Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
New Car Hunting
#32980 02/04/04 08:31 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
OP Offline
local
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
Going to be looking for a new, or barely used car over the next few weeks. Most of the driving is city commuting either alone or with 1 other person. There are 2 kids however, so we need at least 4 doors and room for at least 1 of their friends. Since we garage sale and will use the car for just about anything, we want a hatchback. So...that means Ford Focus, Mazda Protege 5, Suzuki Aerio, Sprint, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, possibly a Subaru although I don't need 4wd and don't need to be hauling the weight of it around. Anyone driving one of these? Any others to look at?

Re: New Car Hunting
#32981 02/04/04 08:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 625
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 625
we have a 2000 vw passat, which is a fun car. they make wagons too.
dan

Re: New Car Hunting
#32982 02/04/04 08:46 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
I test drove the Subaru WRX wagon about 2 years ago. GREAT car, though you do pay for the fast engine.

Maybe a Toyota Prius (new one is hatchback) or Civic Hybrid. Definitely will save you on gas. Honda Element's are cool too, quirky looking but pretty practical inside.

Last edited by oldskoolboarder; 02/04/04 08:47 PM.
Re: New Car Hunting
#32983 02/04/04 08:57 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
OP Offline
local
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
The WRX is way out of my price range. I would love it but....

Re: New Car Hunting
#32984 02/04/04 09:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
hobbyist
Offline
hobbyist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
A Saab 9-3 just off a two year lease return with 21,000 miles for $15000 sounds like a great idea to me.

Re: New Car Hunting
#32985 02/04/04 10:58 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,343
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,343
Don't buy an early model Ford Focus unless the 3 trillion or so recalls on it have been addressed. If you don't need 4wd don't buy the Subaru, apart from the weight and poorer gas mileage, maintance; when needed is obviously higher.

I'd look at the Mazda or Toyota.

Good luck


getting to 2,000 posts; one year at a time vp160/qs8/qs4/ep350/m60/m2200s
Re: New Car Hunting
#32986 02/04/04 11:06 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
OP Offline
local
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
I've heard that a lot of the problems of the early Ford Focus models have been fixed, but I remain very leery of their quality control.

Re: New Car Hunting
#32987 02/04/04 11:10 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 129
veteran
Offline
veteran
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 129
I love my chevy prizm (same as a Toyota Corolla). My sister bought a Toyota RAV4 which is a Corolla with a small SUV body and 4WD. Now, Chevy stopped making the Prizm, but the Pontiac Vibe (which I think is quite ugly) has the same Toyota 1.8L engine (I was told the other day at the dealership...I did not know that until now), so it will be a great little runner. I get 40-42MPG with the 5 speed stick.


"Life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness"...Go Packers! and Go Badgers!
Re: New Car Hunting
#32988 02/04/04 11:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
T
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
T
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
This is not spot-on, but fwiw...

We recently got a 2004 Corolla (which would have the same running gear as a 2003-4 Matrix or Vibe, I believe). I have owned Toyotas before, and may never buy another kind of car again, regardless of the price temptation of other brands.

This car is absolutely great. Smart, solid, frugal, fun. I really cannot say enough good things about it. Both it and the Prius are surprisingly roomy inside.

I saw a new Mazda 3 (Protege replacement?) the other day - very, very good looking car, IMO.

I like the way the Vibe looks better than the Matrix.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: New Car Hunting
#32989 02/04/04 11:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
OP Offline
local
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
Any reason to favor a Vibe over the Matrix, or vice versa?

Page 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 386 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4