The Garage

[tomterp]

Really, it looks like the CC might be the best fit tbh.

Unless I go used. 

I almost bought an Audi A4 back when I bought my BMW.  Still like them. 

The Impreza is versatile.  If I were looking for one car to do a bit of everything, it would be a strong candidate.  However, we already have a Honda Pilot, which kills the family vacation/boy scout trip/ski/weekend/fishing/towing niche.  This car is just for me, for my daily suckass commute, that includes some small bit of twisting country roads where I can let it go a bit. 

Here's a CC.  You still see very few of them on the roads.

[HalfSmokes]

VWs are fun to drive

[tomterp]

VWs are fun to drive

Yeah, my little '88 Jetta was very nimble and quick, and got 34 mpg highway on regular gas.  Japanese cars are ultra reliable, but lack soul.

[Nathan]

The CC is a Passat sedan that's been sculpted to look more like a coupe.  The 2.0 turbo that it has is very widely regarded as one of the best 4 cylinders on the road (used in the GTI/GLI and Tiguan as well).

The only shaky thing about VW is the reliability aspect.  They are not regarded as one of the better makes in terms of reliability.

You could get an A4, but it's basically a VW with a few better looking interior bits.  It is damn sexy though.

[PANatsFan]

Tom,
The new Legacy is sweet as hell. It's a completely different car, nothing remains from the crapboxes of old.

The Mazda 6 is worth a try. Less luxury, more zoomzoom. Actually, you can option the crap out of it and bring up the luxury quite a bit.

The turbo Hyundai Sonata, seriously.

Chevy Malibu, also, seriously.

I can't believe the maintenance you paid in 10 years on that BMW. We have a 10 year old highlander I've had for 5 years, and we have done nothing but replace 1 sensor for 400 bucks, the serpentine belt for under 100, and new tires for 600, and that was well worth it because I love the tires. Oh, also a 4 dollar bottle of liquid tuneup.

My 14 year old crown vic needed less than 3-4000 total maintenance before I sold it in perfect working order.

[Nathan]

The problem with all of those is that you can't get a manual transmission unless you get a stripper crap box model.

If it's just for commuting, may I suggest checking out a Mazda 3, or maybe even a Mazdaspeed 3.  Excellent handling, decent power (way more than decent on the Mazdaspeed), and you could spend way less than on a CC or something like that.

[HalfSmokes]

The problem with all of those is that you can't get a manual transmission unless you get a stripper crap box model.

If it's just for commuting, may I suggest checking out a Mazda 3, or maybe even a Mazdaspeed 3.  Excellent handling, decent power (way more than decent on the Mazdaspeed), and you could spend way less than on a CC or something like that.

I beg to differ on the not being able to get a manual without the crapbox trim line

http://www.subaru.com/content/static/vehicles/impreza-wrx/features.html

[Nathan]

I mean Mazda 6, Chevy Malibu, etc that PA mentioned

[HalfSmokes]

I mean Mazda 6, Chevy Malibu, etc that PA mentioned

I don't get the appeal of manual over paddle shifters with an auto shifter, and most of the cars listed have that option. Maybe I just have never driven a 'fun' manual

[Nathan]

I just prefer to be more engaged, plus I welcome the better performance.

Flappy paddle gearboxes are ok I guess when it's like VW's DSG, which isn't a traditional automatic at all, but rather an automated manual so to speak.

Of course, I've never owned a fun automatic.  My first car was an automatic early 90's civic.  102 horsepower 1.5 liter mated to a 4 speed slushbox was not fun.  102 horsepower is a low enough figure, but when you have a torque converter sapping a good percentage of that power, it doesn't exactly set the heart of fire.  Every vehicle I've had since then has been row-your-own.

Then again, I live right at the base of the mountain, so blazing through the twisties is 5 minutes away, and I don't commute on the highway so I never sit in stop and go traffic.

[tomterp]

The problem with all of those is that you can't get a manual transmission unless you get a stripper crap box model.

That seems to be more and more the case these days.  Honda's accord is only available in auto in the nicer versions, ie the 6 cylinder models. 

Of the Japanese cars, I'm pretty committed to Honda only.  Subaru is intriguing because of the versatility in supporting outdoor recreation, but this car I'm not looking for that, since I already have the Pilot.  Toyota?     Nissan?  I commend the power in the Maxima, but the styling has never appealed to me.  In fact, none of the Japanese styling has ever grabbed me, though they are getting less objectionable.  Germans and Americans make the best looking cars, and I love the road feel of the German cars.

[Nathan]

I think most of Honda's current lineup is ugly.  Crosstour? 


It's like it doesn't know if it should be a wagon or a sedan or an suv.  So it ends up looking hideous.


I've never had the privilege of owning a German made automobile.  I've always been steered away due to cost and/or reliability concerns.  I like the new Golf/GTIs, and I almost went for a GTI when I bought the Mazda, but decided to save the extra few thousand.  But I do love VW's interiors, and I would love to have that 2.0 turbo.

I'd have also looked at a regular Golf (or Rabbit at the time), but the base engine was a 2.5l I5.  I don't know that an inline 5 cylinder engine would be the most sporting of things to drive.

[HalfSmokes]

an inline 5 on a car the size of a golf wouldn't be so bad, but at that size, just go for the mini

[Nathan]

an inline 5 on a car the size of a golf wouldn't be so bad, but at that size, just go for the mini

The mini is way small.  It's not power that I'd be talking about with the I5.  I'm fine with my car's 2.3l I4.  It's just that 5 is not an even number, so I'd be curious to the smoothness of the engine, plus the rev limiter is something like 5800 RPM.  When I'm driving "spiritedly" in my car, I take it to just about 7000.  bbbwwwwwaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! *shift* bbbaaaAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! *shift*  bwwaaaAAAAHHHH! 


*Artist's rendition*

[PANatsFan]

The crosstour drives amazingly well.

[Roarin Storen]

I figured maybe we could use a place to talk cars (and trucks).  Stuff like what you drive, auto news, new models, questions, tips, etc.

I'll start off with my current car.  I drive a 2007 Mazda 3s touring hatchback.  I think it's a great car.  The 2.3 litre 4 cylinder is plenty peppy with decent mileage.  I also opted for a row-your-own gearbox with 3 pedals, the way it should be IMO

Omg I opened this thread excited to post about my 2008 Mazda 3 hatchback to find the OP has almost the same car! Wow. I friggen love it, I'd always wanted a Mazda and finally got one!!

[Nathan]

Omg I opened this thread excited to post about my 2008 Mazda 3 hatchback to find the OP has almost the same car! Wow. I friggen love it, I'd always wanted a Mazda and finally got one!!

Did you buy it used?  Manual transmission?

Mine is Galaxy Grey Metalic.


(not my car, but mine's basically exactly the same but dirtier )

[Roarin Storen]

Did you buy it used?  Manual transmission?

Mine is Galaxy Grey Metalic.


(not my car, but mine's basically exactly the same but dirtier )

Yeah I got it used. It's automatic but has a manual setting which I like to mess around with. I LOVE IT!!

[PANatsFan]

Seriously, the 2010 Mazda5 is sick sick sick. The new one has a weird design and a smaller engine, and before 2010 there was no stability control in the lowest trim and no rear air vent, so I have the best one That car comes in handy every day in a different way - 6 seats, 4 seats with a big trunk, 2 seats with a huge trunk, sliding doors, lots of pickup. I need to learn the automanual. I usually use it in first gear while parking

[Nathan]

Seriously, the 2010 Mazda5 is sick sick sick. The new one has a weird design and a smaller engine, and before 2010 there was no stability control in the lowest trim and no rear air vent, so I have the best one That car comes in handy every day in a different way - 6 seats, 4 seats with a big trunk, 2 seats with a huge trunk, sliding doors, lots of pickup. I need to learn the automanual. I usually use it in first gear while parking

Um, they are based on the Mazda 3.  The old gen 5 has the same 2.3 liter as my car.  The new one's will have the new 2.5 liter of the new 3's

[Roarin Storen]

Seriously, the 2010 Mazda5 is sick sick sick. The new one has a weird design and a smaller engine, and before 2010 there was no stability control in the lowest trim and no rear air vent, so I have the best one That car comes in handy every day in a different way - 6 seats, 4 seats with a big trunk, 2 seats with a huge trunk, sliding doors, lots of pickup. I need to learn the automanual. I usually use it in first gear while parking

My neighbor has that, pretty cool car sort of Scion looking but its a Mazda so I support it lol. The Mazda 2 just came out in America but I hate two door cars. It looks like a smaller Mazda 3, pretty cool looking.


I LOVE the 2010 Mazdas, they look like their smiling at us haha

[PANatsFan]

My neighbor has that, pretty cool car sort of Scion looking but its a Mazda so I support it lol. The Mazda 2 just came out in America but I hate two door cars. It looks like a smaller Mazda 3, pretty cool looking. I LOVE the 2010 Mazdas, they look like their smiling at us haha

The 2 is a 4 door sir. I have no idea how they did it, but I want one. It's the same as the Ford Fiesta.

[Nathan]

My neighbor has that, pretty cool car sort of Scion looking but its a Mazda so I support it lol. The Mazda 2 just came out in America but I hate two door cars. It looks like a smaller Mazda 3, pretty cool looking. I LOVE the 2010 Mazdas, they look like their smiling at us haha

the 2 is a 5 door hatch.

[Nathan]

The 2 is a 4 door sir. I have no idea how they did it, but I want one. It's the same as the Ford Fiesta.

I actually prefer the looks of the Fiesta.

[Roarin Storen]

Wow I'm tarded I could have sworn it was a 2-door! Probs because the older ones were? (before the American one)