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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

#1183 of 1205 Re: Absolutely [bhmr59] by backy Jul 05, 2009 (6:35 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 (9:08 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 (9:28 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.
#1186 of 1205 Folding Mirrors by sandman_6472 Jul 06, 2009 (12:11 pm)
First thing I noticed while adjusting the mirrors...they don't fold! Odd for a mid sized car not to include these. I've done the garage test with a few cars over the years actually...most dealers will let us do this. Trust me, if I do get the Sonata, the wife will just have to move her M3 to the other side. We've already kicked the one daughter's Versa out of the garage as the other girl & her Accent will be back home next Tuesday. The wife & I both want to park inside so the girls will be outside either in front of the house or at the neighbors foreclosed house.   Actually have decided to live with the seats in the Civic for the time being. Car only has 21.8k on it and it looks outstanding with the older Civic alloys on it. Also have replaced the speakers & added tweeters and an amp so the sound system rocks. Better to just save the $ and buy some laddered CD's or possibly even some muni bonds. Much better scenario in these crazy economic times.   The Sandman Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Jul 06, 2009 5:03 pm) backy (Jul 06, 2009 7:19 pm) thegraduate (Jul 06, 2009 7:20 pm)
#1187 of 1205 Re: Folding Mirrors [sandman_6472] by jeffyscott Jul 06, 2009 (6:03 pm)
Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jul 06, 2009 11:11 am) I don't know if I have ever folded mirrors in on a car...I think maybe once at a car wash this was suggested for our minivan. I couldn't tell you if they fold on either of our sedans and I can not imagine why I'd want to fold them. Replies to this message: backy (Jul 06, 2009 7:19 pm) thegraduate (Jul 06, 2009 7:20 pm)
#1188 of 1205 Re: Folding Mirrors [jeffyscott] by backy Jul 06, 2009 (8:19 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jul 06, 2009 5:03 pm) Tight parking spaces in parking garages (public or home) is the big one for me. My vehicles with folding mirrors have saved me much grief and some money over the years. Currently the mirrors fold on 3 out of 4 of my family fleet. Fortunately, the one that doesn't have them almost never parks in a garage.
#1189 of 1205 Re: Folding Mirrors [jeffyscott] by thegraduate Jul 06, 2009 (8:20 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jul 06, 2009 5:03 pm) You must never park in close quarters.
#1190 of 1205 Re: I like your two list idea [kingsalmon] by colloquor Jul 06, 2009 (8:38 pm)
Replying to: kingsalmon (Aug 20, 2005 11:13 am) Newly discovered reliability?? Funny, my 2006 Elantra has never had one failure, or warranty replacement, since purchase in December 2005. Oil and filter changes, and the normal maintenance schedule - that's it. The same can't be said for the last new Honda Civic I purchased - several warranty claims within the first year. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Jul 06, 2009 9:12 pm)
#1191 of 1205 Re: I like your two list idea [colloquor] by thegraduate Jul 06, 2009 (10:12 pm)
Replying to: colloquor (Jul 06, 2009 7:38 pm) That's great anecdotal evidence, but I'm sure you know one car out of 300k won't necessarily represent a majority of them. Personally, my GF has a Santa Fe which I like, and I drive an Accord, which she likes. We've both replaced our CD Players/Changers under warranty, and she just had her sunglasses holder fixed.   Hers is an 07 with 16k miles, mine's an 06 with 49k miles.   Go figure.
#1192 of 1205 Folding Mirrors by sandman_6472 Jul 07, 2009 (6:55 pm)
All four of our fleet have them and there a g-dsend. Parking in the garage can be tricky so we fold 'em in. Whomever parks on the driveway folds 'em in. Pulling into my side of the garage, I pull it in so I don't scrape against the brick surrounding the entrance. Did that numerous times with my 2 last drives.   The Sandman

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