Dwnshift also has 2 kids in the same age range as dculberson and me.
Dwnshift also has 2 kids in the same age range as dculberson and me.
My wife’s GTI hasn’t left her stranded yet, just had annoying issues that required dealer work(shifter assembly, AC system, fuel pump recall). I think it is getting close to 70k miles after 3.5 years. It is a really nice car to drive, and way more comfortable than my WRX, but yeah, don’t expect one to never have problems.
Im guessing a used Prius is way out there, due to the lack of fun factor? I haven’t heard about the newer ones, but I seem to recall the 2nd/3rd gen models had a reputation for being extremely reliable and having a low cost of ownership.
Yeah the Prius just doesn’t do it for me. I respect them and if I was in a tighter financial spot I’d be all over one.
I think I need to decide first on size. If it’s to stay the commuter for the foreseeable future I think Klayfish has me convinced to go Mazda 3 touring. It looks like touring to Grand Touring gains you some real leather, Bose audio, and a heated steering wheel. I think I can live without those for the $3k price jump. Is there more than that??
dculberson said:Yeah the Prius just doesn’t do it for me. I respect them and if I was in a tighter financial spot I’d be all over one.
I think I need to decide first on size. If it’s to stay the commuter for the foreseeable future I think Klayfish has me convinced to go Mazda 3 touring. It looks like touring to Grand Touring gains you some real leather, Bose audio, and a heated steering wheel. I think I can live without those for the $3k price jump. Is there more than that??
From Edmunds, here's what comes with the '17 GT trim:
"LED foglights, a gloss-black grille insert, a digital speedometer, a head-up display and full leather upholstery. The Premium Equipment package adds adaptive LED headlights and daytime running lights, LED taillights, a heated steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a navigation system. Also optional for the Grand Touring is the i-Activsense Safety Package, which adds a more capable forward collision warning and mitigation system, a lane departure warning and intervention system, automatic high-beam headlight control and adaptive cruise control. Separately, the i-Eloop package adds the i-Eloop energy recovery system and active grille shutters."
For me, the heads up display isn't a must, but I'd like it (wife's old Bonnie SSEi had one). However, I agree it's debatable whether it's worth it or not.
If you have any ability to do without the long roof, the Mazda6 is very similar, just a bit larger.
Klayfish said:If you're interested in Hyundai/Kia, use the depreciation curve to your advantage. Buy a 2 or 3 year old one. You'll pay a fraction of the new price and still have a newish, low mileage nice car that you can use for 10 years.
I'd be very cautious of a VW, regardless of how little you drive. I just don't trust them.
Both of these things I highly suggest. I wouldn't buy another new one, but I'll gladly pick up a 2 year old car with factory warranty still left on it for 60% of the new price.
Also, the depreciation curve is climbing way too damn fast for people like me. The same car that I could pick up running/drivng for $1500 3 years ago is now $2500. The newer stuff is keeping more value than the domestic stuff lately and catching up to the Japanese. I've been seeing used Nissans in the same era selling less than the respective Hy/Kia.
Chevy Volt or its Cadillac cousin? Add some lowering springs from a Cobalt and sportier tires....
Focus ST? (I'd say the RS, but it won't touch 30mpg except hypermiling it on the highway, but they make great occasional kid haulers).
Seriously, do I have to say it?
PS - I miss being able to size photos on the board.
CPO Manual CX-5. 16 was the last year stick shift was available before new body style. You could probably get a 2nd gen Mazda 5 with 6 speed pretty cheap at this point. I think the Elantra GT hatch is a nice car for the money. The previous body style seem to be a good car for the money currently. I know it is down on power compared to other suggestions in this thread but how about a Fit?
If you are okay with ze Germans, the Golf Sportwagens/GTI are nice cars. They are a bit of a unicorn but you can get a regular Sportwagen with manual and all wheel drive. The VW dealer nearby where SWMBO gets her Jetta serviced had a new one not too long ago..
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