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

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 4:31 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

#1176 of 1205 Re: Time Will Tell [sandman46] by backy Nov 16, 2008 (10:44 am)
Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 16, 2008 6:52 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 (11:57 am)
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 (9:27 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 (11:02 am)
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 Replies to this message: backy (Jul 04, 2009 12:06 pm)
#1180 of 1205 Re: Forte [sandman_6472] by backy Jul 04, 2009 (12:06 pm)
Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jul 04, 2009 11:02 am) 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 (6:43 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 Replies to this message: bhmr59 (Jul 05, 2009 5:16 pm) backy (Jul 05, 2009 5:35 pm)
#1182 of 1205 Re: Absolutely [sandman_6472] by bhmr59 Jul 05, 2009 (5:16 pm)
Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jul 05, 2009 6:43 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. Replies to this message: backy (Jul 05, 2009 5:35 pm)
#1183 of 1205 Re: Absolutely [bhmr59] by backy Jul 05, 2009 (5:35 pm)
Replying to: bhmr59 (Jul 05, 2009 5:16 pm) Actually, the Hyundai I'd go for if I were looking for an extremely comfortable, supportive, and adjustable driver's seat is the 2001-6 Elantra. No joking. Its driver's seat has been compared in 3rd party reviews to the likes of Volvo. It's definitely the best driver's seat I've ever had in a car, and I've owned a lot of them. (Although the one in my Rabbit isn't too far off, but no adjustable lumbar.) The one in the GT (and Limited) is a little firmer due to the leather. Has dual height adjusters plus lumbar support.   The other advantage is a 2006 Elantra fully loaded with leather, ABS/traction, and moonroof would be well under $10k. Could trade in the Civic and walk out with cash in hand. The downside is that the Elantra's side crash protection isn't very good.
#1184 of 1205 Sonata GLS With Power Seat by sandman_6472 Jul 06, 2009 (8:08 am)
Tried this yesterday and it's right up there with the Accord & Camry as far as comfort for me in a power seat. The Sonata really blew me away actually...better daily driver for me than the Camcord twins actually & even better than my '06 Civic LX...seemed a bit smaller which works for me. My side of the garage fits my Civic nicely just not sure if a Sonata would fit there and the wife doesn't wanna give up her side...but if I do buy it, she'd really have no choice. So right now, the Sonata is the top pick for me if I decide to change cars. My salesperson said to wait till the 2010's come out as the outside will be tweaked with more Genesis ques front & back.   My oldest has 1st dibbs on my Civic...she'd probably just give me her Versa as a trade in. Curious thing though...the Versa seat lets me slide over just like a minivan seat and is comfortable enough for a manual seat. Just don't like the CVT tranny in it...prefer my Civic's auto tranny. But as of now, have just decided to keep what I got. This weekend drive up to Orlando will shed some light for me. Have never had the car on a 2.5 hour drive...ever. Luckily I'll be traveling alone, as the wife's taking the train a few days earlier. Be interesting to see how I feel after the drive up.   Wish me luck! Really wanted to like the S40's seats so I could justify the purchase but was disappointed with 'em...damn! Nice cars otherwise...great size & features with just enough luxury for me...always have had econoboxes so the upgrade would've been nice. Didn't even care about the reduced mpg's I'd have to live with. The '09 drove so smoothly it was unbelievable. Felt like a Lexus I was in previously...that good. Maybe in a couple of years down the road. The $ wasn't the problem, the disappointing seats and the wife's attitude made the purchase impossible at this time.   The Sandman Replies to this message: backy (Jul 06, 2009 8:28 am)
#1185 of 1205 Re: Sonata GLS With Power Seat [sandman_6472] by backy Jul 06, 2009 (8:28 am)
Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jul 06, 2009 8:08 am) That is perhaps the first time I've ever heard of a salesperson say something like, "You should wait to buy next year's model." Unless they didn't have any current models on the lot. Extraordinary.   I've heard different stories on the tweaks to the Sonata for 2010. Some sources are saying it's a carryover, due out very soon, and the all-new Sonata will be out in early 2010 as a 2011 model, including the new hybrid. Pics show it will be more a coupe style ala Passat CC, and one pic showed a Genesis-like front end but that was a photoshop so don't know how much it can be trusted. I guess we'll see soon enough. Meanwhile, you could get a really great deal on a 2009 Sonata if it fits your needs. If the 2010 is tweaked, I expect it will cost more, at least initially. Might want to test-fit it in the garage first--quite a bit larger than the Civic and the Sonata does NOT have folding side mirrors.

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