Seems good acceleration and automatic tranny = oxymoron

[JEDI]

So i've been going through Consumer Report's car guide.

fastest automatic with good reliability and at least 25mpg = Honda Accord hybrid 3.0L v6. 0-60 = 6.9sec 29mpg. but it's over $20k and more like $25k with options.

fastest automatic under $19k with good reliability and at least 25mpg = Mazda3i 2.0L v4. 0-60 = 9.6 sec, 27mpg.

Close 2nd is the Corolla 1.8L v4. 0-60 = 9.8sec 29mpg

0-60 in 10 sec seems slow to me. i remember the '93 Corolla automatic seemed faster. i dont know what it's 0-60 time was. Or maybe it was that head hitting headrest acceleration that made it seem faster?

I dont feel that kind of acceleration in today's small automatic cars that have good reliability and milage.

Or is it just perception?

 

[OS]

2005 Accord VP, 16K invoice. EPA 24/34 mpg

My 03 auto i4 accord can probably run high 15s at a sea level track.

 

[Sluggo]

10 second 0-60 times get you into full size SUV territory. And they have never been known for their mind numbing acceleration.

 

[Farbio]

you can get a 05 mazda 3s for under 19 w/out any trouble, i know, i did it. just don't go big on the options sheet and you'll be fine...sticker is under 19 to start and after a trade and some haggling....
3s is around 7.5 i believe - never been big on numbers for 60, its pretty quick and fun to drive, so i enjoy it

 

[MaxFusion16]

it's not the auto that's slow, it's 19k, you won't find any fast cars under 19k.

that said, I believe the sentra se-r will do about 7 or 8 for 0 to 60

 

[MasterAndCommander]

2005 V6 Mustang ~ $19k
0-60 6.9s 5-spd automatic
19/25 MPG

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
it's not the auto that's slow, it's 19k, you won't find any fast cars under 19k.

Agreed...

And the people who want cheap speed don't want an auto tranny...

 

[mrchan]

does it have to be new? plenty of fast used cars under 19k....

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
it's not the auto that's slow, it's 19k, you won't find any fast cars under 19k.

Agreed...

And the people who want cheap speed don't want an auto tranny...

Nah...it can be done...
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=16&article_id=9028

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Maybe a slightly used accord?

 

[geno]

Autos rule in the 1/4 with high-powered engines (350HP-400HP+?)

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
2005 V6 Mustang ~ $19k
0-60 6.9s 5-spd automatic
19/25 MPG

nice times and mpg. but i dont consider mustangs reliable. or has that changed recently?

 

[MasterAndCommander]

One of the better things that Ford makes...plus it's built at the Mazda plant where the Mazda6 is...off the same assembly line. Doesn't get better than that

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
2005 V6 Mustang ~ $19k
0-60 6.9s 5-spd automatic
19/25 MPG

nice times and mpg. but i dont consider mustangs reliable. or has that changed recently?

Nice mpg?
Man you guys have screwy ideas of nice.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
it's not the auto that's slow, it's 19k, you won't find any fast cars under 19k.

that said, I believe the sentra se-r will do about 7 or 8 for 0 to 60

Yeah, the SE-R is probably your best bet, seeing that the SRT, Redline, and Cobalt SS is $22k+

 

[GimpyOne]

What about a Civic. Last I saw the EX models are available for under $18K and turn in 0-60 right at 9 seconds depending at who's numbers you believe.(I've seen 8-10 depending on who's doing it and which exact trim package they have) Mileage will be right about 30city/38hw. Plus, they are pretty much loaded with all the options you are going to get on a smaller car.

Or the SI, which wil get you there a bit faster (about 8sec or so), for right at $19K, and not quite the gas mileage. But the SI I believe is manual only.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
2005 V6 Mustang ~ $19k
0-60 6.9s 5-spd automatic
19/25 MPG

nice times and mpg. but i dont consider mustangs reliable. or has that changed recently?

Nice mpg?
Man you guys have screwy ideas of nice.

for something that does 0-60 in 6.9 sec in an automatic, yes nice mpg

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
it's not the auto that's slow, it's 19k, you won't find any fast cars under 19k.

that said, I believe the sentra se-r will do about 7 or 8 for 0 to 60

Bingo. It's not the automatic that's making those cars close (not that it helps much).

 

[Jzero]

If you're flooring it all the time, you're going to get crap gas mileage either way...

 

[Horus]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
2005 V6 Mustang ~ $19k
0-60 6.9s 5-spd automatic
19/25 MPG

A) It's a ford.
B) It's a Mustang plain...where's the other two cylinders?
C) IT'S A FREAKIN' AUTO MUSTANG...BLASPHEMY.


Wait until next year. MazdaSpeed3 0-60 6.5s. 275 HP.

 

[KoolAidKid]

2005 VW GTI
Invoice price: $17,867
0 - 60: 7.2s (auto)
22/29 mpg
180 HP

 

Great acceleration and good gas milgeage is an oxymoron.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
One of the better things that Ford makes...plus it's built at the Mazda plant where the Mazda6 is...off the same assembly line. Doesn't get better than that

No, it's not. The US-spec Mazda3 is built in Japan.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: Horus

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
2005 V6 Mustang ~ $19k
0-60 6.9s 5-spd automatic
19/25 MPG

A) It's a ford.
B) It's a Mustang plain...where's the other two cylinders?
C) IT'S A FREAKIN' AUTO MUSTANG...BLASPHEMY.


Wait until next year. MazdaSpeed3 0-60 6.5s. 275 HP.

How much is the MazdaSpeed3? If it's in the mid $20k's, then
you could step into a base Mustang GT 0-60 5.1 (automatic) 300HP

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
One of the better things that Ford makes...plus it's built at the Mazda plant where the Mazda6 is...off the same assembly line. Doesn't get better than that

No, it's not. The US-spec Mazda3 is built in Japan.

The Mazda6 is built at the AAI plant in Flat Rock Michigan...so is the '05 Mustang - they
come off the same assembly line. Ford owns Mazda, didn't ya know