Which car?

Justin · Postby **Justin** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

OK, so I'm contemplating selling my MS3. We have another kid due in a couple of weeks and I've just discovered that my son only sort of fits in the seat behind me. There is no way the baby seat will fit on the driver's side. Priorities for a new car would be:

1. Safe
2. Fun!-I like my MS3, but wouldn't mind going with something AWD or rear wheel drive. I'm biased towards light, good handling cars. One of my gripes about the MS3 is that it is heavy. If my former 1971 Datsun 510 met criteria #1 I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Doesn't have to be fast, just really fun to drive.
3. Fuel efficient-I drive for work and put about 30,000 miles on my MS3 last year. I'd also like to offset some of the additional gas I'll be using now that I have my Bronco (10-12 mpg anyone?).
4. Reliable
5. No hybrids-They suck.

I don't care much about comfort and prefer something fairly simple and cheap. A used car is great, possibly preferred. Budget is $15-20k or less. What do you all think?

tsx_guy · Postby **tsx_guy** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

wow, you left that wide open. Are there a few examples of vehicles you are considering?

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

My wife's saturn is a great family car but it is far from fun, lol. has a ton of room and is very reliable and safe. She has a 2003 L200.

Justin · Postby **Justin** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

I left it wide open on purpose, wanted to see what you all would come up with if I didn't provide a box to think inside of. I'm open to literally _any_ suggestion. I've contemplated a Mazda2 (2300lbs!), Jetta or Golf TDI (260 ft/lbs of torque and 45 mpg). 2011 Mustang is outside the budget, but still a distant possibility. I drove one and really liked it, but it drives like a big, heavy car. S14 240SX is a possibility, but I don't know anything about the back seat access and I doubt it'd make my safety criteria. Thought about an RX-8, but that likely has the same issues. A WRX or STi may make the cut, but they get semi-lousy mileage. What I really want is a 4 seat Miata. Or one with a rack to strap the kids to the trunk. An Extra-Luxury go-kart or sand rail would be OK as well.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

nothing you listed will fit a rear facing seat very well and some not at all, lol.

Justin · Postby **Justin** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

RX-7 Chris wrote:My wife's saturn is a great family car but it is far from fun, lol. has a ton of room and is very reliable and safe. She has a 2003 L200.

My last car was a '99 Saturn SL. It got 40mpg and was a great family car as well. It had no power, but was somewhat fun because you could drive it at 9/10ths and still be under the speed limit.

Postby **Huzer** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

Mazda5! Haha.

geo2maz · Postby **geo2maz** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

you can get a great used BMW 3-series sedan or wagon for that price, between 2003-2007ish with around 50k miles... Or just get a Forester,

tsx_guy · Postby **tsx_guy** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

might i suggest civic or accord? Considering the kids, you really need a sedan as opposed just a back seat. Moving a 9mo kid in/out of the rear seat of a coupe can be murder on the old back.

The 8th gen civic sedans can be some what fun. 1.8ltr 140 hp. Decent amenities (you can get leather and nav if you are willing to pay). I don't recall if the rear seat will accomodate your needs.

The fit is light, fun, and spacious, but can dawg with full load (1.5ltr 105 hp or something)

I'd lean towards the older accords, 98-2002, not as pretty, but the v6 produced 200hp

yeah, i'm partial to hondas, i've driven the previous gen camry and found it was pretty decent.

GR-8 · Postby **GR-8** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

Huzer wrote:Mazda5! Haha.

I agree. Handles very well and is fun to drive. Had one for a rental. Didn't miss my 8 too much.

tsx_guy · Postby **tsx_guy** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

Huzer wrote:Mazda5! Haha.

no volvo wagon suggestion?

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

Have you looked at CR-Vs? My mom has one and it's got plenty of room and gets decent gas mileage for a crossover.

You can look at Audi wagons or hatches. The A3 is a decent car if you get it in the 4 door version and it some models come with a turbo

geo2maz · Postby **geo2maz** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

bellalyssa wrote:Have you looked at CR-Vs? My mom has one and it's got plenty of room and gets decent gas mileage for a crossover.

You can look at Audi wagons or hatches. The A3 is a decent car if you get it in the 4 door version and it some models come with a turbo

I agree about the CR-V, those are nice...

The Audi A3-turbo's look good, but they have a lot of mech. problems and the interior is hella-cheap... (inside paint flakes and chips after 3-4 years, plastic parts break..) I test drove several and considered it before I got this last MS3,

Justin · Postby **Justin** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

Contemplated the Mazda5, but it is likely bigger than I need. Its on the list, however. We've got an Honda Odyssey for our other car, so hauling stuff/dogs/kids is covered. Lyssa, thanks for the CRV suggestion, but I'm looking for something with a lower center of gravity. I actually drove one of the turbo A3s before I bought my MS3 and really liked it.

I`m Batman · Postby **I`m Batman** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:14

I always want to get a TDI... or how about a CX-7? That's why I bought my CX-7 AWD with same(almost) 2.3L Turbo as the MS3 (standard engine for 07-08)... for the room/baby. I'm expecting a second one in a few months, the CX-7 is perfect. Don't get the first year 07 model though. I have 08, and no issues so far.

My CX-7 is what inspired me to buy my MS3 a year later.

Which car?

Which car?

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