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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

32321 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 10:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 3002 of 3233

#30007 of 32321 Re: now this, is nice [steve_] by sandman_6472

Feb 09, 2013 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 09, 2013 9:34 am)
Absolutely, and I'm finding some more comfortable that others. Must say the Spark I drove yesterday was surprisingly good. When I got to the meeting place just before the Sunshine State bridge, I had no problem getting out or even walking around the rest stop. We all meet here and cross the bridge in a caravan and then into the airport. Yesterday was unusual because we were going to a regular Hertz location that no one had been to before. The guys who had their gps through their smart phones or regular units got there with no hassle. Since we all had the wrong driving directions and exit numbers, I who had no device for help, got utterly lost and had to get on and off the expressway. Stopped at a tire store and turns out I was going he right way. Without my cell and the boss literally talking me in, I would have had major problems. Luckily the car charger from Amazon came in a few days ago so I was able to plug it in and keep phone contact. In the future, i will make sure to either have a smart phone or follow someone else...I can keep up if the traffic is cooperating.
 
The Sandman

#30008 of 32321 Re: now this, is nice [stickguy] by ateixeira

Feb 09, 2013 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Feb 09, 2013 10:19 am)
I've used that tool quite a lot,
 
Did some research and while the stock size is 205/45R17, apparently the SUV-like fender gap allows for much taller tires, up to 215/65 on the same rims.
 
That's a little nuts, and the odometer would be way off, too. 65 are what my minivan takes, too.
 
I might go with a far more reasonable 215/50 though. They're about 5% over but add about a half inch of sidewall. And you can get high performance tires in that size.
 
So I think I will do that. I have some tread left, but if that slow leak I had a while ago comes back it would be the perfect excuse for new tires.

#30009 of 32321 Re: now this, is nice [jayrider] by steve_ HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (1:20 pm)

Replying to: jayrider (Feb 09, 2013 10:21 am)
My sister had an '00 New Beetle for seven years or so. When I first rode in it from VA to TN I was afraid how the trip was going to go because the seats were so firm. But they were very comfy the whole way (about a 9 hour trip).
 
It helps being "average" size too. My Outback bothers me after a couple of hours, but most cars don't.

#30010 of 32321 Re: now this, is nice [jayrider] by roadburner

Feb 09, 2013 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: jayrider (Feb 09, 2013 10:21 am)
I guess it's all what you are used to; I have BMW sport seats in my 3 Series , Recaros in my 2002, and Mazda "sport" seats in my 2007 MS3. I prefer any of those to the standard seats in the X3 or 328i- not that they are uncomfortable, but I like substantial side bolsters. Having said all that, the seats in my 1999 Wrangler Sahara are very comfortable for cruising- even for a 1-2 hour stretch. No side bolsters, but then I'm not going to be pulling many lateral gs in it either.
Mazda softened up the seats in the 2010 MS3 and I don't like them at all; the leather seats in the Abarth I drove were also very nice.

#30011 of 32321 Optima EX w/pano roof by ateixeira

Feb 09, 2013 (5:48 pm)

Kia sent my wife an offer for a $25 visa gift card for test driving any new Kia. Perfect timing.
 
I did her the "favor".
 
I walk in and there is a Turbo/Limited in the show room, panoramic moonroof and all. Niiiice car, of course it's $35k. It's a demo so asking price was $31k, not too bad.
 
Napa leather, perforated, heated and cooled, wraps even the dash. Roof is lovely. Nav screen is average size, but sharp. UVO has lots of gee-whiz stuff for the techie in me. Seats are very comfy. Pillars wrapped in fabric.
 
Cons? I don't need the turbo, which is less reliable than the base engine. Paddle shifters are nice but you actually lose the heated steering wheel. Chrome wheels are tacky and oversized.
 
I chat a bit and ask for an EX with the premium (pano roof) and the tech (Nav) packages. Sans turbo the asking price plunges to $29k. The pillars are plastic and you lose the paddles on the steering wheel, but you gain a heated steering wheel and better mpg. It also has heated and cooled leather, heck even the rear seat base is heated.
 
Forget any stereotype you had about Kia being cheap.
 
Engine is peppy, trans works in harmony with it. A little noisy when you floor it but nothing objectionable. Ride/handling is biased towards a good ride, with 17"s it rides quite well. Blind spots are so so but the backp cam is excellent and you get one even without the Nav package.
 
I can usually come up with a list of complaints but I will admit I was stumped. It checks every box I wanted. It's just a bigger car than I need.
 
I wish there was a 5 door model, or a Forte 5 door with that pano option.
 
Big thumbs up to Kia, though.

#30012 of 32321 Re: Optima EX w/pano roof [ateixeira] by fintail

Feb 09, 2013 (5:58 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2013 5:48 pm)
And it's not as overstyled as the Sonata.

#30013 of 32321 I feel smug already by ateixeira

Feb 09, 2013 (6:17 pm)

Was curious to try the baby Prius c, so I drove next door to take a spin. I had to adjust my expectations because I had just driven a car that cost 50% more.
 
I hop in, and instantly I no longer need deodorant and my flatulence is odorless.
 
I like the "just right" size. Passenger space is impressive for the exterior size. Cargo room also for that matter. The Scion xD seems one size smaller.
 
Moonroof is small. Leather ain't leather in this case, but it's heated and comfy. Entune was simple and found my house, but you can't program it on the move, even the front passenger. Most OEMs are like that, I guess.
 
Engine was ice cold and it was at 10mpg when I took over. Should have zeroed the odometer, oh well. Drove off and it's a smooth transition from EV to gas and back. BMW needs to learn how to make a smooth start/stop from this $18.6k car. Badly.
 
It rides well for a small car, accelerates ok. I got it from 10 to 30 mpg in a couple of miles, and it was still climbing fast. Geeks will love the charts you get - I was over 50 mpg for 4 of the 7 mini trips, which it breaks each time you stop. Would be easy to get over 50mpg in this.
 
I do like the small size, but ... this is an economy car with an economy price. It's only $2 grand or so more than an equipped Yaris, and EPA says you get $600 back per year in gas savings, so you break even in a little more than 3 years. Worth it....
 
...if you are poor. Lucky for me I'm not poor.
 
It drives well, it's just not plush in any way. It's a good cheap car.
 
$18.6k for a 2, or $20.4k for a 3 which has Nav and Entune.
 
Honestly the base model makes more sense to me. For $18.6k from Fitz there isn't any new car that is significantly better and none will beat the mileage.

#30014 of 32321 Re: Optima EX w/pano roof [ateixeira] by nyccarguy

Feb 09, 2013 (6:21 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2013 5:48 pm)
Good write up. Bold move foregoing the turbo for the base engine. I'm impressed.

#30015 of 32321 Re: I feel smug already [ateixeira] by fintail

Feb 09, 2013 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2013 6:17 pm)
Does the 18K one really have heated pleather? My friend has the middle model - nav and wheels but no sunroof, and cloth seats which I am pretty sure aren't heated. He bought it in GA though, maybe a regional thing.
 
Just don't take it on roads that move at 60mph or more with hills...it's a useful car for city people, but for many drivers would get tiresome quickly.
 
Maybe engine size is a part of start/stop roughness? C has a 49cc scooter engine, right? Could probably pull start it with fishing line
 
The insanely high wages for tenured lucky people in the DC area might give a different outlook, but poor people couldn't dream of a 19K car.

#30016 of 32321 Re: Optima EX w/pano roof [ateixeira] by steve_ HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2013 5:48 pm)
Kia sent my wife an offer for a $25 visa gift card for test driving any new Kia.
 
Was that from a sign-up at the auto show?
 
All I got was a Hyundai tote bag.

Messages Page 3002 of 3233

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