Best small commuter car.

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: LS8
Edmunds prefers the Mazda3 over the current gen Civic. I have driven them both and I like the Mazda3 better myself.

but as a pure commuter car, mileage is usually concerned. I love my mazda3, but it doesn't win in that category. but it's fun as hell to drive

 

[LucJoe]

I have to admit the Focus has me interested, updating main list with the interesting options and their prices.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

The Corolla wins for lowest TCO and highest MPG. I agree it's not as attractive or fun to drive as the Civic, but it is cheaper and more economical.

Possibly look at the new Matrix as an alternative? I like the styling, and you would get lots of cargo space.

 

[hans030390]

The Focus is fugly.

Civic = Win.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: hans030390
The Focus is fugly.

Civic = Win.

if you were to suggest a small car that isn't ugly you'd suggest a mazda3 or a mitsu lancer

 

[Synomenon]

Op, how long can you wait on a new car? Since the Scion xA has been discontinued, Toyota is releasing a four door Yaris hatchback this year. Same size as the 2 door hatchback too.

 

[desy]

A Yaris isn't what he had in mind
He's bigger wants a least a compact not a sub
He didn't say how many miles a yr he puts on but, quite often, in the compact class of vehicles a civic to a 3 is maybe $200 a yr diff in fuel. I'd buy what I want as opposed to settling in a class of vehicle.

a coworker chose a Astra over the Civic cause they spec out close to the same and GM has awesome finanacing and Civics are too common.

 

[ElFenix]

astras are another good looking car

 

[PricklyPete]

VW Rabbit? Not everyone is a fan...but a test drive is worth it. Reliability is always in question here...but the feel of the car along with the nicer interior would put it high on my list.

I wish they offered the same engines in the US that they offer here as the 1.6FSI (direct injection) I've been driving here in the UK as a rental for the last month has been a peach and I've easily been averaging 42mpg (around 33.6mpg by US standards) with 60% city / 40% highway driving.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
Op, how long can you wait on a new car? Since the Scion xA has been discontinued, Toyota is releasing a four door Yaris hatchback this year. Same size as the 2 door hatchback too.

The xD replaced the xA, though the Yaris may be closer in spirit to the original xA than the xD is.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: ElFenix


the annoying mr. opportunity honda ads haven't tipped you off already?

That has got to be one of the worst car ad campaigns ever.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: ElFenix


the annoying mr. opportunity honda ads haven't tipped you off already?

That has got to be one of the worst car ad campaigns ever.

Honda has never had a decent ad campaign, ever.

 

[theeedude]

For good balance between economy and fun, I'd get a Mazda3i with the 2L engine.

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: ElFenix


the annoying mr. opportunity honda ads haven't tipped you off already?

That has got to be one of the worst car ad campaigns ever.

Honda has never had a decent ad campaign, ever.

i thought the element & friends series wasn't too bad...but still nothing great.


OP, i have an 07 civic si sedan and i love it. if you don't want to buy the si though, make sure you don't drive the si, otherwise you'll want it

 

[Arkaign]

The 'Fit is Go' ad campaign was awesome IMHO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_GVvkEPN8U

And the obligatory Chuck Norris Honda moment :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlaZ-vKXTxI&feature=user

 

[LucJoe]

Went to the Saturn, Ford, Toyota, and Mazda dealerships today.

- There were at least 50 astras in stock... crazy! I really liked the design/price, they are offering $3000 off sticker and willing to negotiate further.
- I liked the Focus, and there probably ~15 on the lot, and the guy was acting like he was in no hurry to sell em ("We sell at least 4 of these a day" lol) Only promotion going on these was $1500 rebate OR better financing.
- Mazda had very few 3s in stock, probably 10 on the lot and at least half of those had a sold sticker on them.
- Toyota had ONE corolla on the lot.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: LucJoe
Went to the Saturn, Ford, Toyota, and Mazda dealerships today.

- There were at least 50 astras in stock... crazy! I really liked the design/price, they are offering $3000 off sticker and willing to negotiate further.
- I liked the Focus, and there probably ~15 on the lot, and the guy was acting like he was in no hurry to sell em ("We sell at least 4 of these a day" lol) Only promotion going on these was $1500 rebate OR better financing.
- Mazda had very few 3s in stock, probably 10 on the lot and at least half of those had a sold sticker on them.
- Toyota had ONE corolla on the lot.

Sweet, you're doing it right man .. good luck and have fun with whatever you end up with.

 

[LucJoe]

Saturn is offering me $3500 off sticker for an Astra, which is well below invoice (the guy I talked to said invoice was about 800 under sticker). I don't really know about how this process works. Is this a good deal? Anything I should watch out for? Signing the paperwork tomorrow.

 

[desy]

Go to Edmunds to figure out factory invoice

 

[LucJoe]

Invoice is ~$1300 under msrp. So $3500 seems like a killer deal...

I'm trying to talk myself out of going there after work and signing the papers. :laugh:

 

[QurazyQuisp]

I personally think the current focus is rather ugly. I drive one, however it isn't the current body style. If I were in the market for a focus specifically I'd wait a year until the Euro focus is here, which imho is leaps and bounds better looking not to mention you'll be able to get a hatch!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: LucJoe
Saturn is offering me $3500 off sticker for an Astra, which is well below invoice (the guy I talked to said invoice was about 800 under sticker). I don't really know about how this process works. Is this a good deal? Anything I should watch out for? Signing the paperwork tomorrow.

do you only have one saturn dealer in town? (edit: in chicago you probably have several)


unless you really need the car today i wouldn't sign anything yet.


check on carsdirect to see what their price is (that's the max you should pay) and when any specials might expire (there may be factory to dealer specials that aren't published, however)

 

[Turin39789]

I like the new focus too.

If you look at hatches, you have the yaris, fit, suzuki, focus, mazda3, etc. That's the market we were looking at last year, but we were looking at used, ended up going with the discontinued Scion Xa, only thing it is missing is cruise control, otherwise a nice all around car w/ good efficiency.