The time has come: New Car Edition

I spend about 15 hours a week sitting in my car in traffic in Boston. Yes, my commute is basically a part-time job on its own.

While I love my 96 Civic hatchback, it's really not suited to this drive due to the manual transmission. I frequently get to my office or home with a good cramp in my left leg.

Time for a new car. I'm 31 and have never bought a new vehicle that didn't have Kubota stamped on the hood. In fact I've paid less than $5k for my last 3 cars combined, which is funny since I've been doing digital marketing for auto dealers for 4 years now.

The rules of engagement:

• $25k or less

• no "my brother knows a guy who got a lambo for $5" deals

• Automatic transmission

• Better than 30 mpg

• New or damn near close to new.

• Zero maintenance needed - I'm building an RX7 race car. Nuff said.

• Not a complete penalty box to drive. Exception: Prius - the Mrs. has one and I like it even though it sucks to drive.

• Year-round capable. I DD'd a Miata for 2 years and it was fun, but I'm over it.

• No Volkswagens or Audis.

What kind of distance? I vote Leaf or other electric unless range is a concern.

When you say "New" do you mean 0 miles or "New to me"?

Elantra, we have 2, Mrs Aussie has auto with all extras, nice place to be stuck in traffic

45 miles one way - so 90 miles combined. No charging available at the office.

New means "I'm the first one to fart in this vehicle"

V6 Auto Mustang new with Performance package. New MSRP with only the PErformance package added is $25,525. Negotiating with the S550 coming out will easily beat that. PErformance pack is important it gives you larger bars, higher rate springs, bigger brakes, 19" wheels and summer tires and most important of all the 3.31 with LSD. Get a base car and add the gears yourself for even less. Add snow tires for winter.

In that case, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with many electrics. Save for 2 more years and get a Tesla Model E when they release it?

I just can't see spending that much on an appliance- at least the electrics are interesting for the tech.

Certified Pre-Owned Volt.

On the Mustang, is this close enough to 30mpg for you?

YEs it's 'only 29.9mpg, but the average speed was 77.5mpg, and that's in a convertible with worse aero than the coupe.

DaveEstey wrote: New means "I'm the first one to fart in this vehicle"

Better order it then run to the factory and get a no bean policy enacted quickly before they build it.

3G Prius.

All weather capable, reasonably appointed, automatic, 22-23k out the door... 33MPG, bonus: hatchback!

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/xv-crosstrek/index.html

why take the depreciation hit on an appliance? the cars you're looking at will have been farted in, likely had free factory maintenance for 12-24 months but not hooned or beat on, find something 2-3 years old for $15k that still has 100-150k of service life and save $10k for something you'll enjoy

Mazda 6? I hear they are somewhat entertaining to drive and get good mileage. If they are anything like my 3, they are easy and cheap to maintain, too. You can get a new Touring for around $25k, or even less used.

V6 Mustang wouldn't be a bad choice either. They are comfortable enough and that Performance Package is quite the deal.

What else... Kia Optima SX Turbo? They seem pretty nice, although I'm extremely skeptical of Kia/Hyundai after our last experience with one.

I've been considering a loaded V6 Dodge Charger lately too. They are really nice inside and have a lot of toys, not to mention they get better gas mileage than my Mazda 3. The two problems with getting one of those is that the car will depreciate real fast and the fact that I'd have a hard time getting the V6 when I know they make one with a Hemi.

I also sit in Boston-area traffic for 3 hours of my day M-F, so I totally get where you are coming from. I think that my next car will likely be a bigger, more comfortable car with an automatic. It's no fun driving a "fun" car with a stick in mind-numbing traffic every day.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: V6 Auto Mustang new with Performance package. New MSRP with only the PErformance package added is $25,525. Negotiating with the S550 coming out will easily beat that. PErformance pack is important it gives you larger bars, higher rate springs, bigger brakes, 19" wheels and summer tires and most important of all the 3.31 with LSD. Get a base car and add the gears yourself for even less. Add snow tires for winter.

+1

The Mustang gets great mileage on the highway, but I don't think it's going to be too hot in traffic. It also suffers from the "Shoulda got a V8" issues.

Mazda6 and Mazda3 are high on my list. As is a loaded up Focus. I'll have to take a look at the Elantra.

Ford Focus SE or Titanium. Great mileage, hatchback, well below your budget, winter capable, entertaining to drive, & common enough you won't be too pissed when someone slides into it during winter.

You can get a Focus SE automatic for as low as $16,500 right now. Also, Accord Sport?

3 hours a day on your commute, guys, that's nuts.

It's not always this bad. Construction projects are making life awful. On a good day it's only 2 hours spent driving!

I'd be looking at the new Mazda 6 likely.

Maybe a Mazda 3 with a hatch if you want the extra cargo room.

I've been finding some pretty good deals on Prius C's around my neck of the woods.

Not as fun to drive as my Mazda2, but if I had to sit in stop and go traffic everyday, it'd be my weapon of choice.

DaveEstey wrote: It's not always this bad. Construction projects are making life awful. On a good day it's only 2 hours spent driving!

It's supposed to take me 37 minutes to get from my house to work. That never happens because people apparently like to turn the morning commute into a demo derby or stunt show and do barrel rolls in their appliances. Lately, there has been at least one accident in the morning and evening, not to mention the endless construction. Last week, I had a few 2-hour commutes, and that was just on the way home.

Also, how the berkeley does one roll over in a late model Toyota Corrola all by themselves? I swear these people are doing it on purpose.

z31maniac wrote: I'd be looking at the new Mazda 6 likely. Maybe a Mazda 3 with a hatch if you want the extra cargo room.

This

I'm a focus guy. 75k miles and the only problem is the broken door handle. When I drive it, I get 31-32 mpg.