Trade in car or get second car?

[Dice144]

I am debating trading in my 2008 VW Passat 2.0T (that some here recommended me not to buy) for a newer car/different. I love my cars pickup which also gets me in trouble at times. :whiste:

Do not plan to buy a brand new car however one with less than 50k miles (current has 53k) and it has to get at least 24 city/35 highway.

Test drove newer 2013-14 Ford Focus, Fiesta, Fusion and Escape. All the Fords seemed to be just not right for me.

Today tried a 2011 Chevy Cruze Eco, it is the 6 speed manual model. It reminded me I did miss driving stick somewhat and seems A LOT better than my old 2005 Cobalt.
Also tried a 2010 Toyota Corolla which felt cheap and hated the interior options in my price range.

Right now working with local dealer West Herr here in Buffalo, NY.

I could afford 20k+ plus but I refuse to spend over 15k hence the used car market. Best friend just got a Toyota Camry lease deal for under $300 a month but always was afraid to get a lease.

Wednesday going to test drive a 2010 Kia Forte.

Any other cars I should consider that are under 15k, would prefer heated seats, HID lights (pretty sure this wont happen in this price point) some type of touch display. Lumbar support is very important (which Cruze seemed to lack) and Bluetooth is a must.

 

[HitAnyKey]

Whats wrong with the VW? Why do you want to trade it for another used car?

 

[desy]

All cars are pretty good
Just head to the dealers and see what floats your boat
I'd make a Mazda 6 recommend as its a mid size like your Passat with driving dynamics
FWIW

 

[Midwayman]

Best friend just got a Toyota Camry lease deal for under $300 a month but always was afraid to get a lease.

So many gotchas in leases that that $300 doesn't cover. Many states charge sales tax on the full price of the car, not the portion you use. There are usually thousands of fee in downpayments, acquistion fees, damage fees, excess mileage fees, etc, etc. That $300 a month deal is never really $300 a month.

 

[UNhooked]

I also vote the Mazda 3 and 6. Give it a shot.

 

[halik]

Whats wrong with the VW? Why do you want to trade it for another used car?

^this

 

[z1ggy]

^this

This +2.

If you don't need to get rid of it, then don't.

But if for some reason you do, I vote mazda3. You won't get HIDs but you get almost everything else. I just bought a 2011 mazda3 for $15k yesterday. Peppy little thing and it looks pretty good. I plan on getting HIDs installed at some point...I want to do it myself, but god forbid I did something wrong and burnt something out. I may leave it up to a professional...

 

[Dice144]

Thanks guys. It has been in the shop 3 times in the last year...

Intake manifold, water pump gasket, and now spark plugs (the code looked to point to coil pack but was not)