Toyota Corolla,get the 5 sp manual,basic as you can get ,save your money,check consumer reports,go for gas mileage,say 15k,the money left,purchase a couple of hybred bicycles,,and by the way use good engine oil as Amsoil,Schaeffers,Pennzoil Plat.or Trop Artic,BL
$20K for new car, what to buy?
- Thread starter The Critic
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From that list, I'd say Camry. But then you say your mom can't handle large cars and the Camry is pretty big, IMO, so I'd suggest Mazda 3 instead. For $20K you can get a top of the line version, or just get a basic one and put the rest in savings.
Look at a base 4cylinder Accord too. Accords have a longer life vs a Civic before they feel worn out. They are considerably more comfortable than any Civic of same year.
Small cars have there place however the mileage of Camry's/Accord's with 4cylinder is very good. The mileage decrease(slight) is far outweighed by the long term durability and comfort of a midsize car.
Small cars have there place however the mileage of Camry's/Accord's with 4cylinder is very good. The mileage decrease(slight) is far outweighed by the long term durability and comfort of a midsize car.
Go for a Camry or Accord and you can't go wrong.Its much more realiable than whatever General Motors has to offer.
The Corolla is a good car but very very uncomfortable.Came off a only 1 hour trip last week with one with a friend who had one and NEVER again.I got severe back pains from it.I won't ride in it anymore.
The Corolla is a good car but very very uncomfortable.Came off a only 1 hour trip last week with one with a friend who had one and NEVER again.I got severe back pains from it.I won't ride in it anymore.
The Hyundai Sonata is the way I would go.
More standard features, better warranty and their build quality is really good.
Plus it rides and has the interior noise levels of a luxery car.
The V6 is a borderline drag racing engine. Once you test drive one you will know what I mean.
It is a really quick car.
More standard features, better warranty and their build quality is really good.
Plus it rides and has the interior noise levels of a luxery car.
The V6 is a borderline drag racing engine. Once you test drive one you will know what I mean.
It is a really quick car.
2006 Honda Accord LX
(KBB)What consumers are really paying $19,888.00
Includes Destination Charge
Gas Mileage: 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway
Standard Equipment:
Air Conditioning Manual
Axle Ratio 4.44
Brakes Power Front Disc
Braking System Anti-Lock
Clock Digital (Stand Alone)
Cup Holders F&R
Defroster Rear Window
Door Locks Power
Drivetrain FWD
Engine 4-Cyl, VTEC, 2.4 Liter
Entry System Keyless Remote Control
Fuel Filler Door Release Remote Control
Fuel Tank 17.1 Gal Cap
Headlamp Control Automatic-Off
Lights Daytime Running & Glove Box
Lights Reading
Mirrors Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity
Mirrors Dual Power
Power Outlets (2)
Radio AM/FM Stereo w/CD
Restraint System Dual Front, F&R Head Curtain &Front Side Impact Air Bag
Seat Folding Rear
Seats Cloth Bucket
Stabilizer Bar Front
Stabilizer Bar Rear
Steering Variable Assist Power
Steering Wheel Tilt & Telescoping
Tires P205/65HR15
Trans Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive
Trunk Release Remote Control
W/S Wipers Variable Intermittent
Wheels Alloy
Windows Power w/Remote Control
(KBB)What consumers are really paying $19,888.00
Includes Destination Charge
Gas Mileage: 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway
Standard Equipment:
Air Conditioning Manual
Axle Ratio 4.44
Brakes Power Front Disc
Braking System Anti-Lock
Clock Digital (Stand Alone)
Cup Holders F&R
Defroster Rear Window
Door Locks Power
Drivetrain FWD
Engine 4-Cyl, VTEC, 2.4 Liter
Entry System Keyless Remote Control
Fuel Filler Door Release Remote Control
Fuel Tank 17.1 Gal Cap
Headlamp Control Automatic-Off
Lights Daytime Running & Glove Box
Lights Reading
Mirrors Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity
Mirrors Dual Power
Power Outlets (2)
Radio AM/FM Stereo w/CD
Restraint System Dual Front, F&R Head Curtain &Front Side Impact Air Bag
Seat Folding Rear
Seats Cloth Bucket
Stabilizer Bar Front
Stabilizer Bar Rear
Steering Variable Assist Power
Steering Wheel Tilt & Telescoping
Tires P205/65HR15
Trans Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive
Trunk Release Remote Control
W/S Wipers Variable Intermittent
Wheels Alloy
Windows Power w/Remote Control
The Sonata is a very nice vehicle, as is the 4cyl. Camry.
The newly redesigned '07 Elantra coming out in the fall might be worth a look, though.
The newly redesigned '07 Elantra coming out in the fall might be worth a look, though.
2/4 doors is a big question. I'll include answers for both.
Jetta
Scion tC
Matrix
Civic 2-door
RSX???
Jetta
Scion tC
Matrix
Civic 2-door
RSX???
BTW- Those cars are all good in auto.... except RSX which might be more of a shift car, mine is.
JHZR2
Staff member
IMO, a civic isnt worth the $$$ for what it gives. My father certainly didnt have the best luck with his corolla, but IMO Id give it a notch higher.
I agree to look at the 3 and 6 and pocket the savings. it will be a bit more enjoyable of a ride, probably a better bang for the buck (though Id venture to guess that the 4 cylinder engine used in the camry and accord is a bit better than the one in the 6 - no emperical data, just opinion), and who cant benefit from saving a few dollars??
JMH
I agree to look at the 3 and 6 and pocket the savings. it will be a bit more enjoyable of a ride, probably a better bang for the buck (though Id venture to guess that the 4 cylinder engine used in the camry and accord is a bit better than the one in the 6 - no emperical data, just opinion), and who cant benefit from saving a few dollars??
JMH
The safety, economy and reliability leader.
Accept no substitutes. Buy something with real resale value. Long after it's payed for. Don't let certain people ** you. There is only one choice.
2006 Honda Civic EX
5-Speed Manual (City/Highway)
30/38
5-Speed Automatic (City/Highway)
30/40
• 1.8-liter, SOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine
• Drive-By-Wire Throttle System™
• ULEV-2 (Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle)
• 5-speed manual transmission
• Available compact 5-speed automatic transmission
• Control-link MacPherson strut front suspension
• Reactive-link double wishbone rear suspension
• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
• 16" alloy wheels
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS)
• Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
• Side curtain airbags
• Active head restraints
• Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
• Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System
• Integrated rear-window antenna
• One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature
• Remote entry system with trunk release
• Exterior temperature indicator
• 160-watt AM/FM/XM Ready®†/CD audio system with six speakers
• WMA and MP3 capability
• Speed-sensitive volume control (SVC)
• MP3/auxiliary input jack
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• Rear-seat armrest
• 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Front and center console 12-volt power outlets
• Maintenance minder system
$18,460.00
Manual Transmission
$19,260.00
Automatic Transmission
EX with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™
• Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition with 6.5" customizable touch screen, digital audio card reader.
$19,960.00
Manual Transmission
$20,760.00
Automatic Transmission
Accept no substitutes. Buy something with real resale value. Long after it's payed for. Don't let certain people ** you. There is only one choice.
2006 Honda Civic EX
5-Speed Manual (City/Highway)
30/38
5-Speed Automatic (City/Highway)
30/40
• 1.8-liter, SOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine
• Drive-By-Wire Throttle System™
• ULEV-2 (Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle)
• 5-speed manual transmission
• Available compact 5-speed automatic transmission
• Control-link MacPherson strut front suspension
• Reactive-link double wishbone rear suspension
• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
• 16" alloy wheels
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS)
• Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
• Side curtain airbags
• Active head restraints
• Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
• Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System
• Integrated rear-window antenna
• One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature
• Remote entry system with trunk release
• Exterior temperature indicator
• 160-watt AM/FM/XM Ready®†/CD audio system with six speakers
• WMA and MP3 capability
• Speed-sensitive volume control (SVC)
• MP3/auxiliary input jack
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• Rear-seat armrest
• 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Front and center console 12-volt power outlets
• Maintenance minder system
$18,460.00
Manual Transmission
$19,260.00
Automatic Transmission
EX with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™
• Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition with 6.5" customizable touch screen, digital audio card reader.
$19,960.00
Manual Transmission
$20,760.00
Automatic Transmission
JHZR2
Staff member
$18460 for that vs. $19888 for the accord?!?
please.
forget the civic and buy an accord, no brainer.
what kind of economy car comes with a 6.5" screen and navigation system??? for that matter, what kind of economy car costs $20k?
JMH
please.
forget the civic and buy an accord, no brainer.
what kind of economy car comes with a 6.5" screen and navigation system??? for that matter, what kind of economy car costs $20k?
JMH
While you placed a Scion TC, on the list why did you not consider a Scion XB?. I am a little biased, since I have one--a really great deal--just get over the attitude that it looks different. Go take a test drive, and it may end up on the list. It should cost you about $4K less than your $20K limit.
JHZR2
Staff member
and the xb would do away with the issue of unreasonably low economy from a small car - a complaint that you had about the tc. even an AT equipped xb must be >35 MPG.
JMH
JMH
I have an 06 Civic Coupe EX. I went to the Honda store intending to buy an Accord Value edition. We worked the numbers and they were acceptable and then I spotted the new Civic on the floor with "Car of the Year" banners and the Good Housekeeping seal of approval and the American Dental seal of approval, ect. When I took it for a ride, it handled so much better than the Accord it wasn't funny. I ended up buying the Civic. It handles like a go-cart, though the ride might be a bit "choppy" for some. Me, I love it. Big problem is the lack of torque-it is geared low enough so it is OK off the line, but going up hills on the freeway will often cause a shift out of overdrive and sometimes a complete downshift. A/C is a bit weak if you like it real cold. Good access to the oil filter, easy half hour oil change. No problems in 10,000 miles though I have heard complaints about some squeaks and rattles from the rear deck. My car is still tight however. A bit expensive, but I don't regret my decision to buy one. I would recommend it. Besides, there are about 50 different faart cans you can buy for it!
scion_xB,
Please do not recommend Xbs. I have one and I appreciate staying unique.
Let's keep this to ourselves.
Please do not recommend Xbs. I have one and I appreciate staying unique.
Let's keep this to ourselves.
My vote is definitely for a MAZDA3. For the money, I don't think you can beat it. It comes with options that aren't even optional on other vehicles in it's class. You won't spend $20K on one so you can throw the rest in savings like sombody else stated.
I'd take the Camry for my wife, because it will be more reliable (maybe insignificantly so) sedate and sleepy, but the Mazda MX-6 for me due to emphasis on "sport" the feel and interior.
My brother has an MX-3 and I love the feel and interior. It feels solid, tasteful and german-y. He's a little disappointed in the fuel economy though.
Hey BadTlc... 25 HP from a cold air intake? Come on now...you've gotta think if it was that easy to get 25 horses for pretty much free (at the design stage), the factory engineers could have figured that out. Not trying to be disrespectful in any way, but that's awefully hard to believe.
Lots of guys spend $550 on a carbon fibre "Gruppen M" CAI for the BMW 330's...but they do it for the sound...they know they're only getting nominal to maybe 3HP. But these are guys that use chassis dyno's not butt dyno's.
In any case, really nice Mazda, I've always liked those cars!
My brother has an MX-3 and I love the feel and interior. It feels solid, tasteful and german-y. He's a little disappointed in the fuel economy though.
Hey BadTlc... 25 HP from a cold air intake? Come on now...you've gotta think if it was that easy to get 25 horses for pretty much free (at the design stage), the factory engineers could have figured that out. Not trying to be disrespectful in any way, but that's awefully hard to believe.
Lots of guys spend $550 on a carbon fibre "Gruppen M" CAI for the BMW 330's...but they do it for the sound...they know they're only getting nominal to maybe 3HP. But these are guys that use chassis dyno's not butt dyno's.
In any case, really nice Mazda, I've always liked those cars!
Is that the V6? The 2.0L does okay, but the 2.5L V6 gets horrible mileage for its size and power (rated 25mpg highway, with 155hp!). The newer 2.0L and 2.3L get decent fuel economy for their output.
The butt dyno guys also don't seem to notice that they lose a little torque at the low-end, where the engine runs most of the time.
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