Car shopping, opinions??

[tdkkart]

Car shopping, opinions??? and the verdict is............

Doing some car shopping for a daily driver for me and the wife.
Looking in the $20-25k range, which is not what we CAN afford, but rather what we WANT to afford. Normally I wouldn't even be considering a new car, but with very cheap money available new has become an option. There's alot of 2009 and 2010 used cars with very low miles available but the prices aren't very far off new.

So, here's what we've looked at so far:

Ford Fusion

Mazda6--this one and the Fusion are the same car, different skin

Honda Accord

Toyota Camry

Hyundai Sonata

Mazda3 (on the list even though is technically a model line down, I think the wagon looking hatch model is kinda ****)(well, way sexier than the rest)

(Yes, the Malibu and Impala could be on this list, but are not for a couple reasons. #1 I have a distaste for GM products, #2 in order to get convenient sales and service I would have to set foot on a dealer's property that I have vowed not to)

If you gather up each of the above in their comparable trim levels and park them all side by side you'll find that they all look the same, all perform the same, and all cost within about $50 of each other.
None of them are "the" car that I'd LOVE to have, but they're not $40,000 either.
(I did run across a Mitsubishi Eclipse that gave me a bit of wood, it was only $22k, too bad it was an auto)

Has anyone noticed the lack of available colors?? White, Silver, Black, Dark Blue and a couple Reds and that's about it.

So, which one would you buy???

Any experiences from ACTUAL OWNERS would be appreciated.

 

[1969]

Mazda 6, I have an 09 and love it.

 

[tdkkart]

Mazda 6, I have an 09 and love it.

Oops, forgot to mention that the daughter has an '07 which she loves, bought it last fall.

 

[KEH]

Had 4 Camrys and had good service. Drive like dreams. Excellent resale value. The bells and whistles tend to keep on working. The present model does not have as much rear visibility as I would like. I got used to the 1955 and later cars that had the 4 corners of the fenders visible from the drivers seat.

Had a couple of Mazdas, which were nice cars, but not as nice as a Camry. Resale not quite as good. Honda has good resale value.

On a recent long trip in the 05 4 cylinder Camry it got gas milage in the 30's with 37 on one tankfull but there was a lot of down hill driving on that.

KEH

 

[Randy_che]

I've only driven Hondas for nearly 20 years. Very few problems outside of general wear and tear.

Other members of my family keep trying Dodge, Jeep, Chevy, and others. They seem to have a lot of problems with every vehicle and then replace them every 3-5 years with the same model, for a new round of problems.

 

[usa89gt]

The new Sonota is smokin' and I love the pearl white. I just bought 2x 2010 Corolla XRS fully loaded with leather and moonroof and we love them.

 

[Kack]

I'm a fan of subaru's

I've got a trio of old ones all Legacys

I'd get an off lease or as new as I could afford

Toyota's are very good too

I'd also give the mazda the nod but I'm biased there I build them.

 

[Aberdale]

Of those you have listed, my pick would be the Fusion. For the past few years I tend to lean towards Fords and German cars.

Dale

 

[geaugafletcher]

Mazda3 = fun AND practical. Bottom line, you really need to drive them all and decide what you like. Honestly, quality seems to no longer be an issue (not so sure about Hyundai though), so just get your favorite.

 

[spongerich]

Hondas are appliances. They'll get you from point A to point B but they're about as exciting as a new blender. The same goes for Toyota.

I've had 4 Mazdas (an RX-7 and 3 Miatas) and they've all been great cars. I'm planning on keeping my current 05 Mazdaspeed MX-5 until I die.

 

[tdkkart]

quality seems to no longer be an issue (not so sure about Hyundai though)

Hyundia hs the 10/100 powertrain warrantee while all the rest are 6/60.
The Sonata is also about $2000 less than the others, and the 2011 do look nice.

 

[ket-tek]

Ford Fusion

Mazda6--this one and the Fusion are the same car, different skin

Honda Accord

Toyota Camry

Hyundai Sonata


Any experiences from ACTUAL OWNERS would be appreciated.

The accord or camry will both breeze past 200k with only routine maintenance. Have you looked at any Lexus's? You can get some nice used Lexus ES, IS, GS in the sub-30k range. Having the reliability of a toyota and much nicer trim level and good resale values.

The GS is a great step up from the camry for around the same used prices, has a better interior, and is similar in maintenance costs, as the designs are similar in function and repair as most toyota motors..

 

[logical]

I've owned a dozen or so cars from new but lately go for 2 year old off lease cars and trucks. I picked up a loaded Cadillac STS AWD that stickered for $54K for just $24k and it had just 17,000 miles and that included a 100,000 mile/6 year GM certified warranty extension. I see you are anti-GM, but I'd look at Certified Lexuses and other similar cars...you'll get a whole lot more car for the money.

 

[John Timmins]

My wife's car is a Mercury Milan with an inline 4 cylinder. We live in Florida so we don't have big hills or tow a boat with it. We've made 2 long road trips in it, the power is fine for passing, and it has good gas mikage. It's trim inside is nicer than Chevy Malibu or Ford Fusion and has more features for the money. The trunk is a nice size.

Make sure that whatever you buy doesn't have the brake light sticking up in the rear window making a blind spot. Our Milan has a aerodynamically useless spoiler that has the brake light built in it which makes it worth it.

I suggest you do what I do and wait till thanksgiving and try to pick up something new with a lot of rebate.

As for ******* salesman, I always ask the question they're trained to never answer......."Are you allowed to make any decisions about this sale without first consulting with your boss? " After he squirms say "If no, let me deal with him and get your commission out of this deal."

When they say "How much do you want for a trade in?", give them a real high number. After they say "that's ridiculous" say "I never bid against myself now give me your number."

A successful car deal will not be a real smiley affair. Before you go to the dealership, take a day off, get a nap, eat, have a beer or two, take a shower and be fresh and rested when you show up about 6 PM and THEY are tired and want to go home. Say you'll likely use their financing so now that guy can't go home either. Make sure you say you're not going home without a purchase. Keep saying that !!!!!

I like shopping for cars but they don't like people like me....and that's fine

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

We had a Mazda 3. That was a damn good car. We were getting 33 miles to the gallon on the highway and had zero problems with it. It was quick, drove well, handled great and is a pretty good looking little car as well. We traded it in on a Mazda Tribute because Princess wanted an SUV...

 

[gsport]

sorry you don't like GM's.... i'm a chevy guy. my daughter just bought a '10 mazda 6 and she loves it...

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Honda accord, if you maintain it you will have years of a trouble free car. They hold their value for resale, If you want all the bells and whistles look at a EX.

 

[usa89gt]

Please stay away from the Fusion. I owned a 2010 Escape V6 limited AWD and traded it after 2 months. The transmission (same as the Fusion) is horrible and it was slipping after only 2000km's. Google it and you will see the Fusion V6 is plagued with transmission problems.

http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-fusion/48806-2010-fusion-6-speed-auto-transmission-problems.html

 

[kenners]

I see the Corolla is not on your list, but the extended family has 4 of them and are very happy. We like Toyota's.

 

[Bender78]

Another vote for the Mazda 6 here. The GF has a 09 that she's had for a year now. Very nice performance with the V6 & 6 speed transmission. We've taken it on two extended trips now and it gets 32 MPG cruising at a 70 miles per hour.

We drove both the Accord and Camry. Compared to the Mazda, those cars are indeed just appliances. Nothing about them could get either of us the least bit excited, as far as their appearance or their driving dynamics. I'm sure they're fine cars......for people that want to be just like everyone else.

She bought the Grand Touring V6 model completely loaded up with everything except navigation, a demo with 4000 miles. The sticker was 33.5K, got it for 23.

 

[rodm1]

If you can't afford don't buy! That is one of the major problems that caused the crises we are in.

 

[ChristopherLutz]

tdkkart -

wow - a topic I can finally opine on with *some* authority. I spend far too much time keeping up with automotive trends - it's really rarely useful.

A couple of thoughts:

If you look at the most recent JD Power inital quality survey, you'll find that Ford did very, very well. My work colleague purchased a 2010 Fusion and has been very happy with it. see here: http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2010099

Of particular note in the above link is where Hyundai landed. They're NEW Sonata (MUST be 2011 - NOT 2010) is FANTASTIC for the price. The engine they're using is truly world class....you can probably get a great deal on these and the warranty is pretty tough to beat.

I'm personally pretty biased against Toyota. My parents "Always" buy Toyota...despite the fact they've had a number of problems with their cars...most recently a camry (valve guides leaking). Nothing terrible or really anything that is dangerous - just annoying. Also - Toyota's strategy for the camry seems to be "lets not offend anyone"...which means they're actually striving for mediocrity. I have a hard time supporting that...though, lots of people do and that's fine. Camry's aren't bad cars - though, I think they're a notch or two below the other cars on your list.

Honda. I've had numerous Honda's and had great luck with all of them. My sister is still driving a mid 90's accord with 200k on a 4 pot - pretty good. Mechanically - there is no downside to the Honda. Only 2 things to keep in mind: you pay for the name (and quality that comes with it) AND they are targets for theft/parts.

Mazda: makes a great product. The 3 series is really fun. I know a couple of folks who have them and love them. Personally, I'd only get this in a manual transmission - which might be a disqualifier for you.

If I were shopping right now for this type of car...I would DEFINITELY go drive the Hyundai.

Good Luck.

PS: You don't mention if mileage is an issue/driver in your decision making? VW has a diesel Jetta that is good for over 40mpg on the HWY. Sorry, don't have any actual experience with this...but, the idea of a torquy oil burner sounds kind of fun. (Beware: VW pretty low on the link above) - also not great on the long term ownership boards.

 

[tdkkart]

If you can't afford don't buy! That is one of the major problems that caused the crises we are in.

Go back and read my original post again, it says we CAN afford much more, but don't WANT to. That's why we still own our house and have survived the last couple years with no issues.

 

[tdkkart]

tdkkart -

wow - a topic I can finally opine on with *some* authority. I spend far too much time keeping up with automotive trends - it's really rarely useful.

A couple of thoughts:

If you look at the most recent JD Power inital quality survey, you'll find that Ford did very, very well. My work colleague purchased a 2010 Fusion and has been very happy with it. see here: http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2010099

Of particular note in the above link is where Hyundai landed. They're NEW Sonata (MUST be 2011 - NOT 2010) is FANTASTIC for the price. The engine they're using is truly world class....you can probably get a great deal on these and the warranty is pretty tough to beat.

I'm personally pretty biased against Toyota. My parents "Always" buy Toyota...despite the fact they've had a number of problems with their cars...most recently a camry (valve guides leaking). Nothing terrible or really anything that is dangerous - just annoying. Also - Toyota's strategy for the camry seems to be "lets not offend anyone"...which means they're actually striving for mediocrity. I have a hard time supporting that...though, lots of people do and that's fine. Camry's aren't bad cars - though, I think they're a notch or two below the other cars on your list.

Honda. I've had numerous Honda's and had great luck with all of them. My sister is still driving a mid 90's accord with 200k on a 4 pot - pretty good. Mechanically - there is no downside to the Honda. Only 2 things to keep in mind: you pay for the name (and quality that comes with it) AND they are targets for theft/parts.

Mazda: makes a great product. The 3 series is really fun. I know a couple of folks who have them and love them. Personally, I'd only get this in a manual transmission - which might be a disqualifier for you.

If I were shopping right now for this type of car...I would DEFINITELY go drive the Hyundai.

Good Luck.

PS: You don't mention if mileage is an issue/driver in your decision making? VW has a diesel Jetta that is good for over 40mpg on the HWY. Sorry, don't have any actual experience with this...but, the idea of a torquy oil burner sounds kind of fun. (Beware: VW pretty low on the link above) - also not great on the long term ownership boards.

Ford has indeed risen in the standings the last few years. The Mazda6 and Fusion are the same car with different skin, the 6 is sexier most of the time.
Our daughter ended up choosing the 6 over a Fusion last fall.

The Hyundai is HIGH on our list, and here it's sold on the same lot as the Fusion so we can drive them back to back. The Hyundai is $2-3000 cheaper and has a better warranty than most anything else. I'm actually have them on the list because of a glowing review from a friend who just retired as a career GM/Cadillac technician. He happened to get one as a rental and was very impressed. Just wish the color choices were a bit more varied.

I want to take a spin the Mazda3 hatch just for kicks, even with it's wagon styling it's a neat looking car.

Yes, if I could find any of the above in a manual trans it would get bumped up on the list as I prefer the manuals. However, with my broken leg issue this year I realized there is occasional reason for an auto. Just in the last couple weeks am I able to drive a manual again.

Thanks for your input...
I walked past the VW Jetta TDI a couple weeks ago, looked OK but there's a price premium for the TDI, and VWs seem to have some finicky little quality problems as they get older. I actually have a '94 Jetta as my drive to work beater now.
Mileage isn't a big deal for us as we both work at the same place on the same shift, so if we get 30mpg it's like any other couple getting 60mpg in 2 vehicles. We could actually AFFORD to drive a 15 mpg pickup to work.

 

[BetterDays]

Wife has a 4 cyl 2010 Fusion
She likes it, gets good mileage (avg 27 currently, seen 33+ on the highway at 70mph)
Decent Room
Sync System, sunroof, etc. Not loaded by any means, but enough standard features to make it right.

 

[gary300]

A good buy is a two year old or so Japanese luxury brand (Acura, Infinity, Lexus etc.). You will get a great car that has a lot of creature cumforts that will also be long lasting and trouble free.

 

[rikmeister]

i have a new accord and it is trouble free. i looked at the mazda6 and liked it but could not get as good a deal as on the accord. if you can frind a one year old accord you get 7yr 100,000 mile waranty which is what i did. the honda is a bit nosier than the camry but has more hp and handles better. the camry rides like a buick. i would also add the altima to your list. if i did not buy the accord i would have bought the hyundai sonata . cannot beat the price.

 

[usa89gt]

Go back and read my original post again, it says we CAN afford much more, but don't WANT to. That's why we still own our house and have survived the last couple years with no issues.

I have these discussions with our 2 boys (15 and 12) all the time. The friends parents drive $50-60k trucks not to mention the gas they **** back and we drive 2 brand new econo box cars which cash was paid for one ($28K).

 

[tdkkart]

I have these discussions with our 2 boys (15 and 12) all the time. The friends parents drive $50-60k trucks not to mention the gas they **** back and we drive 2 brand new econo box cars which cash was paid for one ($28K).

While I'd love to have a 3/4 diesel hotrod pickup, as much as I try I cannot justify it. I have a '96 F150 2wd that I bought in 2000 with 133,000 miles on it. The truck now has 147,000 on it. Handy as hell, and when I NEED it nothing else will do, but I sure as hell don't need a new one.
While I'd give my left nut for a new Mustang, I'll wait till I can get one cheap in a few years, or I'll just build myself a FactoryFive Cobra for less money.

 

[BetterDays]

While I'd love to have a 3/4 diesel hotrod pickup, as much as I try I cannot justify it. I have a '96 F150 2wd that I bought in 2000 with 133,000 miles on it. The truck now has 147,000 on it. Handy as hell, and when I NEED it nothing else will do, but I sure as hell don't need a new one.
While I'd give my left nut for a new Mustang, I'll wait till I can get one cheap in a few years, or I'll just build myself a FactoryFive Cobra for less money.

12k in ten years, huh?

 

[tdkkart]

12k in ten years, huh?

Actually 14k, but yes, it only gets out when I need a truck. It hasn't been out much at all this summer as it has a 5-speed and I have a broken left leg, the 2 of which don't mix well. Last summer it made a couple trips to town every week while I was working on my pole building.

 

[kharma]

Nice drive or not, I don't see how anyone can get past the ****-eating grins on those new Mazdas!

Hyundai has come a long way, for sure...

 

[ScaldedDog]

I had an '08 FWD V6 Fusion and it was nice, though terrible in the snow. (It's the first car I've owned in 30+ years of driving that I thought was actively bad on slick roads.)

I've not got a '10 V6 AWD SEL Fusion, and really like driving it. I had the ****** TSB done, but it still has some issues, with only 7000 miles on it. Other than that, though, it's been a nice car.

Mark

 

[Michal]

Also check out http://www.truecar.com/index.html to see what you should be paying .

 

[ddawg16]

How about the Ford Focus?

Drove one last night.....seemed like a nice car....and I think it's one of Fords highest ranking vehicles....

On a side note....we we bought the wife's Honda mini-van....she went shopping first without me....took her mom on one other outings....it was great because the sales person didn't see her as being the purse strings so they didn't talk money....just showed her the car.....no pressure....nothing....

Once she had decided on which one she wanted...I did the research and had a good idea of what I 'should' be able to get it for...including a couple of internet offers that were within $500 of each other......then we went down there....told them what we wanted and how much we were putting down....then negotiated....they tried all the usal tricks....we even got up to leave when they said they couldn't meet the internet offer from a neighboring dealer....stoped us at the door....

We got a fair price and without all the hassels.....

 

[usa89gt]

How about the Ford Focus?

Drove one last night.....seemed like a nice car....and I think it's one of Fords highest ranking vehicles....

On a side note....we we bought the wife's Honda mini-van....she went shopping first without me....took her mom on one other outings....it was great because the sales person didn't see her as being the purse strings so they didn't talk money....just showed her the car.....no pressure....nothing....

Once she had decided on which one she wanted...I did the research and had a good idea of what I 'should' be able to get it for...including a couple of internet offers that were within $500 of each other......then we went down there....told them what we wanted and how much we were putting down....then negotiated....they tried all the usal tricks....we even got up to leave when they said they couldn't meet the internet offer from a neighboring dealer....stoped us at the door....

We got a fair price and without all the hassels.....

I would buy a Lada before a Focus. They are absolute ****....I hope I am not offending anyone as I owned a brand new one a few years back. Buy a Corolla or Sonata.

 

[rsanter]

we have had 3 camrys over the years. all have been good cars

have you looked at the new mustang?
the 2010 mustang has the most power and best handeling of any mustang ever
even the v6 is a real performer

bob

 

[Matt M PA]

I vote for the Fusion. I have an '06 Lincoln Zephyr which shares the platform. A wonderful car. I never thought I'd say that about a 4 door, FWD car...but I enjoy it very much.

 

[countrysquire]

Drive them all, see which one y'all really like. All of those you listed are really good cars and should serve you fine. It will come down to which one suits your taste. BTW, we have had a Mazda 3 for a loaner while the Cayenne was in for service and it was surpirisingly good. Drives like a low priced, fwd BMW.

 

[sstruckguy]

we have had 3 camrys over the years. all have been good cars

have you looked at the new mustang?
the 2010 mustang has the most power and best handeling of any mustang ever
even the v6 is a real performer

bob

I think you are thinking of the 2011 Mustang. The V-6 is rated at 325 hp @ 31 mpg. The V-8 (reborn 5.0) is 402 and 25 mpg. Good stuff right there.

I try to stay out of the car threads, because of my back ground.(30 + years at the dealer level)

I have worked for all of the domestics and most of the imports (Germans and exotics excluded) With that being said, I have heard most of the "I'll only buy a blah-blah" b.s for many MANY years. Along with that goes another saying that is especially descriptive: "theres a seat for every a$$ and an a$$ for every seat". (take it as you might )

Statisically speaking, an automobile is the second largest purchase that is made by the typical american. Opinions vary, and most seem to be very limited on an "informed" level.

Gather all the facts you can, take in all the opinions, and use your findings. After all, you have to live with your decision. It will really ****, to blame your purchase on someone else's (mostly uninformed) opinion.