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

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

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

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 119 of 122

#1173 of 1205 ABS by sandman46

Nov 15, 2008 (3:49 pm)

Keyless, power windows, locks, mirrors and 15" alloys...not that plain looking. It will meet her needs perfectly for a 1st car and the fact that it has a great warranty and roadside included plus free oil changes all add value in my opinion. Wish we made more to let her get any car she wanted, but life doesn't work that way. We'll spring for the insurance and fill ups when necessary but I think the wife left a cushion from her college account to cover this stuff.
The older girl told me that she'd consider used cars also as she definitely didn't want the Accent. My time frame with her is until the 1st week of January so we still have time.
 
The Sandman

#1174 of 1205 Re: ABS [sandman46] by backy

Nov 15, 2008 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 15, 2008 3:49 pm)
That is a smart girl, to consider used cars. She can get a much nicer (and probably safer) car for no more bucks than the Accent. My daughter liked the looks of the Accent sedan also, thought it was "cute." But when I drove home in my used 3-Series coupe, which will be hers someday (if she plays her cards right), she forgot all about that Accent.

#1175 of 1205 Time Will Tell by sandman46

Nov 16, 2008 (7:52 am)

Hoping we can find a used sled with mileage around 10k for a price around $15k OTD. The few Corolla's & Civic's that I've seen are all close to invoice on a new one but think we'll expand our search to some domestics also. '07 is probably as far as we'd go so there would still be some factory warranty left in case something happens. Luckily in South Florida there are a lot of places to look for used cars. I just really wanted "new" for both of them to enjoy that special feeling and new car smell and to not have to drive someone else's. Hopefully Carfax will be accurate on whatever we find used.
 
The Sandman

#1176 of 1205 Re: Time Will Tell [sandman46] by backy

Nov 16, 2008 (11:44 am)

Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 16, 2008 7:52 am)
You should be able to get a 2007-8 Sonata or 2007 Elantra with at least 3 years, 36k bumper-to-bumper warranty left (same as what you would get on a new Corolla or Civic) for well under $15k OTD--closer to $13k depending on what T&L are in your area. I am seeing very nice 2008 Sonata GLSes (about 1.5 years old) now with around 20-25k miles, moonroof, power seat etc. for around $12k. Elantra GLSes won't be much less because small cars in general are real hot right now, but IMO you get a lot more with the Sonata including ESC and niceties like power seat without much of a mpg penalty. Another option to check out is 2007-8 Mazda6i's, I've seen similar pricing on those and they are very nice cars, sportier looking and better handling than the Sonata, but no ESC (but then a used Corolla or Civic or Elantra probably wouldn't have ESC either). The Mazda3i is very nice also, but like the Sonata/Elantra picture, the Mazda6i's seem to be priced a little less than the Mazda3i's just because they are smaller.
 
I have heard that November-December are very good months in general to buy a used car, as traffic is down due to holidays etc. This year, that should be even more true.

#1177 of 1205 Absolutely by sandman46

Nov 16, 2008 (12:57 pm)

That's our time frame actually. Have seen some good prices on '07 & '08 Sentra's also. Think the Sonata is a bit big for her. She really wants my '06 Civic but i really like my car and plan to keep it for a long time...hit 18k this week so should be good to go for another 5 or so years. Looked on Craig's List and see that dealers also post cars there. We do have options though.
Orlando Hyundai called and said they have an '09 Accent with the power package but he's yet to call back in a 1/2 hour as he said he would...and that was around 11:45. Our '08 Accent will be in from Miami tomorrow and if all checks out, we'll have it by the end of the week. Nice that the dealer is right across the street from us...makes it so much easier.
 
The Sandman

#1178 of 1205 New entries in the class by backy

Jul 03, 2009 (10:27 am)

With the action going on in this class over the past several months, I'm surprised there isn't more activity here. There's the redesigned 2009 Fit, the 2010 Mazda3, and most recently the 2010 Kia Forte (Spectra replacement). Also some significant changes to some cars in this class, e.g. ESC now standard for 2009 on the Impreza, Rabbit, and Jetta, and for 2010 on the Corolla, plus the new-for-2009 5-door Yaris with ABS and side airbags being added as standard to all Yarii.
 
C'mon, folks--gas is over $2.50 a gallon and likely to go up. Why not more interest in these excellent small cars?

#1179 of 1205 Forte by sandman_6472

Jul 04, 2009 (12:02 pm)

Looks great in the pics online though haven't seen any on the road. Actually a very nice looking econobox. Like it more than the Corolla or the Civic. Honda will need to hit a home run with the 2011 model as the competition is getting much better. Think Hyundai & Kia will become major players within the next few years as the price of petrol will only go up. Hopefully the manufacturers will get the mpg figures up to the new levels the government is dictating.
 
The Sandman

#1180 of 1205 Re: Forte [sandman_6472] by backy

Jul 04, 2009 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jul 04, 2009 12:02 pm)
Hyundai has plans to meet the 2016 fuel economy target early. Part of the plan is the "Blue" versions of the Accent and Elantra, due out soon. They'll use tricks like those used on the high FE version of the Forte EX, but are supposed to cost less than the current Accent and Elantra (whereas the high FE version of the Forte EX costs more than the regular EX--maybe because of the 5AT). The Forte benefits from relatively new all-aluminum engines. I wonder when the Elantra will trade the old iron-block Beta in for those powerplants, which provide more power (156 vs. 138 hp) but higher FE than the Elantra's 2.0L engine.
 
I also wonder if the next Civic will be up-sized to a mid-sized car on the inside, now that the Accord is full-sized and the Fit can fill the small car slot. Most of Civic's competitors are bigger inside. Even the little Accent has more interior room than the Civic--albeit a lot of that is headroom.

#1181 of 1205 Absolutely by sandman_6472

Jul 05, 2009 (7:43 am)

Just like the Versa is the entry level Nissan and the Sentra has larger interior space than the last generation, I owned an '03 GXE, I think it's safe to assume that Honda will also do the same thing with the '11 Civic. My '06 is a bit cramped back there so hopefully they will resolve this issue.
On my way to test drive an '06, '08 & '09 Volvo S40 as the Civic isn't very comfortable as my spinal condition had worsened since I purchased it. Wifey thinks I'm nuts but Volvomax seems to think I could swing a '08 with miles in the teens for about a $7k outlay before T,T&L. Hopefully these will be CPO cars. Not sure that I really want to spend the extra $ as the Civic is in excellent condition with the seating issue my only gripe. $ isn't the issue with the wife...she just thinks it's a "stupid" thing to do. Will only consider it if the power seats make a tremendous difference. Meeting the internet guy in about 40 minutes.
Wish me luck!
 
The Sandman

#1182 of 1205 Re: Absolutely [sandman_6472] by bhmr59

Jul 05, 2009 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jul 05, 2009 7:43 am)
Before buying a used or left over Volvo, check out a new Sonata with the power seat and adjustable lumbar support. That might work for your back while giving you a new car with Hyundai's warranty and saving you cash.

Messages Page 119 of 122

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