So, my wife is starting a new job, and trading up.
her demands:
Comfortable for 35k mile a year driving,
Sporty, fun to drive
30+ mpg highway
room for 2 children under 4
awd/fwd/rwd doesn't matter
auto/stick doesn't matter
"If you suggest a BMW we are getting a divorce"
$18500 tops
My vote is a GTI/GLI but shes not sold on the idea.
What say you?
I once told my wife, "If I die, whenever you need a new car down the road, just go to Honda and choose whichever model suits your needs best.". Ever since I got her to drink the Honda KoolAid, my life as a husband has been far simpler and less stressful She drove Fords when I met her. That was a train wreck. Think Focus with dual clutch tranny.
Mazda3?
Prius V, the recently discontinued wagon version. Which has an enormous rear seat. Are still dealing with rear facing kid seat(s)?
CRV/Rav4
Is her definition of "sporty" the same as we would choose? I ask because she was Luke warm on the GLI and you are against BMW.
Newer Mazda6 or a first gen facelift Genesis.
2017 Accord Sport
2019 Corolla hatch. 20K MSRP .Easily wil get it in your budget.
Biturbo. Best mpg on the planet.
V6 Accord
$18.5 will get you a new, low option Sonata/Optima or a better equipped Elantra/Forte
Let her choose, above all.
I once asked my SO why she picked a Civic. "Because it fit me"
+1 on the Mazda 3 or Mazda 6.
Accord is a good option too, although I find them to be more bland in every way than the Mazda equivalent, outside of acceleration.
No way on the VW.
Volvoclearinghouse on here got a new Mazda 3 hatch for $18k or thereabouts. 35k miles a year is basically new or very lightly used car territory. Anything else and you'll be working on it within a year or two even just for major scheduled PM. I would say new Mazda 3 hatch or other new Asian car.
Also, is the 35k/year from commuting? That's too dang much driving.
35k miles a year? With those requirements I'm looking at a Volt, Optima hybrid, or a CT200h
Mazda 5
Mazda 3, Accord sport,Civic, or Mazda 6, all with a manual, in that order. Easy.
Yes, 35k miles a year give or take committing. She is interested in the Mazda 3 hatch so far.... Are those the 2.5l now? Reliable?
You can get the 2.5L or 2.0L, the 2.5L has a bit more oomph. Extremely reliable.
Edit: and, I should add, fun to drive with the stick - that's why I put it at the top of the list.
Oh! And the new Corolla hatch is supposed to be great with a manual, but I have not driven it. Try that too?
New Volkswagens come with a really long warranty to make up for all the bull-E36 M3tery they pulled.
A non-GTI Golf may work well, and it may slot in close to that price point.
Base model Mazda 3.
Enjoy life.
If you go for the 3 and want to wait a few months you could be one of the first with the new Skyactiv-X… the extra fuel economy might be nice if you’re driving that many miles.
Go for the stick now, you'll get a better deal on it and I don't think we know yet whether the new engine will be auto-only.
therieldeal said:If you go for the 3 and want to wait a few months you could be one of the first with the new Skyactiv-X… the extra fuel economy might be nice if you’re driving that many miles.
What is this witchcraft you speak of?
Sorry, I'm not well versed in the Mazda world.
New Corolla does look really nice on paper too
tjbell said:therieldeal said:If you go for the 3 and want to wait a few months you could be one of the first with the new Skyactiv-X… the extra fuel economy might be nice if you’re driving that many miles.
What is this witchcraft you speak of?
Sorry, I'm not well versed in the Mazda world.
New Corolla does look really nice on paper too
It's some pretty nifty sounding new tech... Gasoline engine with Spark Controlled Compression Ignition. First of its kind in a production car.
http://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/mazda-stories/engineers/skyactiv-x/
I was going to recommend the new Corolla hatch too, but I don't think you can get one at this price point.
Same is true to for the 3 with the Skyactiv X engine which will be nowhere near 18k when it finally comes out.
The OP should be looking for a 2015ish Mazda 3 with either the 2.0 or 2.5 (I've driven both and while the 2.5 is preferable and doesn't give up much if any in terms of MPG, the 2.0 is sweet too). The auto trans is fantastic too, especially in Sport mode. Very reliable cars, great to drive, great MPGs, nicer inside than similar ilk. It's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. My ONLY complaint is that the leatherette seat cushions are tough for taller drivers (me) to get comfortable in on the Grand Touring trim. My shorter wife had no problem.
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