Leaning towards new car purchase.

[Bro'Man]

Long story short, over the last three years my Eclipse has been giving me issues. This last one the dealership can't even figure out. After 9 years of ownership I am really thinking about getting a new car. I was hoping to wait until 2010 because of all the "future" tech on the horizon but I will probably not make it.

My biggest issue lies in the fact that there really isn't a car out there that excites me. I am personally a fan of hatchbacks and have done some research on the VW GTI MkV and Mazda 3/Speed3. Many people have murmured about VW having bad reliability which makes me hesitant to go that route but they rave about the DSG automatic transmission.

I could afford to go into the low 30's but would prefer to stay mid 20's. I like vehicles that can give a spirited ride when slightly pushed but also has the ability to get 25+ mpg during regular driving (22 of my daily 25 mile work commute is interstate). I'm not truly familiar with cars above my pay grade and therefore I am not really familiar with what I might be overlooking in the slightly used market. It has been years since I've driven a manual and I could never say I gotten comfortable with them. I've never driven rear wheel drive vehicles in snowy/icy weather. So I tend to look towards front wheel or AWD that come in automatics. The MS3 is on my list just because it would be so much fun to drive and just might be worth finally getting comfortable with manual transmissions.

In the coupe/sedan segment I have found the Malibu to look pretty nice. I did have the prior generations of Altima as a rental car and found that to be an overall decent vehicle.

Please feel free to add some input/suggestions of vehicles to add to my list to investigate further.

[fryed_]

If you're wanted the 2010 upgrades, why not go for a 2yr old one or something. At least you won't lose nearly as much if you do decide to trade up in a few years.

[Clipse3GS]

Did you consider Audi A3. I mean from your post it seems like a perfect car. Its a five door hatchback with AWD and it comes with Auto/tiptronic and Manual to choose from. Here is some info ,save you some time researching it

ENGINE

Engine Type
Gas I4
Displacement
2.0L/121
Fuel System
TFSI
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
200 @ 5100-6000
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
207 @ 1800-5000

Front Wheel Drive
Trans Type
6
Trans Description Cont.
Manual w/OD

MILEAGE

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
21
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
30


MSRP
Base Price

$25,035

$26,920
Destination Charge

$825

$825
Total Options

$1,860

$2,000
Total Price

$27,720

$29,745



http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/...0100.Image.jpg

http://www.news-blogs.com/_images/auto/audi_a3_2006.jpg

[rocketbass88]

I'd stay FAAAAR away from anything Audi/VW. Have you looked at the G8 or the WRX? The WRX just got a NICE boost in power for '09 and they're right in your price range (just under $25k for a base, or just over $27k for a premium packaged one).

[wldrnryn-gt]

i would say wrx .. but.. i think the new body is hideous.. you did say you liked hatch's though so maybe it will be your cup of tea idk

[Inferno]

The Volvo C30 is a really nice car, and can be had for $26k-$28k. The only thing it's missing is AWD.

[Clipse3GS]

Originally Posted by rocketbass88

I'd stay FAAAAR away from anything Audi/VW. Have you looked at the G8 or the WRX? The WRX just got a NICE boost in power for '09 and they're right in your price range (just under $25k for a base, or just over $27k for a premium packaged one).

I doubt G8 is great on Gas mileage. As far as VW/Audi I have no experience but only from my Girlfriends Passat an dmy moms Audi A6 and they are all good, maybe because they were made in actual Europe not Mexico

[rocketbass88]

Originally Posted by Clipse3GS

I doubt G8 is great on Gas mileage. As far as VW/Audi I have no experience but only from my Girlfriends Passat an dmy moms Audi A6 and they are all good, maybe because they were made in actual Europe not Mexico

I believe the G8 gets around 30mpg on the highway. I'm sure Mav can chime in on that one.

[Sam]

MS3 or WRX for the wagon, Civic Si coupe or sedan, Accord coupe, G35 coupe.

[Bro'Man]

fryed I have thought about buying used and to trade into something at a later date. Then again if all these newer hybrids and electric only vehicles start coming out in 2010 it will probably be 2015 by the time they start to approach being affordable. Buying used is a real option.

Clipse3GS I have looked into the Audi A3 but some of the research brought up an average at best JD Power Associates rating on build quality. Plus since it starts in the upper 20's once I add some options it could get me pretty far away from my mid 20's goal. I will keep eyes open for a good used model though.

Inferno, Volvo never even popped into my head. I will check that out.

Thanks for the suggestions Sam. I never thought you would suggest the SI.

[Jabber]

Ask EGL SCT.. Camry SE V6. Done. Malibu is junk compared to it. Accord is another great choice, but take note of the entry into the driver's seat. The dashboard hangs too far out and gets you in the knee everytime.

[bluegs03]

I love the c30 personally, check it out its surprized all of my friends and my family to hear me say that but what can i say its love at first... drive?
The Volvo C30

[NHRATA01]

Originally Posted by Jabber

Ask EGL SCT.. Camry SE V6. Done. Malibu is junk compared to it.

Come on now Toyota man...

The Wheel Deal
It's all about the product.
By Alex Taylor III
Type Size October 1, 2008, 9:41 am
Upheaval in the ranks: Malibu aces midsize car quality
Model-line quality data compiled by JD Power and Associates finds its way into the media only rarely because the California survey firm guards it to avoid embarrassing clients.

So when Power’s 2008 Initial Quality numbers for midsize cars leaked recently, they warranted some further scrutiny. And parsing the numbers reveals some surprising developments

First, some background: For years, Power has been measuring the quality of cars after 90 days of ownership by surveying their owners. Everything counts the same: A malfunctioning ashtray is tabulated with the same weight as a seized engine. In the last couple of years, Power has been subdividing the complaints into design problems and defects/malfunctions but the totals remain comparable with previous years – and carries enormous bragging rights.

As long as I can remember, Japanese manufacturers have been regarded as the gold standard in quality. No more. This year’s IQS winner in the midsize segment, by a healthy margin, is the Chevrolet Malibu, with a mere 80 problems per 100 customers. That’s an excellent showing for a car in its first year of production, when assembly plants are still learning how to put the pieces together.

Other non-Asians also did well. The Ford Fusion finished third with 88 problems, the Volkswagen Passat ranked fourth with 94, and the Buick LaCrosse came in fifth with 96. Buick traditionally scores well in these surveys, but Ford and VW are both moving up the charts.

To be sure, two Japanese models, the Mitsubishi Galant and Toyota Camry also finished in the top five. But the Nissan Altima finished below average, as did, shockingly, the Honda Accord. Nissan is typically an also-ran in quality, but Honda has been a leader in the past. The 2008 Accord – another model in its first year of production - fell all the way from second in last year’s midsize survey with 22 more defects per 100.

Bringing up the rear in the midsize quality ranks was the Subaru Outback Wagon – another historical also-ran – and two Chrysler products: the Dodge Avenger and the mechanically identical Chrysler Sebring. They recorded 171 and 183 defects respectively, more than twice as many as the Malibu.

A couple of conclusions can be drawn from this data. One, it is possible for American mass-producers to equal or better the quality of their overseas competitors. And two, it still makes sense to avoid purchasing a car during its first year of production – even though that car may carry a famous Asian name on the trunk lid.

[cszink]

I agree with the Subaru

Plus you can be part of a HUGE local community if you get teh Subaru, plus parts discounts at Tom Wood Subaru. You could even get a good break going into Tom Wood for the Suby if you mention me.

Oh and if you mention me, just ignore the FB9K comments...

[Jabber]

Originally Posted by NHRATA01

Come on now Toyota man...

While I agree the Malibu has come a long way in terms of reliability, the fit and finish is horrible. So is all the chrome plastic on EVERY panel. Go out and push down on the roof of the Malibu as if you were taking off wax. It will feel very similiar to an aluminum can. When you sit in the driver's seat, turn your head 90 degrees to the left. You will be staring at the B-pillar. The rearview mirror is HUGE and stuck right in the middle of the windshield. In general, the Malibu looks and acts very nice. But the ergonomics of the car are horrible.

Besides, let's see which one has more rattles and squeaks after 100k miles.

[Bro'Man]

I'm going to check out a C30 today I think. I might stop by the Subaru dealership while I am over there.

[cszink]

Originally Posted by Bro'Man

I'm going to check out a C30 today I think. I might stop by the Subaru dealership while I am over there.

Ask to speak with Dave Kraft.