• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Help me buy a car, AT Garage

I

Inferno0032

Golden Member
I'll be moving out to Seattle for a full time job when I finish up school in May, and I was out there this past Summer for an internship, so I know how badly the traffic can suck. I'll be needing a new car (my long-time beater probably won't even make it out there).

I'm really on the ropes about whether I go for a cheaper used car that will "get by" for a few years, or if I should go with a newer/new on.

My primary criteria are 1) fuel economy (so I don't rage as bad in stand-still traffic) and 2) a fair amount of utility (I mountain bike, hike, camp, etc).

As of right now, 1) probably dominates the equation, but I do not want a tiny car. One car I've had my mind on if I go the new route is the Chevy Cruze ECO, with 42mpg rated by Chevy (and tested in careful 55mph driving to get 50+) for a gasoline-powered engine is appealing. I've also considered the Prius (which would make me fit right in in Seattle) but not sure if I really want to go the hybrid route.

I'm not very widely knowledgeable about a wide range of cars, so AT Garage, what would you do?

Thanks!

EDIT- Meant to specify the Chevy Cruze Eco, not the regular version.
 
Last edited:
Obligatory ATG plug - Lotus Elise/BMW M3/Subaru Impreza STI/Suzuki Hayabusa

Now that we've got that out of the way, how about a Honda Fit? I'd think the Fit would have more utility (mountain bike, hike, camp, etc) than the Chevy Cruze.

Since you're not sure what your future is going to look like post the intership, you may want to stick with a used car. Less money upfront, and less money at risk.
 
satyajitmenon said:
Obligatory ATG plug - Lotus Elise/BMW M3/Subaru Impreza STI/Suzuki Hayabusa

Now that we've got that out of the way, how about a Honda Fit? I'd think the Fit would have more utility (mountain bike, hike, camp, etc) than the Chevy Cruze.

Since you're not sure what your future is going to look like post the intership, you may want to stick with a used car. Less money upfront, and less money at risk.
Click to expand...

I've also debated the "small SUV" or "Crossover" route, but the idea of high mileage is definitely appealing, for obvious reasons. I'd simply have to figure trunk/back seat size for being able to pack things (since bike racks can take care of that).

Also, I'll be more clear, I had an internship there this past Summer, and will be moving out there full-time come May. I wouldn't fathom considering a new car before I actually had a full-time job.

I suppose one of the questions I'd need to ask myself is where I would be willing to "trade" between utility and fuel mileage. Looking at the Cruze, it seems as though it has a large trunk, and if I needed to do any "heavy-lifting," a friend of mine there has an F-250, and could probably toss him a few bones to help me out in those circumstances.
 
If you want a little bigger car, with the ability to hook up a rack in the back of it, you cannot go wrong with Honda Accords (4cyl) or Hyundai Sonata. They both can get you just under 40mpg.

Another option would be VW Sportswagen TDI. It is a wagon on sedan chassis, so it will be fun to drive, while having room to spare. My friends have the sportswagen, and they often tell me that they get about 45-46mpg.
 
I'd say go the used route. Get something like a Pontiac Aztek. They're very roomy, practical, and fun. They can also be had cheaply.

pontiac_aztek-gt-2001_r8.jpg


1024x768-Pontiac-Aztek-02.jpg
 
A Cruze or other sedan won't be of much to you for bikes as you'll need a rack. While the fuel economy won't be as good, you're basically looking for a Forester.

How much driving do you actually do? Sacrificing fuel economy for utility isn't always a wise move.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Fixed that for you.
Click to expand...

What are you talking about? This car is a valuable gem that was always hugely underrated. It even looks like a spaceship, and you can get it super cheap now. The fuel economy doesn't matter. You'll save a lot more from buying used, and you'll get a car that instantly turns heads.
 
I'll +1 the mazda 3 hatch with the new sky motor

or a Focus

the Cruze is good.

We'll just add to your list, but go test drive and find out what you like.

Maybe the new Imprezas too?
 
Yeah, the Aztek is ugly and I'm sure the mileage is ridiculously bad by todays standards, but the couple people I knew that had one had a weird love for them - admittedly two out of the three were (none of them own em anymore) women.

If you're a person that really camps (ie. clothes, tent, & a bit of food) there's a lot of hatches out to look at. The most important part about buying a car though is setting a limit on how much you actually are willing to spend IMO. You can get a bike rack for pretty much anything these days.
 
Last edited:
LOL_Wut_Axel said:
What are you talking about? This car is a valuable gem that was always hugely underrated. It even looks like a spaceship, and you can get it super cheap now. The fuel economy doesn't matter. You'll save a lot more from buying used, and you'll get a car that instantly turns heads.
Click to expand...

not-sure-if-serious.jpg
 
I don't really agree with the Aztek suggestion as per this thread, but he's right..

Despite being the most ugly car on the planet, they're very utilitarian oriented vehicles and I've heard nothing but great things about them in that regard.
 
IcePickFreak said:
Yeah, the Aztek is ugly and I'm sure the mileage is ridiculously bad by todays standards, but the couple people I knew that had one had a weird love for them - admittedly two out of the three were (none of them own em anymore) women.

If you're a person that really camps (ie. clothes, tent, & a bit of food) there's a lot of hatches out to look at. The most important part about buying a car though is setting a limit on how much you actually are willing to spend IMO. You can get a bike rack for pretty much anything these days.
Click to expand...

The fuel mileage isn't that bad, actually. The AWD version gets 16/22 City/HWY. It's very utilitarian, and led to the manufacturing of many of the recent Crossovers.

JulesMaximus said:
not-sure-if-serious.jpg
Click to expand...

:colbert:

Eli said:
I don't really agree with the Aztek suggestion as per this thread, but he's right..

Despite being the most ugly car on the planet, they're very utilitarian oriented vehicles and I've heard nothing but great things about them in that regard.
Click to expand...

I think it looks awesome in a hideous but cool kinda way. Like some type of rare spaceship. It's also very practical and utilitarian. The AWD version makes it even more so.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the input, everyone!

A few other comments which may be helpful. My parents own a Chevy Malibu MAXX, and I really like that car, and have potentially thought about asking them about buying it from them. It's a comfortable, roomy car with a hatchback, a roof rack, and still gets 35MPG highway.

I figure my main criteria on mileage and price would be
35+MPG/HWY and no more than 21K for a new car. The primary reason I began considering a new car is because I'd been told if you are looking for a newer used car, that there's pretty high demand for those cars, and the prices of new models are not much more expensive. The Chevy Cruze Eco, the Prius models, and several other high-mileage cars are in the ~20K range, which is what sort-of set my upper limit.

The issue with the Cruze ECO is that it's a 2011 model, and there isn't anything readily available for used ones. I've also grown fond of hatchbacks with my experiences with my parents' Malibu Maxx. I like the GTI, but don't like the mileage of the turbocharged engine, and that's on the smaller end. I like the look of the Mazda 3, but the mileage is a bit lower than I'd ultimately want.

Thanks for the feedback!
 
FYI-Ford Focus hatchback gets 28/38 mpg. I drove one not too long ago and really was impressed with it. Stylish, fun to drive, sporty, great interior, loads of technology if you option it out.
 
Finishing school and starting an internship? Come on, you're supposed to be looking for the most expensive BMW/Mercedes the dealer is willing to finance you for.

:sneaky:
 
I'd go with the Focus hatch.
They look pretty nice.
You can just fold down the back seat and put your bike back there.
No need for roof rack.
 
exdeath said:
Finishing school and starting an internship? Come on, you're supposed to be looking for the most expensive BMW/Mercedes the dealer is willing to finance you for.

:sneaky:
Click to expand...

Had an internship, returning full-time 😛

I really like the looks of the Focus and Fiesta hatchbacks, and also Chevy's new Sonic (which has the same engine as the Cruze). The Honda Fit also piques my interest.

I like the Impreza, but isn't as efficient as I'd like it to be. Ultimately, I keep finding myself looking at the Malibu MAXX, which I can get used for less than $10K, and I get a bigger car with a V6 and a roof rack, and still gets 35-37MPG highway. It would be less than half the price for seemingly more car, without sacrificing too much on the efficiency. Thoughts or am I missing something?

What is depreciation like these days? I've been told numerous times that the newer used car market is in high demand right now so perhaps depreciation would be less? I don't know if 3-5MPG would be worth springing for a new model which I'd have to buy new or like-new.

Thanks again everyone for your feedback!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top