Compact Car recommendations?
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Compact Car recommendations?
If you were looking to downsize (or get a second car besides the 8) to a new compact or subcompact for daily errands and commuting, what would you recommend?
This would be a four (or five) door sedan or hatchback, no coupes. Doesn't need to be powerful, but should be able to merge into traffic without struggling. Doesn't need to be luxurious, but not cheaply built either. Fun to drive a plus, but obviously I'm not expecting too much in this segment.
Basically a very easy car to run errands in, reliable, decent fuel economy, good visibility, not too embarassing to be seen in, lol.
Along the lines of the newest Elanta, Accent, Civic, Mazda3, Focus, etc. Mazda2 and Fiesta types too small. Sonata and Accords too big.
I'd consider the sporty versions, but I dunno... the Civic Si seems targeted for young video gamers (even though it's a nice car to drive), and the Mazdaspeed3 seems very raw and youth-oriented (even though it's practical and powerful).
So any recommendations (or warnings against) cars in these categories?
This would be a four (or five) door sedan or hatchback, no coupes. Doesn't need to be powerful, but should be able to merge into traffic without struggling. Doesn't need to be luxurious, but not cheaply built either. Fun to drive a plus, but obviously I'm not expecting too much in this segment.
Basically a very easy car to run errands in, reliable, decent fuel economy, good visibility, not too embarassing to be seen in, lol.
Along the lines of the newest Elanta, Accent, Civic, Mazda3, Focus, etc. Mazda2 and Fiesta types too small. Sonata and Accords too big.
I'd consider the sporty versions, but I dunno... the Civic Si seems targeted for young video gamers (even though it's a nice car to drive), and the Mazdaspeed3 seems very raw and youth-oriented (even though it's practical and powerful).
So any recommendations (or warnings against) cars in these categories?
#3
The X is silent
Wait for this coming Autumn. The Mazda2 and 3 will get the SkyActive G motor - about 70mpg in the two. Plus it's a Mazda, and I presume you're in to that
Re-read the OP, and I change my opinion to Hyundai Elentra
Re-read the OP, and I change my opinion to Hyundai Elentra
Last edited by RXeligion; 07-17-2011 at 03:14 PM.
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Thanks, all suggestions considered
The mini is a great car, but I can't seem to like boxy cars like that. And yes, Fiesta types are too small. Mazda6 a great car, but too big.
Looked at a Civic Si and MazdaSpeed3. Neat cars, but both seem more appropriate for young males rather than a middle aged professional woman
Never knew about the C30, thanks I'm looking into that one.
So far I think the Mazda3 (2012 coming) and Elantra are at the top of the list for now. The Elantra is actually a really nice little car. And I know I said "no coupes," but while looking at the Elantras this afternoon, a red Genesis Coupe kept calling to me, lol... what a pretty car! I have to give Hyundai credit, they've really come a long way.
Anyone have any first-hand experience, good or bad, with the Mazda3, 2011+ Elantra, or latest Genesis Coupe?
The mini is a great car, but I can't seem to like boxy cars like that. And yes, Fiesta types are too small. Mazda6 a great car, but too big.
Looked at a Civic Si and MazdaSpeed3. Neat cars, but both seem more appropriate for young males rather than a middle aged professional woman
Never knew about the C30, thanks I'm looking into that one.
So far I think the Mazda3 (2012 coming) and Elantra are at the top of the list for now. The Elantra is actually a really nice little car. And I know I said "no coupes," but while looking at the Elantras this afternoon, a red Genesis Coupe kept calling to me, lol... what a pretty car! I have to give Hyundai credit, they've really come a long way.
Anyone have any first-hand experience, good or bad, with the Mazda3, 2011+ Elantra, or latest Genesis Coupe?
#14
Out of NYC
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I have a 2010 Mazda 3 in Celestial Blue Hatchback aka 5 "door"
It has EPA rating of 22/29(automatic) but "real" life mpg in POS NYC traffic is about 18.5 (that's what it said on the car's system)
I had 1 trip to Boston with it I got about 30-32 mpg.
Got it fully loaded (with tech package). it's really a fun car to drive. Not the greatest car for MPG. but as a DD, it should be more than enough.
I'm thinking of selling it though.
Why I wanna sell it? cuz I have a 8 and a 7, and I'm getting another car for my work (picking up clients) so there is no reason for me to keep the Mazda3, I can give it to my father and let him sell his CX7 out but I don't know yet. I don't want to trade it in for my next car cuz that means I'm getting rip by stealership.
If you are interested in the car. I can stop by somewhere in Jersey like Edgewater for you to look at it. I can point out all the "nicks/scratches" to you. You don't even have to worry about maintenance cuz ppl know me ... I'm such a freak. I still have like 5-6 Mazda filters for the car. if things work out I just gonna give them to you and I will do another oil change for ya before I hand the car to you.
as for Genesis Coupe. My friend had one in Black loaded, it was a pretty cool car, but it has a slight turbo lag (if that's what you're looking) and it's really a "2 person" car if you know what I mean. He is planning to have kids so he traded it in for an Evolution(we were all like what the F? Evolution for family car?)
I was in Hyundai's showroom today to look at the Genesis again and the Sonata Hybrid. Elantra is not a bad car, for a DD that's a pretty good choice.
It has EPA rating of 22/29(automatic) but "real" life mpg in POS NYC traffic is about 18.5 (that's what it said on the car's system)
I had 1 trip to Boston with it I got about 30-32 mpg.
Got it fully loaded (with tech package). it's really a fun car to drive. Not the greatest car for MPG. but as a DD, it should be more than enough.
I'm thinking of selling it though.
Why I wanna sell it? cuz I have a 8 and a 7, and I'm getting another car for my work (picking up clients) so there is no reason for me to keep the Mazda3, I can give it to my father and let him sell his CX7 out but I don't know yet. I don't want to trade it in for my next car cuz that means I'm getting rip by stealership.
If you are interested in the car. I can stop by somewhere in Jersey like Edgewater for you to look at it. I can point out all the "nicks/scratches" to you. You don't even have to worry about maintenance cuz ppl know me ... I'm such a freak. I still have like 5-6 Mazda filters for the car. if things work out I just gonna give them to you and I will do another oil change for ya before I hand the car to you.
as for Genesis Coupe. My friend had one in Black loaded, it was a pretty cool car, but it has a slight turbo lag (if that's what you're looking) and it's really a "2 person" car if you know what I mean. He is planning to have kids so he traded it in for an Evolution(we were all like what the F? Evolution for family car?)
I was in Hyundai's showroom today to look at the Genesis again and the Sonata Hybrid. Elantra is not a bad car, for a DD that's a pretty good choice.
Last edited by nycgps; 07-17-2011 at 10:08 PM.
#16
SKYACTIV Mazda 3
The best choice by far, imho, would be the upcoming Mazda 3 2.0 skyactive. It will come in manual or automatic 6 speed and get 40 plus mpg hwy.
This car will KILL the competition and really save in the pocketbook.
It should be out within a month or two.
Paul.
This car will KILL the competition and really save in the pocketbook.
It should be out within a month or two.
Paul.
#19
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I'm assuming that it should be an automatic transmission model.
For a new compact runabout for 2010-2011, depending on priority, these are my personal choices:
sporty: Mazda3
sporty/comfortable: Kia Forte (SX trim)
comfortable: Hyundai Elantra
I'd put the new Focus in here, but I read that the automatic transmission programming royally sucks.
For a new compact runabout for 2010-2011, depending on priority, these are my personal choices:
sporty: Mazda3
sporty/comfortable: Kia Forte (SX trim)
comfortable: Hyundai Elantra
I'd put the new Focus in here, but I read that the automatic transmission programming royally sucks.
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Strength/Confidence
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The alternatives mentioned are all pretty cool: Lancer, Mini, C30, Cruze, Forte, Focus, Optima, Focus, etc. But there's always something about each that brings me back to the 3 or Elantra (others too expensive, not as reliable, not as efficient... something).
What's kinda sad is there's nothing out there that makes me want to spend 30Kish on a car again. There are good cars for sure, but nothing boldly unique, different, special. I actually never planned to spend so much on an RX-8, I was actually planning on getting a Civic or 3 back in 2004. But the RX-8 was just so special, magical and different... I had to have it.
As for the 3 or Elantra, I guess I need to decide on looks/comfort versus a sporty drive. The catch with the 3 is we don't really know when the 2012 is coming out (I'd want the SkyActiv, apologies to nycgps )...