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What's the best vehicle for my needs?

1145 messages,  Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM

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#941 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [qbrozen] by dash5 Jul 01, 2009 (7:33 am)
Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 7:18 am) Thanks for the reply. Yes I keep hearing about the Audi and long term costs. Good point there.   Do you have any input on the BMW 3 series AWD's? I'm curious if the ride is smooth and quiet and how big it is compared to say my Jetta. Or is it more of a sports car, rough and louder revving.   Thanks again, will definitely check out the S60's. Replies to this message: sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 8:03 am) qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 9:00 am)
#942 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by sebring95 Jul 01, 2009 (8:03 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 7:33 am) I'm personally quite fond of the 3-series and a nice certified unit is hard to beat. The 330xi and X3 are both terrific vehicles IMHO. I've shopped this class and if I decide to buy a car it will be one of those. Find one with 20k miles with lots of original warranty plus the certified.....worst part of the depreciation is gone. I forget your budget, but this post applies to the other guy looking at them as well. The models with sport packages might ride rougher than you want, but it's basically an even better Jetta in every way.
#943 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by qbrozen Jul 01, 2009 (9:00 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 7:33 am) The 3-series is great, but a bit more expensive. Plus, you want to take a good hard look at the rear seat room. Bring the car seat with you, install it, then sit in the seat in front of it. Its not that you can't get away with it. I would. But most people with carseats seem to want more room.
#944 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by zdogs Jul 01, 2009 (9:21 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 6:10 am) If you're driving a Jetta (and like it) why not look at the Passat? The 2.0 Turbo is pretty sporty and you can get a much newer one (06 - 08) for your budget than you can with the other models you listed. Plus they are very roomy in the backseat. Took a quick look on Autotrader and found an '08 2.0T with 21K miles for $19k. A few 2006 models at Carmax for $15k-$16k. Replies to this message: sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 9:45 am)
#945 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [zdogs] by sebring95 Jul 01, 2009 (9:45 am)
Replying to: zdogs (Jul 01, 2009 9:21 am) The newer Jetta's are also bigger than the 2002 so even that might be a good option and the turbo has pretty good performance. It's not a bmw...but closer than most others.
#947 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by exb0 Jul 01, 2009 (10:26 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 6:10 am) Based on your criteria, TL would be the best option.   It is more reliable than any others that you have listed. Routine maintenance will be cheaper than any other. Back seat is roomy enough for a car seat. I had my niece in a car seat with no problems. I don’t know what you mean by comfortable for adults, but I am 6’1’ and my teenage son doesn’t like sitting behind me. There is enough room for him; he just can’t stretch his legs out like he does in a minivan.   Avoid the 04 model year, but anything after that would be fine. Replies to this message: dash5 (Jul 03, 2009 7:17 pm)
#948 of 1145 Re: All over the place on what I'm looking for [erniesdad] by erniesdad Jul 01, 2009 (10:41 am)
Replying to: erniesdad (Jun 30, 2009 1:03 pm) Rather than reply individuall, I'll do it all in this post: To suydam: >> Bikes will fit in the back of the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe vehicles, and also in the Honda Fit. Both are FWD and have excellent fuel economy -- is that a consideration? >> They're a little too close to an econobox for my tastes. The most powerful engine in the Matrix is 158hp. A bit too weak for my tastes, imho.   To gbrozen: >> Well, do you need to use the backseat while the bike is in there? That could narrow the list. >> Frankly, I rarely if ever use the backseat now. The only one who spends time back there is my dog. In a perfect world, I'd be able to slide the bike into one half of the back seat, and the dog can sleep on the other half.   >> If you only require 7 secs, you don't need the highest performance models of each. So an Impreza vs WRX and mazda3 vs mazdaspeed3. I don't think a Mazdaspeed3 can be had with automatic, anyway. >> Sure, I don't need it, but.... The lack of an automatic can be an issue though. I can drive a stick, but I'm not sure, long term, if I'd enjoy rowing a stick, when I'm not enjoying Walter Mittyesque dreams of a career as an F1 driver. If this was a second, "fun" car, then a stick wouldn't be an obstacle at all.   >> And you might reconsider the Audis if you are looking for longterm reliability. >> I just looked at the CR used car guide at the reliability ratings for Audis. Ouch.   to dtownfb: I started checking out the Cash for Clunkers program. I'm not sure most of the cars I'm looking at would qualify me for it. Personally, I think the program is a massive waste, and place an artificial floor on the price of used cars, which will take a lot of good used cars away from the poor. Ok, off the soapbox now. >>  XTerra >> No. >> Rav-4 >> V6 maybe. 4-banger, no. Honda Fit >> No. >> Honda Element >> MINIVAN!!!111!!!! Replies to this message: suydam (Jul 01, 2009 11:26 am) plekto (Jul 01, 2009 6:04 pm)
#949 of 1145 Re: All over the place on what I'm looking for [erniesdad] by suydam Jul 01, 2009 (11:26 am)
Replying to: erniesdad (Jul 01, 2009 10:41 am) so as I suggested, the Mazda3 hatch might be a good fit for you. Available in auto and fun to drive as well. WRX also might be on your list. Let us know as you drive them!
#950 of 1145 Re: All over the place on what I'm looking for [erniesdad] by plekto Jul 01, 2009 (6:04 pm)
Replying to: erniesdad (Jul 01, 2009 10:41 am) Heh. Looks like the RAV-4 might be a winner, then, or a serious contender.   Note - the older, smaller version of the RAV4 is very good as well. It's OK with the 4 if you get manual because can rev it silly all day long. At ~4K RPM, it leaps into traffic like a scalded dog. Especially the smaller, slightly lighter previous gen Rav-4. I have a co-worker here at work who has one - 4 cylinder with manual - and it goes as fast as a Camry V6. Clutch is very light and easy. Looks a bit funky, though... but maybe you'll like it?   Also consider a previous gen extended cab Tacoma, if only because they are indestructible and have 4WD for bad weather. The previous gen also had less bling and plastic and was a bit smaller, making it a LOT easier to get in and out of traffic. the current one is honestly the same exact size as a 1990 or so F150.   The 4 it both are the same engines(think the V6 as well).   Other than that, I'm drawing a blank. Everything else is a minivan or SUV or some kind of mutant "softroader" thing.

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