ethiostar
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Please help!!! I hate this process.
I've been shopping for cars for the last week. I've done a lot of research and have spoken to some people. But I can use any and all additional input in this matter.
The wife and I want a car that can fulfill the following four criteria.
1) Safety (no room for compromise with two little ones)
2) Fuel efficiency (at minimum, 30+ mpg city/hwy combined, although 35+ mpg is preferred)
3) Space (plenty of rear leg room for car seats and cargo space for groceries, strollers, camping trips, trips to Lowe's or Home Depot,
etc...)
4) Dependability
We don't want to spend money on any 'options'. We are a young family and we'll splurge when we upgrade the second car (5 or so years from now). At this point we're willing to spend around 25k +/- a grand or so.
We've looked at many cars the past week and we've eliminated several based on the above 4 criteria, visual inspection, test-drives, and expert and consumer reviews. These include 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2012 Ford Fusion, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, and many more.
We've narrowed our options to the following three cars.
In no particular order....
1) 2012 Subaru Impreza Wagon 2.0i Sport Premium (27/36 mpg)
2) 2012 Toyota Camry LE Hybrid (43/39 mpg)
3) 2012 VW Passat TDI SE Turbo Diesel (31/43 mpg)
I like all three for different reasons.
The Subaru is 'sporty' and has cargo space and since our other car is a Corolla LE this car gives us versatility with the hatchback space and roof rails. The Subaru is also the only AWD out of the three cars.
The Camry has the rear leg room and more power than any hybrid I've driven. Although the trunk space is ok and 60% of the back seat folds, there is only a small opening to accommodate certain type of cargo, i.e., fishing poles, few lumber, etc...
The Passat has the rear leg room and cargo space and has some oomph (based on reviews).
All three are rated pretty high safety wise but the Camry and Passat are top of the line in that regard.
I've test-driven the Subaru and Camry and I liked both. I have yet to drive the Passat, which I'll do in the next few days.
All this to ask for some input from posters here who may--- have one of these cars now, or have had one in the past, or know someone who does, or know something about cars, etc......
Please tell me your honest opinion.
Thank you in advance.
I've been shopping for cars for the last week. I've done a lot of research and have spoken to some people. But I can use any and all additional input in this matter.
The wife and I want a car that can fulfill the following four criteria.
1) Safety (no room for compromise with two little ones)
2) Fuel efficiency (at minimum, 30+ mpg city/hwy combined, although 35+ mpg is preferred)
3) Space (plenty of rear leg room for car seats and cargo space for groceries, strollers, camping trips, trips to Lowe's or Home Depot,
etc...)
4) Dependability
We don't want to spend money on any 'options'. We are a young family and we'll splurge when we upgrade the second car (5 or so years from now). At this point we're willing to spend around 25k +/- a grand or so.
We've looked at many cars the past week and we've eliminated several based on the above 4 criteria, visual inspection, test-drives, and expert and consumer reviews. These include 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2012 Ford Fusion, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, and many more.
We've narrowed our options to the following three cars.
In no particular order....
1) 2012 Subaru Impreza Wagon 2.0i Sport Premium (27/36 mpg)
2) 2012 Toyota Camry LE Hybrid (43/39 mpg)
3) 2012 VW Passat TDI SE Turbo Diesel (31/43 mpg)
I like all three for different reasons.
The Subaru is 'sporty' and has cargo space and since our other car is a Corolla LE this car gives us versatility with the hatchback space and roof rails. The Subaru is also the only AWD out of the three cars.
The Camry has the rear leg room and more power than any hybrid I've driven. Although the trunk space is ok and 60% of the back seat folds, there is only a small opening to accommodate certain type of cargo, i.e., fishing poles, few lumber, etc...
The Passat has the rear leg room and cargo space and has some oomph (based on reviews).
All three are rated pretty high safety wise but the Camry and Passat are top of the line in that regard.
I've test-driven the Subaru and Camry and I liked both. I have yet to drive the Passat, which I'll do in the next few days.
All this to ask for some input from posters here who may--- have one of these cars now, or have had one in the past, or know someone who does, or know something about cars, etc......
Please tell me your honest opinion.
Thank you in advance.
