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Top Priorities/Features Required:
Stylish Exterior/Interior
Bluetooth Streaming Audio
Sunroof
Fog Lights
Cruise Control
4 wheel disc brakes
folding 60/40 rear seats
Cheap to maintain/easy to find parts
power driver seat
Would like to have, but not deal breakers:
Smart key access/push button start
cooled seats
rear air vents
Projector Beam Headlights
HID headlights (I can install these myself)
Hello all,
Looking for a fun to drive (car enthusiast here), yet pratical and fuel efficient used car. I currently drive a 2003 Corolla that my sister bought new and gave to me that has 195,000 miles on it. it runs great, but it is really underpowered on my hilly commute and only has a 4 speed automatic so I find myself pushing my pedal to the ground just to get up to 60mph. It's also starting to make weird noises, so I want to be prepared in case it dies on me. I live in LA, go to school in Pomona and work in Fullerton so I need a car that is fuel efficient and comfortable, I usually can jump into any car and drive off so seats aren't usually a problem for me unless they are immediately uncomfortable. But i am short 5'7, 5"8 on a good day and have a wide body frame. The above features are features that I would really like to have in a car, but some are features that I would love, but are not really necessary.
As a young guy, I want something stylish, nothing too conservative. I tend to steer towards more sporty and curvy designs. I also love having a lot of tech and features in my car, so the more features available, the better. I like midsize sedans because they provide me the chance to grow into them, compact sedans are cool too since it's me and my fiance right now but sometimes I drive 5 people.
Checked out via the internet:
2014+ Mazda6
2013+ Fusion
2013+ Altima
2012+ Camry SE V6
2011+ Sonata
2010-11, 2013+ Civic
2011+ Elantra
2012+ Mazda3 with Skyactiv
2012+ Cruze
2010+ Golf TDI/Jetta TDI
2012+ Focus
If y'all have any tips on which models are great or which ones I need to avoid, I'll gladly hear them! Any tips welcome, I need to narrow down these options! I know people say, just to go test drive the vehicles, but I want to be well versed in each of these vehicles before going to dealers to test drive.
Preferred Bodystyle(s): Hatch / Sedan
Car Needs: Fun toy / Long trips / Errands about town / Family transporter / Daily commuter
Primary Driver(s): Short driver / New driver
Need minimum of 5 seats
Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 60000
Maximum age: 5 years
Maximum price: US $ 25000
It sounds like you are describing the Scion TC, you could buy a new one for $20,000 and with the spare cahnge add lots of cool Factory/Dealership accessories. Its' a Toyota product, so I imagine it would also be reliable.
You might also like the "New" KIA Forte "KOUPE", the warranty seems Fantastic, it looks cool and is fast and agile. I have attached a pic of the KIA FORTE, but, check out the KIA FORTE "KOUPE" that is their sports version :)
Just a thought :)
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Both are great cars I'm sure, but I prefer sedan or hatch body styles for more interior space and practicality. I'm thinking long term and getting a car seat in a coupe seems like a pain in the next 5-7 years. My family aren't the smallest people in the world lol so my car needs to be able to throw them in and not have to worry about them being cramped.
But i'll check them out, I never thought about the Scion TC and the last generation of the Kia Forte looks sporty! Not sure how they drive though.
Thanks!
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If you need a lot of room in the rear seat, most of the compacts in your list probably aren't going to have enough (with the Civic a possible exception) and both the Mazda6 and Fusion could be marginal.
If its rear seat is large enough, and you don't need cooled front seats, the Mazda6 could be your best bet, followed by the Fusion.
I can't imagine that the Camry and Altima deliver the styling or the driving experience you're looking for.
Missing from the list: 2013+ Accord Sport. Not as exciting to look at or drive as the Mazda and Ford, but roomier.
The 2015 Sonata is much better than the 2011-2014 Sonata. The old car offers a lot of features for the price, but lacks the ride/handling of the new one, much less the Ford and Mazda.
The Elantra GT could be a better fit. Roomy as compacts go, and fairly sporty, if not as fun as the Mazda3 or Ford Focus.
To narrow this group down, a good first step could be figuring out how large an interior you need.
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More about the Mazda6 
More about the Fusion
More about the Elantra GT
I knew I forgot one midsize sedan, I like the Accord Sport but a moonroof is required. I liked it so much that I was considering buying the Accord EX (EX and above are trims that have sunroof's) and put the wheels from the sport on it. But that would increase the price by 1,500.
The thing about buying a car today is that compact cars used to be bought for gas mileage, but whats the point of buying a compact if I can get 30+ mpg combined with the Mazda6, Altima or Accord.
Surprisingly, the Altima and Camry styling is pretty good, they're kind of reserved style hahaha. But i'm not sure about the Altima driviny dynamics. I know I hate the Camry Steering since I had one as a rental a year ago and it had absolutely NO FEEL! like seriously Toyota? But that was a 4cylinder LE model, so who knows how the SE feels. Also, I live in the San Fernando Valley and it gets so hot here, the coole dseats would be great, but I don't see a lot of cars with those. I haven't had a car with them at all, but If i found one in my price range that I liked, I would probably buy the car.
Right now, all i've been able to do is look at online car reviews from Youtube, maybe I'll try to rent a view of these cars to see how they go...
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The Camry SE has firmer steering, but about the same amount of feel.
In your price range, you probably have the best chance of finding a Sonata or Optima with a cooled seat.
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I knew I forgot one midsize sedan, I like the Accord Sport but a moonroof is required. I liked it so much that I was considering buying the Accord EX (EX and above are trims that have sunroof's) and put the wheels from the sport on it. But that would increase the price by 1,500.
The thing about buying a car today is that compact cars used to be bought for gas mileage, but whats the point of buying a compact if I can get 30+ mpg combined with the Mazda6, Altima or Accord.
Surprisingly, the Altima and Camry styling is pretty good, they're kind of reserved style hahaha. But i'm not sure about the Altima driviny dynamics. I know I hate the Camry Steering since I had one as a rental a year ago and it had absolutely NO FEEL! like seriously Toyota? But that was a 4cylinder LE model, so who knows how the SE feels. Also, I live in the San Fernando Valley and it gets so hot here, the coole dseats would be great, but I don't see a lot of cars with those. I haven't had a car with them at all, but If i found one in my price range that I liked, I would probably buy the car.
Right now, all i've been able to do is look at online car reviews from Youtube, maybe I'll try to rent a view of these cars to see how they go...
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hello snowblaster.
If your name indicates anything about your lifestyle, you may wish to consider one of Subaru's models.
The Impreza hatchback may fit the bill.
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More about the Impreza / Outback Sport
