Need car recommendations

[Spiral Stairs]

Originally Posted by ama

Mazda 3
+1.

The Fit is so boring that you may actually be lulled to sleep while driving it.

If you do decide to bail on the Jetta (which, as it seems you've concluded, would be a terrible financial decision), the Mazda3 is really the perfect car for someone in your situation. Personally, I'd go for the hatch, but the sedan would be a respectable choice.

Signed,
Former Jetta Owner, Current Volkswagen Hater

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Spiral Stairs

If you do decide to bail on the Jetta (which, as it seems you've concluded, would be a terrible financial decision), the Mazda3 is really the perfect car for someone in your situation. Personally, I'd go for the hatch, but the sedan would be a respectable choice.

Signed,
Former Jetta Owner, Current Volkswagen Hater
I've had two Jettas: one I kept for two years and the other for only a year. They were good cars but didn't measure up to the Golf I'd had in college.

 

[pokey07]

Originally Posted by Spiral Stairs

+1.

The Fit is so boring that you may actually be lulled to sleep while driving it.

If you do decide to bail on the Jetta (which, as it seems you've concluded, would be a terrible financial decision), the Mazda3 is really the perfect car for someone in your situation. Personally, I'd go for the hatch, but the sedan would be a respectable choice.

Signed,
Former Jetta Owner, Current Volkswagen Hater

Thanks for the info. I take it you didn't have a good Jetta experience...

If I knew I was gonna have a ~70 mile daily commute I would have never chosen a Jetta. Too late for that now. I'm trying to pay off student loans rkight now so the last thing I need is another monthly payment.

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by pokey07

I'm in the market for a car. I bought a Jetta about 5 months ago, and it is a pretty big *************. Being a 23 year old on a low salary, I need something that is more reliable. Do you guys have any recommendations in the 16-17k range?

What's wrong with your Jetta? I owned one before and it runs perfectly fine albeit a lot of abuse in my part.

 

[jonegomes]

I would suggest you Honda Fit and Mazda 3.

 

[DCLawyer68]

Originally Posted by ama

Mazda 3

Take a look at that, as well as a Nissan...maybe even a used Altima. I don't know anyone who's owned a VW that hasn't ultimately been disappointed.

 

[pdsf]

I'd recommend the Civic - great resale value and reliability. Fit sounds good, too, but I have never driven one. Some people praise the Scion's tc for what you are looking for.

Rumor has it that Toyota may d/c the Matrix - so take that into account. I'd defo rank Civic above Matrix.

From what I have heard - VWs have terrible reliability, and their resale values suck consequently.

Best of luck with your search.

 

[confused]

buy used - 2-3 years old. get a hell of a better deal and nicer car then new.

don't worry so much about reliability for a used car. if its in great shape when u buy it - ur the only one who can ruin it. think about it as being tested for a few years before u bought it

 

[pdsf]

Originally Posted by confused

buy used - 2-3 years old. get a hell of a better deal and nicer car then new.

don't worry so much about reliability for a used car. if its in great shape when u buy it - ur the only one who can ruin it. think about it as being tested for a few years before u bought it

I see your point. I am all about reliability because used or new I don't want to take it back for repairs all the time. Some cars do okay for the first 2-3 years then they start to have lots of problems. I always buy used cars, too, but often times it's hard to gauge if it's in great shape (it may look good, but unless you know a good mechanic, it's hard to get the full picture cos it's not just about the outside). I had a wonderful mechanic when I was back in San Fran, it was a blessing (if you want his details, PM me)....but I don't have one now in Atlanta.

 

[mathwk]

Originally Posted by pokey07

I'm in the market for a car. I bought a Jetta about 5 months ago, and it is a pretty big *************. Being a 23 year old on a low salary, I need something that is more reliable. Do you guys have any recommendations in the 16-17k range?

I went to my honda dealership last year and remember seeing pre-owned Accord v6's with low miles (like 20k) for $18k

 

[spacepuppy]

Ditch the VW asap! Not too many good stories about ownership I have heard and I talk cars ALOT! My wife had a vw and we were VERY happy to take the HUGE financial beating on trade after only one year of owning. Yeah that bad. Got A Toyota and was super reliable, good dealer support and amazing trade value. Keeping the vw will be an ongoing headache, save yourself the trouble. Sorry for the bad news but education is expensive no matter where you get it.

 

[pokey07]

Originally Posted by spacepuppy

Ditch the VW asap! Not too many good stories about ownership I have heard and I talk cars ALOT! My wife had a vw and we were VERY happy to take the HUGE financial beating on trade after only one year of owning. Yeah that bad. Got A Toyota and was super reliable, good dealer support and amazing trade value. Keeping the vw will be an ongoing headache, save yourself the trouble. Sorry for the bad news but education is expensive no matter where you get it.

As of right now, I might have an oil sludge problem that seems to be a pretty common occurrence in the 2.0T models. I've already tacked on 10k miles and have only had the car for about 5 months. That scares me. I didn't know I'd be driving the **** out of whatever car I had.

 

[pokey07]

Can anyone tell me how Mazda 3s stack up in reliability compared to Hondas and Toyotas?

 

[Godot]

Being a city dweller, I love the smart car. It starts at around $10,000-good gas mileage-and you can park it anywhere. All day long I see big gas gulping SUVs with one person. I think these tiny cars are the wave of the future.

 

[Mr.Pinchy]

Originally Posted by pokey07

Can anyone tell me how Mazda 3s stack up in reliability compared to Hondas and Toyotas?

Well it is a Ford so don't expect it to be as good as a Toyota but since it is based on a good Ford, it shouldn't be that bad.

Originally Posted by Godot

Being a city dweller, I love the smart car. It starts at around $10,000-good gas mileage-and you can park it anywhere. All day long I see big gas gulping SUVs with one person.

33 mpg/city and 41 mpg highway. It's ugly and has no room in the boot. I didn't mention that it makes you look like an eco-mentalist lesbian.

I think these tiny cars are the wave of the future.

Don't say that. Apocalypse!