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What to buy?

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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decisions, decisions ...

Next year I'm replacing my 2000 Mazda Protege. Owned it since new. That car has been fantastic as a reliable daily driver, and 40mpg is a big plus.

The mission: typical "run to the store" type driving, plus the weekly 100 mile round trip to the air museum. Hardly any city driving; nearly all is rural two lane blacktop. One or two people, storage in the rear, a/c, manual trans, very basic. Hey, what can I say ... I'm a boring guy!

I may be dense, but I still don't see the great advantage in fully electric vehicles and hybrids, at least for the type of driving I'll be doing. I'd certainly consider a Volt or Leaf, but if it won't take me 100 miles on a single charge, I can't use it.

I'm currently thinking something like Ford Fiesta, VW Beetle, Mini, Honda Fit, Civic, Aveo, Cobalt, Mazda3/5, etc., but don't want to feel cramped up against the windshield and steering wheel.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
Tom
 
Go test drive a Ford Fusion/Mazda 6.You can buy one
a couple of years old for a decent price.Comfortable,decent
milage,huge trunk,plus they handle well.
We replaced my Wife's 2002 Protege with this.

- Doug
 
Fit.
 
Honda Civic;

It gives the same gas mileage as a Fit, has more room, and handles better on the highway.
Besides, it is the best selling car in Canada 12 years running.
JMO!

Dave :driving:
 
14dna said:
Honda Civic;

It gives the same gas mileage as a Fit, has more room, and handles better on the highway.
Besides, it is the best selling car in Canada 12 years running.
JMO!

Dave :driving:
Click to expand...

check insurance though - Civic also one of the most stolen cars and insurance rates reflect this. I drive a Mazda 6 wagon, and especially buying used think Mazda. I find they don't have the same premium you have to pay for a Toyota or a Honda. Also pretty impressed with Kia or Hyundai anymore
 
Not trying to be obnoxious, but the Civics on the list of stolen cars are older, as in 1990-97.
The new cars have chipped keys and computer shut offs. They are also one of the best cars for long term maintenance efficiency.

Just sayin'

Dave :savewave:
 
14dna said:
Not trying to be obnoxious, but the Civics on the list of stolen cars are older, as in 1990-97.
The new cars have chipped keys and computer shut offs. They are also one of the best cars for long term maintenance efficiency.

Just sayin'

Dave :savewave:
Click to expand...

and so I thought, except my golf partner who had to get insurance last week was told he is paying a premium for having a Civic (because it gets stolen they said) and it is about a 2005.
 
Definitely pays to consider insurance premiums, along with a gazillion other things.

On a tangent, I remember a few weeks ago a guy here was told by his insurance company he couldn't get his LBC covered "because it wasn't EPA compliant". Turned out it was just something the agent made up. Oh well.

Interesting that the Honda Civic and Honda Fit have similar mpg estimates, as well as similar interior and cargo space volume. I still like Mazda products, but maybe I'll do some drooling over at the Honda dealer.

The plot thickens ...

T.
 
I wouldn't have bet against the Civic, but recently friends of ours were looking for a later model and our research showed a history of cracked engine blocks and wheel alignment problems. Seems like quality always takes a hit if a dollar can be shaved.
 
I've got 31k miles on my 2009 Honda Fit (the current generation one). It is, without question, the best car I've owned. I've been meaning to write up a review, just haven't gotten to it.

Mine is the Sport model with the 5-speed manual. I get an honest 40mpg in the summer, a little less in the winter with snow tires. It has the best interior packaging of anything I've had or tested -- I often need to carry a lot of gear, including an upright bass, and it all fits easily. The rear seats fold completely flat without needing to move the front seats forward.

Lots of room, and comfy (I'm 6'1", 200#). Drove it to Denver from here (550 miles) last fall by myself, nice and comfy. It also handles far better than it should. I've had it over a few of my favorite pass roads, and it's far more fun than a little hatchback should be. No racer, but good to drive in the twisties.

I didn't look at a Civic when I bought the Fit, as I *need* a hatchback or wagon due to my music gear and there was no Civic hatch available in the US at that time. When I bought it (October 2008, brand new) I drove everything in the class, and it seems considerably better than all the others (Focus, Yaris, Versa, Mazda3, Kia).

I've had to do just routine services, triggered by the service computer on the car (gives a % oil life). For me, that's about every 10k miles (I drive about 20k miles a year).

My best advice, if you want a new car, is to take a day and drive *everything* you are considering. No dealing, no price talk, just test drives. It certainly made my decision easier

fit_st_george.jpg
 
My vote would be for the Civic CVCC, 6 speeds and a 8500 rpm redline :smile:

We have a CRV, it has been great car, someone recently totaled it by running in the back of with a big ole 80s Olds 98 at 40 mph and never put on the brakes, amazingly the Honda held up well to this type of hit, the big Olds, not so much, that lady had to go to the hospital. I argued with the insurance company and got a fair settlement, and went out and found another CRV like the one we had with even less miles, it's been great car and proved it crashworthiness to me as well. I don't want anything GM (Goverment Motors) sells, Ford maybe, for sure their big trucks, but when it comes to little cars, It's real hard to beat a Honda. In the 85K miles we put on the other CRV, we put front brake pads on it once, one set of tires and changed the oil and filters, thats it.
 
Golf TDI? :laugh:
 
On the other hand, my will to remain "basic" is slowly slip sliding away:

image_phpId18-vi.jpg


Didn't get such great reviews, but it sure pleases my palate. Now if I could only find a safe and reliable *original* 1955 T-bird ....

I am so stuck in the 1950s it's ridiculous. "I like Ike. We like Ike. Everybody likes Ike!"

OK - back to my cave.
T.
 
Oh.
When you said "storage in the rear", I assumed you meant a 4 seater.

If you could live with the Ford above, you need to test drive a Miata.

There are a number of great cars listed above, but if you can live with a 2 seat car, the Miata is hands-down better than all of them.

And it's got the old-school charm of a real sports car to boot.
 
I think any car that you like will be fine. I've owned a number of cars that had poor reviews or reputations and enjoyed them (corvairs, Fiat 850's, TR7's, Saab's). I think the poor reviews are a result of the reviewer not understanding what the car is meant to be.
 
Don't forget to check out the Scion lineup. We own a first gen Scion XB. the "refrigerator on wheels" and it is the best car we've ever had. small, but crazy amounts of room (I'm 6'1"), great visibility, mid 30s for MPG, will pack incredible amounts of things.
The newer one is larger, more fuel efficient, but the individuality is somewhat diminished. still an excellent car to look at (And check out the shifter bezel! It reminds me of a napkin holder from a 50s diner)
 
Thanks for all the suggestions gentlemen. I'd never even thougt about the Miata or Scion. Sure glad I'm not in a hurry, as there are *lots* of cars to check out these days.

(Of course, just because I said I'm not in a hurry, the entire drivetrain will drop out of my Protege' tomorrow.)

Tom
 
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