The Lounge - What car is the best of these?

I am in the new car market and would like your input. Out of these cars which do you think is the all around best?

I am looking at the 2007 for all of these, except the Lancer is 2008.

I am looking for a city run around car. Something that is fun to drive, comfortable on long trips, fairly good fuel economy, good power to weight, nice clean comfertableinterior and something that is built solid and will be reliable.

I would just like to knoweveryones personal favorite of these 8.

Thanks for the help.
Orange

Are you thinking the brand new models for all of these? When you say the best...what are you going to be using it for (presuming you're asking with purchasing one in mind)

Heh, expect a little bit of a biased answer on this one! Civics are great because of their aftermarket support, widely available parts, and a large following, which allows for a lot of people with a lot of knowledge that can help you.

But anywho, once we know why you're asking, we'll be able to answer you a little better!

I voted Mazda 3. It's probably the fastest on the list. However, I must admit that Rabit is pretty damn nice for what it is. Very good interior and looks better then other hatches out there. Civic EX is OK. Mazda 6 with i4 is a bit weak. I had one as a rental at one point. I burned rubber pretty well on it. New altimas are very nice. Lancer and impreza look like ass. I would never buy a mitsu either.

The cars you've listed are very different.

Something that is fun to drive, comfortable on long trips, fairly good fuel economy, good power to weight, nice clean comfertableinterior and something that is built solid and will be reliable.

I don't want to sound biased, but judging by this, the only car that meets the most of your criteria is a BMW 3-series. Even a 325i with 6-spd will be much more enjoyable then the other choices and it's RWD. However, it looks like your budget is within mid 20s. Fuel economy is not great, but you will probably do around 25mpg if you mostly do highway driving.

merc ftw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you can't go wrong with any of those cars, except maybe the VW and the Mitsubishi.

both companies have had HORRENDOUS quality control problems in recent years.

mitsubishi had it so bad that their company's top brass faced going to jail for covering up recall-able problems in their home japanese market. their U.S. dealer service is even worse in my opinion. they simply hate paying out to fix warranty problems.

VW is a little bit better, but they've had quality control problems for years because they produce a lot of cars in brazil and mexico plants, which haven't had the best of quality control. VWs have also had a history of electrical gremlins dating back to the original beetles. their wiring simply sucks...

that said, i'm gonna have to vote for the new Altima 2.5. that car is studly compared to the others, and has styling, room and comfort that outclass the rest.

mmm I picked the impreza but I will have to reconsider to either a civic or a nissan :)

the rabbit is nice, but from what i heard it's engine is really unrefined. i'd go with the civic or mazda 3

Civic is what I voted

altima or civic, great quality cars

i have driven 5 of the cars listed, and honestly i liked the 2007 civic ex best. you cant go wrong with it, and expect many many aftermarket parts for it

The civic has reliability, ok interior, and great gas mileage. What else do you need from a daily commuter car?

Why not a Civic Si? It's nicer than the EX and fits all your needs... and the new ones are sexy.

Everybody loves Rabbit. :D

ORIGINAL: WhiteRabbit1021

Why not a Civic Si? It's nicer than the EX and fits all your needs... and the new ones are sexy.

Everybody loves Rabbit. :D


Now that I think about it - I completely agree. The new Si rocks my face off. And this is comming from someone that highly dislikes FWD

But he wants good fuel economy, si uses a little more and it has to be premium.

I know i will probably get flamed for this, lol. Try looking at a05 stang. A used one will only be around 16K. They get decent gas mileage and come with a decent amount of power. Not to mention that just with bolt-ons you can get in the mid to low 14's. As i said, you may not be into modding, but you may want to in the future. Since you are really looking at newer cars, there is nothing wrong with looking at everything.

nissan altima FTW!!1

http://www.3dnews.ru/_imgdata/img/2006/08/27/25022.jpg

ORIGINAL: fallfast90

I know i will probably get flamed for this, lol. Try looking at a05 stang. A used one will only be around 16K. They get decent gas mileage and come with a decent amount of power. Not to mention that just with bolt-ons you can get in the mid to low 14's. As i said, you may not be into modding, but you may want to in the future. Since you are really looking at newer cars, there is nothing wrong with looking at everything.

Actually its another good choice, but he was looking at completely different cars

Yea i know, but might as well have fun test driving different cars if you are actually going to buy.:)

i wanted to vote for the Civic and the Scoob, but in all honesty i think driving an '08 Lancer around would be primetime

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c466170a.jpg

although the more i think about, an '07 Civic SI would be sweet :D

altima is sweet, good handling, comfy ride, great head and a/c, little road noise. i would go for the spec V though, because its a manual...but thats just me... and it gets about 26-30 cityish driving...really great car imo...civic ex is good too, but i would go for the si...because, well its better. lol but altima if you want a comfy road trip car, (although i havent rode in a new ex on a "long trip")

Thanks eveyone. Great input.

I would love a Civic Si, but for what i am looking for i think it is just a little too much of a sports car. If i was looking at the sports car market, i have to be honest i would put it all in for a VW GTI.

I may get a hard time from you about this, but i am VW at heart. I know they have had quality problems, I own a 94 Golf and a 01 Jetta. But the new rabbit and GTI are built in Germany, not mexico. That may put an end to the problems.

I also realize these cars are not really competitors, but these are the ones i like. And after the car show this weekend, the Altima went to the top of my list, but it is hard to ignore the figures on the Mazda 3 and Honda Civic for reliablity.

Thanks guys keep it coming.

So what's your budget?

ORIGINAL: fallfast90

I know i will probably get flamed for this, lol. Try looking at a05 stang. A used one will only be around 16K. They get decent gas mileage and come with a decent amount of power. Not to mention that just with bolt-ons you can get in the mid to low 14's. As i said, you may not be into modding, but you may want to in the future. Since you are really looking at newer cars, there is nothing wrong with looking at everything.


Dude, an '02+ Camry V6 runs mid to low 14s with NO bolt - ons.

The Civic offers great reliability, although I'm personally not a big fan of the drive by wire throttle. I've only driven a 5-speed, so I can't speak for all of them.

In terms of styling, the new Altima really is a huge improvement over the old ones IMO. It would be a good car for comfort due to the size for sure.

I'd check out some reviews on them, and head to the dealer for test drives!

ORIGINAL: fallfast90

I know i will probably get flamed for this, lol. Try looking at a05 stang. A used one will only be around 16K. They get decent gas mileage and come with a decent amount of power. Not to mention that just with bolt-ons you can get in the mid to low 14's. As i said, you may not be into modding, but you may want to in the future. Since you are really looking at newer cars, there is nothing wrong with looking at everything.


i drove one of those new GT retro ones. Holy FU#$ that thing is fast.

ORIGINAL: andryuha

ORIGINAL: fallfast90

I know i will probably get flamed for this, lol. Try looking at a05 stang. A used one will only be around 16K. They get decent gas mileage and come with a decent amount of power. Not to mention that just with bolt-ons you can get in the mid to low 14's. As i said, you may not be into modding, but you may want to in the future. Since you are really looking at newer cars, there is nothing wrong with looking at everything.


Dude, an '02+ Camry V6 runs mid to low 14s with NO bolt - ons.



A 02 Camry V6 doesNOT run mid to low 14's. The 02 has 3.0v6 that pushes about 192HP and 202TQ, That thing is slow, probably 16's. I should know since my wife has one!

i love my grandmas 05 altima, nice, but doesnt draw too much attention, safe, reliable....the car is just about perfect, although, the you cant really feel the road under your front tires, so i have been hesitant to push it in the twisties...handles rather sporty for a family car. 08 lancer[:'(]but there pretty nice. 07 civic, you cant go wrong with a honda....i love my 98civic, and wont buy anything thats not honda or nissan, unless its say...a shelby...or a ford GT...C6 ZO6...but only as a second car.

You should get one of those supercharged Saturns.

I caught a ligth with one last night in my Teg... it was GONE.

Subaru

ORIGINAL: andryuha

So what's your budget?


I am in Canada...so in Canadian $ i am look $22000-$28000. And i don't know about the states, but up here all these cars fit in that range. Rabbit at $22000 and the Altima at $28000.

ORIGINAL: fallfast90

I know i will probably get flamed for this, lol. Try looking at a05 stang. A used one will only be around 16K. They get decent gas mileage and come with a decent amount of power. Not to mention that just with bolt-ons you can get in the mid to low 14's. As i said, you may not be into modding, but you may want to in the future. Since you are really looking at newer cars, there is nothing wrong with looking at everything.



veryy truuu


but i chose the subaru, nice strong built cars, that impreza is pretty quick, but like other ppl said, it depends if ur into modding... but overall id go subaru

damm.

rabbits cost $15,000 here in the U.S. j/k, lol.

here's the advice i always give to everybody when it comes to buying new cars.

"Buy what you want, because you're the one making payments."

nothing like buying something shiny and new and then realize a few months down the road that you really didn't want it, and stuck with a crazy expensive car payment each month.

test drive cars until your head falls off. and then test drive some more. lol.

what... no saturn ion redline???? lol, jk jk

i voted mazda 3, but only cuz i think they look sexy as hell for a compact

choice between new civic ex or the new altima. i say the altima is a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

07 Si coupe but the Altima is very nice also

I'm kinda surprised that no one has mentioned the "hotrod" version of the Mazda3 (made in-house by Mazdaspeed) Does a DOHC 16-valve 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder sucking on 15PSI of boost sound like fun? How about 263HP adn 280TQ in a car that weighs about 3180lbs? I havn't seen one in real life yet, and prob won't...but I WANT ONE SOOOOO BAD

Not a damn one of them.

Those cars weight 3180lbs!!!! Damn my car weights 100lbs less then that!!!

ORIGINAL: SilverSedan

I'm kinda surprised that no one has mentioned the "hotrod" version of the Mazda3 (made in-house by Mazdaspeed) Does a DOHC 16-valve 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder sucking on 15PSI of boost sound like fun? How about 263HP adn 280TQ in a car that weighs about 3180lbs? I havn't seen one in real life yet, and prob won't...but I WANT ONE SOOOOO BAD


ya to bad from all the dyno's that have been done they are way over rated in power. also to bad they cant keep motor mounts in one piece... and a couple weeks ago i was reading about how there is a spot on the door you can kick and the door unlocks LOL, like some **** out of a movie. the mazdaspeed 6 though is a bad ass car AWD FTW!

I voted of the Subaru for a few reasons..one my father and law has one and it pretty peppy even with out the turbo...two..its a blast in the wet..and snow. And last but not least ....i have yet to hear of a valve issues or mechanical failure on the non-turbo impreza's.