Shopping for cars... can use some input

[Chocolate Lab]

Love car talk...

JMO, but I wouldn't go with the Camry if you already have a Toyota.

I like both Subaru and VW. They're very different, though. VW has that unique German/Euro feel that Japanese cars just don't have, and once you're used to it it's hard to leave it. A buddy of mine has had a Jetta TDI for a long time and they're pretty cool. Those engines don't have a lot of horsepower but they have a lot of torque, so they have a different feel. I like it, though. But one thing that might be questionable is VW reliability. They haven't always been the most dependable cars and working on them can be expensive. Maybe you don't plan to keep the car past the warranty period, though.

Subarus are cool too, though. I like that they're kind of funky and different from other Japanese cars. The AWD might still come in handy if you're in the Dallas area, too. (Not so much in Houston or SA.) Their one big flaw was always lousy MPG, but they're fixing that now.

I'd think it would come down to whether you want another sedan with better gas mileage or the versatility that the wagon would give you. Those are two of my favorite brands, though. Too bad you can't get both and ditch the Corolla.

One thing, though... Are Passat TDIs really only 25-26k? I thought they were a lot more than that. The TDI adds a lot, or at least used to.

Be interested in your decision, whichever you do. I don't think you can really go wrong between those two unless maybe you got a VW that had some problems.

 

[RS12]

Camry has the nicest ride for the money IMO. Rides like a more expensive car. In the end you cant go wrong with a Japanese car. Sorry if that is not a popular opinion.

 

[jobberone]

I test drove the new Prius V and a regular Prius. The V definitely has a lot room and doesn't lose too much in mpg, 44/40. There were two things I didn't care about the Prius, both models. First one was the dashboard. It just about drove me batty. I hated it. It felt too cumbersome and the fact that it extended and connected to the middle console made me feel constrained. The other part was the complete lack of power when starting from a dead stop.

I guess both are things I can get used to but they were annoying as heck when I test-drove the cars.

If you had one in the past and you liked it and are now looking for more space, you may want to check out the V.

Drove it and not worth the extra 10k. Get the base level and add leather. All I miss of the other stuff is navigation and you can get one to use between cars. I like the other options like the collision stuff and the radar but too expensive. I have 800 ft-lbs of torque in one car but the Prius has a good usable 200 down low with the 150 from the electric motor on demand and 50 or so at lower rpms with the gas motor. Not a rocket but not a slug either.

I love'em.

 

[Hoofbite]

Maybe OT but you should get your loan from a credit union or elsewhere and walk in with money in hand.

 

[ethiostar]

1) Just curious, why are you looking at hybrids? A hybrid Civic? My regular civic gets 42-46 mpg highway and about 27 mpg city. At today's gas prices it will take you a very long time (maybe never) to get back the extra money a hybrid costs.

We want a very fuel efficient car. But I crunched the numbers using the regular Camry and the hybrid. In order to get the extra money back ($4k) we will need to drive the car for 16.5 year, which isn't worth it financially because more than likely we'll replace the car before then. For my wife, it is more than a financial consideration though.

I did check out the Civic hybrid, but it just doesn't have the rear leg room and the trunk space we want.

2) Have you looked at a Honda CRV? I checked one out when I was getting an oil change. Great car. About $26-27K, although the cheapest model goes for around $24K (if you can find one). The CRV would allow you to carry everything you need, the gas mileage is good, dependability is great. I drive a Civic right now but am considering a CRV for my next car.

Our neighbor has one of those and he said he like them but I don't care much for the mpg (23/31). I am interested in the 2013 Mazda CX-5 though. Better gas mileage (26/35) and comparable cargo space.

 

[Galian Beast]

Don't buy one of these if you're looking for good gas mileage.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah, the CX5 is pretty cool. I almost mentioned the Skyactiv Mazda3 but guessed it wasn't big enough for you. I've read that the Skyactiv has to be babied to get those MPGs, though, at least in the M3.

 

[silverbear]

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.

That would seal the deal for me, and if you live in an area where snowy weather can be a problem, they way you should go... I had one, and went through all kinds of weather without problem...

The Passat has the rear leg room and cargo space and has some oomph (based on reviews).

The Germans still engineer a fine vehicle... if winter weather is not a problem in your neck of the woods, this would be my choice...

 

[silverbear]

I'm actually in WV right now, have been for about 3 years. However, I don't think we'll be here much longer and TX is our most likely destination.

I enjoyed driving the Subaru but I read that it struggles a bit going uphill. That won't be an issue in TX but it may be annoying while we're still in WV.

I never had that issue when driving either my Subaru, or my late Mom's...

 

[silverbear]

Subarus are cool too, though. I like that they're kind of funky and different from other Japanese cars. The AWD might still come in handy if you're in the Dallas area, too. (Not so much in Houston or SA.)

AWD comes in handy on rainswept roads during a heavy downpour, it minimizes that chance of hydroplaning...

Of couse, it never rains in Houston...

 

[ethiostar]

Maybe OT but you should get your loan from a credit union or elsewhere and walk in with money in hand.

Yeah, we've already been pre-approved by our bank, USAA.

 

[ethiostar]

I never had that issue when driving either my Subaru, or my late Mom's...

The new Subaru, at least the 2012 Imreza, has a 2.0 L box engine instead of the usual 2.5. They did it to increase fuel efficiency but, according to one reviewer, it means 13% less power.

 

[67CowboysFan]

I would have stuck with the Fusion.

Listen to this man, he knows what he is talking about.

 

[Aikmaniac]

I've had my Subaru Impreza STi for 8 years now with not one issue. Obviously, gas mileage wasn't a concern, but, as previously mentioned, the Impreza RS would be my choice.

It looks like you're wanting the best of both worlds (plenty of space/high mpg).

I'm guessing a used hybrid SUV would be the way to go. I'm just not sold on the benefit of hybrid vehicles (beyond the environment-friendly argument). I've always wanted that kick in the pants power at my control so I doubt I'm the best adviser on this topic.

My opinion: Honda Accord. Yeah, they're boring like Camry's but dependable as the day is long, plenty of trunk space, safe, and the mpg on the LX is mid to upper 20's I believe.

 

[Questfor6]

I'm actually in WV right now, have been for about 3 years. However, I don't think we'll be here much longer and TX is our most likely destination.

I enjoyed driving the Subaru but I read that it struggles a bit going uphill. That won't be an issue in TX but it may be annoying while we're still in WV.

I'm looking forward to test-driving the Passat.

Where are you at in WV? I'm in Ripley. As for the car I'd go for the Passat, too many Camry's running around here.

 

[visionary]

for mid range cars (price wise), go with japanese and never look back. stick with the camry (though the subaru is pretty good too) and it will take care of you for the next 8-10 years without a major hiccup

when going higher end, consider german (BMW or Benz)

just my .02

 

[ethiostar]

Where are you at in WV? I'm in Ripley. As for the car I'd go for the Passat, too many Camry's running around here.

Thanks. I'm in Charleston.

 

[MapleLeaf]

4) Dependability

QUOTE]

...in manufacturing and way back when I worked for the auto industry in Michigan as a designer.

If point #4 is something you are trying to understand I suggest you look at TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for the following cars you have selected.

If you search the internet you can find many sites which show these. The TSBs is where the mechanics and dealers get their information on the repairs instructed or apporved by the manufacturer.

It's a good resource to determine if the vehicle you are looking to buy has run into any service problems with the units out in the marketplace.

Anotehr good genreal indicator is JD Power. They do as good a job as anyone in the industry being a watchdog over the quality metrics of the car manufacturers.

Right the gold standard is Lexus at 78 defects per 100 cars. I not sure where the three manufacturers you have have selected sit, but you can definitely check on the net.

Inside a industry coalition we do have tours and rate certain plants. I know some of the car plants and production lines are rated for their perfomance.

Just my personal professional experience. All of us, and I mean all of us aspire to the manufacturing record that Toyota has developed.

Despite what you have been hearing in the papers about the "brakes" problem you won't find a single ME, Op Mgr in the circles I run who doesn't work to reach the Toyota pinnacle.

A car is a huge investment that rapidly depreciates. There is no worse large purchase in life that is as much a dud as buying a vehicle.

The biggest revenue pipeline for car dealerships is not the sale of the vehicles, but rather the repairs. Choose wisely.

 

[ethiostar]

Well, the wife and I have been talking it over and it looks like we want to get something bigger than what we have, which is a 4-door sedan. This will mean we'll have to compromise on fuel efficiency but with two kids we feel we need more cargo space and a little versatility.

So, I've been looking at SUV/Crossover types for around 25k with very good safety rating, decent MPG, plenty of rear leg room, and cargo space. I've narrowed it down to 4.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox
2012 GMC Terrain
2012 Honda CR-V
2013 Mazda CX-5

The first three give around 22/32 mpg and the Mazda is slightly better with 26/35 for the base model but with considerably less HP and torque. They are all between 22k-25k.

We'll test-drive all of them by the end of the week.

Any suggestions out of the 4 or perhaps another I should consider?

 

[ethiostar]

4) Dependability

QUOTE]

...in manufacturing and way back when I worked for the auto industry in Michigan as a designer.

If point #4 is something you are trying to understand I suggest you look at TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for the following cars you have selected.

If you search the internet you can find many sites which show these. The TSBs is where the mechanics and dealers get their information on the repairs instructed or apporved by the manufacturer.

It's a good resource to determine if the vehicle you are looking to buy has run into any service problems with the units out in the marketplace.

Anotehr good genreal indicator is JD Power. They do as good a job as anyone in the industry being a watchdog over the quality metrics of the car manufacturers.

Right the gold standard is Lexus at 78 defects per 100 cars. I not sure where the three manufacturers you have have selected sit, but you can definitely check on the net.

Inside a industry coalition we do have tours and rate certain plants. I know some of the car plants and production lines are rated for their perfomance.

Just my personal professional experience. All of us, and I mean all of us aspire to the manufacturing record that Toyota has developed.

Despite what you have been hearing in the papers about the "brakes" problem you won't find a single ME, Op Mgr in the circles I run who doesn't work to reach the Toyota pinnacle.

A car is a huge investment that rapidly depreciates. There is no worse large purchase in life that is as much a dud as buying a vehicle.

The biggest revenue pipeline for car dealerships is not the sale of the vehicles, but rather the repairs. Choose wisely.

Lots of great stuff man, thank you very much.