Looking for new DD small hatch or small crossover

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cbrsurfr

Golden Member
Jul 15, 2000
1,686
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I want to do some more modifications to the Evo in 2015. With that comes the potential for things breaking, downtime, etc... So I want that to become more of a track/fun/snow car. I already have snow tires for it anyway.

The 1994 Bronco I have just doesn't get driven enough. It still functions well and looks nice but I wouldn't want to DD it. It gets like 10MPG and takes about 14 or so seconds to get to 60. Before it rusts to death from sitting outside I'm currently trying to sell it. It's had a lot of work done and expect to get about 4K out of it.

So cars I'm considering:

Mazda 2/3 Hatch
Focus/Fiesta Hatch
Ford Escape (don't care for the newer style, I like the older style better)
Outlander Sport
Honda HRV (not out yet)
Honda Fit

Budget is up to 20K OTD, preferably less since I'm cheap. New or used. No Korean brands, Japanese, German, or good 'ol USA only.

No leather as the dog will be riding in this often.

I'm currently looking at a 2011 Fit Sport. I like the utility of the Fit, just not sure if 117HP is going to cut it.
 
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bamx2

Senior member
Oct 25, 2004
483
1
81
I am also looking for a compact hatchback. It seems that the only ones available are the Mazda3, Toyota Prius, VW Golf. I is too bad that Toyota dropped the Matrix. I don't like the Scion and the subcompacts which are too small for me (Honda Fit, Mazda M2 , Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa). I don't want a small SUV (eg CRV).
 
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monkeydelmagico

monkeydelmagico

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2011
3,961
145
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Don't forget to check out the new VW golf. It's a toss up between it and the mazda3 Want one in the worst way.
 
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bamx2

Senior member
Oct 25, 2004
483
1
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Seems like it for the MT version. I just know of too many bad (and pricey) experiences with VW automatics. Maybe they are better now but I if wanted an AT, I would chose the Mazda M3.

Tuanies said:
Oh yea the base VW Golf S is a fantastic performance bargain. It comes with hubcaps but has the 1.8t with a 6MT. Flash it with an APR tune and you're at 240hp or so -- all for under $20k.
Click to expand...
 
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tweakmonkey

tweakmonkey

Senior member
Mar 11, 2013
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tweak3d.net
The Fiesta and Fit are both great. Fit's a lot more practical but Fiesta isn't bad (just the hatch isn't as big). The Golf is more upscale/mature and a little more expensive with less equipment.
 
T

Tuanies

Senior member
Aug 4, 2002
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The Mazda 3s with the 2.5 and 6AT is actually a lot of fun. The auto shifts quickly and the paddle shifters are very responsive. The car feels very balanced too. It does not have the get up and go of either the Fiesta or Focus ST though. However, it gets great fuel economy even when you hammer on it and has a very dynamic chassis.
 
Dr. Detroit

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,540
938
126
Go get yourself a Focus Titanium - leftover 2014's should be $4-6K off MSRP as the 2015's get a redesigned nose & restyled interior.

I have 61K miles on my 2012 in 3yrs of ownership and no issues - averaging 33.3 MPG over its life.
 
C

cbrsurfr

Golden Member
Jul 15, 2000
1,686
1
81
I hate the tiny center console screen in the fiesta/fusion (lower end models). The titanium package fixes that but then adds leather that I don't want.

I really like the 2.5 in the 2014/2015 Mazda 3.

I had a 2008 GTI w/DSG so VW's don't scare me.
 
L

Loser Gamer

Member
May 5, 2014
145
7
46
cbrsurfr said:
I want to do some more modifications to the Evo in 2015. With that comes the potential for things breaking, downtime, etc... So I want that to become more of a track/fun/snow car. I already have snow tires for it anyway.

The 1994 Bronco I have just doesn't get driven enough. It still functions well and looks nice but I wouldn't want to DD it. It gets like 10MPG and takes about 14 or so seconds to get to 60. Before it rusts to death from sitting outside I'm currently trying to sell it. It's had a lot of work done and expect to get about 4K out of it.

So cars I'm considering:

Mazda 2/3 Hatch
Focus/Fiesta Hatch
Ford Escape (don't care for the newer style, I like the older style better)
Outlander Sport
Honda HRV (not out yet)
Honda Fit

Budget is up to 20K OTD, preferably less since I'm cheap. New or used. No Korean brands, Japanese, German, or good 'ol USA only.

No leather as the dog will be riding in this often.

I'm currently looking at a 2011 Fit Sport. I like the utility of the Fit, just not sure if 117HP is going to cut it.
Click to expand...

I have the Mazda 2. I know they redesigned it for the coming year but I got the 2012 model. You might want to get the redesigned one because it has more horse power and better fuel economy.

I'll boil my 2012 review down.

Pros

It is AWESOME for in and out of traffic weaving and parking lots.

For as high as it sits it handles like a car that's been lowered. It really sticks to the road and it fun on the highway but more so the back roads.

Cheap to fix things and should be reliable. I have 12k miles.

CONS

Slow to get it moving. It's no red light racer.

Considering its only a 1.5 liter and weighs 200 pounds less than a Fiesta and only makes 100hp it should get better than 35mpg on freeway. I heard the new model gets 40 so that's good.

Plastic inside scratches kinda easy.

Don't expect to get your 6'1" friends in the back to be very comfortable.

Once you load the car down with people the acceleration is going to go to the dogs

After market products are very slim considering the motor cannot be modified to go faster. Mazda 3 have far more options for mods.

--------------

If you like an economy car that has a stiff suspension and hugs the road and has a very nice feel to the steering system, and don't plan to carry around more than one person too often this car will be good and you'd have fun. I like mine a lot.
 
9

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
Fit, hands-down. You can't beat it for utility.

Since your budget is $20K I'd suggest looking at the redesigned 2015 Fit, which has more HP (130) and will do 0-60 in about 8 seconds. The EX with a 6-speed manual has a MSRP of $17,560 which comes in well under your budget limit, and the lower-spec LX 6-speed is $15.5K. If you don't care about things like monroof, I'd go for the LX since it is pretty well equipped already (Bluetooth, rear view camera, cruise control, power windows/locks, etc).

Not sure why people are suggesting cars like the Focus ST and Mazdaspeed 3 when you already have an Evo as a "fun" car.
 
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T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
81
cbrsurfr said:
I had a 2008 GTI w/DSG so VW's don't scare me.
Click to expand...

wasn't one of the reasons u got rid of it fear of what might break at 100 or 150k?

These newer golf and Mazda 3 have peaked my interest. Seems functional with the mpg where it should be.

The eco box field has too many players that can work. It's almost annoying.
 
H

Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
Loser Gamer said:
I have the Mazda 2. I know they redesigned it for the coming year but I got the 2012 model. You might want to get the redesigned one because it has more horse power and better fuel economy.

I'll boil my 2012 review down.

Pros

It is AWESOME for in and out of traffic weaving and parking lots.

For as high as it sits it handles like a car that's been lowered. It really sticks to the road and it fun on the highway but more so the back roads.

Cheap to fix things and should be reliable. I have 12k miles.

CONS

Slow to get it moving. It's no red light racer.

Considering its only a 1.5 liter and weighs 200 pounds less than a Fiesta and only makes 100hp it should get better than 35mpg on freeway. I heard the new model gets 40 so that's good.

Plastic inside scratches kinda easy.

Don't expect to get your 6'1" friends in the back to be very comfortable.

Once you load the car down with people the acceleration is going to go to the dogs

After market products are very slim considering the motor cannot be modified to go faster. Mazda 3 have far more options for mods.

--------------

If you like an economy car that has a stiff suspension and hugs the road and has a very nice feel to the steering system, and don't plan to carry around more than one person too often this car will be good and you'd have fun. I like mine a lot.
Click to expand...

Mazda 2 fun on the highway? I call shens.
 
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