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Help Me Decide On A New Car!

wdaleherring said:
And the Camry and the Lexus ES 350 are twins... Seriously, one of the FEW "major" differences would be that the 350s engine is tuned for slightly better performance. IMO the camry looks quite a better.

03-20-06-02-2007LexusES350.jpg


2009-toyota-camry-se-v6-pic-2586.jpeg
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That is actually a bad thing for the ES350....... That helped to kill Cadillac's image. But, at least the ES350 is better restyled and nicely appointed then what GM did with Cadillac. Cimarron anyone? 😛

There isn't anything wrong with platform sharing, if done right as proved by Toyota.
 
quagmire said:
That is actually a bad thing for the ES350....... That helped to kill Cadillac's image. But, at least the ES350 is better restyled and nicely appointed then what GM did with Cadillac. Cimarron anyone? 😛

There isn't anything wrong with platform sharing, if done right as proved by Toyota.
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You do know I'm for the camry right... That's all I've been posting about in this thread... not being a smartass, I am just having trouble assuming the side you are taking in your post.
 
wdaleherring said:
You do know I'm for the camry right... That's all I've been posting about in this thread... not being a smartass, I am just having trouble assuming the side you are taking in your post.
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That post was made in a rush, sorry. My point is, the Aura is closer to being the same with the Malibu then the ES350 is to the Camry and that is why I can comment on the Malibu. So the ES350 being mentioned has no barring on the Camry being boring as hell. 😛 Maybe it does since the ES350 is boring as hell as well..... 😉

Overall, styling is subjective. It makes me barf that someone likes the styling and says it is a good design, but hey that is your taste. But, I can argue on the objective side and say to drive the car is the most boring experience I have ever experienced. 😛
 
quagmire said:
That post was made in a rush, sorry. My point is, the Aura is closer to being the same with the Malibu then the ES350 is to the Camry and that is why I can comment on the Malibu. So the ES350 being mentioned has no barring on the Camry being boring as hell. 😛 Maybe it does since the ES350 is boring as hell as well..... 😉

Overall, styling is subjective. It makes me barf that someone likes the styling and says it is a good design, but hey that is your taste. But, I can argue on the objective side and say to drive the car is the most boring experience I have ever experienced. 😛
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I like all the cars you mentioned but I just so happened to love the camry also. I will say that I'm not sure how you think the malibu is stlyish though, esp the back. But yes, I love all of those other cars as well.
 
wdaleherring said:
I like all the cars you mentioned but I just so happened to love the camry also. I will say that I'm not sure how you think the malibu is stlyish though, esp the back. But yes, I love all of those other cars as well.
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Yeah, I agree the rear end of the Malibu isn't the best. I do like the front end though. I just don't understand how you think the Camry is stylish especially the front. 😛
 
To answer the OP's question, I vote for the Mazda 3. The Z car is obviously going to offer much better performance but the 3 will be cheaper, more reliable and have a better ride. They handle well, and have decent if unspectacular power. Plus they are different from the hordes of Civic and Corollas out there.

Personally, for a hatchback I would recommend a Golf, but it's not always easy to find one as cheap as the 3. For a mid-size I'd recommend the Nissan Altima, but again a new one is out of the budget.

The new Taurus looks interesting, but the Focus is a relic.
 
Lord Blackadder said:
To answer the OP's question, I vote for the Mazda 3. The Z car is obviously going to offer much better performance but the 3 will be cheaper, more reliable and have a better ride. They handle well, and have decent if unspectacular power. Plus they are different from the hordes of Civic and Corollas out there.

Personally, for a hatchback I would recommend a Golf, but it's not always easy to find one as cheap as the 3. For a mid-size I'd recommend the Nissan Altima, but again a new one is out of the budget.

The new Taurus looks interesting, but the Focus is a relic.
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How is the new Taurus a relic? They totally redesigned it for 2010. 😕
 
quagmire said:
How is the new Taurus a relic? They totally redesigned it for 2010. 😕
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I was referring to the Focus as the relic. The European Focus was a huge middle finger in the face of US buyers, as I think it would have been up there with the Golf in terms of driving dynamics and desirability.

Hopefully the 2011 Focus will fix that.
 
Lord Blackadder said:
I was referring to the Focus as the relic. The European Focus was a huge middle finger in the face of US buyers, as I think it would have been up there with the Golf in terms of driving dynamics and desirability.

Hopefully the 2011 Focus will fix that.
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Oh. My reading comprehension sucks today. 😛

But, yeah the new Focus will be in the US market first before any other market gets it. Unlike the Cruze where it is in Europe, S. Korea, and Australia already before we get it this summer.
 
br.avery said:
I am in the process of purchasing a new car and I have of couple of cars in mind. I'm looking for something around $17,000.. So far, I've rounded it to 2 different cars: 2010 Mazda 3 4-Door, 2006 Nissan 350Z. I know they're totally two different cars. I want something that will last me for a looong time and is somewhat sporty. Not a Toyota Camry or Civic. Let me know what you think would be a good car!

Thanks!
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Can't speak for the 350Z, but I bought a 1990 300ZX in 1993 and still have it to this day. It is still a blast to drive, but it is a second car for me (I have a Civic Hybrid for winter and mundane summer driving, and the CH will never be confused with sporty). The Z is a true rear wheel drive sports car, but that means you drive it in snow or heavy rain at your peril -- mine sits in the garage from November to March. I am thinking about at least test driving a new 370Z soon to see how the new Z stacks up to the Z32. Since the new ones cost less in 2010 dollars than mine cost its original owner in 1990 dollars, I'm guessing there will be some compromises in the Z34 when put up against a Z32, but 20 years is a good run and it may be time to go new again.
 
wdaleherring said:
The only hatchback I would EVER drive would be a prius. I HATE hatchbacks.
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Does that include hatchback coupes like the Nissan Z?

I used to be a sedan/coupe snob once, but I have since changed my tune. Hatchbacks and wagons offer great space efficiency somewhat like a van/SUV while keeping the superior driving dynamics of a car. And they have their own stylistic attractiveness. Plus, most smaller cars look a bit silly as sedans IMO (with a few exceptions, like the Datsun 510).
 
Lord Blackadder said:
Does that include hatchback coupes like the Nissan Z?

I used to be a sedan/coupe snob once, but I have since changed my tune. Hatchbacks and wagons offer great space efficiency somewhat like a van/SUV while keeping the superior driving dynamics of a car. And they have their own stylistic attractiveness. Plus, most smaller cars look a bit silly as sedans IMO (with a few exceptions, like the Datsun 510).
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I hope GM brings over the Opel Insignia hatchback as one of the versions of the Buick Regal. It looks like the sedan with subtle changes.

opel_insignia_hatchback_image001.jpg
 
br.avery said:
Thanks for all your advice and opinions!

I think I am going with the Mazda 3. Here is my current situation; I am 19 years old, living with my mother and I don't plan on moving out until I am done with College. I make around $1300 a month and I don't have any bills to pay for except for gas and food. I want a car that would last me way beyond after I graduate from college. The reason why I want to purchase a new car so bad right now is that my mom drives a 1994 Camry and I drive a 1997 Camry which is in way better condition than my mom's. My mom doesn't want to buy a new car because after all the bills, she doesn't have enough for a new car. Since I don't have any bills, I CAN afford a new car. I also have $15,000 in savings and growing. I want to give my mom my 97 Camry since it is in very good condition and buy a new car for myself. I've been searching around and I think the Mazda 3 is a great choice. I was thinking about the camaro and a new mustang but it just doesn't seem reliable. I trust foreign cars way more than I do anything else. That being said, I don't want a Camry because they are boring and I want something new, fun to drive, and looks good. I've driven a Camry since the day I got my license.
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Good choice, I bought a 2010 5 door Mazda3 in October and am very happy with it. No real "bugs" come to mind that would keep me from doing it again. Maybe a 2 liter instead of the 2.5 but I can dance circles around other cars with it.
 
quagmire said:
Less efficient? Please do back that up. Equinox: 22/32. That is better then CR-V and RAV4. Malibu is equal to Camry. Accord is less. Cobalt gets 37 MPG HWY. Better then Civic and Corolla. The new Cruze is expected to get 40 MPG HWY.

As for reliability. Our 1996 Suburban, 2002 Suburban, our 2006 Equinox,and 2007 Saturn Aura all have been reliable. Next.

Interior, I posted the latest GM interiors. You still say they are horrible? While I haven't sat in the Cruze yet( not out yet in the US) you say the design is horrible? Reviews in Europe and Australia have been positive about the car and the interior. Only complaint is about the 1.8 4 banger, but that engine will only be available on the stripper models here( LS trim). LT and up trims will have the 1.4 Turbo engine. I have sat and drove the CTS. The interior is better then my dads 335xi. I also like the interior of my Aura. It has decent materials and I like the design. I also love the new Equinox's interior. Reviewers say it is one of the best if not best in class.



A) Put snow tires on the car B) Put a few weights in the trunk. That is why FWD is better is because the weight is on the front wheels. Put the weight in the back, RWD will not be that bad. C) Todays RWD vehicles have close to a 50/50 weight distribution which does improve traction in the rear. Camaro is close to 50/50, not sure about Mustang. D) Learn how to drive. 😛
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Are you seriously comparing a Chevrolet Cobalt to a Honda Civic? The Honda Civic is a marvel of automotive engineering. The two cars are not even in the same ballpark in terms of refinement. A more fair comparison would be the Honda Fit to the Cobalt.
 
DoNoHarm said:
Are you seriously comparing a Chevrolet Cobalt to a Honda Civic? The Honda Civic is a marvel of automotive engineering. The two cars are not even in the same ballpark in terms of refinement. A more fair comparison would be the Honda Fit to the Cobalt.
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Cobalt goes against Civic. Aveo goes against Fit. And how is the Civic an engineering marvel? Please do explain, and I have driven both vehicles. The interior in the Cobalt isn't the best( probably worst in class by now, but it is being replaced by the Cruze this summer/fall), and the Civic's is pretty good. The Civic is a good car, but it is far from an automotive engineering marvel. But, the Cobalt in XFE trim does get better fuel economy then the Civic( Cobalt gets 37 MPG, Civic 36 MPG HWY).

If I was buying a compact right now, it would be the Civic( out of all the ones I have driven, the Civic is the most spirited despite the weak ass engine). But, if I was going to buy the performance trims of these vehicles, it would be the Cobalt SS Coupe Turbo. I could ignore the cheap interior for that wonderful 260 HP turbocharged Ecotec 4 cylinder and before the Renault took the title, it was the fastest FWD vehicle to go around the Nurburgring.
 
quagmire said:
Cobalt goes against Civic. Aveo goes against Fit. And how is the Civic an engineering marvel? Please do explain, and I have driven both vehicles. The interior in the Cobalt isn't the best( probably worst in class by now, but it is being replaced by the Cruze this summer/fall), and the Civic's is pretty good. The Civic is a good car, but it is far from an automotive engineering marvel. But, the Cobalt in XFE trim does get better fuel economy then the Civic( Cobalt gets 37 MPG, Civic 36 MPG HWY).

If I was buying a compact right now, it would be the Civic( out of all the ones I have driven, the Civic is the most spirited despite the weak ass engine). But, if I was going to buy the performance trims of these vehicles, it would be the Cobalt SS Coupe Turbo. I could ignore the cheap interior for that wonderful 260 HP turbocharged Ecotec 4 cylinder and before the Renault took the title, it was the fastest FWD vehicle to go around the Nurburgring.
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yeah, so obviously it's a subjective thing, I shouldn't really be so one sided. I agree that there isn't one car that's best for all concerned and respect your decision to prefer the cobalt. However, I will give you one video of why the civic is an engineering marvel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abZ2omlkE9I

And here's why the Cobalt isn't:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GVkjDm23_c
 
DoNoHarm said:
yeah, so obviously it's a subjective thing, I shouldn't really be so one sided. I agree that there isn't one car that's best for all concerned and respect your decision to prefer the cobalt. However, I will give you one video of why the civic is an engineering marvel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abZ2omlkE9I

And here's why the Cobalt isn't:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GVkjDm23_c
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So what are Volvo's, Saab's, and many other brands and vehicles( including other GM vehicles) when it comes to crash safety? Are they an engineering marvel? An engineering marvel tends to be something that makes something stand out. Not something that many other cars have performed just as well as the Civic in that crash test. The Civic is well engineered, but hardly an engineering marvel.

I am not discounting/defending that horrible performance of the Cobalt though. GM has stepped it up in safety with the Cruze with 10 standard airbags and hopefully they made the frame/body strong too.

Though to be fair, here is a test that has the Civic's side impact as well. Without those airbags, I wouldn't be surprised if similar results happened like with the Cobalt( the Cobalt does have side impact airbags as well and are standard now).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBmZF0pUv9c&

EDIT: Ok, strike that. With the side impact airbags, the Cobalt doesn't fare well either.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aBd3HG6PWo&NR=1
 
DoNoHarm said:
Are you seriously comparing a Chevrolet Cobalt to a Honda Civic? The Honda Civic is a marvel of automotive engineering. The two cars are not even in the same ballpark in terms of refinement. A more fair comparison would be the Honda Fit to the Cobalt.
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A marvel? /me thinks you are a bit off base.
 
well, to be fair both the subaru and civic got the "good" rating whereas the cobalt merely gets "acceptable". I definitely like subarus too.

I am calling the Civic a marvel given the engineering that has gone into it's frame (crash test videos), the engineering that has gone into it's legendary motor (consistently strong reliability), refinement of the interior (the dashboard looks like star trek without being cheesy), the incredible fuel economy, the incredible feel during driving, the quietness during driving

.... all at an incredible price. To me, that's a marvel of engineering. I don't think there is a single new car that you can get that price that meets all those criteria.

If I lived in a snowy or wet place, I'd definitely consider the Subaru, but given it's lackluster fuel economy, the civic makes more sense.
 
Here's one model I'll really consider:

2011 Ford Fiesta hatchback (North American model):

2011-fiesta-1.jpg


Given Ford's much-improved reliability of late, I'm seriously considering getting the new Fiesta hatchback with the Powershift dual-clutch automatic to replace my 1998 Honda Civic HX coupe. 🙂
 
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