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Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
1145 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) I'd second the vote for a brand new Honda Fit- you do get a lot of car for your money, and it's a better handling car, per the reviews, than the Versa or Yaris. However, all things considered, I would also take a look at the Nissan Versa. It's quite a bit of car for the money... The Yaris doesn't really move me that much, although the 5-door models do seem somewhat intriguing. Either way, the Scion xD is probably a better buy within the Toyota family. Stay away from the Chevrolet Aveo. Just.... no. The Cobalt could be ok, but at your price point, you can get a much better car for not much more money. |
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Already know this, but would rather buy a Toyota personally. The Versa drives very nicely for a small car and we got the "SL" hatch with rebates for around $15.7k with just tax & tag since they took off the dealer fee. Got it for the price I was originally quoted for the "S" hatch. She's pleased so I'm pleased. The seats are very comfortable and not like the horrible front seats in the Fit we tested...ouch! Definitely not back friendly! The Sandman 
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I have been researching which USED car would be the best for my needs. Our price cap is about $15G. When I began my search, I had fuel economy as my number one priority, but I now realize that I will have to sacrifice a little bit on that feature in order to end up with a car that offers enough room for my family of four to be comfortable, for my two teenage kids and any friends/gear, and for longer trips when we will have luggage, etc. I've been avoiding SUVs (on principle), but I haven't ruled them out entirely, I guess. The Prius appeals to me, but it is out of my price range. Honda Civic is too small. Generally, I'm leaning towards wagons. I have looked pretty carefully at the Toyota Matrix and the Mazda 5, both in 2008s. The 5 wins on safety and overall interior configuration. But, ultimately, the predicted 19 city/25 hwy gas mileage ratings seem pretty pitiful to me. I've skimmed the Mazda 5 forums here on Edmunds and am now more confused than ever. Many claim they're getting 30+ averages, but there's always the odd poster or three who says they're getting even less than 19. The 2008 Matrix lists fuel economy at 26 city/33 hwy, which pleases me. (I was shooting for something above 25 in town as 80% of my driving is local, rual stuff.) Oddly, the 2009 Matrix lists only 20-21 for city mileage. What the heck?? Is the 09 that different from the 08, or do the 08 Matrix figures lie? My current car is like comparing apples to kuquats -- a 1988 Volkwagen Westfalia/Vanagon. No real safety features, 17 mgp. But, since I'm moving "up" in the world, I'm struggling to make the best choice here. Help.
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Replying to: shawbeg (Jan 23, 2009 11:31 am) Looks like 17 is the EPA hwy figure for that ancient machine. So I would guess that whatever you buy, you will get ~ the EPA hwy number. The 2009 Matrix has an optional larger engine, that version has the lower mpg figures. Not many actual wagons have been sold in recent times. There was a Mazda6 wagon for several model years. But since that comes only with a V6, mpg is not the greatest. There was also a hatchback Mazda6 and that had a 4 cyl version availalble. Passat and Taurus (not sure how long ago they stopped making that) are the only other wagons that come to mind, in terms of a true conventional (mid-size or larger) wagon.
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 23, 2009 12:10 pm) |
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 23, 2009 12:10 pm) Anyway, I'm not wedded to the traditional wagon concept, just looking for spacious interior without ending up with something huge. Thanks for the advice on the mileage thing. Let me make sure I understand -- since I'm getting 17mpg in the old car, which is that car's listed hwy mgp, I could expect to get the hwy mpg in any newer car I buy? Wow. Go figure. |
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Replying to: shawbeg (Jan 23, 2009 11:31 am) With all that city driving though a hybrid wouldn't be bad but I don't think you can get into one with that price point. Another thought is a Chevy HHR. I had one as a rental awhile back and really like it. Great room, big back seat, more like a mid-size, kind of cool really IMHO. I drove all over vegas for several days plus a trip out into the desert with some high-speed runs and averaged 28mpg. Computer was showing 34mpg out on the highway holding steady at 70mph. It's a little quirky to drive with the flat windshield but driving a Vanagon for 10+ years it sounds like you don't like the mainstream cookie-cutter vehicles anyway 
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Replying to: shawbeg (Jan 23, 2009 12:24 pm) That doesn't really work well when comparing apples to kumquats. One reason is because the difference between city and hwy mileage isn't that great on trucks/vans/etc.. For example, my truck is rated 14city/17hwy and I tend to average around 16mpg. A Vanagon is rated 15/17. So they're basically saying it doesn't matter how or where you drive, these things get terrible mpg. On other more aerodynamic vehicles (i.e. not bricks) they can get far better mpg on the highway. I would say someone comparing newer vehicles can easily expect to get a similar % of EPA mileage when going with a similar style vehicle. Around town it's very hard to get extremely good mileage. It basically comes down to how much fuel does the car burn when idling. This is where hybrids and diesels do well because they use far less fuel to begin with. The rest just comes down to engine size....smaller engines burn less fuel when idling.
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Replying to: sebring95 (Jan 23, 2009 12:32 pm) Haven't yet had either kid actually SIT in the rear seats of the 5, but you make a good point about leg room. Oldest is already 5'6 and likely still growing since she's only 14. We both have the legs of someone much taller. The bucket seats give the appearance of being roomier, but maybe not.
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Replying to: sebring95 (Jan 23, 2009 12:43 pm) On the "around town" driving, the thing is, where we live it's not like we're doing a ton of idling. We're in a rural area with long runs between towns. I'm back and forth between the town where I live and the town where all the kids' activities take place (about 20 miles r/t) at least 5 days/week. But, it's not like driving in a city where every 100 yds you're at another stop light. But, generally, I know that in town mileage will be poorer than hwy, and since that comprises the bulk of my driving, I didn't want to "settle" for a car that only lists 20mpg in town. That's what turned me on to the Matrix.
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