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New car advice (yes, another thread on this)
- Thread starter Sutekidane
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There are a couple of cars around $15000 these days. It really depends what you are looking for, do you want versatility, power, 4 doors, fuel efficiency (and to all the Yaris lovers out there, for a 1.5l engine that Toyota puts in Yaris the car is not really that efficient, actually a 1.8l Corolla is a more efficient car with more power).
Actually I would look more closely towards Dodge Caliber, the engine was designed by Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Chrysler, and the entire car is based upon the all-new Lancer platform (designed by Mitsubishi in Japan) so it really is a good deal considering that for the price range is the most versatile car of the bunch, plus it has iPod connection
I don't know what you look for in styling but when someone says that Caliber is ugly and that Hyndai looks better, someone really needs to go to an eye doctor
I would also take a look at Mitsubishi Lancer (it's an older design but if you are over 6 feet tall you will see what I mean), new Civic or Fit (although the engine kind of lacks torque but again at that price range I don't think you'll find an uber fast car), Corolla (which I guess is an older design but as I mentioned it is more efficient than Yaris), I would stay away from Nissan Versa (that car is being manufactured in Mexico, American Ford Focus anyone?), Hyundai also makes decent cars but I just don't think they are well refined, when I always get inside of one I just feel the cheapness inside same goes for Kia, I mean the Koreans reliability has improved a lot lately BUT... I just wouldn't buy it.
And when comparing power, don't just look at HP numbers (some manufacturers don't use the SAE standard in HP calculation meaning overstated numbers), look at torque and at what RPM the power is achieved, you don't want a high pitched whinning engine. Best bet is to simply test drive as many cars as possible, afterall you will be stuck with the car for a couple of years I assume so it's not like you are buying it everyday.
Actually I would look more closely towards Dodge Caliber, the engine was designed by Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Chrysler, and the entire car is based upon the all-new Lancer platform (designed by Mitsubishi in Japan) so it really is a good deal considering that for the price range is the most versatile car of the bunch, plus it has iPod connection
I don't know what you look for in styling but when someone says that Caliber is ugly and that Hyndai looks better, someone really needs to go to an eye doctor I would also take a look at Mitsubishi Lancer (it's an older design but if you are over 6 feet tall you will see what I mean), new Civic or Fit (although the engine kind of lacks torque but again at that price range I don't think you'll find an uber fast car), Corolla (which I guess is an older design but as I mentioned it is more efficient than Yaris), I would stay away from Nissan Versa (that car is being manufactured in Mexico, American Ford Focus anyone?), Hyundai also makes decent cars but I just don't think they are well refined, when I always get inside of one I just feel the cheapness inside same goes for Kia, I mean the Koreans reliability has improved a lot lately BUT... I just wouldn't buy it.
And when comparing power, don't just look at HP numbers (some manufacturers don't use the SAE standard in HP calculation meaning overstated numbers), look at torque and at what RPM the power is achieved, you don't want a high pitched whinning engine. Best bet is to simply test drive as many cars as possible, afterall you will be stuck with the car for a couple of years I assume so it's not like you are buying it everyday.
Lebowski said:
I've only linked to it like 3 times now: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060607/NEWS/60607009
Hyundai made ****** cars in the past. So did Honda, so did Toyota. Took them awhile to build a reputation in the US with reliable cars.
Take it from someone whos family owns 3 Hyundais...they're not cheaply made. They don't use cheap materials. They're excellent cars
Toyota didn't make **** cars and neither did Honda, the only thing they had to overcome was the anti-foreign car temperament in the U.S. at the time. Hyundai has always had a bad reputation as a cheap low quality car and while they have made improvements in their lineup I still would not compare them quality wise to a Toyota.
I also think their cars are fugly and would never contemplate purchasing one.
I also think their cars are fugly and would never contemplate purchasing one.
Lebowski said:
Haha, yes, sort of like these precious little factoids.....
Where have you been over the past 4-5 years? Apparently not keeping up with cars. Their interiors are made with better materials than what's in most budget cars today. To say they're made with cheap plastics is entirely incorrect. You just need to step into my car to know that. Now whether you like the interior styling is a completely different issue, because if you don't like it, and like the interior "styling" of a Civic better, I really couldn't argue.
I went to Toyota, Honda, and Mazda (they have a Mazda 2 outside of North America) before I ever thought about going with Hyundai, and after researching and test driving the car, I was surprised about what I found out. While Hyundai was gaining rapidly in reputation in North America, the Getz I was going to buy had already been rated the best small car 3-4 times in Australia over the past 6 years, and yes, we get all the little Toyota and Honda models --- in fact, probably more models than in Canada/America.
I would agree, the fit finish and materials in our 2006 Elantra are near perfect, the ride is soft and cushy perfect for my wife, gas milage is 24/32 for the automatic and has a 138 hp variable valve dual overhead cam. Paint is perfect and i do mean perfect. We had a mercury with a thin paint job so that was something we looked at very close with the new purchase. Hyundais is the new Toyota. Hope you all dont mind if I post a picture in here from the wifes machine.yg17 said:
Dont Hurt Me said:Here it is.
Well, no offense to anyone but from styling point of view Koreans still have a LOT to learn, the only good looking Korean car I can think of is the new Hyundai Sonata. As far as Elantra goes I can think of at least 4 better cars at it's price range which includes the Lancer, Corolla, Civic, and Mazda 3. All of them, in my opinion, offer better refinement and styling. Power wise they all have similar numbers.
blitzkrieg79 said:
Because the Japanese are so much better at styling:
Of course, the Americans also have a lot to learn:
The only ones who have ever gotten it right are the Europeans:
yg17 said:Because the Japanese are so much better at styling:
Of course, the Americans also have a lot to learn:
The only ones who have ever gotten it right are the Europeans:
Actually Japanese had greatly improved in styling since the 1980s (mostly through European influence as Nissan and Mitsubishi have design studios in Europe), and I didn't say that EVERYTHING they do looks perfect but lets be real, people buy Korean cars because they are cheap and definately not for styling. You mentioned a couple of cars that maybe don't look too good but they are still selling decently (at least in USA) in particular Hummer, Element, and Eclipse.
Why do you think Hyundai offers rebates for all of it's cars most of the time? To attract their customers with their prices as no one would buy an Elentra for MSRP of $15000 over a $15000 Mazda3, Corolla, Civic, or Lancer (because Korean cars just lack refinement, lack of spirit) but when you offer a $2500 dollar rebate, then it is difficult to ignore it. Hyundais only advantage is price (with rebates), in everything else there is always someone better than they are. And again, in my opinion, the only good looking car that Koreans ever made is the current Hyundai Sonata but they are already offering $2000 dollar rebates on it so it means that it doesn't sell too well.
Unless iam mistaken all those cars are slightly smaller,Elantra is rated a mid size car. The one's you mention are not. Though I do agree on some of the styling you mention, iTs still a lot of car for the Money and still less cost then the ones you mention.blitzkrieg79 said:
itcheroni said:
I think no haggle pricing is the dumbest thing ever, because you can always talk the salesman down a bit.
Dont Hurt Me said:
Yeah the interior is bigger but from my understanding it is still a compact class (Hyundais marketing department came out with slogans that it's a compact body with a mid-size interior, but it definately is no Hyundai Sonata which is a true mid-size car, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Elantra, we are talking here maybe about half an inch to an inch all around, very big difference. I work in automotive industry and I have daily contact with various cars and I can tell you as a 6 foot tall person that Elantra is not for me and I feel much more comfortable as a driver in a Lancer or Mazda3.
And it may be a lot of car for the money but in the luxury division, for example, you have the Japanese and Europeans and while it seems that Lexus offers more for the money than BMW or Mercedes, you still want the German car because they are just better refined, more driver friendly cars.
blitzkrieg79 said:
I'm 6'1" and drove my sister's Elantra halfway across the country and didn't find any lack of headroom. The only uncomfortable-ness was the fact that I had been in a car for several hours straight, which would happen in any car
itcheroni said:I could understand that but I was just saying it's such a good deal already. Better than a Hyundai at any price
No thanks, I'll take my Hyundai over a box on wheels even if it is a couple grand more.
I agree, iam 5'11" and there is lots more head room. People become biased with brand loyalty etc. All I know is what I have seen so far and I like it. I have owned a Triumph,Toyota,Ford,Mercury,Dodge,Subaru,Saturn,Pontiac,MG, and the quality matches the Toyota and Subaru which I would rate the highest of all the cars i have had.yg17 said:
Sutekidane said:I'm gay, so I guess this counts for me then.
Me too, and I love the looks of the Yaris. Feell in love with it when I first saw one in Iceland in February. Wish I could justify buying a new car, the Yaris might make my list. Too bad it doesn't offer a sunroof. Love the sunroof on my Baja.
Given your age though, you might want to look at getting a 4 door car. Insurance is generally lower for 4 doors, than 2 doors IIRC.
devilot said:That is so sweet! Congrats-- on having such sweet parents, and well, getting the car of your dreams.
I was thinking the same thing. He must be one great son to be treated with the car of his dreams.
Congrats there guy!
Abstract said:
Yep, the Koreans learned from their past mistakes, building a car based only on price. Loosing sight of the concept of "saving face", in cars it means that being able to only afford a lower price does not mean that one should loose "face" by being made to feel "cheap".
Hey, a small update.
Well, my brother saw my new Tiburon and he really liked it. He took it to a test drive, and he enjoyed it so much that he's going to trade in his 2004 mustang with all the toys (minus leather and the v8) for either a Hyundai or a Kia. He liked how his hair didn't graze the roof because it was too low, and how he could see clearly out of the windshield because it didn't have a bit plastic decoration on the hood. (his mustang has this thing that looks like an intake on the hood, but it's completely fake). He's aiming for an Optima right now as he loves the styling. I told him to wait for the 3 door accent as he doesn't need all that room.
Appearence is a completey everyone's preference. I personally think that all Korean cars look much much better than any american and japanese cars. Is my opinion worth less/more than someone who thinks otherwise? no. At least with my Tib you don't see one in every parking lot you run accross unlike the majority of other cars.
All you Hyundai haters need to stop talking negatively about things you've never owned.
Well, my brother saw my new Tiburon and he really liked it. He took it to a test drive, and he enjoyed it so much that he's going to trade in his 2004 mustang with all the toys (minus leather and the v8) for either a Hyundai or a Kia. He liked how his hair didn't graze the roof because it was too low, and how he could see clearly out of the windshield because it didn't have a bit plastic decoration on the hood. (his mustang has this thing that looks like an intake on the hood, but it's completely fake). He's aiming for an Optima right now as he loves the styling. I told him to wait for the 3 door accent as he doesn't need all that room.
Appearence is a completey everyone's preference. I personally think that all Korean cars look much much better than any american and japanese cars. Is my opinion worth less/more than someone who thinks otherwise? no. At least with my Tib you don't see one in every parking lot you run accross unlike the majority of other cars.
All you Hyundai haters need to stop talking negatively about things you've never owned.
blitzkrieg79 said:
The rebates only rebates they're giving out right now are ones for current hyundai owners for $500 and another one for $1000 for 2006 models only to help clear them out. The Sonata is Hyundai's best seller and pretty much always has been. Look how many you see on the road. I assume you don't own a Hyundai which mades your credibility low.
Another thing is the warranty is a major deciding factor for many people. I've known people to get Hyundais just because of the warranty. What do I have to say about the warranty? Well, When I had the 2004 Elantra, hubcaps were torn up pretty bad from driving and stuff, also, my vanity mirror cover broke off because I was careless. Brought my Hyundai to the dealer where I got it, and they replaced EVERYTHING I asked them to, no problem at all. The hubcaps wouldn't even have been covered by the warranty. Of course, your mileage will vary.
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