+1 for Mazda2.
+1 for Mazda2.
Fiesta. Since it hasn't been mentioned, yet.
For the fun side of things, if you end up with a B class car, check and see if you can get a spec-B suspension package. I know there is one available pretty reasonably for the Fiesta, and expect that the Fit, 2, etc- all have a good priced on available, too.
I will second the Fiesta.
those seconding the Fiesta, have you driven one yet? Drove one on Sat and was thoroughly disappointed. Very cramped, mediocre power and the interior feel is just terrible for a larger person (6', 225lbs). Wife and I discounted it almost immediately... and for the $18k price tag, no way Jose.
Bobzilla wrote: those seconding the *whatever car you don't like*, have you driven one yet? Drove one on Sat and was thoroughly disappointed. Very cramped, mediocre power and the interior feel is just terrible for a larger person (6', 225lbs). Wife and I discounted it almost immediately... and for the $*more than other people pay* price tag, no way Jose.
FYP. That's why there are many choices for people to get.
You are biased toward Korean products, others toward Fords.
Me- I would say that the 'yota's are complete POS's, and I know others will disagree.
The #1 thing- drive the cars. The OP is the one who is going to spend a lot of time in the car, not me.
In reply to Bobzilla:
that is your opininion. I have a 2011 since Oct '10. 25K miles. Love it. Interior quality it is top notch for the class. Hey, it's a small car. Not a lot of power, but it can hold it's own on the highway. Gas mileage is great. Took a 425 mile trip and got 40mpg at an average speed of 60 mph. My SE loaded was less than 18K. A bare manual can be had for around 15K There are a few used '11's showing up.
alfadriver wrote:Bobzilla wrote: those seconding the *whatever car you don't like*, have you driven one yet? Drove one on Sat and was thoroughly disappointed. Very cramped, mediocre power and the interior feel is just terrible for a larger person (6', 225lbs). Wife and I discounted it almost immediately... and for the $*more than other people pay* price tag, no way Jose.FYP. That's why there are many choices for people to get. You are biased toward Korean products, others toward Fords. Me- I would say that the 'yota's are complete POS's, and I know others will disagree. The #1 thing- drive the cars. The OP is the one who is going to spend a lot of time in the car, not me.
I actually went to look at the focus/Fiesta with high hopes. I love the looks and the quality of both cars is way up from the old Focus. It's just the seating positions on both were not comfortable for either me or the wife. The Focus was very disappointing. THe center console intrudes into the leg space and your inside leg in either front seat is constantly rubbing.
I wanted to like them both. The Focus drove great. But the pedals and console killed it for a medium distance cruiser/daily driver.
We ended up driving 5 cars Saturday, 3 different brands before we found one we both liked, and it ended up being a suprise to me.
Modern Toyotas are reliable appliances but they're bland, soulless, and the handling ranges from "OK I guess" to "floptastic gag suspension", and that's why I didn't recommend a Yaris.
In reply to Bobzilla:
That's great. But everyone is a little different. It would benefit anyone looking at cars to shop around and drive EVERYTHING. It's pretty clear that people DO like both the fiesta and focus, despite what you think. Just like people like the 'yota's that I just can't stand.
Heck, one of my friends told me that the Fiesta isn't very nice at 70mph. I'll try it when I go and test drive a '13 when they come out.
Get out and drive everything. If you don't like it, take it off the list. If you do, keep it on the list as a finalist.
I've been looking at the Fiesta, and need to go drive one. It's a platform mate to the 2, so they should be somewhat similar. Fiesta has a bit more power, better EPA mileage rating and costs about $1500 more to a similarly equipped 2, from what I've seen.
I'll probably go out and drive a bunch of them. See what catches my attention, and who's offering what deals. But if I don't find it fun, it's going to be off the list unless they offer me the deal of the decade.
How about a Saab 9-3?
In reply to failboat: I've got an '07 Accent hatch that I commute 100mi/day(and often drive another 100-200mi) with. I'm usually cruising at 70-75, and the mileage is right around 30mpg. If I keep it under 60mph and don't drive it like a rally car...which is virtually never...mileage does go up a bit.
I'll also add that it's berkeleying awesome in the snow with a set of Michellin X-Ice tires, and one of the best handling FWD cars in gravel that I've ever driven. 
petegossett wrote: I'll also add that it's berkeleying awesome in the snow with a set of Michellin X-Ice tires, and one of the best handling FWD cars in gravel that I've ever driven.
Something I've noticed too. It's not hard on either of our older Hyundai's to get tail out without the ebrake. It's almost like the suspension was designed to be a rally car.
We started shopping last weekend. We're in no hurry, I've got enough cars and my Volvo still runs fine. My NA is now roadworthy, which gets 33-35mpg. But it's not my DD, nor do I want it to be. Our plan is to narrow down the candidate field to the top 2 or 3, then when a dealer (we'll search everywhere) offers us a deal we can't refuse, we'll jump. Could be now or 6 months from now, we'll wait for the right deal.
We went to the Kia dealer on Saturday. We both drove the Soul. It's a nice car, but it felt like a small car on stilts, so it's out. The wife test drove the Rio hatch (I didn't get time, we had to leave), she liked it but felt the sightlines weren't good.
In a nutshell, the criteria again are: '07ish or newer (<45k miles if used), $15k or less, FWD, stick shift, reliable, not boring to drive, 35+mpg (will consider 30mpg if the car is really fun, but nothing under 30).
Next up is the Honda and Mazda dealers for the current Fit and 2. Still haven't looked at any used stuff.
MINI Cooper or Clubman S or Honda Fit
The MINI clicks all the right boxes, but I've heard less than stellar things about reliability. Guess I need to do more research to find out how true that is.
You'll need to log in to post.
