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Old 11-22-2011, 10:27 PM   #1
Optimus Prime
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new car shopping

Looking for a "second car" to compliment the Passat Wagon.

Needs:
-Good MPG
-Manual
-Doesn't suck

Right now the top two cars are the Mazda 3 and Golf TDI. The Focus was impressive, but the Mazda 3 is better. Loved the TDI, but that's starting to push how much I want to spend.

More in depth test drives on Friday.
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Old 11-22-2011, 10:30 PM   #2
Josh (PA)
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do you want new?
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Old 11-22-2011, 10:59 PM   #3
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Which Mazda 3, I am interested in the skyactiv one but cannot find a 6MT in SoCal to test drive
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Old 11-22-2011, 11:13 PM   #4
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a Mini?
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Old 11-22-2011, 11:47 PM   #5
Optimus Prime
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh (PA) View Post
do you want new?
yes, only because the used market is overpriced at the moment. I may be convinced by a car owned by someone I know and can trust or the right CPO
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Originally Posted by Jeff_DML View Post
Which Mazda 3, I am interested in the skyactiv one but cannot find a 6MT in SoCal to test drive
They have sedan skyactiv 6MT on the lot here. I drove the 5door auto skyactiv yesterday.
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a Mini?
Maybe, but the cost is creeping up there when compared to the Focus, Kia, Mazda.

Cost creep already set in to get me to the Golf TDI; I started at "cheap set of wheels" but the lowest levels of cars suck bad.
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Old 11-23-2011, 12:07 AM   #6
Sharp11
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I like the Golf TDI - 40 mpg is tough to sneeze at. Also, there's just an overall goodness to the car, even if it is a bit less than exciting. Problem is, you've already got a Passat.

Since you're looking for a car to "compliment" the Passat, a Mini might make a better "fun" alternate ride.

Cars are so good now, you almost can't go wrong, unless you went with the new Civic, which has become vomit-inducingly banal.
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Old 11-23-2011, 06:01 AM   #7
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Veloster? Fiat? Scion tC? Wait for Toyobaru? Mustang V6? Genesis coupe?
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Old 11-23-2011, 06:08 AM   #8
John V
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Toyobaru mileage is supposed to suck. I think they're predicting 19/27? Miserable for a light, four cylinder car.
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Old 11-23-2011, 08:17 AM   #9
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I second the Golf TDI. I looked at and drove one a few months back and loved it. For me it would be a perfect commuter up here in Chicago. The only issue for me was the cost. The sticker price gets up there quick when you add the good stuff on.

I would take a look at the Honda Fit Sport also. Drive one and you might be surprised at how go cart like it is. It's also got a great amount of utility in it.
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Old 11-23-2011, 09:12 AM   #10
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Quote:
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Veloster? Fiat? Scion tC? Wait for Toyobaru? Mustang V6? Genesis coupe?
I'm going to drive the Veloster, but wasn't really impressed when I looked at it on the showroom floor. It's just a Kia Forte with crazy styling. I'd need the Abarth version of the Fiat and I'm just not sure I could justify that, I'm thinking about the Scion, but the older design leaves them lagging in MPG, Mustang isn't the most practical winter car; I already have the Motorcycle I ride when the roads aren't frozen. Genesis coupe is a little pricey I thought, but I haven't really looked at it. I was trying to stick with things that had a practical rear seat. I might sacrifice that need for a MINI though.
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Toyobaru mileage is supposed to suck. I think they're predicting 19/27? Miserable for a light, four cylinder car.
This^
I really like Subaru's; but the MPG is crap. In fact there seems to be a bit of a technology gap that some manufacturers have made and other's haven't. The clear example is Mazda, the 3 is essentially the same car, but they spent a bunch of time on the engine and transmission and went from low 30's to 40 mpg highway.
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I second the Golf TDI. I looked at and drove one a few months back and loved it. For me it would be a perfect commuter up here in Chicago. The only issue for me was the cost. The sticker price gets up there quick when you add the good stuff on.

I would take a look at the Honda Fit Sport also. Drive one and you might be surprised at how go cart like it is. It's also got a great amount of utility in it.
I was really impressed with the Golf TDI base model I tested. The only options I would really want would be xenon and their comfort access equivalent. You can't get either independently, so I'd just live without those and get the base model.

The fit's MPG was a lot lower than I was expecting, and the local dealer is known to be crap. I went to test drive one and was in the showroom for 20 minutes without anyone checking on me. I then went to find a salesman and it was like pulling teeth. This was odd since I was the only customer in the showroom.
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