Friend Is Looking For A Car

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The Critic

The Critic

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My buddy is looking for a new car. Here are the requirements:

1) Decent fuel economy (average low to mid 20s)
2) Has lots of cargo space. Must be able to hold a surfboard.
3) Must have a comfortable rear seat. (This rules out the Mazda 3 hatch)
4) Doesn't "sit up" high. So, that rules out most crossover/CUVs and SUVs.
5) Price must be 20k, +/- 1k.
6) Can't be a Toyota Matrix as his parents already have one.
7) Brand must have an established dealer network, so this rules out Suzuki.

So far, the best suggestion I can come up with is a 2010 Jetta SportWagen Base Model. Relatively "simple" car by VW standards ;), decent fuel economy, acceptable styling, lots of space and decent driving dynamics. Price is about $19.5k.

Suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Elantra Touring. My requirements aren't that much different, and if I were looking for a new car, that's what I'd get. Decent looking, reliable and a ton of room.

I wish I could say the new Focus wagon, but it seems that Ford thinks Americans don't like wagons--euro only.
 
Nissan Rogue? A little more than the $21k ceiling, but not by much. Sits up relatively high, but not super high. Not much higher (if any) than a Matrix, which it sounds like he'd consider if not for his parents having one.
 
Take a serious look at a Nissan Sentra. They're all four doors now, the rear seat is sized well for a car in that class, and it folds FLAT to provide lots of interior cargo space...a full sized mountain bike can lay flat between the front seat backs and the rear entry.

The base model Sentra has a 2.0 four cylinder that delivers steady power and economy numbers in the range you're seeking. Prices start in the $17,000 neighborhood.

If your friend wants to ante up and go all the way, there is a Sentra SE-R Spec V that offers a 200hp 2.5 litre engine mated to a six speed manual gearbox with oversized disc brakes and handling suspension at all four corners with soft compound street tires, body bracing for stability, a Rockford-Fosgate sound system and all the cargo space of a standard Sentra for around $21,000...making it one of the best bargains (and best kept "secrets"!) in the performance car market!

If that's going too far, there is a standard Sentra SE-R with a 170hp version of the 2.5 mated to a CVT drivetrain, with aluminum wheels and other styling cues shared with the hotter Spec V.

Or, just a nice Sentra SE with the 2.0 as a step up from the base model...any way you take it, you get a lot of car for your money.
 
Achhh! Low to mid 20s isnt decent fuel mileage for an under 3500 lb vehicle!

Subaru Impreza 5 door hatch out the door for under 18K - plus its got awd. Smooth ride, good interior room. He/She would also get over 28MPG in real world driving and bluesubie would give you excellent maintenance advice!
subaru_impreza_2_5_trunk.jpg
 
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+1
The Impreza 5dr is a great value for the content you get, and is even fairly attractive.
What's up with Subaru these days?
Even the new Legacy is pretty good looking.
In the past, Subarus always looked at least a little odd.
 
Generic blah/bland styling. Actually I dont like clear tail light lenses and I like the Sedan styling better - esp from the rear - sort of BMW ish. Subarus is going mainstream and loosing the far lefties as it moves to centre. I loved the Edselish nose on the prev gen tribeca - it looks like nothing memorable now. Bland and blah. I also like the prev gen Impreza styling much better.
 
Originally Posted By: JOD
Elantra Touring. My requirements aren't that much different, and if I were looking for a new car, that's what I'd get. Decent looking, reliable and a ton of room.

I wish I could say the new Focus wagon, but it seems that Ford thinks Americans don't like wagons--euro only.
That Elantra wagon is a sleeper in the Wagon market. IMO the VW would be in the shop constantly. Bosch electronics - Eeegad! And arent those VW made all over the place I was looking at a jetta and I recall seeing Czec republic, China and Mexico in one window sticker! Each component was made in far corners of the planet! Now thats Global sourcing. Even so I have been courting a Base 5cyl 2.5 Rabbit 3 door hatch (now golf again) for my next purchase... am a glutton for punishment!
elantra5door.jpg
 
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I'll have him take another look at the Impreza. He was concerned about the MPG and we simply don't need AWD around here. Do those still have a timing belt? Subsets are rather high maintenance so I don't know if I'd feel comfortable recommending them. Have they solved the headgasket problems?

The Rouge is out because it drives like an SUV. The Sentra isn't big enough for a surfboard and other things. Plus, the 4-cyl/CVT combo's drivability isn't that great.

Elantra Touring has an ancient drivetrain and the engine has a timing belt. But styling and driving dynamics are still lacking.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Generic blah/bland styling. Actually I dont like clear tail light lenses and I like the Sedan styling better - esp from the rear - sort of BMW ish. Subarus is going mainstream and loosing the far lefties as it moves to centre. I loved the Edselish nose on the prev gen tribeca - it looks like nothing memorable now. Bland and blah. I also like the prev gen Impreza styling much better.


I should have added to my post: all 3 of those Subarus from PREVIOUS generation. They sure made them ugly and blah for the current gen.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird

I should have added to my post: all 3 of those Subarus from PREVIOUS generation. They sure made them ugly and blah for the current gen.

I think his main requirement was that it needs to be new though.
 
Well, the Caliber has a lot of storage room.. The interior is pretty bland though they improved the materials a little bit for 2010. Powertrain is rather underwhelming. Not very fast with either 2.0 or 2.4, and the CVT is... Well nothing particularly wrong with it, just isn't great. Engine is bulletproof though, timing chain. Same engines used by Hyundai. Ride is firm but smooth (much like my focus). Really, there isn't anything BAD I can think of about the Caliber it's just..... Not exceptional. Worth taking a quick glance at the very least maybe.

Impreza is most likely better, though MPGs will be a bit lower.
 
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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

I think his main requirement was that it needs to be new though.

yep. my bad.

How about a Mazda 3 or a 6 then?
 
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Originally Posted By: The Critic
I'll have him take another look at the Impreza. He was concerned about the MPG and we simply don't need AWD around here. Do those still have a timing belt? Subsets are rather high maintenance so I don't know if I'd feel comfortable recommending them. Have they solved the headgasket problems?

...
We get 29 combined with E10 on our Forester. Can he drive a stick? Other than the T-belt the subaru is is pretty low maintenance. I ignore the rec to change the double-platinum plugs and flushing brake fluid at 30K since my wife drives 25K a year and that stuff just hasnt aged enough. Just a T-Belt/ idler kit, plugs, brake flush at 60K other than Oil and Filters at 7.5K . Subaru lets you choose oil weight the old fashioned way - anything from 5w30 to SAE 40 monograde is allowed in the correct temp range. The H-gasket issue on early EJ253 N?A appears to be solved.
 
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