I need a new car. Suggestions?

[msi1337]

currently have a 2002 Civic LX Auto. Looking to trade it in for something newer. 99/100 I purchased pre-owned... I dont need brand new, nor the depreciation that comes with it.

I am going to the local honda dealer tonight to look. so far it is slim pickings for me, because I really want a stick shift this time around. I miss driving manual.

they have a 2008 Toyota Corolla LE with 17k miles in manual for $12k I might be interested in.

suggestions?

***UPDATE***

purchase a 2008 Mazda 3 with sport package

 

[mc866]

What's your budget? You looking for a commuter, something fun? Do you have family or anything that requires a larger vehicle?

 

[msi1337]

oh sorry.. budget is 14k or less. My car should trade in for about 3.5k-4.5k and I currently owe 2.5k on it. I will be having a child in december, so really want a sedan. fun is important, stick is important, doesnt have to be overly roomy, but enough for 2-3 adults and a child. This will be my only car, so it will be driven an average of 100 miles a day on weekdays.

also, i am not opposed to buying something new..say Mitsubishi was running a crazy deal on a _____ for $14k new..that would be okay.

 

[mc866]

WRX wagon, fun, manual's are easy to find, plus room for the baby and cargo.

 

[Mermaidman]

I saw that the new Hyundai Elantra Touring is unexpectedly 'fun' with a good shifter. It's also a wagon--Very useful for a family man. Unfortunately MSRP is beyond your budget ($20K loaded), but Hyundai's been running some good deals recently (and also some bogus deals, but that's another topic).

Congrats on the kid!

 

[mshan]

Don't know if they meet your budget requirements, but Hyundai Elantra and Honda Fit seem like nice and well rated cars.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
I saw that the new Hyundai Elantra Touring is unexpectedly 'fun' with a good shifter. It's also a wagon--Very useful for a family man. Unfortunately MSRP is beyond your budget ($20K loaded), but Hyundai's been running some good deals recently (and also some bogus deals, but that's another topic).

Congrats on the kid!

FWIW, CarsDirect shows a fully loaded Elantra Touring (every option checked, including $756 automatic transmission) at $17,416, down from MSRP of $20,025. So if that's a car that interests the OP, deals are to be had.

 

[vi edit]

It's getting to be the typical response to this question....

But the Fusion is a great buy.

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/vie...492d-a33c-0f8443a50674

It's basically a slightly more roomy Mazda6. With a child coming on board soon you'll appreciate the extra room in the back seat, the trunk space, and the added safety of going to a midsize sedan instead of a compact.

Milage is still good, and the 2.3L in there that is shared with the Mazda lineups is a very smooth, refined little critter.

 

[vi edit]

As the father of a 17 month old, you really can't imagine just how much room an infant & it's gear will take up. If you get one of those Grayco strollers that lets the infant carrier lock into place it will easily take up half the hatch area of a midsize SUV. Forget trying to get it shoved behind the passenger rows of a Fit. And it most likely won't fit in the back of something like an Elantra wagon or a WRX wagon.

Simply going on a weekend long trip is like packing up the basecamp equipment for a month long endeavor to the top of Mt. Everest.

If you already have the rear facing infant carrier you'll be using for your child, be sure to drop it into the back seat and see how much room it takes up. I think you'll be scarred to see how much seat space it eats into for the front passenger.

You'll be counting the days until you can flip it back around and have it front facing. It's an instant room saver.

 

[StageLeft]

UGH. what? AAAAAAAhh, sick.

Why would you replace an econobox that is almost certainly able to last for years to come with another boring one? Please don't do that.

also, i am not opposed to buying something new..say Mitsubishi was running a crazy deal on a _____ for $14k new..that would be okay.

Mitsubishis are disposable junk; don't buy one!

Agree on Fusion. Also agree on kids taking up a lot of room. It's why I'd be so hard pressed to get rid of my minivan. Family + large vehicle = win

 

[rh71]

+1 on baby gear taking up lots of room. If you plan on stopping at 1 kid then a passenger vehicle is fine (but barely) for the foreseeable future. We have 2 and have a double stroller which takes up a little less than half of our SUV trunk, but only because it folds in half, width wise too. The Graco carriers + base in the rear seats allow just enough space for my wife to sit between them back there. I can't imagine this working too well in a sedan if you have more than 1 kid (you would need to be a contortionist to even get in there). What I'm saying is plan ahead if you want this to be your "only car".

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Used Mazda3 hatch or Honda Fit - more cargo space than a sedan and fun to drive.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
Used Mazda3 hatch or Honda Fit - more cargo space than a sedan and fun to drive.

Only more cargo space if you have the 2nd row down. Used to own a Mazda3 hatch and my father has an '09 Fit. No way I would have been able to comfortably fit the crap I need to now in either of them without dropping the back seats. Which doesn't really make for a good way to haul a kid.

A midsize sedan with a 15 cubic foot trunk has a much deeper & wider opening than a small hatch. That's the type of space you need for hauling kid stuff. Not the height that a hatch can provide.

 

[Gibson486]

08 corolla for 12K with under 20K miles? There is something wrong with it.

You can buy a brand new corolla for 14K without any problem today (especially if you can find an 09). Since you want stick, it should be even easier.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
Used Mazda3 hatch or Honda Fit - more cargo space than a sedan and fun to drive.

Only more cargo space if you have the 2nd row down. Used to own a Mazda3 hatch and my father has an '09 Fit. No way I would have been able to comfortably fit the crap I need to now in either of them without dropping the back seats. Which doesn't really make for a good way to haul a kid.

A midsize sedan with a 15 cubic foot trunk has a much deeper & wider opening than a small hatch. That's the type of space you need for hauling kid stuff. Not the height that a hatch can provide.

I own a 3 hatch. It actually pales in comparison to other hatches in the market in regards to cargo space.

 

[desy]

Mazda 3 or pontiac Vibe/Matrix
But really a Mazda 5 minvan would be a better family vehicle or last gen smaller caravan

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: desy
Mazda 3 or pontiac Vibe/Matrix
But really a Mazda 5 minvan would be a better family vehicle or last gen smaller caravan

:thumbsup:

I own a Mazda5, which coincidentally can be equipped with a smooth shifting manual transmission. You can almost grab a sport trim with the manual for around $15k. And it still comes damn loaded with power windows, locks, cruise, and even automatic temperature control.

 

[LS21]

my family has both the honda fit and the corolla

the fit is way more fun to drive, comes in 5sp, and has more interior room.

 

[thegimp03]

Originally posted by: vi edit
It's getting to be the typical response to this question....

But the Fusion is a great buy.

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/vie...492d-a33c-0f8443a50674

It's basically a slightly more roomy Mazda6. With a child coming on board soon you'll appreciate the extra room in the back seat, the trunk space, and the added safety of going to a midsize sedan instead of a compact.

Milage is still good, and the 2.3L in there that is shared with the Mazda lineups is a very smooth, refined little critter.

I rented a Ford Fusion 2 months ago and drove it 750 miles in 2 days. It rode nice enough and got great gas mileage - only had to fill up once, then top it off before turning it back in to the rental agency.

 

[msi1337]

thanks for the help guys!

I ended up getting a 2008 Mazda 3 s with sport package for $13.7k and 40k miles

I tested some others, but this was the one I really liked.

 

[desy]

Nice, drivers car

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: msi1337
thanks for the help guys!

I ended up getting a 2008 Mazda 3 s with sport package for $13.7k and 40k miles

I tested some others, but this was the one I really liked.

Wow. 40k miles in one year.

 

[mc866]

Nice choice on the 3, glad you didn't go with the fusion. I know lots of people here really like them but when I think of fusion it just seems boring and vanilla, not my idea of a fun car.


<--- Speed 3 owner

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

so u were able to make a car purchase in less than half a day. awesome.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: msi1337
thanks for the help guys!

I ended up getting a 2008 Mazda 3 s with sport package for $13.7k and 40k miles

I tested some others, but this was the one I really liked.

:beer:

I've now had my 08 i touring for 1 week. 27k miles and paid $12.8k. Had to go auto, though

reminds me...I'll update my other thread with pics when I get home.