02, 2012 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 02, 2012 8:27 pm)
Only problem with the Protege5 and Mazda3 is that they're not particularly safe. Check the results of the Highway Loss Data Institute/ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Accords and Camrys fare better. They're bigger, heavier cars than the Protege/3, which are in the same size category as the Civic and Corolla. And the 3 in particular is more of a gas hog than you would expect (at least until the SkyActiv system came along this year.)

#2972 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mr_gone] by qbrozen

Dec 03, 2012 (10:22 am)

Replying to: mr_gone (Dec 02, 2012 9:18 pm)
I'm aware of the fuel situation, but... for example... paying $10k for an Accord to get 30mpg vs $6k for a protege5 to get 28mpg doesn't make sense.
 
I'll leave the safety issue up to the buyer. Its not something I concern myself with when purchasing.

#2973 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [qbrozen] by plekto

Dec 03, 2012 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 03, 2012 10:22 am)
I'd give a 2005 Rav4 a serious look as well. It's basically a small car/hatchback that's been lifted and has 4WD added. It'll do very well in snow, though, as they can be had with a locking diff, which makes it good for actual bad roads and snow as opposed to something to get you out of your driveway in the morning (as most AWD systems tend to be, especially in older vehicles in your price range)
 
It can also be had with 4 cylinder and manual, which gives it pretty good MPG. (19/25 - new EPA ratings) I had a co-worker who had one and he said he would consistently get closer to 30mpg highway if he kept a light foot on the gas.
 
Most AWD vehicles are lucky if they can get 18mpg by comparison, as they are all saddled with a V6 and a huge amount more weight.

#2974 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [qbrozen] by mr_gone

Dec 04, 2012 (11:22 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 03, 2012 10:22 am)
Indeed it wouldn't make sense if a used Mazda3 cost $4,000 less than an equivalent Honda Accord, but in fact it only cost about $400 less. I just ran the numbers on Edmunds' TMV calculator. Similarly equipped, 2005 models, identical mileage (85,000), condition, color and location: Mazda3 dealer price is $7,898. Honda Accord is $8,320.
 
They're both good cars, and the market recognizes that fact and prices accordingly. With so much information available so readily these days, I don't think there are a lot of wildly overpriced or underpriced cars anymore. Years ago, in comparison, not that many people realized that a Geo Prizm and a Toyota Corolla were the same car with different badges. The Geo became a used-car bargain because of it. The same situation is in place today with the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix. But people KNOW they're the same car and Edmunds' TMV numbers reflect it. Price them out and equivalent models are within about $100 of each other.

#2975 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mr_gone] by qbrozen

Dec 04, 2012 (1:09 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Dec 04, 2012 11:22 am)
Well, I did say Protege5. I honestly think its a better car than the mazda3.
 
At dealer auction, '03 P5s with under 100k miles trade for $3500-$4500 range. Similar Accord LXs seem to be made of gold and average more in the $6k range. So about a 50% difference.
 
TMV isn't exactly reliable. A 2005 Accord LX sedan is right around $7k at the block. I doubt dealers would let those go for just $1300 over on average.
 
I can't pull up '05 mazda3 hatch data for some reason, but the '06s are a tad under $7k.

#2976 of 3286 Blind Spot camera for sight impaired. by fourtires

Dec 12, 2012 (8:55 am)

My wife has only use of her right eye. She drives, but carefully. Was thinking about which cars have blind spot cameras. The normal blinking light on the mirror itself is not much use to her since she can't see the mirror. What I am thinking about is a blind spot camera system like in the new Honda Accord, but that car only has the system for the right lane, not the left lane. She has an Infiniti M45 now. Thanks for any suggestions!

#2977 of 3286 Re: Blind Spot camera for sight impaired. [fourtires] by plekto

Dec 12, 2012 (10:16 am)

Replying to: fourtires (Dec 12, 2012 8:55 am)
You might consider one of those add-on backup camera systems. Mount it so that it's on the body near the mirror that she can't see. I know of people who use these for off-roading as well, as it allows them to see the wheels as they go over objects and rocks. But it should work fine for this as well.
 
Yes, there will be a small screen on the dash, but it's about the size of a portable GPS.

Messages Page 298 of 329

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