New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
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OP
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?
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 625
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 625 |
we have a 2000 vw passat, which is a fun car. they make wagons too.
dan
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
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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.
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
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OP
local
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206 |
The WRX is way out of my price range. I would love it but....
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
hobbyist
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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.
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344 |
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/SVS 2000/m60/Monolith 3x200 amp
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
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OP
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.
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 129
veteran
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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!
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
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
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Re: New Car Hunting
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206
local
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OP
local
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206 |
Any reason to favor a Vibe over the Matrix, or vice versa?
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