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82.5 Firebird - 4 cylinder which eventually locked-up
87 Sentra 2dr - nice car, but crashed it my first month (not my fault)
82 Celica 5sp - awesome, awesome car, if you don't mind the rust
91 Corolla - lots of miles, but ran well (I missed my Celica)
99 Civic EX 5sp - Got me around, liked VTEC, but wanted something more
02 RSX-S - Finally something to replace my Celica, I love this car
So if you find me posting with an Acura/Honda bias, don't be supprised.
Hi poorting- Thanks for your introduction. Sounds like you have a lot of insights to share on a number of different vehicles. Also, glad to hear your RSX is serving you well. I look forward to seeing you around Town Hall. ;-)
Revka
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Question:
I posted a note that someone responded to with a query that was off-topic. He said we could take it to email, but my profile email was protected at the time. So was his. I responded to his off-topic question on the message board.
Is this what I should have done? I couldn't see another way to reply to his question. I ended up making my email public too, which if I had my druthers, I'd rather not do.
If you want to continue the off topic subject, and you don't want to give out your email, you could also suggest to continue the subject in a more appropriate discussion and perhaps provide a link. Also, feel free to start up a new discussion if necessary.... Hope this is helpful. See you around the Town hall! ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
I'm a graphic designer and editor in my mid-30s. I like wagons, small SUVs and I dream about pickups, but refuse to buy one again because of mileage issues.
Among cars I've owned (with some comments):
1980 Ford Granada (Look at that half-vinyl top! Eeeewwww!
1986 Nissan Sentra (indestructible powertrain)
1990 Volkswagen Jeta GLI (My favorite)
1999 Dodge Durango (bought with my ego, not my brain)
I'm ditching the Durango ASAP and leaning toward the Toyota Matrix.
Edmunds -- and its users -- just flat-out rock! There's no better auto site on the Web.
Hi andy632- In addition to the "Which 5 door hatchhack", you may also want to check out our and Hyundai Elantra GT vs. Mazda Protege5 and Vibe vs. Matrix vs. PTCruiser vs. Focus ZX5 vs. Protege5 discussions. Also, feel free to start a new topic (i.e Focus ZX5 vs Hyundai Elantra) if you'd like. Good luck with your decision.
I look forward to seeing you both around the Hatchbacks & Station Wagons message boards. Happy shopping!
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
I'm 25, from Ontario Canada.
I am waiting for my Mini Cooper 'S' to arrive. I currently drive a Saturn SC-1 (I'm gonna miss it very much as it's been VERY fun and reliable, not to mention dent and rust resistant). I'm gonna worry sick about the New Mini.
My second choice for a car would have been a 2002 Firebird/Camaro. My third was the Miata.
If you fit this description and care to share your input on the subject, please contact Kristen Gerencher at kgerencher@marketwatch.com or Jeannine Fallon at jfallon@edmunds.com by noon EST Tuesday, March 19. Thanks for your participation.
To someblondeguy- Thanks for your introduction. We look forward to hearing all about your Mini Cooper S when it arrives. Happy motoring!
Revka
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Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
28, new driver, mother's a former mechanic, looking at getting a '91 323 ...details are over in the Mazda 323 forum.
First time buying a car - a little paranoid about this, but trying to be fair to the dealers.
Help?
-Betty-
(My mother is a mechanic, but apparently I didn't absorb much.)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Currently, these are my options (in order of preference):
Mini Cooper
Ford Focus SVT
Saab 9-3
Pontiac Vibe
Acura RSX-S
Ford Focus ZX-3
Used Audi A4 1.8T
I dont think I'll ever be able to decide. Let me know if anybody has any recommendations!
-Patrick
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
I'm going to be trading in my 1994 Tercel soon because it has no air conditioning. I live in Los Angeles, and now that I've hit 50 (years, not mph) I seem to need a/c. I'll be buying a hatchback, but, like a lot of people here, can't make up my mind between Protege5, Matrix, and Elantra among others.
I do have a question to which I cannot seem to find an answer. Considering price, when is the best time of year to buy a car (in a place that doesn't have much of a winter)?
Thanks for any ideas.
HI , I am Me.
I don't currently drive a hatch, even though I am very interested in getting a '88 or 89 Mazda 323 GTX, which is a great AWD 2 dr turbo hatchback. I wish someone would make something like it brand new so I wouldn't have to buy a car that old, but I am saving for all the mods that I have planned, and of course for the car itself.
That is it.
The answer will vary depending on the make/model and availability. But in my own personal experience, I've usually seen better deals near the end of the year; on the other hand if you wait too long, there may be less of a selection. My 2 cents. Btw, here's an archived Smart Shopper discussion that you may find interesting: best time to purchase a used or new car?. Good luck with your decision.
To poorjudd- Here's a direct link to our ongoing Mazda 323 discussion where you should also copy/paste your message. We also have a new member in there (wordartist) that you may want to share notes with.... Good luck with your decision.
Happy shopping!
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
I am a current and very proud owner of a 00 Black Ford Focus. I had previously owned a Ranger and with my new move and longer drive. I was forced to find something economical and in my price range. My ZX3 is the most fun, I have had driving in a long time. Being a previous Mustang owner I naturally went for one of them. Due to budget constraints (wife) I was forced to look other wise. I recommend to everyone we meet to drive my Focus or to go out and test drive one for them selves. Although upon getting a raise I will be forced to trade in my ZX3 and buy a ZX5.
Revka
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lovin it so far!
-darrell
Revka
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my favorites
1-HYUNDAY TIBURON GT V6
2-FORD FOCUS SVT
3-MAZDA P5
4-WRX
5-PONTIAC VIBE
6-NISSAN 350Z (ONLY CAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT)
What do u guys think?
thanks
Joe
Also, feel free to start up a new discussion on this board if you'd like.... "My favorites - Help me decide" might be an appropriate title to cover all your needs. Good luck with your decision.
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
VW Golf TDI (we have a '00 beetle & love it)
Mazda Protege 5
Hyundai Elantra GT
Chrysler PT cruiser
My first choice right now is the VW.
I have 2 kids (ages 7 and 4) and 2 dogs (both Airedales), so there could be the need for up to 6 occupants in the vehicle. If the kids are along, the dogs will need to go in the back by necessity.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Laurie
Hi binanrybabe- Here are a couple discussions that you should check out: VW Golf and Which 5 door Hatchback? Use your copy/paste so you don't have to rewrite your message. Good luck and please keep us posted on your decision. ;-)
Revka
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Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Revka
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i am new at this
I have boought a 96 Wolksvagen Golf and I had the worst of luck Can anybody tell me if it was bad luck or the car really sucks? I really like my car but it brakes down a lot
and also since I am new how do I find the answer to my posted message among "3000" posted messages? thanks.
You asked: how do I find the answer to my posted message among "3000" posted messages?
Click on the blue "Mark" buttons at the top of the page, or along side a message, to bookmark a discussion or message. Then go to your Message Center below to find all your book marked discussions. Also, if you are logged in and you return to a discussion you previously visited, you will be at the point in the discussion where you left off. Hope this is helpful. Good luck. ;-)
Revka
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I'm new here. About to buy a new hatchback. I was all set to go with a Matrix when I saw an on-line comparison to the Suzuki Aerio SX. I checked it out and was not quite as impressed with the Aerio, but decided to let my 10 year old daughter test ride in both of them. She felt very uncomfortable in the back of the Matrix, so I ordered the Aerio. It seems there are problems with availability of the Aerio SX--complicated by the fact that I hate automatic transmissions with four cylinder engines. So, I am waiting.
I do generally like Suzuki's. The two I have had have been by far the most reliable, lowest maintenance cost cars I have owned--including two Mazdas and one Toyota. So why do they have such horrible resale value?
Lastly, here's a direct link to our ongoing Suzuki Aerio SX discussion where you can share notes with other owners/shoppers. Might help to pass the time while you're waiting. Use your copy/paste so you don't have to re-write your message. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your purchase. ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Just by curiosity, I wanted to know how things were going on the other side of the pond. I'm quite aware of the EU car market, which is very, very different from the US one AFAICS. Right now in EU, the (long-term) trend is towards Diesel powered engines, and I've been surprised to see that VW is experiencing with its TDI engines in the US. Hatchbacks are currently the top sales in EU, behind subcompacts, but their sales are starting to decrease in favor of mini MPVs (such as the Renault Scenic, of EU fame).
Believe me: although their rev counter only goes up to 5k rpm (with in fact a near-to-none responsiveness above 4k), Diesel engines just rock, and VW TDIs in particular. Their torque is that of a powerful gas-powered, non turbocharged V6, or even superior (the 150hp, 1.9l VW TDI scores 244 lbft at 1800rpm) while being more fuel efficient by a factor of 3 or better. Fuel efficiency is all the more important hereabouts that we pay an avg $1 per *litre* of gas (1 US gallon roughly equals to 3.7l, you get the picture), but Diesel fuel is an average 20% cheaper, which make Diesel cars even more appealing despite the heavier initial purchase price. Sure, they don't have the same hp, but hey, hp == torque * rpm. Lower rpm means lower hp, and in fact, the very conception of Diesel engines make this 5k limit the greatest challenge yet to be addressed by car manufacturers, if ever.
For those of you who are looking towards a VW Golf TDI, don't hesitate: buy it. Apart from the great engine and mileage, it also sports a build quality which is far, far superior to even more pricey cars.
I personally own a BMW 330d, not on sale in the US, which scores 183hp and 288 lbft of torque while managing a 37mpg mileage on my typical travels... Passing with such a car is a breeze, even in 5th gear and on a steep hill.
OK, enough self-congratulating Anyway, if you're interested in Diesel engines, you can see a post I made in the "What about the VW TDI?" discussion under this same hatchback topic (post #282).
Meanwhile, I'll continue browsing through Edmunds and penetrate myself a little more about US car philosophy
We're glad to have you here, and hope you enjoy reading.
kirstie_h
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Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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Revka
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I'm new to this group, and I'm posting this both as a hello and as a help!
how do I search within a discussion group? for example, I go to the Elantra 5 door hatchback group, and there are 2000+ messages. but I don't see any way to search only within those messages.
unless it's because the search function is down (which it is.)
thanks
steve wilson
At this time, we don't have the capability to search for information within an individual discussion at Town Hall. You can search by discussion title/topic by using our Search feature on the left side of the page.
If you're looking for something specific, your best bet is to post a message at the end of the discussion. One of the regulars members may be able to direct you to a specific post... or answer your question.
Also, in some of our busier discussion, don't hesitate to post again if you feel your message has been overlooked. Good luck, and thanks for your participation at Town Hall.
Revka
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Revka
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I decided to visit this website because I found the Edmunds book very helpful and figured the site would have more pictures and up to date information than the book. Hatchbacks seem more practical because they offer more cargo space than sedans and coupes. I came to that conclusion when I had to maneuver a 20" tv into my mom's sedan somehow. I was determined to bring the tv one way or another and refused to wait till my brother could come up with it (he drove an Isuzu Amigo).
TTYL, College Commuter
Revka
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Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
Also, if you scroll through the list of Hatchback discussions here, you'll notice that many of these pricing discussions are also linked back to this message board.
Try using the open search box on the left side of the page to see if there's a "prices paid" discussion for the vehicle you are interested in. ;-)
Revka
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