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If he is the "funny uncle" where honesty and success is not included in his person. Take a real good look at the car.
Mazda 6
Unbelievably fun to drive, stylish, cheaper than both.
Drive one and you'll know.
Dinu
Check the MPV, Protege, Miata and Mazda6 boards at Edmunds for reliability - everyone LOVES their Mazdas! Check them out in Consumers Report if you want to.
Visit the M6 sedan board and ask real owners how much they like they car, would they buy it again, what problems if any they had.
Dinu
I am trying to decide between getting a 2000 Honda V6 Ex Accord (Coupe) 4-speed auto with 23000 on it for $15500, or Volkswagon Passat 2002 1.8T GLS 5- speed manual with 16581 on it for $16500, or a 2003 Subaru Legacy Special Addition Package 5-speed manual with 9600 miles for $15900??
I know these may be strange cars to compare, but this is what I am looking at. I like the Passat for it's individuality and somewhat sportiness, I like the Accord for it's reliability and looks, and I like the Subie for the fact that I don't see one every mile on the roads where I live. All wheel drive could come in handy where I live, but I would not want to sacrifice too much gas mileage to have it.
I am concerned about the reliability of both the VW and the Subie. I have heard that VW's are great cars, but they do not come close to the reliability of Japanese makers and I don't like having to use premium fuel. Subie's I know nothing about. Are their interiors quiet? Do they have good gas mileage? IS THEIR RELIABILITY GREAT, GOOD, FAIR, OR BAD? I have owned and enjoyed Honda's in the past, but in a way I would like to have something different. I think I am most interested in the Subie Legacy, but Edmunds gave this cars engine a ranking of 4 out of 10 and it's trans. a ranking of 6 out of ten!! I wish I knew why and if there is reason for concern. Any general or specific comments on these makes or particular models would be appreciated.
P.S. I guess if I wanted to I could get a brand new Civic Ex for the amount I am looking to spend?
Any ideas?
P.S.S. OH, AND PLEASE COMMENT ABOUT RESALE VALUE FOR THESE MODELS IF YOU CAN.
Thanks!!
My previous car was a 1995 Legacy wagon, and I'll tell you there is no comparison between the two cars. The interior of my Legacy was very, very LOUD due to the course nature of the flat 4 at highway speeds. The Passat is simply a much more refined car in almost every way. Also, my Subaru blew a 5speed manual transmission at 96k which was very disappointing (and expensive). They're not as bullet-proof as legend makes them out to be. I know the new Legacys are a big improvement over the 1995 model, but you will be much happier with the 1.8t engine and overall feel provided by the Passat. Also, if you must have a Subaru I really recommend the Outback suspension over the base Legacy -- the ride is much better.
The Accord is always a safe choice, but think twice about a coupe over a 4 door. I'm driving a 2 door VW GTI right now, and the only thing I miss is the 4 doors. Also, my brother in law drives an Accord sedan of that vintage and I have been very disappointed with the interior after owning VWs -- not nearly at the same level.
Hope this helps your with your choice. I would go for the Passat, it sounds like a good buy. They have 4yr / 50k warranties now and if you start having real troubles you could trade it before the warranty is up. But I don't think you'll have much trouble with it based on our experience, and the positive experiences of three other close friends of ours who have also bought Passats (some after spending time in ours!).
5th Place – Chevy Corsica: The McCar
I can’t think of anything to recommend the Corsica. It looks and feels cheap. The suspension is very rudimentary, and does not provide a secure feeling when travelling at highway speeds, and is all over the place if you hit bumps in the road, especially on curves. The engine is o.k. (4cyl), but is hampered by a lethargic 3 speed auto. It will provide good basic transportation, but you could do better and you owe it to yourself. Not recommended.
4th Place – Dodge/Plymouth Neon: A buzzy little car
The Neon does handle much better than the Corsica, it has better steering, cornering and a more secure road feel. But it is quite a bit smaller, leading to a choppier ride. The engine is peppy, but it is also mated to a 3 speed auto which leads to a very loud highway ride. It sounds like that sucker is spinning at 3500-4000 rpm at 65 miles per hour, which does wear you down after a while on the road. The car is very low, and is not easy to get into and out of. The radio is pretty good, and the interior is well designed. I can’t recommend it with the automatic, but the 5 speed might be o.k. if you are looking for a smaller car.
3rd Place – Ford Contour: An innocuous car with a befuddling interior
The Contour has a much more refined ride and handling than the Corsica, and is bigger and quieter than the Neon. However, it handles like a much heavier and larger car than it actually is, which might be good for some people but feels too remote and lethargic to me. And the interior is one of the strangest design exercises in ergonomics that I’ve seen. The seats are not comfortable, and the driving position is too high compared to the rest of the interior. The console is very deep and provides lots of storage, but you have to lean down and virtually reach under the dash to pick up anything. Not a great idea when driving. The arm rest is useless, as it is mounted too high and is way too short to actually rest your elbow on while driving. And the radio is the worst of the whole bunch – it sounds terrible. Cautiously recommended if you like the look and the price, but spend some time in the interior before you buy.
2nd Place – Ford Taurus (2000 and newer): A good big domestic car
I’ve spend the most time in the Taurus. In a previous job I had two assigned to me, a 2000 sedan that I drove about 14,000 miles and a 2002 wagon that I drove 6,000 miles. I also drive these on my new job too, getting a different one each time. This is by far the largest of the cars, and arguably the most comfortable ride. It is also the only one with a 6cyl engine which has good power and is very quiet compared to the 4cyl engines in the other cars. The car handles confidently, as might be expected from a larger and heavier car. To my taste the ride is a bit too remote and “fluffy” but if you are looking for a smooth riding car in the American tradition this is it. Even when new, the Taurus is a good value – look especially at the wagon if you need the room. One quirk I’ve found with all of them is the transmission – it tends to have a hard time picking the right gear when passing and merging, and can be easily confused with abrupt throttle movements. At times it will “freewheel” before selecting the right gear. At first I thought it was just a problem with the 2000 sedan, but every other Taurus I’ve driven since shares this characteristic to some extent. Other than the transmission concern, I recommend the Taurus.
1st Place – Chrysler Cirrus / Plymouth Breeze: A good all around package
This car has been a real surprise to me, but I have to admit that I prefer driving these to any of the others mentioned. The car has a very roomy interior, which is well designed and quite comfortable. The seats are the best of the bunch. The engine, although it is only a 4cyl, has plenty of power and is very smooth even at higher revs. The transmission does its job smoothly and always seems to pick the right gear (which is the best thing I can say about an automatic, since I’m a die hard manual transmission fan!). The suspension provides a very good highway ride, but also manages to provide communicative steering and very secure handling. The Taurus is smoother, but if you want to feel the road the Chrysler is better. The radio is very good too. If I needed to buy a comfortable, inexpensive, fuel efficient used sedan I would probably choose one of these. Certainly recommended.
I know this is long, and answers a question that no one has asked, at least not in awhile. But I’m hoping that it will generate some discussion, and help some folks choose the right sedan. Have you any experience with any of these models – what do you think?
1. Does the accord really not have a split rear seat? Will this be changed with the 2004 model?
2. Does the camry really only take premium gas? Specifically, does the SE model only take premium gas?
If anyone can offer answers to these, or any advice at all, that would be very much appreciated. I am a recent college grad looking for a car that will last me many many years. I currently have a Mazda 626 which is having some problems. I want something that will not only be a reasonable buy now, but will be generally low-cost throughout the life of the car. Meaning insurance shouldn't be too high, gas milage should be low, routine maintenance should be relatively inexpensive, and premium gas is not an option for me.
I'm considering getting the navigational system if I get an accord, but is there a monthly fee associated with it? A GPS system seems like it would have some sort of satellite access fee, but I haven't heard of any mentioned.
Also, I'm not dead-set on a 2003 model, since I haven't been seeing too many around anymore. So any comments or reviews on improvements in 2004 models would be appreciated.
I've heard many good things about both models of these cars, but my decisions are affected more by consumer *complaints* than praises, since I've heard just about every glowing review these cars have. It's the repeated complaints that get my attention more.
Please help! And thanks in advance for any advice!
We do have a specific comparison underway on these vehicles at this link: Honda Accord vs. Toyota Camry. You might want to check that out as well as look up the individual discussions on each using the search tools on the left side of the page.
Meanwhile, does anyone here have thoughts to offer?
I am trying to decide between getting a 2000 Honda V6 Ex Accord (Coupe) 4-speed auto with 23000 on it for $15500, or Volkswagon Passat 2002 1.8T GLS 5- speed manual with 16581 on it for $16500, or a 2003 Subaru Legacy Special Addition Package 5-speed manual with 9600 miles for $15900??
I think the Subaru is the best deal, but know nothing about them and am trying to find out more?
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Bunk -- I'm not sure if you saw my earlier post, but I concur with porknbeans that you should get the Passat. Trust me, it will be worth the extra $1000. I will differ from porknbeans in that dealer service is not universally poor. I have had a positive experience with my dealer, and in fact we own 2 VWs now. I would not have bought the second if we had not been pleased with the first.
Thanks for the help and if anyone else has further advice, I am heart to listen.
I think I have been scared of by the comments about VW's reliability, or quality control. I love the way they look , but...
I do like that the Legacy looks unique also.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
imho, I think the I35 is the most bang for the buck right now, even though it doesn't have all the "latest" technology. It has so much - Mongo V6 engine power & torque (255hp/246 lb/ft), HID's, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (compensates for variations in load, i.e. 1 passenger v. 2,3,4, etc.), Brake Assist (senses emergency braking and applies maximum force to the brakes), Traction Control, Front side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners & load limiters, Bose stereo (some would argue the value of this), great warranty - all for roughly $27K.
The TL is right there, also. Mostly just a matter of taste. More suave luxury with the I35; more sportiness with the TL.
I was thinking the other day, the I35 seems to me right now like the perfect realtor's car - style, luxury, size, reliability and value. Imagine, if you get the cold weather package, being able to offer your "rear seat" clients their own heated seats in the winter while you drive them around house hunting. :-)
New Beetles have not been particularly reliable, and with their shape are not particularly space efficient. They can also get pretty pricey to repair.
You probably should stick with a used Corolla or Civic.
Best from a design and performance standpoint is Ford Focus, but you should probably stay away from the 2000 and 2001 model years, they had their growing pains. Otherwise it's a great car and reliability is now average per Consumer Reports. It is an "American" car (basically European design however, just like the Beetle), but a used 02 or 03 Focus should be pretty inexpensive to buy.
Personally, I would also go with a model having the Duratec DOHC V-6. Great performance and just as good a mileage as the base Vulcan.
I bet you will be pleasantly surprised by the features available and the good price you will pay-currently $3k rebates.
I'm looking for a car -- could I get some help? Here's what I'm looking for:
1) 1-2 yr used car (my friend told me you get good value this way)
2) Relatively new body style (don't want to buy a old body style)
3) Need good reliabilty in snow - 4WD if possible
4) Tons of features
5) preferably 4 door
6) Price range up to $35K but prefer ~$30K
I like in the washington DC area, where it snows about 5-6x per season, but I need to be able to get to work in the snow, this is important to me.
I test drove the A4, G35, and a used TL. I don't believe any of these has 4WD (except a 2004 G35, but I want a 1-2yr used). I liked the drive of the G35 the best, but i'm worried about snow. I'd go for a used 2003 G35 if it wasn't RWD (but the dealer told me it has "traction control" so i'd be alright??) I think the A4 is a little overpriced, but I might be wrong?
A couple of other quick questions -- What's the difference between AWD and 4WD?
FWD is better than RWD for snow, right? RWD is better than FWD for suspension?
Thanks, hopefully I can get some decent advice!
2. 4wd is a term used to define the old truck style drive train. You had a transfer case and front locking hubs in which case you could engage 4wd when you wanted to. AWD is a term to describe the drive train that operates all the time. In general, heavy duty pickups will have 4wd, pickups and SUVs will have 4wd or AWD (depends on manufacturer)and sedans will have AWD. In my mind the major difference between a full time 4wd and AWD is that 4wd has a 2 speed transfer case and AWD does not.
3. There are tons of AWD sedans, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Audi, Subaru, Volkswagen, Infiniti G35 is available w/AWD, Jaguar and probably some others I can' think of off hand. AWD is an option on these cars so not all of them will have it. Choices are plentiful. The drawback to AWD is maintenance and cost.
4. Most people would say that FWD is better than RWD in slippery conditions, but it is really the fact that the engine sits over the drive wheels. It is the weight that is the advantage - not necessarily the drive layout. That's why old VW bugs were so good in the snow is the engine sat over the drive wheels. The other major factor is the tires. A good set of winter tires would make a RWD car more than manageable here in the DC area. Winter tires would be more effective on a FWD car and then even more effective on a AWD car. If you had room to store a winter set of tires and wheels there would be little reason not to get your choice, if you like the G35.
3. Recommendations. Broaden your search a little more to those makes I've listed above if you really want AWD. You may find more choices. If I were passionate about the design of the car I would probably look at the little Jag - pretty distinctive styling, but so is the G35. If I wanted an appliance vehicle, sturdy, strong, and wouldn't crush my heart if another car slide into on those snowy trafficways, I'd look at either the Subaru Legacy or VW Passat. You could buy either one pretty well loaded and new for less than 30k.
Hope this helps.
Family: couple, no kids
Budget: 15,000 - 25,000
Size: medium
Use: work and shopping
Preference: four-door
Thanks.
1. How long do I plan to keep the car? If I were going to drive it 100K+ miles then I would look for something comfortable (with styling I can live with) and purchase the premium extended warranty. If there is a problem with the car I bring it to my dealer, pick up my loaner and say goodbye In the big scheme of things, what do I care what the car is worth after 100K miles? Yes, some cars will be worth more than others, but at what initial cost?
2. Assuming I take this route, I would buy a car with the best options & features for the least amount of money. Yes, I would look at a Hyundai Yes, I would look at the American cars
3. If I plan to sell the car after a few years I would stick with the classics; Honda, Toyota, etc.
Since I have always purchased cars for the long haul, I have always purchased the extended warranty and it paid for itself (except for a 1996 Saturn which I sold at 75K never bought the warranty and never had a problem). In the next 6mo to 1yr I will buy my wife a Honda minivan and yes, I will purchase the extended warranty. Maybe it is overkill, but the $1500.00 is well worth the 10yr/100K insurance policy and knowledge she always has a vehicle to drive.
Keep in mind this opinion does not account for vehicle performance. That is something you need to put a price on.
Good Luck
Taxicabs & Police cruisers are a good endorsement
Price point is there, between 17.5K and 22K.
THE INTERIOR IS AMAZING!!!
THE HANDLING AND POWER OF THE CAR IS AMAZING!!
This is not your boring Corolla or Civic, this is a real drivers car with adequate space for 4 and a reasonable size trunk, slightly larger than the predecessor Protege.
I test drove it about two weeks ago and am considering purchasing one. I can't find a better value in the economy car segment!!
Conclusion: Mazda 3.
Pet
will purchase 4 door sedan in next few months-- getting married....
am biased towards camry and accord... want something in that size/price (4 cylinder only-- $20K or less).
but am willing to consider domestics- i sat in a chevy malibu yesterday... didn't drive it-- just sat in it-- i guess my bias showed-- little things-- seemed too "plasticky"-- no sunglass holder up by the rear view mirror like in accord/camry-- just seemed cheap...
anyway-- any advice for the BEST domestic that compares to the camry/accord? trying to be open minded here.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Also you can check out the resources on the left side of the page in the "Helpful Links" box.
Good luck!
I am in the process of purchasing a 2002 Impala
4 door sedan
V6 3.4L, auto, A/C
power everything, include power seat
Cruise, ABS, front airbags, CD
Alloy wheels
It's company car which came off a 2-year lease
driven by a lady mostly on the highway
All maintainance includes:
oil change records every 3k/4k miles
flushed coolant once
changed two tires
Car is in good condition
have chevy dealership checked without finding problem
Except some scratch at back which chevy bodyshop estimate for $450 repair
Asking for $8850
now firm at $8350
I hope I can make it down to $8000 or so
what's your guys opinion?
thanks :-)
Good luck!
The AT rules the SVT Focus and SRT-4 out.
I'd like to stay under $20k USD, so the Jetta & WRX are too pricey. Mazda 3 & Subie Impreza are the models I have left. Sat in a MT 3 & was impressed. I like Mazdas anyway since my spouse's MPV is so nice. The AWD is nice, but not necessary here in SE US.
I'm looking for something with plenty of punch & can't wait for MZSpeed 3. Am I leaving any other models out?
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kirstie_h
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I've posted a msg in the Real-World Trade-In Values discussion.
Hope I can get more opinions there :-)