What car should I get my Fiancee?

[Ameise]

Hi there!

My fiancee's car broke down, and I wanted to get people's opinions on a car to replace it with. We've gone to quite a few dealerships to test drive vehicles, and have whittled down the choice to a few of them. As basic information, we live in the Great Lakes area (so, hot stormy summers, and frigid snowy winters), and she wants an automatic hatchback. We want something with good mileage that's safe and reliable, but is also comfortable to drive. It's going to be driven in all sorts of weather, from 8 feet of snow to torrential downpours to perfect weather.

1. Honda Fit - it handled well, was very roomy, and importantly is inexpensive. Honda appears to have good marks for reliability. Importantly, it has the best fuel efficiency of the three. The very low clearance of the vehicle makes me concerned for days in the winter before the snow plows have cleared the roads.
2. Ford Focus SE - it handled well, was quite roomy, but is more expensive than the Fit. The newer models appear to have good marks for reliability, and she said the transmission on the Focus felt a lot smoother to her. Stock wheels are larger than the Fit LX's. It's a bit bigger than the Fit, which makes me feel that it's more likely to survive (or, rather, protect the occupants) in case of a severe accident.
3. Subaru Impreza Wagon - it handled well, was fairly roomy. It has AWD which can help a bit in snow. The transmission felt all right, though the suspension made it feel like the road wasn't even there (which can be both good and bad). Lacking incentives, it is the most expensive of the three, and has the worst fuel efficiency of the three (though not far behind the Focus). Like the Focus, it seemed a bit bigger than the Fit, which made it seem like it would be a bit safer (more car to break before squishy human parts).

Thoughts? Opinions? Hate mail? Thanks!

 

[Murloc]

It's going to be driven in all sorts of weather, from 8 feet of snow to torrential downpours to perfect weather.
The very low clearance of the vehicle makes me concerned for days in the winter before the snow plows have cleared the roads.

I'll go with hate mail: 8 feet of snow is 2.43 meters according to google, if you really have to drive through that before it has been cleared, then maybe this solid piece of soviet engineering is a better fit (no pun intended)

 

[unokitty]

Hi there!
...As basic information, we live in the Great Lakes area (so, hot stormy summers, and frigid snowy winters), and she wants an automatic hatchback. We want something with good mileage that's safe and reliable, but is also comfortable to drive. It's going to be driven in all sorts of weather, from 8 feet of snow to torrential downpours to perfect weather.

Thoughts? Opinions? Hate mail? Thanks!

For 8 feet of snow, I would prefer a Unimog.

Though, when I lived in Michigan (75 meters away from Lake Michigan), I drove a Civic SI Hatchback... And it was fine.

Just a thought, if your finance would consider a subcompact SUV, you may want to look at the Honda HRV, the Mazda CX-3, or the Crosstrek.

Each comes with a version of 4 wd...And each would give you a bit more of ground clearance than what you are currently looking at...

Though, for 8 feet of snow, I'd still take the Unimog.

Uno

 

[Kaido]

For 8 feet of snow, I would prefer a Unimog.

Guy in my town has one, all painted up with clearcoat. SUPER nice and freakin' enormous :biggrin:

 

[Kaido]

Hi there!

My fiancee's car broke down, and I wanted to get people's opinions on a car to replace it with. We've gone to quite a few dealerships to test drive vehicles, and have whittled down the choice to a few of them. As basic information, we live in the Great Lakes area (so, hot stormy summers, and frigid snowy winters), and she wants an automatic hatchback. We want something with good mileage that's safe and reliable, but is also comfortable to drive. It's going to be driven in all sorts of weather, from 8 feet of snow to torrential downpours to perfect weather.

1. Honda Fit - it handled well, was very roomy, and importantly is inexpensive. Honda appears to have good marks for reliability. Importantly, it has the best fuel efficiency of the three. The very low clearance of the vehicle makes me concerned for days in the winter before the snow plows have cleared the roads.
2. Ford Focus SE - it handled well, was quite roomy, but is more expensive than the Fit. The newer models appear to have good marks for reliability, and she said the transmission on the Focus felt a lot smoother to her. Stock wheels are larger than the Fit LX's. It's a bit bigger than the Fit, which makes me feel that it's more likely to survive (or, rather, protect the occupants) in case of a severe accident.
3. Subaru Impreza Wagon - it handled well, was fairly roomy. It has AWD which can help a bit in snow. The transmission felt all right, though the suspension made it feel like the road wasn't even there (which can be both good and bad). Lacking incentives, it is the most expensive of the three, and has the worst fuel efficiency of the three (though not far behind the Focus). Like the Focus, it seemed a bit bigger than the Fit, which made it seem like it would be a bit safer (more car to break before squishy human parts).

Thoughts? Opinions? Hate mail? Thanks!

The 2015 Impreza wagon gets an advertised 37 MPG highway, so it's not exactly a slouch when it comes to good gas mileage. Physics being what they are, a Fit is not going to be as safe as a wagon in the event of an accident. My buddy hit an ice patch on the highway in his Fit a couple of years ago & ended up in a coma for six months...whereas Subaru is currently running an "I survived" ad campaign for their cars. The Focus is pretty good too, but if you're concerned about snow, go with the AWD option.

I tested-drove the Impreza a couple weeks ago & it was good. I know what you mean about the suspension. I liked the CVT's torque compared to my Civic as well, had an easier time going up hills. The Subaru gets my vote here. Plus, they have amazing resale value, so there's that.

 

[Ameise]

I feel as though I should note that I was possibly exaggerating slightly in regards to the 8' of snow. Though the Unimog is nice, it might be outside of our price range.

And I can't find a Советский Автосалон in the area to look at the BAT-M - no idea what the MSRP is, either.

 

[uclaLabrat]

I feel as though I should note that I was possibly exaggerating slightly in regards to the 8' of snow. Though the Unimog is nice, it might be outside of our price range.

And I can't find a Советский Автосалон in the area to look at the BAT-M - no idea what the MSRP is, either.

I have nothing to contribute to this thread other than that was a SOLID second post, I think you'll do well here.

 

[boomerang]

I have nothing to contribute to this thread other than that was a SOLID second post, I think you'll do well here.

Seconded! :thumbsup:

 

[Jumpem]

XV Crosstrek if you want something that does great in the snow and is still small and economical.

 

[exar333]

Hi there!

My fiancee's car broke down, and I wanted to get people's opinions on a car to replace it with. We've gone to quite a few dealerships to test drive vehicles, and have whittled down the choice to a few of them. As basic information, we live in the Great Lakes area (so, hot stormy summers, and frigid snowy winters), and she wants an automatic hatchback. We want something with good mileage that's safe and reliable, but is also comfortable to drive. It's going to be driven in all sorts of weather, from 8 feet of snow to torrential downpours to perfect weather.

1. Honda Fit - it handled well, was very roomy, and importantly is inexpensive. Honda appears to have good marks for reliability. Importantly, it has the best fuel efficiency of the three. The very low clearance of the vehicle makes me concerned for days in the winter before the snow plows have cleared the roads.
2. Ford Focus SE - it handled well, was quite roomy, but is more expensive than the Fit. The newer models appear to have good marks for reliability, and she said the transmission on the Focus felt a lot smoother to her. Stock wheels are larger than the Fit LX's. It's a bit bigger than the Fit, which makes me feel that it's more likely to survive (or, rather, protect the occupants) in case of a severe accident.
3. Subaru Impreza Wagon - it handled well, was fairly roomy. It has AWD which can help a bit in snow. The transmission felt all right, though the suspension made it feel like the road wasn't even there (which can be both good and bad). Lacking incentives, it is the most expensive of the three, and has the worst fuel efficiency of the three (though not far behind the Focus). Like the Focus, it seemed a bit bigger than the Fit, which made it seem like it would be a bit safer (more car to break before squishy human parts).

Thoughts? Opinions? Hate mail? Thanks!

Impreza wagon. Friend's wife just test drove these cars (plus the Mazda3) and liked that the best. Combine the utility of the Impreza with the AWD and 37mpg, its a great car, especially for snow.

Get winter tires too!

 

[soulcougher73]

XV Crosstrek if you want something that does great in the snow and is still small and economical.

This. Crosstrek is pretty cool

 

[Demo24]

Mazda3, it's an excellent car for the money! I'd no problems getting the advertised mpg figure or beating them (30/40). Car and driver has one on long term loan right now so you can read what they think there (hint, it's their favorite in this category).

 

[Mide]

I've owned a Fit and Impreza during the same time and we live in a snow region. Based on that alone I recommend the Impreza or if you can find a used, moderately priced CrossTrek that would be better (more clearance with same stats on engine).

It seemed like I could fit more in the Fit and the maintenance cost was less, but overall I had to worry about the Fit in the snow whereas the Impreza I never had to blink an eye at the weather.

 

[tracerbullet]

I'll say, as a MN resident, that even though 99* of the time the roads are plowed and any car (esp. w/ FWD, but any car) with snow tires will get you around reliably. That said I wouldn't live here w/ out a 4WD or AWD optioned vehicle.

Tons of great vehicles w/ the AWD option, but I'm thinking Subaru is a solid recommendation because even their most basic model (aside from the BRZ) will be AWD if you are on a budget.

Also, consider a used car about a year or two old, might be a small "move up" w/ tons of life left for about the same price as new.

(FYI you haven't mentioned a budget, it can be derived from your first post but it would help for folks to know).

 

[Ameise]

I'll say, as a MN resident, that even though 99* of the time the roads are plowed and any car (esp. w/ FWD, but any car) with snow tires will get you around reliably. That said I wouldn't live here w/ out a 4WD or AWD optioned vehicle.

Tons of great vehicles w/ the AWD option, but I'm thinking Subaru is a solid recommendation because even their most basic model (aside from the BRZ) will be AWD if you are on a budget.

Also, consider a used car about a year or two old, might be a small "move up" w/ tons of life left for about the same price as new.

(FYI you haven't mentioned a budget, it can be derived from your first post but it would help for folks to know).

True that. Our budget is generally up to about $22,000 (we qualified for much more, but that would be silly), though I'd prefer to be lower. That's basically an "upper cap" (and the Impreza's price is a negative for us rather than a neutral mark).

Minnesota does get a bit more snow than us, usually (this is Chicagoland, so we get lake-effect snow which can be quite intense), and lately the villages have been quite poor and plowing, especially early on after snowfalls (so I'll drive to work on terrible roads, and they'll be great on the way home).

We're loan-approved for a new car only, not used cars.

Our biggest concern with the Impreza, aside price, was as said earlier - the suspension feels odd.... too smooth, almost. You can't really feel the road, hard to gauge speed or conditions by feel. Driving is easy, but control is more difficult as a result.

 

[exar333]

True that. Our budget is generally up to about $22,000 (we qualified for much more, but that would be silly), though I'd prefer to be lower. That's basically an "upper cap" (and the Impreza's price is a negative for us rather than a neutral mark).

Minnesota does get a bit more snow than us, usually (this is Chicagoland, so we get lake-effect snow which can be quite intense), and lately the villages have been quite poor and plowing, especially early on after snowfalls (so I'll drive to work on terrible roads, and they'll be great on the way home).

We're loan-approved for a new car only, not used cars.

Our biggest concern with the Impreza, aside price, was as said earlier - the suspension feels odd.... too smooth, almost. You can't really feel the road, hard to gauge speed or conditions by feel. Driving is easy, but control is more difficult as a result.

The Subaru will net you more resale (not sure how long you intend to have the car?) and will be better in the snow with AWD. Budget $800 for a winter tire set as well, it will be worth-it.

The Mazda3/Focus will be a bit cheaper and will be more of a 'driver's car' if handling and feel are more important. Re-sale and snow will not be as good as the Subaru...again, budget for winters.

Both are good options, just depends on your priorities.

My own personal opinion, having owned both a Subaru and a Mazda in MN was the Subaru is superior. My Mazda had rust issues, my Subaru did not. For me, that was a big deal. Both were a blast to drive though...The Subaru was fun-to-drive 12 months a year while the Mazda was just 7-8.

 

[Ameise]

The Subaru will net you more resale (not sure how long you intend to have the car?) and will be better in the snow with AWD. Budget $800 for a winter tire set as well, it will be worth-it.

The Mazda3/Focus will be a bit cheaper and will be more of a 'driver's car' if handling and feel are more important. Re-sale and snow will not be as good as the Subaru...again, budget for winters.

Both are good options, just depends on your priorities.

My own personal opinion, having owned both a Subaru and a Mazda in MN was the Subaru is superior. My Mazda had rust issues, my Subaru did not. For me, that was a big deal. Both were a blast to drive though...The Subaru was fun-to-drive 12 months a year while the Mazda was just 7-8.

I should point out that we didn't like the Mazda3 at all. We test drove it pretty early on and excluded it.