Best car for ~ $30,000?

[colsankey]

Looking at a few new cars and while some are more appealing than others, I'd like some ideas on maybe a car I havn't thought of yet.

Keep in mind I'm looking for NEW cars, 2011 or 2010, I know I'll take a hit as soon as I drive it off the lot, but I want something new and under warrenty. There's something to be said for a shiny new car, with new car scent. It also needs to be auto and auto or sedan in case I let the wife drive the car shes buying me

Right now I've considered

Cruze LTZ turbo - not digging the cloth "webbing" interior.
Subaru Impreza 2.5i - mediocore financing, but the AWD is appealing
Lancer GT - HP seems a little gutless, but love the new styling
Mazda3 GT-E - Zoom, zoom and financing are appealing.
Mazda 6 4cyl GT - Zoom zoom and sexy, plus financing
Ford Focus SEL titanium, wife doesnt want a ford, but I like it aside from those nasty rims.
Sentra - Kinda Meh on this one.
VW Jetta - also falling into the Meh category
Altima - Kinda meh unless its a loaded v6 and thats $$$.

[msommers]

I'd stay away from Mazdas. Fusion and Impreza would be my suggestions. What didn't you like about the Jetta?

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by colsankey
Looking at a few new cars and while some are more appealing than others, I'd like some ideas on maybe a car I havn't thought of yet.

Keep in mind I'm looking for NEW cars, 2011 or 2010, I know I'll take a hit as soon as I drive it off the lot, but I want something new and under warrenty. There's something to be said for a shiny new car, with new car scent. It also needs to be auto in case I let the wife drive the car shes buying me

Right now I've considered

Cruze LTZ turbo - not digging the cloth "webbing" interior.
Subaru Impreza 2.5i - mediocore financing, but the AWD is appealing
Lancer GT - HP seems a little gutless, but love the new styling
Mazda3 GT-3 - Zoom, zoom and financing are appealing.
Mazda 6 4cyl GT - Zoom zoom and sexy, plus financing
Ford Focus SEL titanium, wife doesnt want a ford, but I like it.
Sentra - Kinda Meh on this one.
VW Jetta - also falling into the Meh category
Altima - Kinda meh unless its a loaded v6 and thats $$$.

What are you using it for?

Honestly, buying even 6 months old used will give you some way better choices with warranty. Your new car is new for a month, then you're stuck with a used car, just like everyone else.

[colsankey]

Never really loved the VW look - I took a look at one, at the auto show and thought it looked OK. But never had the urge to run out and buy one or look any deeper. Just not loving it, but don't have anything against it either.

[Xtrema]

What's your definition of best?

Fuel Economy? Handling? Looks? Space? Maintenance? Resell? Interior quality?

IMO, under $30K car are all Meh, other than may be Civic Si or Focus Titanium.

You may be interested in this thread:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/334273/mo...ct-comparsion/

[MintRacer]

Fantastic deals on new Nissan Altimas for the month of June, factory discount of $8500 on top of the line 3.5 SR, including navi and leather. Just over 30K.

Take out leather and nav and your well under 30K.

[colinxx235]

Seems like you want a 4 door from that list... otherwise I know everyone on this site loves their VW Gti's... not sure what the MSRP is on them these days.

[colsankey]

Originally posted by Xtrema
What's your definition of best?

Fuel Economy? Handling? Looks? Space? Maintenance? Resell? Interior quality?

IMO, under $30K car are all Meh, other than may be Civic Si or Focus Titanium.

You may be interested in this thread:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/334273/mo...ct-comparsion/

Honestly; Performance, handling, looks and maintenence would be my top must haves. Then interior, I'm less worried about fuel and resale.

[Xtrema]

GTI will be more like $32K out the door even in the lowest configuration. Not sure if there are any promos going tho.

Originally posted by colsankey
Honestly; Performance, handling, looks and maintenence would be my top must haves. Then interior, I'm less worried about fuel and resale.

Civic Si: Performance, Handling, Maintenance.

Focus Titanium: Handling, Looks, Interior.

[yipb]

kia forte

[Tomaz]

I love the way the Mazda 3 drives. Even with the lack of power, the car is fun as hell. Some things to note would be the Mazda can be a PITA when dealing with service/warranty. If you decide to go check them out a bit further in detail, talk to Ken Nahn and tell him Thomas sent you.

The Cruz is alright. I wasn't extremely impressed with it, but I can see how it could be appealing. The low end toque gives a great illusion of speed, and makes getting around town pretty fun. You will want a RS if you want it to look good.

Though I have not driven the latest version of the Ford Focus, I was very impressed with the last generation. Not great in the power department, but the car handled great, and felt very "solid". I was very impressed how well it drove.


Something that wasn't on your list is the Honda Civic. It would be worth taking a look at as it really is a decent car.

My second favorite vehicle was the VW TDI Golf Wagon. It might be slow and really wasn't meant to "play", but I found it to be a great daily driver with lots of space and AMAZING fuel economy. It really would be worth considering IMO.

So, those were my picks. I have driven almost every vehicle in this price range and only the above mentioned cars even slightly impressed me in some form. You should teach the wife to drive stick. Most of the cars in the lineup you ware looking at really do drive better as manuals. Just saying.

Good luck!

[ercchry]

Originally posted by colsankey


Honestly; Performance, handling, looks and maintenence would be my top must haves. Then interior, I'm less worried about fuel and resale.

ford mustang

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by ercchry


ford mustang

The new ones with the V6 are amazing. 300hp and I've seen guys getting 34-35mpg on the highway.

It's still the lady mustang tho............

[colsankey]

Originally posted by ercchry


ford mustang

If it doesn't have 4-doors the wife's not signing off on it

[ercchry]

Originally posted by colsankey


If it doesn't have 4-doors the wife's not signing off on it

oh my...

well i guess you are hooped? what does it take to get into a c-class or 3 series?

[colsankey]

I'm OK with the 4 door, I liked my Grand Prix while I've had it. A series looks like they are ~34k base for a 2011.

Leaning more towards a fully loaded lower end car, than a base model mid-range. IE Mazda6 2.4l /w leather over Mazda6 v6 base.

[Guillermo]

not too clear on what you're looking for, but sounds like you want a sports coupe? best bang for buck IMO would be:

hyundai genesis
kia forte

[cam_wmh]

4 Door VW GTi

[Xtrema]

Loaded Elantra is $27.6 out the door.

[gojetsgo]

Originally posted by Guillermo
not too clear on what you're looking for, but sounds like you want a sports coupe? best bang for buck IMO would be:

hyundai genesis
kia forte

I think this car is for him, not the wife.