Car recommendation

[child of wonder]

I'm pondering the idea of replacing my 2007 Honda Civic and have been doing some research online for the last hour and haven't really found a car that is convincing me to make the plunge.

My 2007 Civic has been a work horse the last 18 months. Due to my job, I've put almost 40,000 miles during that time. As long as I've owned the car, it has ALWAYS had squeaky brakes. The pads have been replaced 3 times and the rotors twice through two different car mechanics but the problem still persists. Even after the latest pad and rotor replacement I still hear moderate squeaking when I brake at high speeds.

Since I've spent nearly $1,000 trying to fix the issue, I'm considering dumping it for something else.

My requirements for a replacement are:

1. Good gas mileage. 30+ mpg
2. Fun to drive.
3. Decent acceleration. Not looking for a race car but I'm sick of driving ~130hp 4 cylinder engines.
4. Good resale value
5. 4 door sedan
6. Automatic transmission

Anyone have recommendations? The 2012 Ford Focus ST looks intriguing but doesn't come out for another 3+ months and only comes in a hatchback with a MT.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Right off the bat, I was going to recommend a Focus. But the issue here is, one of your requirements that the car has to be an automatic... Focus' auto tranny has spotty issues, such as, rough shifting, hanging in the gear too long, etc.
Ford might be able to fix it with software reflash.

Another recommendation would be Chevy Cruze, but it is tended to be on a smoother, relaxing drive.

Are you looking NEW or USED market? What is your budget?

 

[Christobevii3]

You are considering selling a 2007 car with 40,000 miles because the brakes are squeaky??? What in the...

 

[child of wonder]

You are considering selling a 2007 car with 40,000 miles because the brakes are squeaky??? What in the...

The car had 84,000 miles on it when I got it. It now has 124,000 miles.

My budget would be in the $20k-$25k range.

 

[punjabiplaya]

how big of a car? new or used?

Fit, Elantra, Mazda3, Focus, Fiesta, etc... lots of choice depending on how big of a car you need

 

[kornphlake]

What the heck, 3 responses and nobody has recommended a Subaru? Must be a Friday.

As much as I refrain from suggesting Subaru, in this case I think a Subaru might be what the OP is after, aside from missing the MPG mark depending on the year and model.

The Mazda 3 comes to mind as a fun to drive car, again might be a little lower than 30mpg and with an auto probably won't feel much faster than a 130hp Civic.

I don't think a Chevy or Ford will fit the resale value requirement. The Cruze is too new to say, but the Focus traditionally is suggested as a used vehicle because of it's poor resale value.

The list of requirements is somewhat contradictory, good mpg, good acceleration or auto transmission, pick 2 of the 3.

 

[saratoga172]

What the heck, 3 responses and nobody has recommended a Subaru? Must be a Friday.

As much as I refrain from suggesting Subaru, in this case I think a Subaru might be what the OP is after, aside from missing the MPG mark depending on the year and model.

The Mazda 3 comes to mind as a fun to drive car, again might be a little lower than 30mpg and with an auto probably won't feel much faster than a 130hp Civic.

I don't think a Chevy or Ford will fit the resale value requirement. The Cruze is too new to say, but the Focus traditionally is suggested as a used vehicle because of it's poor resale value.

The list of requirements is somewhat contradictory, good mpg, good acceleration or auto transmission, pick 2 of the 3.

You can get ask three of those with the new V6 mustang. 31Mpg highway, 300 horse, auto with much better acceleration than the civic. Only two does though.

Op: maybe check out the V6 fusion or v6 accord? Also the Nissen altima 3.5 comes to mind or a used maxima. Not sure on mileage though.

 

[punjabiplaya]

OMG NEW IMPREZAS 36MPG HWY

/fixed

 

[acx]

Hyundai Sonata SE Turbo
sedan
$24K before TTL
22/34/26 mpg
automatic
0-60 in 6.7s

 

[Arkaign]

What the heck, 3 responses and nobody has recommended a Subaru? Must be a Friday.

As much as I refrain from suggesting Subaru, in this case I think a Subaru might be what the OP is after, aside from missing the MPG mark depending on the year and model.

The Mazda 3 comes to mind as a fun to drive car, again might be a little lower than 30mpg and with an auto probably won't feel much faster than a 130hp Civic.

I don't think a Chevy or Ford will fit the resale value requirement. The Cruze is too new to say, but the Focus traditionally is suggested as a used vehicle because of it's poor resale value.

The list of requirements is somewhat contradictory, good mpg, good acceleration or auto transmission, pick 2 of the 3.

Ford's resale values are hugely higher than even a few years ago, and the new Focus is a Focus in name only compared to the previous gens sold here. Fusion resale % is also much higher than the Taurus which it largely replaced (the new larger Taurus is actually kind of filling the Crown Vic slot of big, plush, semi-expensive full size car), particularly after the '10 refresh. GM is making similar strides with certain models, and the Cruze is very well reviewed and sells incredibly well.

Cliffs is that I wouldn't expect new Focus or Cruze resale values to differ substantially from Civic/Corolla resale values in any meaningful way.

 

[Doppel]

Hyundai Sonata SE Turbo
sedan
$24K before TTL
22/34/26 mpg
automatic
0-60 in 6.7s

Pretty solid. Or a V6 Altima (basically same performance but worse mileage) can possibly be had cheaper if shop around.

OP may want to consider using all OEM parts if he hasn't already to try and resolve this.

 

[child of wonder]

Hyundai Sonata SE Turbo
sedan
$24K before TTL
22/34/26 mpg
automatic
0-60 in 6.7s

I was not aware there was a turbo charged Sonata.

Any quirks or issues with the new Sonata?

 

[punjabiplaya]

I was not aware there was a turbo charged Sonata.

Any quirks or issues with the new Sonata?

I think it's fugly. But the Optima is the same thing just much better looking.

There was an issue with the steering wearing or something but there was a recall on it so nothing other than that.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

I think it's fugly. But the Optima is the same thing just much better looking.

There was an issue with the steering wearing or something but there was a recall on it so nothing other than that.

The recall was to fix the constant pulling of the steering wheel. But Sonata looks great and it is great value.

 

[SithSolo1]

Nobody else has said it but a Jetta TDi(moar torques) fits most of your requirements.

Just pick 3-4 different options and go test drive them, ideally all on the same day.