txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Alright fellas and ladies I have had a thread or 2 on a local mustang only forum so needless to say the feedback on there can be a bit biased but I am looking at getting into a new car and we have a variety on here so I figured what better place to ask! Today I test drove a couple Mazda 3's with one being the sedan with sport automatic and the other being a hatch with the skiactive and sport auto. I liked them alot but they are a bit much for where I want to be.. I know with my budget the pickings are EXTREMELY thin but I was hoping to see what opinions are out there. My budget is to be as close as 15K as possible but the mazdas were around 20-21k that I drove. Looking at other brands the car that jumps out to me is a Kia Koup. I've heard stories that Kia isn't all that great but its simply going to be my beater car and will spend time in bumper to bumper traffic on I35 all day. I haven't driven the Koup yet but price point on that car with the auto is 17K which is alot better. Any other options I am forgetting? I know there are a few other less expensive new cars but I don't want a super small car and its gotta look a little decent. I will have about 5K to put down on it so that will lower payment prices.
3PedalMINI Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Base model Mini? its a wee bit out of your range but even the base model is a blast to drive, looks cool and you can order it exactly how you want it! they really arnt that small and really good on gas millage They also have some really nice features Also have you looked at ford focuses?
txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 My dad had a mini and it was a solid car, I enjoyed the heck out it! Problem was/is that BMW makes it so any major repairs down the road are costly. I did look into the TC but they start at the 20K for the base models so the auto would be a bit more even. I'll check into Volkswagon but I got a feeling they like their cars a bit more than I do haha.
XQIZT Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Does it have to be new? My family has had good luck at Carmax. Solid cars, good warranties and less than new prices. Remotely posted by XQIZT Automotive
ChargerMatt Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Just curious, how tall are you? I may be looking into getting something more gas friendly in the near future
txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 Does it have to be new? My family has had good luck at Carmax. Solid cars, good warranties and less than new prices. Remotely posted by XQIZT Automotive It doesn't have to be and I will be sure to check out car max but if its used it needs to be less than 2 yrs old and under 20K miles and the 15K. Ill check their stock here and see what they have. Gas milage is a concern as well for the car as I will have a toy that will suck my wallet dry Just curious, how tall are you? I may be looking into getting something more gas friendly in the near future 6 ft 178 lbs per my Dr appt today I will still have a toy but it will be a pony of another color. I've had mine for a while and just ready for something new. In order for me to do that though I will need to find a DD finally.
GaryW Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 What about the Hyundai Elantra? Heard they are at a good price range. Sometimes you can step the price if you can get a good deal, or cash back and so on., Heck maybe work at the dealer detailing and work some off.
JBlack151 Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 We just bought a Subaru Impreza and absolutely love it. However knowing your price range I would also say an Elantra as well. They have a great warranty and you could probably drive off at a good price. ........but if you can manage a little more for the sticker on an Impreza than that is my first recommendation. Good luck!!! Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Tim Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 You can get the Chevy Sonic with some options at your price point. A friend of mine has it, they replaced a Hoda Fit and like it. The Cruze is a little more. Ford Fiesta is in the range with the Focus a little more.
G8chick Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 The dodge dart is coming out soon.. Not to sure in what the base price for those is tho.
Chewy Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 If I were looking for a car in that price range it'd be the Ford Fiesta. Sent from the past using special algorithms and data nodes!
Marylander Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Does it have to be new and "fun"? IF so I'd say VW Golf -- good comfortable seats, built with a little autobahn DNA, and lots of aftermarket stuff if you want to tinker. If it's "just a car" for commuting, maybe consider NOT spending your whole 15K budget and just get something boring and reliable for slogging back and forth to work... you can get a lot for your money in a 3-5 year old used car for $5-8K these days. Pay cash, cheap to insure and money in your pocket.
70'sChevyGirl Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 The Chevy Sonic is a nice car and easy on gas. Quite a few colors to choose from too. Base retail price (MSRP): $13,865 - $18,625 Fuel economy (MPG): 25 - 29 city | 35 - 40 highway
txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 Alot of questions to answer so I'll try to haha.. I actually saw a Dart on the road here in TX when they tested them recently and its a sharp looking car, but I think the price point might be a bit too much for me at this point. My family has always been mopar people but have had good luck with other makes as well. My dad had a mazda truck get 260k and 10 years without any issues so he has a high impression of them. The Chevy Sonic doesn't look bad, but for some reason the Kia looks better imo being a 2 door coupe. For reference this is the car/color I would get:
txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 The fiesta is something I may look at as well as a stripped down focus too. Lot's of different options in that price point though!
bigaudiofanatic Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Scion TC Nissan Altima Hyundai Genesis Nissan Versa "cheapest"
txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 No love for the Kia haha. I guess everyone else feels the same way about their reputation too..
Tim Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 Kia/Hyundai are fine cars, it is just that Kia wouldn't be my first choice.
Chewy Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 The fiesta is something I may look at as well as a stripped down focus too. Lot's of different options in that price point though! The Sonics interior is SUPER cheap... If that's not an issue, it's a cool looking car. I think the Fiesta is a bit nicer inside. After all, that's where you'll spend 99% of your time! lol Chris
txredgt Posted May 17, 2012 Author Posted May 17, 2012 Yea I will be driving the Fiesta as well before making a decision. It's not a bad looking car and the price point is right on where I want it to be. Biggest need for me is an automatic. After driving my 5 spd car while its a blast to burn through the gears on a regular basis, this car is strictly to get me around town and nothing else. I need to keep that in mind to keep my price down as bells and whistles add up quickly on new cars.
txredgt Posted May 21, 2012 Author Posted May 21, 2012 After driving the Kia I never thought I would say this.. but I kinda like the car. Yes, its a Kia and not american which is a big deal on this forum, but my money is gonna go further there. Besides this is what I will be adding to my stable to suit my american v8 needs: It will be sad to let my current pony go, but I just want something you don't see everyday and that's exactly what that car is. It's also the car that got me hooked on the new styled mustangs.
LFairbanks Posted May 21, 2012 Posted May 21, 2012 Have you looked into Nissan? Build Your Nissan | Nissan USA
txredgt Posted May 22, 2012 Author Posted May 22, 2012 Drove a focus today and I can honestly say I was let down by it. Shifts wernt smooth at all and for a brand new car that scares me. The dealer said it was due to the milage and stuff but it scared me enough to not even consider it.
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