Comfortable car for a car enthusiast with arthritis and a long commute

I'm really sorry that you're having to deal with arthritis, especially at such a young age. I've had several family members with psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis and I've seen (but can't truly know) how difficult it can be.

I've given some thought to your question and I've came up with quite a few suggestions. I'm making the assumption that the ride quality of your 2012 Mazda3 is the main problem causing you discomfort....let me know if that's not that case. But based on that, I think your best bet is to go with a mid-size sedan that is still fun to drive, but also has good ride quality (and comfortable seats).

I also don't know exactly what you're wanting in terms of features/tech and performance. But here goes-

1- Is the 2016 Mazda3 an option? When the 2014 debuted, it was a signficant improvement in all areas over the 2nd gen model (2010-2013). If so, you could go compare the 'i' Grand Touring (with 16" wheels and 2.0L engine) and the 's' Touring/Grand Touring (18" wheels and 2.5L). They all come in under $25k on TrueCar.com.

2- The 2016 Mazda6 Touring is another idea. The ride is slightly better than the Mazda3, but the 19" wheels aren't ideal (and the only way to get the smaller 17" is on the base i Sport). But still a great (and gorgeous car).

3- My other favorite mid-size is the Honda Accord. The ride quality is very good, but handling and overall performance aren't too shabby either. The 'Sport' model is the looker, but it has 19" wheels/tires that might make the EX/EX-L a better choice with more conservative 17" wheels. The EX also adds some nice features like Honda LaneWatch, power moonroof and several other convenience features. If you want leather, you'll need to go with the EX-L or there is a 'Sport Special Edition' for 2017 that is simplly the Sport with heated, leather seats.
* Honda offers the 'Honda Sensing' package for $1000 on most trim levels and it's an exceptional value, IMO. It includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow (great for commuting in traffic), Forward Collision and Road Departure Mitigation (auto-braking) as well as Lane Keeping Assist.

4- The new Honda Civic is another idea. The EX-T or EX-L should fall under the $25k mark and the 1.5L Turbo and 6.8sec 0-60 time are pretty cool. Fuel economy is very good and the ride quality, based on several reviews, is also top notch. Note- Honda Sensing is also a $1k option on most Civic trim levels also.

5- If the lack of leather and moonroof are deal breakers, then this option is off the table. But the 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo (1.6L turbo, used in Hyundai Sonata/Tucson 'Eco' models) is a very interesting vehicle. I think the Optima is very nice looking inside and out. The LX Turbo has 16" wheels (although they look okay on the car, more like 17s) but the handling and ride quality are both very good. The only option is a Technology Package (Blind Spot Info System w/ Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, Navigation, Rear Park Assist, LED tail lights, 12-position power driver's seat with 2-position memory and a handful of other features) and it still comes in under $25k (TrueCar). Oddly, the 1.6T performs almost as well as the significantly more expensive and far less economical 2.0T used in the top-level SX and SX-L. The 100k Powertrain Warranty is also reassuring.

6- The Ford Fusion is another great option. The Fusion's only real problem is the EcoBoost engines which aren't that powerful and don't deliver exceptional fuel econony. But the 1.5L EcoBoost is adequate, if not quick, and is the better choice than the pricier and thirstier 2.0L version. The 2016 Fusion SE (with 1.5L EcoBoost, Leather (Luxury Pkg) and Ford MyTouch/Tech Pkgs) comes in under $25k. The more interesting choice, IMO, is the Fusion SE Hybrid (quicker than the 1.5L EcoBoost and fuel economy is in the high 30s overall. The Fusion got a 'mid-cycle update' for 2017 and the 2017 SE also appears to be in your price range if you are conservative with the options. My best friend just got a 2017 Fusion Titanium (2.0L EcoBoost and AWD) and it rides and drives great, although acceleration from a stop is nothing special (0-60 in the low-mid 7sec range). But the rest of the car is so good that it still merits consideration.

Moving on to some pre-owned (ideally Certified Pre-Owned) suggestions-

7- A CPO 2014-2015 Volvo S60. If you stick with the standard 17" wheels (a Sport Pkg with 19" and a 'Sport' chassis were popular and it looks great but will shake the fillings from your teeth on less than perfect pavement), it rides and handles well. Volvo has the best seats in the business, they're more like thrones. The fuel economy isn't especially great on the 2.5L turbo 5cyl, but it's not bad either. A 0-60 time in the low-mid 6sec range more than makes up for it.

8- The Acura TSX was one of my favorite cars (the TL was an abomination and the TLX isn't much better). A 2010-2014 TSX could be a good fit. It's very sporty but the ride isn't harsh. It also gets decent gas mileage and it's about as reliable as a car can be. The 201hp 2.4L 4cyl was used in the overwhelming majority of these, but a 3.5L V6 was optional and is more common on 2010-2011 models than later ones.

I feel like I've just recommended half of the cars on the market, but they're all cars that I would personally buy and I'm not easy to please! I just tried to think of cars that weren't dull as dishwater to drive (any Toyota) but still had great quality, reliability and a ride less harsh than your Mazda3. BTW, I still have a 2006 Mazda3 s 5-door (bought new in 12/2015) so I can relate to the excessive road noise and less than ideal ride quality. I also have a 2012 CX-9 and, compared to its competitors, it's at the bottom of the list for ride quality. I love them both but my next car will be a little more comforable overall (and a new Mazda may accomplish that).

Good luck, I hope this helps and please let me know your thoughts or questions about any of these!

Take care.

I second the Volvo V60 suggestion. Or find a lightly used C30. Volvo's are famous for having the most comfortable seats in the business which could help you. It sounds like you need a car with minimal steering feedback, which unfortunately is the opposite of what many "driver's cars" offer. Toyota is fairly famous for having minimal feedback and a smooth ride, so you might consider something like a Camry. Could also look at a lightly used Lexus CT200h hatchback. Good looking car and a great commuter.

Some great suggestions have already been made. I'd just like to note that Hondas tend to have especially light steering.

A number of recent Hyundai and Kia models have had steering with adjustable assist. The button is on the steering wheel.

If one of your priorities is a smooth ride, I don't know why the Accord would be on your short list. I have a 2013 Honda Accord LX, and I can tell you first hand that the ride is not smooth, in fact, you can feel every bump in the road. Have you looked at carcomplaints.com yet? The biggest complaint about the Honda Accords are the uncomfortable seats and the back pain it causes. The headrests of the Honda Accord are angled too far forward, causing upper back pain, neck pain, etc. The uncomfortable seats are not evident in the test drive. It takes time for the pain to develop.

I just ordered a memory foam neck pillow in the hope that this will eliminate the neck and back pain. I will also order a lumbar support pillow for my lower back. I've never had to do this to drive any car, ever. My back is starting to kill me now. If the neck pillow and lumbar support do not work in alleviating my back pain, I will have no choice but to trade it in.

Think about it. Can your arthritis handle the uncomfortable seats of the Accord?

When I took the test drive, I thought the ride was ok and the seats were alright. I didn't realize at the time that the forward angled headrests would cause me pain later. Now I know, and it saddens me because it is a great looking car. Hopefully these foam pillows will do the trick.

Ride comfort and especially seat comfort are especially hard to evaluate during the typical dealer test drive. People complain about Honda seats post-purchase more than others, but especially in their smaller vehicles.

People are different sizes and shapes, so the only really valid opinion of seats is your own.

Some dealers will let you take a car home overnight if they think you're a serious buyer. It might also be possible to rent contenders, though it is hard to find Hondas as rentals.

The late model Buick's have very lightweight electric steering. The 2016 Buick Envision Premium is quieter than the Lexus RX and is about $10,000 less than a Lexus NX200T with the Envision having more options standard than the NX. The Envision has the best AWD with Twin Clutch that allows a single wheel to move the car while the other three are slipping. The torque vectoring help turn the car by sending power to the outside rear wheel in a turn where other lessor awd systems brake the inside wheel.

You know after the aching joints to act up is you hearing starts to go. The Buick Envision is even quieter than the Lexus RX. A used 2016 Envision Premium l 2.0T can be found in the $29,XXX range.with a fee thousand miles. Which puts it below loaded economy cuv's like CR-V, Rav4, and Forester. The Envision offers awd, 2.0T, tri-zone climate control, heated seats and heated steering wheel...