lost my car to fire. suggestions for new cars around 20k please :)

[gorb]

Update 1/14: Bought a car

I would like something compact/reliable/automatic, with good mileage. I've been mainly looking at the Mazda 3, Honda Fit, Ford Focus, and VW Golf. The only midsize car I've been strongly considering is the 2013 Honda Accord.

Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

I was driving a 2006 Hyundai Sonata GL until about 10AM yesterday, when it went up in flames. Had less than 67,000 miles on it and pretty new tires

http://youtu.be/dig6_G1pqlg
http://youtu.be/wUqSvwWFfBA

Here are some more pictures of my old car from the auction yard:
https://www.iaai.com/Vehicles/VehicleDetails.aspx?auctionID=0&itemID=13935353&RowNumber=21#

 

[Jimzz]

Newwer Kia's/Hyundai's, Chevy cruze, New nissan sentra.

Lots of cars what is you driving style, family size, real needs/wants, etc...

 

[gorb]

Driving style is getting to wherever I need to get to in hopefully as little time as possible in relative comfort without burning too much gas.

Family size = just me.

Real needs and wants were basically what I said. Around 20k, compact, reliable, automatic, with decent mileage. I don't need anything fancy. I don't really want to buy used unless I'm able to get a stellar warranty (and not get raped). I don't need things like navigation or satellite radio.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Well, the Focus seems to be about the best for that category. But drive the Golf, Accord, Jetta, etc as well.

 

[CraigRT]

I'd love to know what happened... The 2013 Accord is awesome, but for a car in the smaller class its hard to not have a serious look at the Focus.. I personally like the looks of pretty much anything more than the goofy looking Mazdas, but subjective looks aside the 3 is a decent car outside the rust belt.

 

[JackBurton]

How the heck does a car go up in flames? Did you run into a gas station?

 

[gorb]

Whenever I find out what caused the fire, I'll let you know what happened. Things went bad in just a couple minutes.

 

[vi edit]

Could probably pick up a closeout '12 Fusion for around that price now that the 13's are out. Our 2012 Camry SE was a touch over $21k and is a very nice value and great car for the $$.

The mentioned Focus is nice, but cramped and the autotransmission has some complaints from users.

I would suggest the Hyundai Elantra but I probably wouldn't be very interested in the brand after my previous one spontaneously combusted. D:

 

[vi edit]

If you want uber milage you can look at the Prius C too.

 

[gorb]

I did consider the Prius C but it's just a hybrid Yaris for a lot more money >_> I also like the '13 fusions a lot more than the '12s

I'm definitely not opposed to Hyundai or Kia again, although I would like to know what exactly caused my fire

I am kind of a picky bastard but I hope I can find something I really like before too long. Does anybody here have any experience with the USAA car buying service or Costco car buying service? I might be using one or the other if it actually saves me some money.

 

[vi edit]

For the money, the Elantra GT (the hatchback one) is very well equipped. They can be had pretty easily under 20k and come with the Hyundai warranty. Which by the way....were you the original owner of the Sonata? I'd be curious to see if that would be honored under the 100k "powertrain" warranty.

 

[NutBucket]

I would say Mazda3 hatch. I test drove a Focus when they first came out and didn't care for the "auto" trans either. But I'm biased and pretty much dislike any auto trans At any rate, the Focus is definitely nice and even though you may not need the tech stuff, its hard to deny that the MyFordTouch option is very slick.

 

[vi edit]

One big thing going for the Mazda3 is that in the Skyactiv trim it's one of the few cars that Edmunds was able to consistently achieve close to the sticker MPG results. Many others (*cough* Hyundai) were never able to get anywhere remotely close to the sticker ratings.

 

[NutBucket]

Eh, I don't pay much attention to that either. I generally exceed EPA estimates in my vehicles anyway.

 

[vi edit]

Eh, I don't pay much attention to that either. I generally exceed EPA estimates in my vehicles anyway.

It's interesting to note. Edmunds is usually pretty hard on cars and more than representative of "real world" driving. If they are able to pull consistent economy rating close to the sticker then it means that I'm likely able to far exceed that. Hyundai didn't have a class action lawsuit against their economy ratings for nothing. They greatly fudged their MPG numbers.

 

[gorb]

For the money, the Elantra GT (the hatchback one) is very well equipped. They can be had pretty easily under 20k and come with the Hyundai warranty. Which by the way....were you the original owner of the Sonata? I'd be curious to see if that would be honored under the 100k "powertrain" warranty.

Yes, I was the original owner of the vehicle. Bought it new in sept 2006. I'm assuming USAA will handle any legal issues that will be popping up. Again, I don't really know what happened, but my engine did kind of blow up

Also, my car was rated at 21 city/31 hwy, and I consistently got 21~22 mpg. I know they fudged the numbers on their new vehicles though.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Buy a Corolla, Elantra or Sentra -

Since you have a desire for good MPG, low cost and appliance like device to get you from point A to point B any of the those 3 will work.

The Focus is a drivers car with a funky transmission that you will hate and not the most roomy backseat. The Elantra GT removed considerable legroom from the sedan version and has a more stout (uncomfortable) suspension.

Corolla - super low cost, very roomy, shitty 4spd automatic trans but bulletproof.
Elantra - very roomy, 6spd auto, great warranty and good mpg
Sentra - All new design, CVT trans, very roomy, great mpg

 

[SpatiallyAware]

WTGDF do you mean you don't know what happened? Weren't you there??? Was there a bright flash, and then the next moment you were outside taking pics of a smoldering car with nothing inbetween????

Did the engine die, you pull over, then the fire started?

Did the fire start on the highway?

In the engine bay? It almost looks like it started in the middle of the dashboard.

 

[jagec]

An immaculately restored Ford Pinto would seem appropriate, since the Fisker Karma is out of your price range.

 

[gorb]

WTGDF do you mean you don't know what happened? Weren't you there??? Was there a bright flash, and then the next moment you were outside taking pics of a smoldering car with nothing inbetween????

Did the engine die, you pull over, then the fire started?

Did the fire start on the highway?

In the engine bay? It almost looks like it started in the middle of the dashboard.

I was driving on the highway. There was a pop in the engine bay, then a little smoke out of the tailpipes, so I decided to exit and get the car towed. By the time I found someplace good to stop (ie not in the middle of the road or a bike-lane width shoulder), I had lost power steering and my brakes. Only a couple minutes had passed. Stopped the car with the e-brake and turned it off. Lots of smoke started to come out of the engine bay, and I saw some scorch marks forming on the hood, so I grabbed a few things, got out of the car, and called 911. The rest is as you see. I don't know what exactly caused the fire.

 

[ultimatebob]

Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Kia Optima, Mazda 3... So many good cars in this price range.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Honda Accord. You will be happy with it. It is biggest car in class, and almost just as efficient as those smaller cars that others recommend.

It is my currently the car to watch for.

 

[BeauCharles]

I know I'll get ripped for this, but I love mine 2010. Mitsubishi Lancer GT. I see you're in DFW, so I linked a new 2012 from a dealer in Plano. They're not nearly as popular as the other compacts, so Mitsu dealer discount like crazy. That one I linked has a 168 HP 2.4, automatic trans, paddle shifters, automatic climate control, 18" Enkei wheels, the usual power stuff, decent six speaker Mitsubishi stereo, bluetooth, cruise, etc... They have a 1K rebate right now and I'm sure you can get them way down below that "internet price" - I know I did at my SoCal dealer. They're a top safety pick by the IIHS (seven air bags including knee, stability and traction control). Plus they have a warranty just as long as Hyundai (5/60K bumper to bumper, 10/100K power train).

I love the shark nose "Ralliart" type grill. It just looks more aggressive and sporty that most compacts. Plus its been completely reliable in the two years I've had it. I have a few gripes - the interior plastic is kind of cheap, there is some road noise with the 18" wheels and MPG is not class leading by any stretch. Still, you can get a really loaded, nice looking car for thousands less than Mazda3, Chevy Cruize, Honda Civic, etc... Plus you won't see yourself coming and going all the time.

 

[NutBucket]

Lol. Mitsubishi is dying a slow and painful death. They're next in line after Suzuki is officially done.

 

[Zap]

Funny, that doesn't look like a Ferrari...