Lots of great options now in compacts

I had a friend just text me and ask for recommendations for a car to replace her dead Saturn SL1. The list is really long!

I'm just impressed by the number and quality of competitors in the small family sedan/ hatch segment right now. 5 years ago when we bought our Honda Fit, there was really no competition for it.

Yes there is, if you can afford around $25,000+ for a new COMPACT (The one's I look at anyway) But yes, alot good stuff. My income can't keep up with inflation though...boo! I looked at the new ST on the lot...$29,000 for a Focus?! Granted they were loaded up. In 5-10 years it will be awesome though when these cars depreciate. But by then I'll be older and probably won't care as much.

My GLS manual Elantra was $17K in 2011

125K later it has had one set of plugs, an air filter and a cabin filter.

In reply to aussiesmg:

You drive alot

Yeah price creep is a real pain. Our Fit was less than $15k out the door in 2008.

The lease deal on the Chevy Volt makes it a very attractive option for non-enthusiasts.

The used market is screwy too. I'd love to pick up a Mazda3 hatch but they're hardly depriciating unless you're looking at cars with a ton of mileage. New makes sense because of that issue but then I look at payments to own and they're higher than I want to deal with. Catch 22, or just me wanting some free cake, I guess.

In reply to pres589:

I know what you mean. Screwed either way.

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to aussiesmg: You drive alot

Around 60K a year in the Elantra and another 25 to 30K on weekends is my average.

1,000,000 miles every 11 years is my estimate

Fletch1 wrote: Yes there is, if you can afford around $25,000+ for a new COMPACT (The one's I look at anyway) But yes, alot good stuff. My income can't keep up with inflation though...boo! I looked at the new ST on the lot...$29,000 for a Focus?! Granted they were loaded up. In 5-10 years it will be awesome though when these cars depreciate. But by then I'll be older and probably won't care as much.

You should be waaaay under $15k out the door for a new Mazda2, or around $16k for a new Fit.

bastomatic wrote: Yeah price creep is a real pain. Our Fit was less than $15k out the door in 2008. The lease deal on the Chevy Volt makes it a very attractive option for non-enthusiasts.

Are they wheeling and dealing again? I thought those deals were long gone. I have seen Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) advertised at $150/month recently though. I'd be pushing it on the mileage to get to and from work...as well as the overage on miles per year...like double. Otherwise I'd STRONGLY consider leasing the Leaf.

In reply to poopshovel:

Seriously on the 2, dealerships can't seem to give the things away. I drove one over a year ago and STILL get calls asking if I want a deal. The last was for a 2012 red touring manual for 11 grand.

I can't really afford it, but when you consider it gets nearly double the mileage of the Vic...

In reply to poopshovel:

True. But I want one with some POWER.
The St, Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, GTI I think are around $23,000-$24,500 with no options. I just "built" a new Fiesta ST with Recaro's for over $24,000. I'm sure there are many others. I think I might just go look at a used Fit at Hennessy Honda .

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to poopshovel: True. But I want one with some POWER. The St, Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, GTI I think are around $23,000-$24,500 with no options. I'm sure there are many others. I think Hennessy Honda has a nice used Fit I might go look at.

Actually, it's at the Mazda Dealership, and they're asking top-dollar, as I worked 'em good on the trade-in

I'd bet you could get into the MS3 for a tick over $20k. Shop on the last day of the month, and bring me with you.

In reply to poopshovel:

Oh yeah, I forgot.

The last was for a 2012 red touring manual for 11 grand.

Holy crap.

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to poopshovel: True. But I want one with some POWER. The St, Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, GTI I think are around $23,000-$24,500 with no options. I just "built" a new Fiesta ST with Recaro's for over $24,000. I'm sure there are many others. I think I might just go look at a used Fit at Hennessy Honda .

I hear they are great at something or another.....bag of dicks

Be sure to get the manual transmission service with all the extras, like putting the plug back in.

I just bought a used Tacoma Dbl Cab 4x4 that is going to serve multiple purposes in the future and it sucks not being able to own one of these current compacts. I also drive an automatic Civic and it's sucking the life out of me

poopshovel wrote:

The last was for a 2012 red touring manual for 11 grand.

Holy crap.

The salesguy told me that I had been the only person to test drive a manual 2 in MONTHS, so I guess that's why it's been left on the lot.

Damn it, now I'm thinking about it again. I oughta go back and see if the AC can go to the "meat locker" setting that I love in the P71 in 90-100 degree temps.

In reply to Fletch1:

Maybe buy some nice seats and drop into a Mazda2? I have to admit, though, that the Fiesta looks so much nicer than the 2, like the 2 is meant for rental use only and the Fiesta is a normal car. It's hard to explain and I'm sure the 2 is a fine product just like the Fiesta.

In reply to pres589:

That idea plus the following link and we may have a good idea http://www.fordracingparts.com/fiesta/

Paid $10,500 for the '10 Forte last September with 18k miles. Well worth the drive to go get it.

poopshovel wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: Yes there is, if you can afford around $25,000+ for a new COMPACT (The one's I look at anyway) But yes, alot good stuff. My income can't keep up with inflation though...boo! I looked at the new ST on the lot...$29,000 for a Focus?! Granted they were loaded up. In 5-10 years it will be awesome though when these cars depreciate. But by then I'll be older and probably won't care as much.

You should be waaaay under $15k out the door for a new Mazda2, or around $16k for a new Fit.

My wife's Fit Sport stickered at $18k in 2010. Got it for $17.2 IIRC. They don't seem to depreciate much, either.