Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Irn on January 07, 2015, 01:37:54 PM
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My wife and I are down to one car, and its about time we found something new. We live in San Francisco, no longer commute to work, and drive less then 3k mile/year unless we head out on a road trip. For long road trips we are just as likely to rent as we have been able to get decent rentals for under $175/week, hardly makes sense to put long miles on your own ride. We are Prius owners, but not interested in owing another, time for a change but very happy ownership experience. Criteria for a car is, small but comfortable enough to take on 2-3 hour trips, decent gas mileage, hatch, seats 4, and dependable. My short list is Ford Fiesta, VW Golf, Honda Fit, might break the hybrid rule and look at a plug in C-max. Would like to keep it under 25k? Really like the VW Golf TSI, given our mileage and fuel cost difference the TDI makes little sense, however all things internet have scared me silly about any VW. Both of our Prius 2004 and 2001 are/were flawless, and boring. Advice? Thanks
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used Mazda MX5= have some fun!
my 01 Ford Focus was a very good driver and gave me no problems
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I drive a perfectly boring, and perfectly perfect, Mazda 3 sedan. I put few miles on it, so I lease it at a very low rate (costs less than my cell phone bill). Comfortable, quiet, great gas mileage with the SkyActiv engine.
Anyway, it's worth checking out.
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I like my Mazda 3 hatch back, with a stick I wouldn't call it boring, it's kind of fun for what it is. 80k on it and with very little trouble. I did have both front wheel bearing go bad, not sure why, but other than that faultless.
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I like the reviews and specs on the Mazda 3, but the snout seemed very long and not wild about the grill? How low as the cost of your low mileage lease and down? Never leased before since we tend to drive our cars for 10-12 years, boring I know.
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Why are you worried about fuel economy for a car that will see less than 3,000 miles per year?
I'd buy something fun, powerful, roomy, and possibly convertible...
You have LOTS of choices for something under $25,000. The used market is full of great cars, trucks, and Jeeps.
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I like the reviews and specs on the Mazda 3, but the snout seemed very long and not wild about the grill? How low as the cost of your low mileage lease and down? Never leased before since we tend to drive our cars for 10-12 years, boring I know.
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I've rented the Mazda 3 and it is a fine little vehicle. Surprisingly tight steering and certainly does feel sporty.
My ex GF has a Honda Fit and there is a very good reason why it crushes the competition in the ratings- it is a fantastic design. Perfectly good driving experience (for its size and weight, mind you). Very, very clever cargo design. Absolutely shocking what you can fit in there if you fold things down or up as need be. Mileage is decent in the city- over 30 as I recall. I would recommend getting the S model.
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New Mustang ,300hp, 30 mpg highway, not a hatch but a lot of fun for the coin! Or a Honda Fit.
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Just had to do a bit of car shopping myself. My old red 1998 Ford Escort Zx2 decided that 280,000 miles was far enough and needs wheel bearings. I hear you guys saying just replace the bearings. Not that easy, the entire car has 280,000 miles and is starting to show it. Clutch, engine, suspension, everything has high mileage and can fail at any time.
So I went shopping for a hatchback. Looked online at every nearby dealer and brand I could, Had a budget I wanted and I narrowed the list down to four cars. Went to look at these cars and two of them had already been sold, so I had to decide between a '08 Toyota Yaris with 77k for about $7 or a '13 Chevrolet Sonic with 8k for $12,500.
I went with the Sonic and love it. I have the LS which is the base model and a 5 spd manual. Just checked first tank and dash est. MPG was 36+, actual odometer and gallons check was also 36+. So no complaints here.
They also have the LT and the LTZ version. The LTZ adds turbo and a buddy of mine has one and says it's a hoot to drive.
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If economy is a consideration why buy new? We buy 1-2 year old cars with low mileage (15000 or less).
The new car owner takes the big hit and you get about a 30 percent discount on a car that's still under warranty. ;-T ;-T
That could get you a $25,000 car for about $18-19000. :BEER:
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I've rented the Mazda 3 and it is a fine little vehicle. Surprisingly tight steering and certainly does feel sporty.
My ex GF has a Honda Fit and there is a very good reason why it crushes the competition in the ratings- it is a fantastic design. Perfectly good driving experience (for its size and weight, mind you). Very, very clever cargo design. Absolutely shocking what you can fit in there if you fold things down or up as need be. Mileage is decent in the city- over 30 as I recall. I would recommend getting the S model.
I'm looking for a small car too. The FIT seems great but I've read that the seats are not very comfortable at all. What's your experience as far as comfort? I have to drive an hour each way to/from work.
Eric
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Rotten Ralph nailed it. That's why I picked the '13. Someone else had already taken the hit on the new car price and it still has remainder of factory warrantee. Got some other service programs with it and I won't have to worry about this car for 5 yrs. But with the mileage I put on a car. easy 100 miles a day, I wanted all the protection I could get. Besides it is my first "new" car. It is technically used, but it's as new as I could get without the new car price.
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Why are you worried about fuel economy for a car that will see less than 3,000 miles per year?
I'd buy something fun, powerful, roomy, and possibly convertible...
You have LOTS of choices for something under $25,000. The used market is full of great cars, trucks, and Jeeps.
I love my '05 CTS-V and it beats a Prius in mpg at any speed between 95 and 165 mph and has averaged 20 mpg over the last 100,000+ miles
Of course it is a bit of Griso
(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2009/08/28/17/47/2005_cadillac_cts-v_4_dr_std_sedan-pic-7076289394819587750.jpeg)
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Go to carcomplaints.com before buying anything. Would have saved my neighbor about 3k on the used but pristine Jetta wagon he bought for the family.
Three months in the transmission started "not going." I offered to check the ATF and see if he was just low but there wasn't a dipstick. Curious I hit Google and quickly found that the tranny's are 100,000mile throw-aways and the procedure for checking or changing ATF is grossly overcomplicated.
YMMV
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Never leased before since we tend to drive our cars for 10-12 years, boring I know.
As an ex-car salesman, I would recommend against a lease for you. You sound like me, buy a car, pay it off and not have a car payment for 10-12 years. With a lease, you ALWAYS have a car payment. With your low yearly mileage, I like rocker59's advice, buy something fun, heck buy a classic that will go up in value. Also, considering your low mileage, don't be afraid of VW, from my experience, they don't start developing problems till about 70K miles.
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Personally, I can't help you. I drive a 1997 Cadillac Seville STS I got used in 2009 with 40,000 mi for $5000. I put less than 8000 mi on it per year. Awesome, awesome car. One of the finest Caddys ever made.
However, my wife drives a 2014 Chevy Cruze and loves it. Very comfortable, gets close to 38mpg and can handle a 5 hour drive just fine. You can get a used one with all the extras for well under $20,000. I'd buy used too. A lot more car for the money.
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As the Peugeot 308 is unavailable to you I'd suggest its Teutonic clone, the VW Golf, preferably the GTI!
Roomy, compact, tested, versatile, economical, you shouldn't ask for more.
And the GTI would be fun, fun, fun......
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Go to carcomplaints.com before buying anything.
Wish I had known about this website before buying a new car last year!
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Reading back over your status, I have to agree with Rock head Rocker. If your only putting 3k a year on, how much inpact does milage have on things anyway? There are some very fun machines you could get, expecially if you go used, for well under 25k, and have one hell of a fun ride.
Of course if your other half is big into the green movement you may have a hard time selling her on 300 plus hp and 16mph!
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If I was in your position, I'd take a look at the Fiat 500 electric. They're getting great revues and Fiat has some major incentives on them because they have to sell so many in order to keep doing business in CA. After rebates, I think it's less than 20 grand and they also have a cheap lease offer.
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I would always look to inside industry advice- thx jbell. I also agree with the VW input. I had a Golf and it was great....for the first 60K miles.
Personally, i'm very conservative about my cars and mostly look for reliability. Boring is just fine with me, thank you very much. Guzziboy- the Honda Fit seats are, well, Honda seats. They aren't Acura seats (and you aren't paying for Acura seats). At the same time, you don't have luxo door insulation- so I'm sure road noise would be obtrusive on long commutes. Personally- I don't see one hour as a big deal. Seat wise, I don't especially care either. However, some folks really want plush leather etc. You won't find it in that car or in a Civic or in a Mazda, or Toyota, or anything in that price range). When I'm on the road- it's not unusual to log 2-5 hours one way. Plus, I'm on the phone doing business- so quiet makes a difference for me.
It's all about what you need and what you are willing to put up with. For ME, the Fit doesn't work. However, it's still a great car.
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If I was going to buy a new car I think I would go with the Nissan Versa. We rented one last month during our trip to WA. It comes in hatchback or a trunk. We had the trunk version which was big for a small car. The car was comfortable, drove nice and got 40+ mpg. When we got home I looked up what Nissan wanted for one. Very inexpensive, $14,000 for the sedan model with the CVT transmission like the one we rented.
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If I want to know reliability of any car model I go to the library and read the owner's survey on all the car models in Consumer's Reports that comes out once a year. I have found it to be very reliable/factual for decades. ;-T
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Lots of good ideas thanks. Have rented Chevy Cruize a few times, impressed but not a hatch. As far as a muscle car or something fun, happy to be down to one car, so have to work with my wife. She likes the idea of small hatch easy to park and get around our crowded landscape. Fiat 500 electric drove it, very impressed but as our only car not practicle given range limitations. Thanks will now also consider the hatch version of the Nissan Versa. Still like the golf on paper, but so much VW noise about expensive repairs. Not adverse to finding used, but my Craiglist hunts show 2 or 3 year old cars with 50k plus miles. Thanks again for the posts.
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Go out and rent ones you are thinking of buying. Rent for a weekend where you want to drive for a bit. Cheap way to find out if you like it or not.
Toyota dealers used to offer just that service. Go in and look. Find something you might like and do a week rental. Don't know if they do that anymore.
FYI, auto trannies. My Toyota Tundra had one of those 'sealed' transmissions. It worked fine, but, I sold it at 90k miles so don't know if it was trashed or not.
I'd also go the sports car route, but, if you want a sedan then go for it. I'd look at the Fiats too. If not doing longish road trips I'd definitely look at a plug in electric.
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If you're buying new, and only putting 3k on a year, any car sold in the US is going to be reliable for YEARS...
Late-model VWs should go 50-100k AT LEAST without something major.
If you like the Golf.... Get a Golf.
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Have you anaylzed the total cost of ownership and compared the number to something like a Zipcar? If I was in your position, I'd understand everything -- insurance, gas, residual value at the end of the car's life, how often you upgrade, etc. You might be surprised that the Zipcar becomes as or more economical, and much more flexible for the lifesytle you enjoy and location you live.
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Have you anaylzed the total cost of ownership and compared the number to something like a Zipcar? If I was in your position, I'd understand everything -- insurance, gas, residual value at the end of the car's life, how often you upgrade, etc. You might be surprised that the Zipcar becomes as or more economical, and much more flexible for the lifesytle you enjoy and location you live.
I kinda do the same thing now except when I need a truck.
I used to have a 99.5 Ford F350 Powerstroke.. Didn't use it much over the last 5 years.
Decided to sell it and rent a truck for the 2 or 3 times a year I need one now.
I just go to Home Depot and rent it for $100 or something less..
Saves big time.. in time & money overall.
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I love my '05 CTS-V and it beats a Prius in mpg at any speed between 95 and 165 mph and has averaged 20 mpg over the last 100,000+ miles
Of course it is a bit of Griso
(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2009/08/28/17/47/2005_cadillac_cts-v_4_dr_std_sedan-pic-7076289394819587750.jpeg)
;-T
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New Mustang ,300hp, 30 mpg highway, not a hatch but a lot of fun for the coin!
Especially a convertible! ;-T
Cue the classic image of cruising PCH down to San Luis Obispo. :BEER:
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If you're buying new, and only putting 3k on a year, any car sold in the US is going to be reliable for YEARS...
Late-model VWs should go 50-100k AT LEAST without something major.
If you like the Golf.... Get a Golf.
We have a 2004 VW Golf with 165000 miles om it and it is still going strong. It has some minor things go wrong but the engine uses no oil and the auto transmission stills feels like new. I agree with Kev get a Golf they are solid cars.
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My vote: Mini Cooper. We love the hell outa ours. We got the Clubman for the faux rear door and the barn door tail but they are discontinuing this model for a proper four door.
Been great on road trips - lots and lots of fun to drive.
Weird gauges and controls - rather counter or at least very non-intuitive... Odd for krauts but there you go these days.
We're very happy with how we've been treated by the dealer but we use the Penske anchored dealer and they alone may be outstanding as I've heard tales of dread from other BMW based dealer experiences.
We bought the "Sport" or "S" but will be test driving the non "S" next time. I/we love the power but it has old school turbo-lag and the "S" comes with run-flats rather than a spare tire.
Cool little car and while as cute as wet foal, it's not the emasculating fem-atic cute of a VW Sheetle with its bud vase.
Todd.
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If you're buying new, and only putting 3k on a year, any car sold in the US is going to be reliable for YEARS...
Late-model VWs should go 50-100k AT LEAST without something major.
If you like the Golf.... Get a Golf.
;-T With a manual transmission. ;)
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I had an '03 VW Golf GTI VR6, 6-speed - Lots of fun, I still miss it. I leased, and the car was so much fun to drive that I went way past my mileage. I decided to not keep it at the end of the lease, but I wish I would have. I still miss that car - I have also driven a newer TDI golf diesel when I was out of the country (it was my rental for a week) - I think it was an '05, and that was great as well.
The only thing that ever went wrong with my '03 during the 5 years I had it, was some sort of clutch plunger and that was replaced under warranty during the lease, but I don't recall what part it was exactly - Either way, it seemed like an easy fix.
Used cars is also the way to go for me too.
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My vote: Mini Cooper. We love the hell outa ours. We got the Clubman for the faux rear door and the barn door tail
The Mini Cooper Clubman is a fun, cool car that might meet the OP's requirements. ;-T
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I have a '12 Mazda3 Touring Hatch and it's a truly versatile vehicle. As someone said above I doubt you need the mpg performance but you might be interested in the utilitarian aspects for such a compact car. It's not tow rated but I pull my utility trailer and that combo is pretty unbeatable.
As for mpg performance I'm getting an average 34.6mpg with a 41mph average speed while running 87 Octane gas. At $1.84 gal I doubt I can beat that with any vehicle that can tow a small trailer and fit 3 adults comfortably for a 3 hour ride.
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I went through all this last summer. I was looking for a hot hatch. The VW is great handler but expensive and I am afraid of the reliability. The Focus and Fiesta just didn't turn my crank and the sport models are expensive. I really liked the Kia Forte Turbo hatch but just couldn't deal with the dealer. My sons have had Mazda hatches and they are pretty nice but I couldn't get a stick & sunroof, the dealer wasn't interested.
In the end I got a '14 Accord EX/stick 4 cyl which was the best option and cheaper than all but the smallest / cheapest hatches. This model has had a few rattles but has been a comfy, economical, sporty and this one has some unexpected power.
I think you have to make some hard justifications to spend less money or money on a car than an Accord for a family car.
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OP here, I want to thank everyone for your ideas, including the Cadillac CTS :+=copcar. Seems to fit that Guzzi owners are in the market for stick shift hatches which every other American runs away from the buy some jacked up hatch/wagon called a CUV. I am going test driving next week and will report back once I get some seat time. Not sure about the Mini, have rented them and just did not like the high doors and closed up feeling. My neighbor has been waiting for three months to get side rear glass window for her Mini Cooper S, German parts via the UK....Thanks again, looks like Golf, Fiesta, Mazda 2/3, Fit, and Nissan Versa Note are on the list now.
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FWIW I have a friend who works at a multi - multi huge dealership near me. He says the one car model they sell that is in the shop more than any other brand, and he says by far, is VW. The earlier models were much better, but the newer ones need repair a lot.
And speaking of VW, they have a diesel model that gets over 80mpg that is not allowed to be sold in the USA. So much for competition.
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OP here, I want to thank everyone for your ideas, including the Cadillac CTS :+=copcar. Seems to fit that Guzzi owners are in the market for stick shift hatches which every other American runs away from the buy some jacked up hatch/wagon called a CUV. I am going test driving next week and will report back once I get some seat time. Not sure about the Mini, have rented them and just did not like the high doors and closed up feeling. My neighbor has been waiting for three months to get side rear glass window for her Mini Cooper S, German parts via the UK....Thanks again, looks like Golf, Fiesta, Mazda 2/3, Fit, and Nissan Versa Note are on the list now.
you might look at the Kia Forte Turbo hatch. really.
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"Small 5 door hatch."
What about an Impreza?
You said you liked the Prius. Just ready for something different?
John Henry
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"Small 5 door hatch."
What about an Impreza?
You said you liked the Prius. Just ready for something different?
John Henry
I've got three hatches- '12 Mazda3 (70k), '07 Fit Sport (90k), and an '06 Saab 9-2x (Impreza wagon and 80k). Ok so the Mazda has a lot advantages with being newer but my brother had the '05 Hatch and I can say without a doubt the Mazda is the best of the lot. The Saaburu is just so quirky and at 80k miles has had more issues than than the other two. Throwing misfire codes on the back cylinders, torque-bind on the drive train, and leaks are the most memorable. The Fit doesn't give me fits but it's not near as practicable for hauling or moving stuff around as the other two and Kim's Bimmer gets better all around mpg.
Don't know anything about the Korean hatches but the Mazda is really hard to beat. Kim' off to the furniture store this morning and I'm sure I'll be pulling a heavy piece of something out of the back when I get home.
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I really can't believe that no one suggested a Rolls Phantom Drophead Coupe. ???
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Easy,
Low mileage, late model c-6, babied,hatchback, 31mpg hwy, 27 in town, fun to drive, most comfortable car I have owned. Sporty too.
Doh, c-6 corvette.
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I'm gonna a wee bit outside the box here and have you check out a late model Ford Flex. With the normal 3.5L engine it will touch 30mpg on the freeway. She is a bigger car, three rows of seats (keep the back ones folded if you don't need 'em). They ride VERY nice and was my first choice (ended up with my second choice, a Ford F150 - it's a long story) when I recently traded in the Edge (best damn car I've ever owned, almost as nice as the Flex in ride, sits a bit higher; hell, check out the Edge too!).
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I'm going to say it again... with the amount of miles you drive, GET WHATEVER YOU WANT. It's NOT GOING TO BREAK for MANY MANY years and miles.
Get a Fiat or an Alfa if it makes you happy.
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I'm going to say it again... with the amount of miles you drive, GET WHATEVER YOU WANT. It's NOT GOING TO BREAK for MANY MANY years and miles.
Get a Fiat or an Alfa if it makes you happy.
:+1
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I'd stay away from the Nissan, if I were you. Any of the models below the Maxima have less than great build quality.
They're just not in the same league as the other Japanese manufacturers. The Versa has been panned repeatedly.
Almost any of it's competitors would be a better choice.
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OP Here, seems to be a fair amount of Mazda love here, will move it up my list. Some anecdotal VW concerns. Love the C6 idea, but need to seat 4, and remember this will be our only car. Regarding low miles and MPG concerns, wife is a bit of a tree huger so no sense in barking up that tree, besides coming off a Prius anything is going to seem like a muscle car. You Subie lovers, I get it, but I developed an allergy to snow ice and window scarping in 82 when I left Colorado for San Francisco, when the great two lane passes in the Sierras close for the winter, I just don't head for those hills. Again moving Mazda 2/3up the list, test drives next week. I rented a 500L in Italy for about 3 hours this fall, about the worst thing I have ever driven. One good idea is to rent, will do when I get serious. I have to say I have rented some very high mileage Chevy Cruize 45-50k and very impressed by the how they held together, but we don't get the hatchback.....
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I don't blame you a bit getting away from the white stuff! OTOH, you don't HAVE to live in an area like mine to justify owning a Scooby. It is still an economical vehicle to own and operate, and a fair bit of room for stuff.
In any event, you need to get something you'll be happy with, regardless of what it is. Otherwise, you will be kicking yourself every time you have to drive anyplace.
I noticed reference made to rentals. I'm not sure if you were thinking of renting when needed, or renting the vehicles you may have narrowed your choices down to for a week or so in order to evaluate them. (The latter being a thought of mine. Sometimes it is hard to make a choice based on a test drive.)
Cheers,
John Henry
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I seriously love Scoobies, and the AWD is good for handling all the time, especially in rain. BUT if you're not getting a turbo model and not driving in snow ever, then it does come at a cost of economy that might not be worth it.
I'll add to the positive Mazda anecdotal stories. I've got a bud who is a parts manager at a Mazda/BMW dealership who had Mazdas as their personal drivers because he is impressed by them mechanically.
I would quite possibly still get the VW for other reasons.
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you will be able to narrow your search when you test drive the cars you are interested in.
Some cars just don't fit. Some cars are not fun to drive.
You will know it when you have found "the" car for you.