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Economy Sedans (~$16k-$20k)

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, Mazda MAZDA3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 86 of 121

#846 of 1205 Re: Honda [stevecebu] by colloquor

Sep 05, 2007 (7:32 am)

Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 05, 2007 1:59 am)
Steve - I've owned Hondas, Mazdas, Nissans, and Toyotas, but bought my wife a 2006 Hyundai Elantra. In the 20 months we've owned the Elantra, it's been perfectly reliable with absolutely no warranty issues since purchase. The same can't be said for any other new car we've owned, including the aforementioned Japanese cars as well as a few European cars. Our previous Honda Civic was in for warranty-related issues 5 times during the first 6 months of ownership.
 
The routine service experience at the dealer has been wonderful. They treat us with respect, and do the work well. Of course, the only experience we have with them is for normal routine preventive maintenance such as oil changes, etc. But, we can get the car in for an oil change without an appointment, and turnaround time is less than a couple of hours at most. The dealership physical plant is quite new, and the customer waiting area would put many hotel lobbies to shame, with plasma TV's hanging from stone walls, free WiFi, free and expedient shuttle service to and from work, free breakfasts and free coffee to order, and a complimentary car wash after your car's service. It's as classy as any Lexus dealership I've visited. This dealer is a multi-brand "megastore" carrying Toyota, Scion, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, and VW - all with dedicated and standalone showrooms and service areas.
 
No bits or pieces have fallen off the Elantra, and we directly compared the Elantra to the previous generation Civic and current generation Corolla in terms of panel gaps, overall apparent build quality, and attention to detail, and it was the equal to either of them. So, we bought the Elantra GLS for $13,500 delivered, including Tax, Title, and License, and have been very happy with the decision.
 
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Hyundai based upon our experience so far. Hyundai today is not the Hyundai of the '80s, and is a far better car than most American consumers perceive it to be.

#847 of 1205 Re: Honda [colloquor] by stevecebu

Sep 05, 2007 (9:00 am)

Replying to: colloquor (Sep 05, 2007 7:32 am)
No bits or pieces have fallen off the Elantra, and we directly compared the Elantra to the previous generation Civic and current generation Corolla in terms of panel gaps, overall apparent build quality, and attention to detail, and it was the equal to either of them. So, we bought the Elantra GLS for $13,500 delivered, including Tax, Title, and License, and have been very happy with the decision.
 
That's good to know. The only Hyundai I've driven were the rental cars in Guam and believe me Hyundai does not stand up to rental car abuse although the place claims that they sell them off every 2 years. Still The oldest one they have is about a year old so who knows.
Rental cars are usually falling apart because people beat them. I like renting from this place because there is no drama from them. One phone call and a car is reserved and waiting for me. I pay half the going rate as I am a repeat customer and the Hyundai works ok for what I have to do. I wouldn't say it' exciting in anyway. But it does get pretty good economy in Guam which has no highways.
I showed one to my wife and she didn't seem very enthused. But if the price is well below a civic it might be worth taking a chance on. but her car is up to her. me I need a fun car as i have to do all the long haul driving.
I guess we can check out out when we get back to the US.
Thanks.

#848 of 1205 4 cyl sedans by dave8697

Sep 05, 2007 (9:07 am)

A friend recently compared a few makes and boiled it down to Mazda 3 vs Civic. Manual for both. Mazda got the sale with .9% interest rate for 3 yr loan. Honda was at 6.9% interest. The local Ford dlr advertises Fusion manual for $16400 and With auto for $16500. This is a larger car with a couple less mpg. What is downside for getting a Fusion with an automatic than the Mazda 3 with an automatic? Road noise, ride quality, seat comfort and features inside are most important to me. Assume I'm gonna drive it 200k miles.

#849 of 1205 Re: 4 cyl sedans [dave8697] by backy

Sep 05, 2007 (9:16 am)

Replying to: dave8697 (Sep 05, 2007 9:07 am)
Road noise, ride quality (smoothness), and seat comfort (especially in the rear) are in favor of the Fusion. Handling and fuel economy are in favor of the Mazda3.
 
But... as long as you are looking at a manual Mazda3, and also looking at a Fusion, have you looked at the MT Mazda6 VE? In my town, it is available w/o negotiating for $16,300 + T&L, and it is a very well equipped car and has ride and handling more like that of the Mazda3, but more interior room.
 
If you are looking in the mid-sized space, a couple of other cars to consider that would fall into the $16k price range are the Optima and Sonata. Also have you checked out the Elantra SE? It would be less than $15k for a 2007 with MT, and has a smooth, quiet ride, bevy of features, and very good seat comfort (mid-sized interior room, compact outside).

#850 of 1205 Fusion by steve333

Sep 05, 2007 (9:23 am)

I reckon the Fusion would be more comfortable to drive and that price is excellent. Reliability has been well above average.
I'm not a Ford fan, but the Fusion is one I would consider.

#851 of 1205 Re: 4 cyl sedans [dave8697] by mz6greyghost

Sep 05, 2007 (9:56 am)

Replying to: dave8697 (Sep 05, 2007 9:07 am)
What is downside for getting a Fusion with an automatic than the Mazda 3 with an automatic?
 
Styling is purely subjective, but I like the 3 better than the Fusion, although both are decent-looking. The 4-cylinder in the 3 is smoother than the 4-cylinder in the Fusion (at least the Mazda 2.3L, not sure about the Mazda 2.0L), and offers better performance and gas mileage, due to it's (slightly) smaller size.
 
Inside, the 3 wins easily. Interior materials are much nicer in the 3, with better fit-and-finish and higher quality than the Fusion.
 
As for your other concerns:
Road noise: The Fusion is quieter due to the softer base-model tires and wheels, compared to the 17" wheels/tires on the 3.
Ride quality: IMO, this depends on the type you prefer. If you like to actually "feel" the road, and how the car is reacting to it, the 3's your choice. If you like a smoother ride, with more isolation, pick the Fusion.
Seat comfort: For my 6'-3", 250 lb. build, both front seats are comfortable and nice for long trips. The Fusion has more rear leg and head room, but the 3 is okay for short trips, or if the only riders you expect are kids.
Features: The 3 by a long shot, considering you can get a well-equipped Mazda 3S, compared to a close-to-bare-bones Fusion.
 
IMO, for the price, I'd get the 3, since it's more fun-to-drive for me. Either way, make sure you test-drive both cars as much as possible before making a decision, and good luck!

#852 of 1205 road noise on the civic by eldaino

Sep 05, 2007 (10:01 am)

i have noticed a lot of peeps complaining about this.
 
it never bothered me, but i did notice the hushed nature of the rabbit when we bought one after the civic.
 
having said that, the honda's engine was ten times better sounding, so i didn't mind. But it was no deal breaker.
 
even the competition that has been labeled 'quiter' is only marginally so. I think only the elantra has the one up on the civic in that regard...and even then, its still only marginal.
 
I had an 06 civic, fresh when they came out; the only 'issue' was the visors. Granted every car manufactuerer can have bugs, and when you are new to the brand, its a recepie for disaster....if i was targettunning, i'd be mad at my experience too...but unlike him, i don't write honda off, but thats due to my current and previous experience with other honda's.
 
sound advice: never buy first year if you feel like it could potentially piss you off to no end.
 
having said that, the our fit is amazing!

#853 of 1205 Mazda6 VE Auto by sandman46

Sep 05, 2007 (11:29 am)

Saw this in the paper last week for $15,020.00 which is a screamin' deal! Great seats and ride and pretty quiet as I remember. The 2.3 engine feels better in our Mazda3, but it's a smaller car, so that just makes sense. The looks of the car are very Asian, though I prefer the front styling to the rear. A great bargain for a smaller mid sized car and I think it's the end of this generations cycle. Definitely worth a look for anyone looking for a small economy car.
I feel the road noise is louder in the Mazda than in my Civic actually. Could be because the Traction T/A's are just a noiser tire compared th the RS-A's that I'm currently running on the Civic.
 
The Sandman

#854 of 1205 Re: 4 cyl sedans [mz6greyghost] by dave8697

Sep 07, 2007 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Sep 05, 2007 9:56 am)
My research showed the Mazda3 i sport with 2.3 and auto comes with 16 x 6.5 alloy rims standard. Didn't check the 3S. Is that different than the i sport model? Couldn't find any feature listed on the mazda that is not on the Fusion except alloy wheels. I was looking at the i sport 2.3 auto. can I seriously get about 2000 off sticker on the Mazda 3 to bring it down to 16500 plus an allowance for the alloy wheels.
I also found current incentives on the Mazda6 with automatic that bring it down to 18,725. That equals the mazda3 price with 2.3 and auto. to see it advertized for 15,400 is suprising, making total discount over 5000. I drive a 1970's interstate for 27 miles in a straight line each way, with potholes and bumps and too many trucks. I'm seeking isolation, not feel. 20 more miles after that on perfectly straight roads to reach home. Today for example, took 110 minutes to fight thru traffic including gas stop and grocery stop.

#855 of 1205 Re: 4 cyl sedans [dave8697] by backy

Sep 07, 2007 (5:15 pm)

Replying to: dave8697 (Sep 07, 2007 4:33 pm)
If you want isolation, take a drive in the Sonata. If you can find a 2007 GLS, you can likely get one below $16k with automatic, ABS, ESC, power everything. In this class, the smoothest rides are probably in the Cobalt, Elantra, Spectra, and maybe the Corolla. Of these, the Corolla would provide the best fuel economy. Be sure to take a long drive in it, though--the driving position can be uncomfortable for some people.

Messages Page 86 of 121

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