Which daily driver should I be looking at?

[16hypen3sp]

Hi guys.

Yes, another "which car should I buy?" thread.

My situation:

I'm looking at replacing my current daily driver, a 2005 Dodge SX 2.0. I've had the car for 5 years, but she's getting pretty miled out.

I'm currently looking at 2012/13 Civics.

Has to be 4 doors.
Has to be automatic.
Bluetooth connectivity would be really, really nice to have.

I have taken a look into the Chevy Cruze models as well as the Corolla models.

Any other models I should be researching?

Thanks for any input.

[Sugarphreak]

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[16hypen3sp]

No SUV models. Only 4 door sedans. Comfy over sporty I guess. Could be import or domestic but I seem to lean towards imports during my searches.

I have expanded to include models like the Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata.

This seems like a good buy. I expected these cars to cost more.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2015-kia-optima-cloth-heated-seats-bluetooth/1138263711

[Sugarphreak]

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[16hypen3sp]

I find the Accords jump in price quite a bit compared to the Optima and Sonata.



It's not that I don't like SUVs, just that I don't really need one I guess. I dunno.

[zhao]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Honda accord would be a good fit

Y U no like SUVs. :whipped:

Y u like suvs?

SUV's dont make a lot of sense imo. Worse gas mileage, shitty handling, seating positions often designed for women or short men (CRV rav4 for example. i can't drive these things or sit in the passenger seat comfortably), and often not even a lot more space for storage and still only fit 5 passanges. A minivan would do all that better.

And you do not need an suv to survive winter... if I can winter drive a rwd sports car, and my wife can winter drive a rwd 5 series without even noticing its rwd, how bad a driver do you need to be to 'need' to have a suv. The thing about people buying suv's for winter is they rarely buy winter tires for them also... meaning you now have something that is higher up and more prone to rolling, with shitty handling and with worse stopping than every car with winters. But also, if it's awd it gets going a lot faster giving the illusion it is better, and the bigger wheels make it less likely to get stuck.



As for OP, it depends what you're looking for in a car and what your budget is. Really kia isn't too bad right now for bang for buck, but without more info its hard to answer what you'd be interested in.

[16hypen3sp]

Yah both the Optima and Sonata seem really good bang for the buck.

[Darkane]

If you go with a 4 door civic skip the '12. '13 was the emergency refresh and better standard equip and materials.

[Sugarphreak]

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[Skrilla]

Originally posted by 16hypen3sp
No SUV models. Only 4 door sedans. Comfy over sporty I guess. Could be import or domestic but I seem to lean towards imports during my searches.

I have expanded to include models like the Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata.

This seems like a good buy. I expected these cars to cost more.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2015-kia-optima-cloth-heated-seats-bluetooth/1138263711

I like those optimas. Neighbors have one it's a sharp car. $20 the one in your link is a ex-rental car.

[16hypen3sp]

Originally posted by Skrilla


I like those optimas. Neighbors have one it's a sharp car. $20 the one in your link is a ex-rental car.

I agree. Most likely an ex-rental. Should I be very nervous about that?

[rx7_turbo2]

Originally posted by 16hypen3sp
I agree. Most likely an ex-rental. Should I be very nervous about that?

Given how I drive a rental............Yes.

In all seriousness I knew a guy who bought exclusively ex-rentals, he would only hang on to them for 2-3 years before selling and buying another but to my knowledge he never had any issues.

[JohnnyHockey]

What is your budget??????

[JohnnyHockey]

Just saw your ad for the Kia...have you looked at G35x/G37x, I may be biased but they are 100x better than that Kia/Hyundai garbage lol

[relyt92]

My dad picked up an ex-rental 2014 Sonata last year for like $14k with ~45km on it, was a mid level model so it's got satellite radio and a backup cam. Car is clean and drives fairly well, you wouldn't know it's an ex rental without asking about it. If the car is in good shape and the price is right I wouldn't care too much about the rental history.

[16hypen3sp]

My budget... I don't really want to spend more than 15k or 16k.

The G35x I have looked into a little bit but for my budget, too old, too many miles.

Isn't the Optima regarded as the "poor mans Lexus" or something? Haha.

The whole rental thing is a little troubling but I know a few people who have bought ex-rentals and didn't have any troubles. Maybe it's a false sense of security but personally, I wouldn't be too terribly worried.

Any other models that compare to a 2015 Optima/Sonata in terms of price?

[Skrilla]

Origianally posted by 16hypen3sp


I agree. Most likely an ex-rental. Should I be very nervous about that?

Well....haha i wouldn't given how they are normally treated. And they cycle them out of fleet quickly to avoid any larger maintenance or service work. When i worked for GM we had the contract for a few rental companies. They do the bare minimum on their fleet.

[Skrilla]

But I'm sure you could find a good private sale. Not sure how reliable those cars are. Do some reading if its what you want. Nice thing about buying a newer car is the warranty. Yes you could get an Infiniti or something but it will be older. Not that they aren't reliable.

Edit: have you looked at the updated ford fusion? There were some 14s in your price range.

[KPHMPH]

Pretty sure you can buy a brand new Cruze for $18,000 all in - warranty and all.

Or buy used for $16,000 ish with 20-40kms.

[Cooked Rice]

The new VW Jetta? It now comes standard with a 1.4 turbo 150hp/184tq. Beats the Civic/Sentra/Corolla imo.

[01RedDX]

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[Vagabond142]

If you're looking for a decent car with bluetooth connectivity, auto, and with decent kit, and are willing to go with a late 2013 model, look at used 2013/2014 Kia Forte EX. Can get them mid-teens, and they are as reliable as, and in my opinion more comfortable than, equivalent year Civics

[Cooked Rice]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


It's also a 6-year-old platform. Base Civic non-turbo still has similar performance (more hp less torque) and an all-new platform. It's also not made in Mexico and has better resale.

Civic: 158HP @ 6500, 138FT/lbs & 4200. N/A, so it's not even near those ratings here at 3000 ft up.

Jetta 1.4 turbo: 150HP, 184FT/lbs between 1400-3500 rpms. That's a much better power band for daily

True it's made in Mexico now, as is the golf. (Sentra is Mexican as well) By the time you get the Civic paired to a CVT and the Jetta paired to a 6 speed auto, the Civic costs $3000 more. I believe the new Jetta's will hold value much better than the 115HP 2.0 from the past. I drove the Mexican made Golf TSI Comfortline a couple weeks ago to Vancouver and was very surprised by how good of a car it was.

[16hypen3sp]

Thanks for the input all. I'm doing more research but still leaning heavily towards an Optima.

[01RedDX]

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[Rocket1k78]

Originally posted by 16hypen3sp
Thanks for the input all. I'm doing more research but still leaning heavily towards an Optima.

Will you be paying it off in a few months with a heavy payment program:D Sorry but i had too lol

[schocker]

Originally posted by 01RedDX

You make a compelling case for the VWs! The Jetta has aged very well with its timeless styling and the new engine rocks. Much better than the ghetto 2.0 unit but no more 15k base price. The Golfs are great too but then you lose that price advantage again. Either way you get a decent ride without spending too much time at the ⛽
I had a 2.0 jetta for a couple of weeks when my car was being un hailed. I actually quite liked it outside of the engine which is now fixed. The materials inside were a bit poor being hard plastic, but overall the card drove well and was decently equipped. The jetta also have the hottest heated seats I have ever experienced. My only issue is that it is a fairly narrow vehicle so my leg was constantly hitting the door as I must swing around awkwardly while I drive. Personally I like the fit/finish/engine/design of the golf more, but found the jetta very acceptable.

[16hypen3sp]

Originally posted by Rocket1k78


Will you be paying it off in a few months with a heavy payment program:D Sorry but i had too lol

Hahaha! Of course! Another "aggressive debt repayment plan." Haha.

[16hypen3sp]

I'm coming up on some days off here and I plan on taking a few different models for a test drive before I make a final decision. (Optima/Civic/Sonata/Jetta)

[HuMz]

I was in a similar situation and was considering a 2013-2014 elantra or Mazda 3. Both are good daily drivers that are great on gas (roughly 30mpg if I remember correctly), reliable, and decent to drive.

[gpomp]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


It's also a 6-year-old platform. Base Civic non-turbo still has similar performance (more hp less torque) and an all-new platform. It's also not made in Mexico and has better resale. Motortrend summed up the Jetta pretty well here:


It’s mostly a concoction of old components to create a car deemed good enough by German engineers to fool an uncritical consumer

http://www.motortrend.com/news/volkswagen-jetta-2016-motor-trend-car-of-the-year-contender/

[J.M.]

Mazda 3

[Aleks]

Originally posted by gpomp
Motortrend summed up the Jetta pretty well here:



http://www.motortrend.com/news/volkswagen-jetta-2016-motor-trend-car-of-the-year-contender/ [/B]

C&D sums it up better :burnout:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-volkswagen-jetta-14t-test-review

...given that it starts well under $20K, we would argue that it is one of the strongest offerings on the market...the Jetta’s precision feel and high levels of driving pleasure make it worth consideration for any compact-car shopper.

[01RedDX]

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[16hypen3sp]

Update:

I ended up going with an Optima. I'm loving the car so far. It's a dream to drive. Checked off everything on my list.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj186/manandmachinex411/photo%202_zpstvfgrw64.jpg (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/manandmachinex411/media/photo%202_zpstvfgrw64.jpg.html)

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj186/manandmachinex411/photo%201_zpsp6tiz4f2.jpg (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/manandmachinex411/media/photo%201_zpsp6tiz4f2.jpg.html)

[Sugarphreak]

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[J.M.]

Congrats man!

[Hallowed_point]

Beautiful daily driver..those cars look really sharp. How's the ride?

[16hypen3sp]

The car rides/drives amazing. I don't really have anything to complain about. Just an all-around comfortable vehicle.

[Rocket1k78]

White is right lol

Congrats. wheres the interior shots?