New Car

[Yup]

I probably won't buy one this year, but after 11 years I tire of the same monotony known as my current daily driver. I also appreciate that I know everything about it. And the fact that's it's relatively cheap transportation, compared to a new one.

So, if I bought a new car in 2016, what would you recommend? My requirements...I currently drive a Civic. I want at worst decent gas mileage (above 25mpgs combined). I don't have kids so room isn't a factor. The model I currently drive is the SI so it's "sporty". I want something FUN to drive (you know, so every once in a while I can have the thought of, "hope there weren't any cops around" when I push it to the floor). I want something that doesn't have annoying issues (like the [censored] that goes wrong in EVERY Civic ever created of this era...seat belts, air bag light, cam shaft implosion). And I want the car to cost less than $30K. I also want a car I can drive 75+ mph halfway across the country to visit family and friends that doesn't have a decibel level of a fighter jet (like the Civic I currently have) and that keeps it's RPM's under 4,500 at 80mph.

Ok, GO! What car would you choose and why??!?!??!?

 

[Nick1994]

Probably a WRX

ls1mike found a 2014 Camaro in his area for $27k

 

[Brybo86]

I love the new skyactiv Mazda 6...

Or of you like smaller the Mazda 3.

I haven't test driven them to know if they fulfill the highway db req.

For sure a mid 2000's LS430 would do it. They are described as driving a "tomb" it's so quiet.

Although they won't get 25 combined unless you are mostly highway miles.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Brybo86
I love the new skyactiv Mazda 6...

Or of you like smaller the Mazda 3.

I haven't test driven them to know if they fulfill the highway db req.

For sure a mid 2000's LS430 would do it. They are described as driving a "tomb" it's so quiet.

Although they won't get 25 combined unless you are mostly highway miles.


If you're going to mention Lexus, why not a Mercedes E350? Only way to get 25+ would be the Bluetec, diesel is cheaper than premium now. The 2014's start at about 30k and if you get one with under 50k, you can buy an extended warranty to cover you up to 7 years/100k. The 2012's are also decent, those came with the direct injection engine and 302hp, they start at 24k. One thing about Mercedes, they are super smooth and quiet, they don't cheap out on sound insulation.

 

[Fsharp]

Get a v6 Honda Accord coupe, that'll be fast and get good mileage. Alternatively you could get a v6 Camaro or mustang. These would be good options if you don't want to go with a used car.

 

[wkcars]

If I was looking for a brand new car I would look at Honda Accord EX-L V6, cheaper and less horsepower (still 189hp) option but with manual transmission would be Accord Sport. Quiet and comfortable, runs on regular 87 octane and gets great mileage for being a non hybrid.

 

[silverrat]

Ford Fiesta ST or Ford Focus ST, both around 3000rpm at 80

 

[jigen]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Ford Fiesta ST or Ford Focus ST, both around 3000rpm at 80


Our ST does exactly that. 3k RPM @80MPH. Fun to drive daily, and quick when it needs to be. Nice driving dynamics. Caters to the driver and not so much the passengers (a little rough suspension-wise as a passenger)

We average 24-27mpg with a lot of mixed driving.

But if I was shopping under 30k for fun and had no kids is look at the new mustang. The 2016 GT I test drove was much more livable as a daily driver than the 2010-2014 model before it.

 

[CT8]

You will have to get to the dealerships and go for some test drives.

 

[deven]

VW Golf TDI

 

[Gasbuggy]

New 5.0 Mustang would probably fit your budget. If not, 2.3 Ecoboost mustang. Live a little.

 

[Olas]

Think of how much performance you could build for the same price.

supra, m3, STI etc etc are cooler, faster, more fun, less boring, and overall a far better choice than any modern boring bland Eco-box that you could buy for the same price.

For the "less than 30k" you could even have a 911, Corvette, early R8s are dropping in price..there's really no reason to look at anything that hasn't depreciated yet, or anything that doesn't go fast enoug to scare you.

 

[GMBoy]

I see alot of good ideas of used cars posted but I interpreted your post to basically mean you are considering NEW cars that are sporty, reasonably peppy, not too expensive and have high MPG's. I would recommend you take a look at the Chevy Cruze/Buick Verano.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
New 5.0 Mustang would probably fit your budget. If not, 2.3 Ecoboost mustang. Live a little.


Yep. Nothing wrong with enjoying your car a bit. LOTS of great choices out there, the fun is in the test drive...

 

[Eddie]

The new Mazda CX3. Good mileage, sits high enough to see all around, data states fairly quiet and fun to drive. Worth a test drive in my opinion. Ed

 

[cptbarkey]

I blast up and down texas toll roads at 85+ in a 14 camry, you can too.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: jigen
But if I was shopping under 30k for fun and had no kids is look at the new mustang. The 2016 GT I test drove was much more livable as a daily driver than the 2010-2014 model before it.

It gets a lot worse MPG than the 25 mpg combined that the OP was asking for, but I agree, it's a lot of car for the money.

 

[AZjeff]

Yup, clarify, did you mean (NEW)new, or new to you (USED)?

 

[05LGTLtd]

Can you live with 2 doors?

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
I blast up and down texas toll roads at 85+ in a 14 camry, you can too.


My old Corolla is practically invisible to the police but 85 is about its top comfortable cruising speed. My new Camry does 90 with ease on the highways in Jersey.

Had a 15 Mustang rental for a week. Like my Camry a lot more.

If you like Honda, get an Accord or another Civic. The V6 Accord I test drove felt a lot faster than the V6 Mustang I rented.