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Help Me Choose!

3347 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 2:32 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 316 of 335

#3149 of 3347 Re: Help, Im driving myself crazy looking for the right car [sebring95] by bayvillian

Mar 11, 2013 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: sebring95 (Mar 11, 2013 4:29 pm)
The newest generation maximas are out of my price point (I would love it).
A few cars I have looked into.
-Honda accord 2009 v6 (Heard a lot of complaints about this generations seats being uncomfortable along with many complaining about rear brake problems)
-2011 sonata looked good, but people have said the seats aren't the most comfortable along with the car starts falling apart fairly quick (loud road noise, and lots of interior cabin noise).
-2010 subaru legacy 2.5i (too slow)
-Altima v-6 uses premium fuel and doesn't get the best mileage.
-Ford fusion v6 2010 (Tranny problems)
-Ford Focus 2012 hatchback (not reliable, and not sure about comfort)
-Acura tsx 2006 (takes premium fuel but get decent mileage to offset it, kind of old and outdated at this point)
-2013 Altima 2.5 - great seats and nice quiet cabin, muted driving experience along with lots of complaints with the 2.5 already.
-Mazda 6 2010 v6 - fairly bad mileage
-Nissan Juke - loved everything about the car except the seats when I test drove it
 
Cars I need to check out in person include
-2009 Toyota rav 4 v6
-2010 Toyota Camry v6 (Ive heard this is quite an uninspiring car)
-2011 Sonata just to double check it
-2010 Mazda 6 2.5 4 cylinder maybe its not so slow
-2010 mazda 3 hatchback while im trying mazda's
I think thats it, as you can see I'm all over the place

#3150 of 3347 Re: Help, Im driving myself crazy looking for the right car [bayvillian] by sebring95

Mar 11, 2013 (5:18 pm)

Replying to: bayvillian (Mar 11, 2013 5:00 pm)
Yeah that's all over the place. Seat comfort is very subjective....I wouldn't take others comments too seriously. You really just need to spend some seat time and see what you think. I've found anything that's more upright like the SUV's is more comfortable and easy in/out. There RAV4 might be a decent option for you...but when you say the Altima V6 gets bad gas mileage....the RAV4 will be worse and slower to boot.
 
You might also confirm the Altima "requires" premium fuel before ruling it out. I have a coworker with an '07 and absolutely loves it with over 150k miles. Very quick and comfortable. Most later Nissans (i have an '08 Pathfinder) state "premium fuel recommended for maximum performance". I run premium when towing...and can tell a difference under heavy load but generally I have run regular gas for 90k miles with no complaints.

#3151 of 3347 Re: Help, Im driving myself crazy looking for the right car [bayvillian] by suydam

Mar 11, 2013 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: bayvillian (Mar 11, 2013 4:10 pm)
I would take a serious look at the Altima of 2009 or 2010. Very comfortable and in my opinion more of a drivers car than the current Altima. Regular fuel, extremely reliable. They are very popular cars. I speak as a Maxima owner myself. I'm looking at a new car and don't want premium fuel either. The new Altima seems bigger and somewhat more floaty to me than the last version. I have several friends who have the 2010 version and it is really nice. That would fit your price range too. The V6 will be quieter than the 4 cyl.

#3152 of 3347 Re: Help, Im driving myself crazy looking for the right car [suydam] by bayvillian

Mar 11, 2013 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Mar 11, 2013 6:48 pm)
From the research I've done it looks like if you dont use premium fuel your mileage and fuel economy will suffer. I will look more into them though. Nissan has been great to me.
Thanks

#3153 of 3347 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [kreuzer] by qbrozen

Mar 12, 2013 (10:55 am)

Replying to: kreuzer (Mar 11, 2013 2:22 pm)
I'm really not much of a truck person. I'd have to think, however, saddling one with a 4-cyl and auto trans is going to make it a dog no matter the brand.
 
Just comparing in my area, though, I can see there are more Dakotas than anything else and they are by far nicer for the money. Here are just a few examples.
 
This one even has 4 doors
 
Extended cab and 4x4
 
Standard cab '03
 
For comparison, an '01 Chevy 4-cyl.

#3154 of 3347 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [qbrozen] by plekto

Mar 12, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 12, 2013 10:55 am)
Myself and my friends have owned pretty much every truck and SUV of note that's capable of off-road use or for work (as opposed to yuppie "soft-roaders").
 
The best two for work are the Chevy/GMC 1500 and the F150 (who would have guessed - heh )
 
Other than that, though, it comes down to one choice. Get a Toyota with the 3RZ engine in it. Get it with manual. The automatic is terrible but the older Toyota manuals are bulletproof. Mine lasted 280K miles before I had to get it replaced. And not a minute of that was anyone giving it any love, either. The truck is still running around somewhere in N. Cal I think with about 350K on it (sold it at almost 325K on it two years ago).
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RZ_engine
Nothing else works like it does in terms of low cost to maintain and the durability overall. There are several vehicles that used it, so you have a good range of years and models to look at. The newer TR and ZR 2.7L engines are also good, but they lack the tractor simplicity of the RZ.
 
And, yes, manual with short gearing and 160HP will out-accelerate most yuppic-mobiles unless they floor it. I found it to be extremely enjoyable to drive, even in So Cal traffic as I'd just leave it in 2nd or 3rd gear and trundle along in heavy traffic. And then when I had to dodge into a gap in traffic, I was already in the right gear.

#3155 of 3347 Re: Help, Im driving myself crazy looking for the right car [bayvillian] by plekto

Mar 12, 2013 (11:50 am)

Replying to: bayvillian (Mar 11, 2013 5:00 pm)
That's a tough order. One car came to mind, though, and that was the Pontiac G8. GM did a horrible job of marketing it, but it was the best selling car in Australia at the time. Quality is/was excellent and it's a good mid-sized sedan. Of note, though, is the fact that it is rear wheel drive so it turns and parks like a whole size smaller FWD car.
 
The problem is finding one as most people who have one simply aren't interested in selling theirs.
 
The only real downside is the fuel economy. It gets about 25mpg highway. But other than the issue of MPG, it's probably the best solution that I can work out since you won't want a European car. It does use normal 87 octane fuel, though, so that's worth about 2mpg right there vs a higher mpg car that requires premium.

#3156 of 3347 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [plekto] by qbrozen

Mar 12, 2013 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 12, 2013 11:39 am)
well, he specified auto trans. So how does the Toyota stack up with that in mind?
 
Hell, I still think the 22RE engine with manual trans was the most bulletproof setup ... but good luck finding that with low miles and no rust.
 
EDIT: I just looked it up. Even an '02 Tacoma 2wd reg cab with 100k miles is going to be well over the OP's budget.

#3157 of 3347 Looking . . . by durans

Mar 15, 2013 (11:29 am)

I, too am looking to buy something different. I do not like driving what everyone else has. I had an appointment to test drive a Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT this weekend and sell my BMW. Was very serious about it, then I talked to my insurance agent and the insurance rates on the Maserati made me cancel everything! I LOVED my Jaguar S-Type R. 'She' did save me and daughter's life, we were hit by a drunk driver at 50+mph and 'she' held tough. I do not like the XF can't get over how it looks like a Chrysler in the front and Toyota in the back. Can't seem to get too excited about the F-Type coming out this fall. When I say I prefer 'foreign' I mean European. I truly have looked and looked and I can't seem to get too excited about much. I am looking for something that when I go out into my garage I have a smile on my face. I like the look of a sedan. Two or Four door does not matter. I only buy used and don't mind the year, but would prefer that it look very close to it's newer counterpart. I'm not asking for much, right? LOL Would LOVE to hear everyone's opinions and perhaps check out cars I've overlooked. Much Thanks to everyone and I, in advance would like to Thank You for your time and input.

#3158 of 3347 Re: Looking . . . [durans] by boomchek

Mar 15, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: durans (Mar 15, 2013 11:29 am)
I worked at a Maserati dealer and the QP is indeed a nice car to drive, but servicing can get constly because these are very temperamental cars.
 
How much were you looking to spend?

Messages Page 316 of 335

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