Camry?

[odie]

How about a SUBARU Outback or Forester with the manual transmission . A relative gets 30 > 32 with her 2011 OUTBACK with automatic . Should do better with a manual and $1,000 less than an automatic . Would be easy for the young ones to get into . Test drive both and may fit your tastes . Let us know on what you decide . Best of luck .

 

[IndyIan]

Or a Mazda6, probably more of them than any other midsize car were ordered with a manual trans. If your wife likes driving Mazda is probably a good brand to start with. Maybe even the Tribute had different spec'd suspension and steering feel?

 

[supton]

I've been leery of Subaru. They seem to rust, then again everything rusts I guess. But a couple years ago I was looking at Baja's for fun (the more recent ones), it seemed like I ran across rust issues and radiator issues. Also for some reason clutches don't last on Subaru's (could be poor driving). I know my father was never happy with his '04 Forrester with auto; I think he only gets 25mpg in that and he drives it like the old man he is. [Gets 28mpg in mom's Alero, despite its V6.] But I guess they have gotten past that headgasket issue by now, and basing opinions on prior performance might not always be a good thing.

We're both a little worried about Mazda. It's a Ford, or cross pollinated with Ford, and, well, it could be a Ford. Coworkers Mazda lost compression on the V6, not sure when but long before 100k. We also don't understand the need for 17" rubber nor spoilers--zoom zoom, we just need to get from point A to point B. We're too old to think we're hip...

Wife never liked driving her mom's Caravan ('87 vintage?). She said it felt like it was always ready to tip over. The CRV is better in that respect. But is it still tipsy? Also, we've both made it 10+ years in snowy NH with just FWD. What is AWD going to buy, other than less mpg's?

Will pass recommendations along, though.

 

[supton]

Oh, and I should point out, she knows she won't get everything she wants. She wants to ultimately get from point a to point b, not cost a lot, get good mpgs, and last long. Very preferably in green.

 

[supton]

Ok, my wife's input as to "driving feel". I guess she's not picky, as much as bored with auto. She in no way pushes cars to their limit.

****

Outback in stick gets worse mpg than even the Mazda5 and doesn't have the seating flexibility, so if it were between those two I'd rather have the Mazda5.

The actual shifting is what makes it fun for me, otherwise I think all cars are equally "fun to drive". I mean, what's the difference between automatics in terms of fun driving? My boat (re: an '87 Cutlass RWD 5.0V8/auto), my mom's minivan (re: '87 Caravan 3.0V6/auto), my mom's CRV (re: '04 CRV/auto), and my Dad's Shadow (some older V6/auto) were all equally "fun to drive" to me. The Mazda5 in automatic was the same, just a little less annoying going up hills than the CRV because it actually chose the right gear at the right time - wasn't as fun to drive as my car (re: '01 Civic stick).

 

[PandaBear]

I'd say based on only those criteria a compact 4 door sedan like Corolla / Civic / Focus / Cruze / Mazda3 / Sentra / etc would work. If too small move up one size, seriously, anything. Why force yourself to buy a crossover or SUV or van if it isn't needed and you don't like tipsy ride? At most they are going to drive like a car and a very lousy car in terms of handling, and expensive.

You really have to test drive a few to see what works and what doesn't.

 

[johnachak]

I guess I'm spoiled having at least 20 different dealers within 15 minutes of me. Let me tell you, if they want to sell me a car they have to work for it... I test drive em all... and I love comparing all the different cars.
Its no work for me, only fun. They have to work to sell me.

 

[johnachak]

Just be thankful you live where you live. A manual gets really old within a month in the traffic around here. Besides, the newest automatics are rated better mileage than some manuals.
I loved driving a stick until I made one my daily driver... traded iT QUICK!

 

[johnachak]

Quote

She also ran the numbers, and it appears that her car is running at 26cents/mile. I would have thought less, as I had been running something like 22-25 on my Jetta (more expensive car, but more miles and better mpg, I guess). Ouch. [/quote]

Yo dude, my wife enjoys driving and the considers the kids safety. I don't know what to tell you if she considers cost per mile over fun/safety per drive... good luck Dude. You have your hands full.

 

[odie]

Then I would suggest you give the lowest model CAMRY with the 6 speed manual transmission a try . New Hampshire TOYOTA dealers have 0% for 60 months with an additional $500 off ( depends on credit score ) or $1,000 off . Should get additional dealer discount along with the 0% w/ $500 discount or the $1,000 off , goes to you and dealer , so no money out of their pocket .

 

[supton]

That's what we're thinking--base model Camry (once we get around to driving one). With the 0% financing it's very attractive. She's gotten the 10 years she wanted out of her Honda, we've gotten our money's worth out of it I think, and for peace of mind I'd like for her to upgrade (I have ABS and 6 airbags; she does not). Then I'm not sure if we'll keep the Honda as a spare vehicle or not--I do drive a VW, after all!

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: johnachak

Yo dude, my wife enjoys driving and the considers the kids safety. I don't know what to tell you if she considers cost per mile over fun/safety per drive... good luck Dude. You have your hands full.


Err, I'm not following. I'm not sure where I said that she considers cost over safety. She's not driving a 1905 Model T, just a 10 year old Civic.

We look at all the aspects. I'm sure a Volvo is safer, but you pay more per mile for that safety (depreciation + fuel cost per mile) -- and is it really that much more safe in the event of an accident?

 

[odie]

Camry has knee air bag too .

 

[supton]

Bought the Camry.

Wife liked it. A lot. Me, it's not bad, actually it's pretty good. Nice drivetrain, six speed manual is not bad, nice and quiet. Handling is not sports car--but eh, not a bad commuter. Goes fast w/o realizing. Worse aspect is the seats--I didn't like. Wife didn't care for the headrests either. But she liked the seats, and thinks the car is great all around.

It's also in my color, not hers. I guess we can call that a compromise.

Time for headlight covers and trailer hitch, and snow tires, and then we should be set for a few years.

Thanks all.

 

[odie]

Congrats . Did dealer give a discount of their own along with the 0% / $500 rebate from TOYOTA corp ? Keep us updated on gas mileage and other experiences . Best of luck and enjoy .

 

[johnachak]

Err, I'm not following. I'm not sure where I said that she considers cost over safety. She's not driving a 1905 Model T, just a 10 year old Civic.

We look at all the aspects. I'm sure a Volvo is safer, but you pay more per mile for that safety (depreciation + fuel cost per mile) -- and is it really that much more safe in the event of an accident? [/quote]

Just trying to give you a heads up. Many manufa turers vary the number /type of airbags, antilock etc with the option package of the cars. Make sure that the model with the manual has all the airbags etc. I really do think the Volvo would be safer in a crash JMO.

I guess since I've gotten older and have seen the results of many crashes, I tend to spend more on a heavier car with as much safety apparatus as possible.

If price per mile is the main concern, safety might suffer. That is all I meant.

 

[johnachak]

Use in the best of health!!
Enjoy!

 

[supton]

Ah, gotcha. We've managed to avoid most accidents, so we haven't been worried about it. Not much anyhow.

We did get 0% apr, 500 rebate, 2700 on the Civic; wound up extending their "free" 25k maintance out to 55k for another $1k (includes one free set of tires). There's this paint guard that we also got ($800) that we have to go back for; wife does not like the rock chips on my car... She also wanted the extended 125k warrenty--at 25k we were going to drive out of warrenty before payoff--plus it would have paid for itself on her Civic we think. [Funny how it did not pay for itself on my VW!]

I would have liked to pay less, but who doesn't? I'm kinda jealous now, she's got a shiny car now and mine's not. Might have to go wash mine today, methinks.

We keep logs on all receipts, and try to keep on top of costs/mile. Will do so again. I'm guessing we'll be able to tell who's driving, based upon the mpg.

 

[sciphi]

I had a ride in a Camry outfitted for pace car duty this morning around Watkins Glen International's short course. That car flew around the track, and had scary amounts of grip. I'm not sure what they did to it, but it sure was fun to be whizzing around in a Camry that handled very aggressive driving quite nicely.

Not sure what relevance that had, besides it was a current-generation Camry.

 

[supton]

lol

Well, I drove it around today, tomorrow I get to drive "my" car again (the Jetta). With any luck I'll be able to A/B it. No doubt about it, it's a relaxed, low key ride. It's the kind of car where it's nice to drive with the windows up and the radio *off*, so you can either enjoy the conversation--or the silence.