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No, it's actually no higher than the top of a typical dash shroud, it just puts the numbers closer to view (meaning less eyes-off-the-road-time). I found I could monitor the speed in my peripheral (sp? its late and I'm tired
At night, it is also easily brightness-adjustable so as not to be a distraction.
The car handles marvelously, second in class IMO to the Mazda 3. In that respect, it rides better than the Mazda as well, with MUCH less road noise from the tires to boot.
The ride is similar to my Accord (my dad has a 2007 Civic btw which is how I can express an educated opinion), but the steering is quicker than my Accord, and with less weight, it handles better, very nimbly.
If you don't like it, I'd certainly understand. It is quite polarizing, but I do applaud Honda for not taking the boring route as it did with the 01-05 Civic.
the car handles bumps wonderfully. it has a better steering feel than my rabbit does (more connected to the road) but it does not feel as ...solid. still very solid, just not as much.
according to the comparo between these cars that c/d did, the civic (and rabbit) were both on the heels of the mazda 3 with regards to handling, but were both more comfortable rides.
Is the Rabbit higher up? I got my Cobalt basically because it was more comfortable than the other compacts I tried and I couldnt find a Mazda 3 to buy.
The Rabbit is appealing but not sure about VW reliability.
I am very intrigued by the Saturn Astra thats going to be coming very soon.
The Rabbit is appealing but not sure about VW reliability.
yeah it is actually. I cant wait to lower it, kinda like a mini suv almost.Bigger wheels fills out the wells better, but i wouldn't mind dropping it so that it has a better stance; vw actually sells eibach lowering springs for this purpose. Don't get me wrong its not colossaly off the ground, but a couple inches and it would be perfect.
vw reliability has been subpar as of late, but the mkV generation (new jetta, gti, and rabbit) have been much much better. Maybe not this amazing poster child for reliability or anything, but i have no worries about my car. after over 22k i've got no problems.
I thought you were Civic shopping again?
Great little car with nothing to complain about actually. At a bit over a year of ownership and 8k miles, am quite pleased with this buying decision.
The Sandman
Graduate: my wife and i are trying to save up some more dough, and since we have only had the bunny for not even a year, we know its going to set us back to get a civic, simply because we know that if we were to get one, we want ALL the options we want on it (which isn't all of them but it is a few) and even if we didn't get them, we are still talking about a 20k car, and even though the gas mileage will be great, the car payments will totally counteract it. Its going to be awhile before we trade in the bunny, but thats if we ever do; he's been good to me so hopefully it will be a lasting relationship!
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Did I leave anyone out?
For me, it's about "compact" sedans--those one notch up from the B-class cars in price and (usually) size, and generally fall into the $16k-20k price range but can start lower and go a little higher. $20k is a lot for a compact car, I agree, but considering that Civics and Mazda3's easily go over $20k and it's possible for an Elantra to list for nearly $20k, I guess $20k doesn't go as far as it used to.
Size-wise the Lancer fits fine in to this thread's parameters.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
And there are good compacts available for around $12k + T&L too, for those who can do without things like nav, killer sound systems, 18" alloys etc. etc.
I remember when my mom's loaded '93 Accord was $20,000, and my dad's Civic coupe ('95) was around $12,000. In my head, I guess, compacts should be under $20,000 (my dad has a Civic EX, and we all know it stickers near $20k). Its a shame that I can't fit in most compacts, at a large 6'4". I'm destined for a midsize or larger life!
Today, we scoff at cars without PW/PL/PS/CD/AC.
Also, at my size, I need more size for my money! Hence, my Accord without all the goodies (NAV, 18", leather) for the same price as that Mitsu.
Oh well... I also make 20 times more than what I did when I owned my first economy car, a Corolla. And yet I can buy the same model today but much larger, more comfortable, more powerful, safer, and with way more creature comforts for only about 4 times as much. Not too bad.
Wow was that an SE? My inherited EX was 16.5k in '93.
my vw was only 17k
Not the Accord.
Come to think of it, I don't think I was there for my mom and dad's '93 purchase, but I did go with my dad and aunt when she bought her Ram. I remember, because when we got there, I wanted a "new" Neon, in the showroom.
I knew there was a $20,000 in there somewhere... When its 14 years ago, and I'm only 19 (20 this month), it starts to run together.
Good catch, engineer...
And no, it was an EX, not an SE (cloth seats, no Bose stereo).
But the 2.5 Jetta loaded up is over $26k. A lot of features, yes, but in the end, its still a 150 hp, 22 MPG, heavy as a midsize but small-as-a-compact car (albeit a nice one)...
For me, its an equation that doesn't wash. That doesn't mean it is a bad decision, for someone who buys that car, but its way too much for way too little in my world.
$17k, on the other hand, is very different.
Which brings up an interesting point... today I can go out and buy a compact that has all the equipment and then some of the '95 Civic EX, which IMO was the top compact of its day, and also today's compact is larger, more comfortable, more powerful, safter (six airbags and even ESC vs. two airbags)... and still pay $16k or maybe even less! And our dollars are worth a lot less now than in '95. So pricewise compact shoppers are in pretty good shape compared to over a decade ago.
My own 1996 Accord LX (a step-up from the base model) stickered for ~$19,500k, and the top-line EXV6 was $25k then.
Seemed like a $20,000 EX was reasonable, but I know for sure that that '94 Ram was $20k-$21k. I just thought that '93 EX Accord was too.
That doesn't include the extra features associated with the EX model over an LX.
Quieter, safer, faster, cheaper to maintain and keep running, more roomy, more comfortable, all for good money (compare with inflation).
I'll take the new model, thanks.
If you are a fan of the Accord of a decade ago or more, I'd suggest the current Civic. Similar size, weight, handling characteristics to the old Accords.
Comparing to my '93, in 15 years and $6000 more expensive they managed to get a whopping 3mpg hwy mileage improvement? And that was partially by using Michelin rocks for tires. The Accord EX listing I saw had the '93 at 9 sec 0-60 and the '07 at 7.7. 15 years, ~1 sec faster.
Quieter, safer, faster, cheaper to maintain and keep running, more roomy, more comfortable, all for good money (compare with inflation).
I was looking over the maintenance schedules and with the exception of timing belt intervals they looked very similar. I noticed there is still a suggestion to adjust the valves "as necessary."
So the Accord gets me from 1 airbag to like 6 or something and thats about it...oh and a 6 cd changer.
I personally don't care for the Civic styling inside or out, but the Civic SI looks like a great ride.
everywhere from the uber expensive jetta(for a 20k one i'd be ok with the content and mileage like the wolfsburg, but for 26k i'll have a v-6 accord or a decked out gti)
and the civic being like the accord of old.
the newer accords are quicker, better mileage, smoother, quiter and all around better.
they may not be as tossble, but they are still fun rides.
lilengineer boy; the new accords safety should be enought to make it better, its not just about airbags. (as an engineer don't you know that? :P )
1 second is one second. the accord is no speed demon, but the facts are facts; the newer version is significantly quicker. (and i'm a fan of both the cb7 and grad older gen accord too.)
Smoother is relative. Driving the same poor road by my house, the older Accord seems to make more noise but doesn't feel as harsh. I have also found more tire/road noise but less engine noise on the new Accord so far.
they may not be as tossble, but they are still fun rides.
Well, compared to the Camry/Solara anyway. In hindsight I think the Mazda6 would have been a better match for me.
lilengineer boy; the new accords safety should be enought to make it better, its not just about airbags. (as an engineer don't you know that?)
Yes, I do agree that there is more to life then airbags. My car has 4 wheel disk brakes with ABS and high performance tires to support accident avoidance, and has crumple zones and what not in addition to a driver's side airbag.
I know its not a bad ride or anything, I just looked back at how revolutionary each iteration of the Accord was from '76 to '94, and how there really haven't been exciting changes since then.
And on top of that, the new top-level Accord has ELectronic Brake-Force Distribution, better safety ratings, "smart" depowered airbags that will cut off the passenger side-bag if the seat senses the weight of a small child/person that could be injured by an airbag. Also, Stability Control is a HUGE addition to the features list.
EBD is an electronic proportioning valve. Is it an improvement, yes, is it monumental, no. Also, Honda doesn't have a lock on this, other cars in the price range have similar technology.
better safety ratings
4 stars vs 5 stars, with a totally different testing methodology, I don't know if they are comparable
smart" depowered airbags that will cut off the passenger side-bag if the seat senses the weight of a small child/person that could be injured by an airbag
the '93 didn't have an airbag to potentially injure a child passenger (not that i would have a kid in the front. anyway).
Also, Stability Control is a HUGE addition to the features list.
Which is only available on the V6 models.
the '93 didn't have an airbag to potentially injure a child passenger (not that i would have a kid in the front. anyway).
The '93 also didn't have one AT ALL for passengers who DO need it. The current ones are the best of both worlds.
Of course Honda doesn't have a lock on the similar cars in this price range, but it DOES have the older models beat, which you seem to have trouble with.
As were the 96+ by that definition.
Of course Honda doesn't have a lock on the similar cars in this price range, but it DOES have the older models beat, which you seem to have trouble with.
Nah, it is better, incrementally (and I would hope it would be 15 years later). Its just not like the jump from the 85 to the 86 or the 89 to the 90. Maybe the 93-94 is in there because it represents the birth of the American market Vtec Accord (of course the JDM cars could get a H22 Prelude engine in the previous version).
1994 Accords brought met new side-impact standards 3 years early, along with Dual Airbags.
1998 Accords welcomed Side-Airbags and Traction Control.
And we all know about the current model...
This has gotten WAY off topic, so I'm gonna drop it and let this discussion float back to the new millennium.
I think I got a decent program car in 1998 for just under $15K. But it's like I'd have to go back two model years to get below that price threshold now. Not that I mind doing that, I've bought second- and even third-hand all my life, never buy retail, never buy new. A recycled car is nothing to be ashamed of.
And getting the basic radio is a thought, but if you get a car that's got an upgraded one, your upgraded wiring is already in place, and all you need do is change the head unit. The dealer used to scare people, saying that if anybody but them put in a new stereo for you, your airbag could be disabled without you knowing it! I remember a co-worker was petrified because she wanted to change the cassette in her car to a CD...and she paid the dealer! I couldn't believe it...I told her she got hosed.
And I absolutely agree I'm not going back to crank windows! Although, I remember when I first got my current I learned a painful lesson about making sure my hair was completely inside the car before I pushed the button!
Sorry about all that rambling. I think $15,000 is a good limit for anyone who can live with cloth seats. Although, it's almost a "fixer-upper" at that price, isn't it? My first car, a '73 Maverick bought in 1981, cost me $1300.
Got to drive a '07 Elantra GLS the past couple of days in Chicago. Reminded what a smooth, tight car it is even in base trim (although this one did have a moonroof).
Interior total volume is listed at: Accord 103 cu ft, Elantra 98 cu ft. Cargo volume, both listed at 14 cu ft.
The Elantra is a "compact" but EPA considers it "mid-size" due to the interior volume.
The next time you're in the market you might be able to consider a compact if that is what you are interested in at that time.
The Corolla was DULL (the girlfriend had one)
The Civic was too low (but a hoot to drive)
The 3 would've been a contended but the nearest dealer was many miles away...
And, my folks had a little more to spend so a midsize was in the budget.
The next time, I'd probably drive a LOT more cars than just midsizers.
Mazda3
Civic
Elantra
Spectra
Focus
Cobalt
Forenza
In that order, 1st to last, top to bottom. I'm really only sure about the first and last place finishers- all others are fuzzy.
watch it slolem, brake, accellerate, order chinsese food, whatever. I think all you Yaris owners will grin from ear to ear. All you Fit and Aveo owners, not so much. Huyndai testing is done in 2006.
http://www.cars.com/go/video/motorweek/videoPopup.jsp?makeid=47&year=2007&modeli- d=8242&location=MW_L_2007_Toyota_Yaris.flv
I might have to rank the Cobalt ahead of the Focus for now if only because the Focus is lacking in basic safety equipment, and I hate its interior.
The 3 just hit 33k and the Civic's at slightly over 9k and both drive like the day we picked them up from the dealer. Hopefully the mpg's will rise on the 3 with the work done today. Had the oil changed on it this past weekend.
The Sandman