$20K for new car, what to buy?

[The Critic]

Requirements:

1) No Trucks or SUVs of any type.
2) Must run on gasoline
3) Must be reliable (whatever that means to you)
4) Must run "OK" on 87 Octane
5) Must be nothing larger than a typical mid-sized family sedan
6) Fuel economy must be reasonable for its size/configuration. In other words, 30MPG from a VW Rabbit is unreasonable, at least in my book.
7) Must be less than $20,000 total, including TTL.
8) Must be Automatic, preferably 5-spd Automatic
9) Must be new

Currently on the list, in no particular order:

1) 2007 Hyundai Sonata SE 3.3L V6 w/Moonroof
2) 2007 Honda Civic EX 5AT
3) 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4-cyl w/Moonroof (price will drop next year as popularity fades)
4) 2007 Scion tC Auto (Maybe, as fuel economy sucks considering its size)

PS- I won't be the only driver of this vehicle. It will be a family car as well. My parents do not mind spending a few thousand dollars more for something a bit "nicer." My mother cannot handle huge cars, either, so a mid-sized sedan is already pushing it.

TIA.

 

[JHZR2]

avoid the civic, not worth it IMO

Camry and accord 4 cyl are good choices.

GM impala is a good deal

JMH

 

[JHZR2]

after reading your last post in the old thread, IMO, given thenew lines and looks of the camry, go for that. The accord may supposedly be a bit more 'athletic' but in reality, looks are 100% of the 'sporty' claims of most cars.

JMHJ

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

Camry would get my vote, nothing to touch it according to your requirements.
Roger

 

[badtlc]

I just got my 2006 mazda6i sport package with a 5spd ATX for $18,400. It gets 33-34 MPG on hwy trips and 29 in town. Its by far the best looking car in its class. the 6i (2.3l 4-banger) comes with 160hp and adding a CAI brings that up closer to 180-185hp. The i-sport package comes with 17" aluminum alloy wheels so no annoying plastic hub caps.

Not that you care, but here is a pic of my 6 for reference.

 

[JHZR2]

I didnt even think of the mazda 6... I would stick that up high on your list.

"sport package" 5 speed ATX... lol

JMH

 

[The Critic]

Neither have I, but I'm just concerned about the reliability of those Ford FNR5 transmissions. Ford automatics make me shiver.

 

[JHZR2]

any automatic makes me shiver. Treat it right and the wimpiest one can last a long time. treat it wrong, and the best GM trannys will die after a short time.

JMH

 

[The Critic]

quote:

---

Originally posted by JHZR2:
any automatic makes me shiver. Treat it right and the wimpiest one can last a long time. treat it wrong, and the best GM trannys will die after a short time.

JMH

---

If you're referring to driving style, then yes. If you're referring to maintenance, then no.

Tell me how my GM TAAT unit will last 200K on its original components. It won't. The pressure regulator valve bore will wear excessively due to problems with the materials used in the bore. An aftermarket Sonnex fix is to ream out the bore and install a steel sleeve, which will fix the excessive wear problem permanently.

Issues such as this, design flaws, are things that are preventing some of these newer units from lasting more than than 150-200K. Unless you can prove me wrong, on these newer units with advanced fluids, no amount of fluid changes could've compensated for design flaws such as the one in my TAAT. I don't disagree that regular maintenance is a good practice for preventive maintenance, but changing the fluid more often than necessary will be beneficial in terms of maintaining good shift quality, but may have little or no effect at all on the overall transmission life in comparison to a similar unit that has only received fluid changes at the required intervals.

 

[obbop]

Yes, Camry.

But, thou hast mentioned female fearful of size.

I witness this daily, many females (and a few males) unable to extend their "awareness" beyond their body and have great trouble placing their conveyance within their driving lane, parking spot, etc. Especially true with the narrow streets hereabouts. Plenty of room for two cars going in opposite directions yet, many females glare at me as they pull to the side and stop!!!! Guess they expect for me to stop to allow them by when there is absolutely no need to since there is ample room. Oh well. Typical American idiots.

Anyway, consider the Corolla. Very reliable. A bit smaller than Camry to ease female driving. And, with the inevitable $5 or more per gallon gas in the near future, ye will revel in the good gas mileage the car offers.

Expect prices of these small cars to soar in the near future. Buy now before the price skyrockets.

 

[01rangerxl]

I would look at the Mazda 3 and the Mazda 6. Both give you more bang for the buck compared to Hondas and Toyotas...especially since Mazda dealers tend to be a bit more humble than Honda and Toyota dealers.

 

[rpn453]

When I was looking for a new vehicle two years ago in a similar price range, I narrowed it down to the following vehicles for test driving, and this is my order of preference:

1) Mazda3
2) Honda Accord
2) Mazda6
4) Subaru Impreza
5) Nissan Altima

I put both the Accord and 6 at #2 because I'd need at least another test drive to separate which I preferred.

 

[Pablo]

My trip to SF a couple weeks ago involved a Mazda 6. No way.

Get a diesel. Too bad there aren't any.

 

[Fatboymoe]

Don't forget the Ford Fusion. I believe the 4cyl SE package starts at about 17k retail. That would be right in your ballpark.

 

[Alcibiades]

Since you've already mentioned the Civic, which would be my #2 recommendation, I would second the motion for the Corolla.

Treated well, it will be as reliable as you can get, better mpg even than the Civic (many report getting higher mpg than the EPA estimate, which is already at 41 for the highway). And it seems to have a larger interior "feel" than the Civic.

You could hardly go wrong with Honda, either, though.

 

[Al]

Civic. Corolla is too underpowered and doesn't get better milage.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

The dollar difference between the Corolla and some others might buy a substantial amount of fuel.

 

[AstroVic]

Chevy Impala

or

Chevy Malibu

Nice cars. Decent prices. Great crash ratings for their class. Loads of amenities (especially on the Impala). Cheap insurance. Powerful engines. Excellent gas mileage.

The Ford Fusions are also really nice and can be had in your price range. Go test drive them before you write them off. You might be surprised. (I was!)

 

[12glocks]

1) Subaru Impreza: super fun to drive, I've had 2. 1st choice if you ever travel in snow.
2) Civic: I've had 2, both were bulletproof, less fun to drive and less traction than Impreza.
3) Camry: I had 1 (V6), great cars, better room for long trips.

All 3 hold there value way better than a domestic.

 

[01rangerxl]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fatboymoe:
Don't forget the Ford Fusion. I believe the 4cyl SE package starts at about 17k retail. That would be right in your ballpark.

---

I completely forgot about the Fusion...definately give them a look! They are nice cars.