Confused about a new car purchase

[zero260]

Hello Guys,

I'm new to this forum and a beginner when it comes to automotive knowledge. However, I do love cars and love learning more about them.

I have recently started looking to purchase a new car and while I have a few options in mind I wanted to get some advice from more experienced individuals here. Here are my requirements:

-- Budget: $15,000 (preferred) to $20,000 (max)
-- Sporty. I love a mean front look. Something with a nice body and a sunroof is preferred
-- 4 Door Automatic -- paddle shifters would be ideal
-- Good on gas mileage
-- RELIABLE all year around. This is very important, I want a car that wont break down a lot and won't cost me a fortune on parts and/or repairs.
-- Fairly new 2009/2010 or newer, under 100,000kms
-- Best bang for the buck performance wise
-- I really want a LCD/Nav system in there but I can always install that after myself too

Currently my front runner is a 2009/10 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart with CVT paddle shifters. It fits my budget, I love the look and so far it seems reasonable. What are people's thoughts here on this car as far as reliability, performance, fuel economy, and other things?

Other make/models I'm looking at:

-- Honda Accord
-- Scion tC or FRS
-- Subaru Impreza WRX
-- New Dodge Dart
-- Ford Fusion
-- Acura TSX
-- Kia Forte
-- Hyundai Genesis

That's all I got. But I'm pretty much open to any and all possibilities. I refrained from Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes because of high cost of parts and maintenance. Also, since I want good gas mileage I wanna stick to under a V6.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

[Sentry]

Originally posted by zero260
-- Sporty.
-- 4 Door Automatic

FUCK OFF

[dewytrain]

Originally posted by Sentry

FUCK OFF

Rude!!

[n1zm0]

Originally posted by dewytrain


Rude!!

[Kramerica]

Originally posted by zero260
CVT paddle shifters

Nevermind the fact that you just described the homer simpson car.

Can somebody confirm that there are actually CVT paddle shifters and if so what the hell is the point?

[InRich]

Do a Civic SI

[btimbit]

Originally posted by InRich
Do a Civic SI

Fuck bring Vaseline, that sounds painful

[dirtsniffer]

Do they make a auto wrx? How about a nice legacy?
Learn to drive manual too bro. Unless the car is for your girlfriend.
The manual makes or breaks the tsx.

[xnvy]

Originally posted by Sentry

FUCK OFF

Originally posted by btimbit


Fuck bring Vaseline, that sounds painful

Anything with full time AWD usually gets mileage that's nothing to smile about. See the "STI Gas Mileage" thread.

My opinion:
Tc=gay
FRS=Needs manual
Maybe a Corolla XR-S is more up your alley, or an Altima SE-R

[Disoblige]

TSX, but it won't be newer than 08, and even then it will probably be hard to find one with Nav unless it has more than 50k mileage.

[InRich]

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Honda/Civ...howcpo=ShowCPO

i would get that car right there, and learn to drive a manual, its quite fun

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Kramerica

Can somebody confirm that there are actually CVT paddle shifters and if so what the hell is the point?

Faking gears can take away the whine.

And to OP, the 2014 Forte may suit you.

[zero260]

Hey guys,

Thank you for everyone's comments. I wouldn't mind a manual car at all. In fact I would kinda prefer it on certain levels too. However, the car may occasionally be used by other individuals which is why I was going for Auto w/ paddle shifters -- figured it was a good compromise :P

Regardless, we are focusing on the wrong aspect here. That is something I am on the fence about anyways. I'm more interested in what actual car I should be looking for given performance, reliability, best bang for buck, fuel economy, winter driving, low maintenance/repairs etc.

Almost anything these days can be purchased in auto or manual so that is a stupid debate to be having, lol

Also, guess no one likes the Lancer Ralliart?

ps: I rather not buy a Civic, lol

[G-ZUS]

How about a late gen Maxima - 4 door sport car

[Tomaz]

Sounds like you are looking for the same unicorn I have been looking for all my life. lol

As much as the lancer (all trims) seems like a good deal, the rattles, bangs, squeaks, knocks, another various noises that come from the cab REALLY piss me off.

My tops picks for you would be:

Ford Fusion - A damn good car. Nothing special, just damn good.
Civic SI - Likely your best option. Basically a smaller TSX. FEELS fast, nice to you at the pumps, and parts should be cheap enough.
Altima SE-R - Might be hard to find a good sample of one, but could be worth it.
Sentry SE-R - I throw up in my mouth when I drive them. But, your mileage may vary.
Mazdaspeed 3 - Could be a good buy. Finding one that hasn't had the shit beat out of it might be hard.
Volvo S40 - Does most of what you are asking. Haters will hate. I love this car.
G35/G37 - Might be worth taking a look at. Lots of ppl like them.

BTW, you contradict yourself with your list of "must-have's"....



You are looking for Balance, and it's going to be hard for you. Focus on Cheap and Reliable. The fun will come later when you buy a second car that is specifically for fun.

[Orbie]

Originally posted by zero260
Hey guys,

Thank you for everyone's comments. I wouldn't mind a manual car at all. In fact I would kinda prefer it on certain levels too. However, the car may occasionally be used by other individuals which is why I was going for Auto w/ paddle shifters -- figured it was a good compromise :P

Regardless, we are focusing on the wrong aspect here. That is something I am on the fence about anyways. I'm more interested in what actual car I should be looking for given performance, reliability, best bang for buck, fuel economy, winter driving, low maintenance/repairs etc.

Almost anything these days can be purchased in auto or manual so that is a stupid debate to be having, lol

Also, guess no one likes the Lancer Ralliart?

ps: I rather not buy a Civic, lol

Lancer Ralliart is a decent car IMO in terms of your criteria, but it doesn't have a CVT it's a DCT so that may be a factor for you if you're stuck on the CVT (not sure why you would be). Also it will be very hard to find a good condition 09/10 Ralliart for your $20,000 ceiling or less. By that I mean less than 100,000km and hasn't been bagged or have something else wrong. If you stepped down to the regular Lancer then you'd be able to get the CVT and it would definitely be in your budget range.

As Tomaz points out your criteria are generally what everyone would like in their cars in a perfect world. You're going to have to make a concession somewhere. For you the best bet may not be a used car at all, but a new car with warranty, that way you don't have to worry about problems eating into your bank account. In that case I actually think the Dodge Dart on your list looks like a good candidate. It'll be cheap, backed by warranty and have a lot of great new car features and it'll probably perform a lot better than the Sunfire you're driving now. I actually like the look of them, although not sure how good Dodge cars are nowadays.

[SkiBum5.0]

How about a 1-2 year old Ford Focus? Should have a lot of warranty left, has good chassis, does have an automatic biased DCT, and there should be lots of supply given these are a favourite for rental places.

I would put a VW Golf on the list as well althought it may be in the 08-09 range.

[Aleks]

Used Subaru Legacy GT Auto Sedan. It's AWD, turbo, will be decently reliable if you take car of it. I think they even come with paddels in the later years maybe.

Don't bother buying a manual car just to say that you can drive a manual, who cares. Obviously it's not important to you and if you have to share a car with others who can't drive manual it will get annoying quickly.

[HHURICANE1]

Do not get ANYTHING with a CVT. They are unreliable and very expensive to repair. DCT may be OK but it is still pretty new tech.

[Shlade]

Originally posted by Sentry

FUCK OFF

haha somebody mad? You have a sporty 4 door automatic car lol