Thinking of getting a new DD - VW vs. Ford vs. Honda vs. Mazda?

"TheBaron2112" (TheBaron2112) 09/08/2013 at 18:33 • Filed to: None

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So as I may have posted here before, my 05 Ford Focus sedan is getting a bit old. I want something fresh. So I turn to you, Oppo, for help. Here are my requirements:

Hatchback. No compromise.
Reliable
Cheap to own
Good gas mileage (30+ mpg average)
Good driveability (no slushy pedals, good transmission responsive steering, good brakes, decent handling, good visibility)
Good visibility

And through my extensive sunday afternoon research, I've arrived at the following choices:

VW Golf TDI
Ford Fiesta (either base model or ST)
Honda Fit Sport
And for giggles, I'm entertaining the Mazda 3

I haven't test driven any of these, and straight away, don't like that the Fiesta is smaller inside than the Fit, the Golf is far and away more expensive than the rest, the Fit has a tiny gas tank and not as good mpg as the rest, and the Mazda 3 is hideous.

Oppo, what advice can you give me? I plan on test driving these things at some point or another. My heart says Fiesta. But sensibility is pushing me towards VW. But price brings me back to the Fit.

Any experience with the new models of each you all would like to share? Anything you can suggest that may fit the bill that I've not listed?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 18:37

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I say golf, because 6 speeds to row through, german quality, DIESEL POWER!, and it's a nice car
bonus oppopoints for getting an APR tune on it

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 18:39

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Golf TDI IMO, as the pedals on my MKIV Jetta TDI are pretty crisp, and the Diesel engine is good in traffic, you can even creep with it using the clutch, almost like you can with a torque converter.

TheBaron2112 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/08/2013 at 18:40

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My issue with VW is for one the price. For two, I have no experience with diesel engines. Someone talk me off the ledge.

And for three, I owned a 2000 VW Beetle in high school. It had an oil temp light on constantly (blue, not red... so oil was cold I guess). And the CEL was constantly coming on even after a couple of O2 sensors.

It's not detrimental to the car's operations, but those were persistent niggles I can't shake.

offroadkarter > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 18:41

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I've heard the fiesta is about the same size as the SVT focus. One of the forums I'm on has a review of the fiesta ST. I've only driven the regular fiesta and I thought it drove fine, I have no real complaints about it. I saw an ST pre-production in person at carlisle and I liked it.

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/front-p…

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 18:42

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The Fiesta is a great car. The ST is an absolute riot from everything I've read.

The Fiesta shouldn't be any less reliable than the Fit, but saying that any car can be realiable so long as it is properly cared for.

The Fiesta ST is also the most enthusiast-oriented of your choices. It's the one I would buy, but I'd be replacing an SVT Focus, so my personal sense of what a fun daily-driver should be is biased.

TheBaron2112 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 09/08/2013 at 18:47

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Speaking to the enthusiast aspect, I also have a Porsche 944. So I have the 'fun' aspect well covered.

On the one hand, I want to have a DD that's boring enough and sensible enough to not keep my attention focused on it lest I ignore my Porsche.

I fear that a Fiesta ST with 200ish HP—50 more than the 944—would leave me a bit torn on which to drive on any given day.

Mikeado > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 18:57

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Just get the Fiesta ST and be done with it. You won't regret it.

conrader > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 19:00

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We just got an '11 Fiesta and we like it a lot. We got the SE model with 5 sp manual, blind spot mirrors, SYNC, heated seats. We have been getting 36.5 average from 4 fill-ups so far. One time was 34 mpg, but that was after a lot of stop and go traffic. Its mileage decreases quite a bit over 70 (75+ especially) but thats no surprise to me. Feels like it could use an extra gear since it sits around 3k RPMs in 5th at about 70.

Dunnik > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 19:08

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Golf 2.5L > All.

Yes, yes, TDI = gas savings, but live a little: the 2.5 motor in that car makes it surprisingly quick, and yet 24/31 mpg. Handles beautifully. Six-speed (ours have 6-speed tiptronics). Made in Germany again, instead of in Mexico. The car is in our rental fleet and the only car I like more is the C300 Merc.

The Fiesta, also in our fleet, was a big let down. Had I believed the hype? I remembered there was a waiting list for this car, but now I don't think it was worth waiting for, mostly I think due to the cockpit and interior: one is awkward, the other feels as cheap and plasticy as anything Chrysler put out. It doesn't compare to the Golf.

The Mazda 3 is much better than the Fiesta, but not as good as the Golf. Close your eyes and it feels like a Miata: feels like all Mazda's should. Cockpit and interior is pretty nice. Seats are comfortable - for a mid-range Japanese car. I don't like it's looks, and you'd have to sell it on before it disintegrates from rust, but I'd say it would be a stronger candidate than the Focus.

Haven't driven the Fit, but I could never bring myself to like it. They had a chance to bring back the Civic hatches of old, and instead they bring out a granny car.

dogisbadob > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 19:15

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The Fit is a cool car, and it is a Honda, but you can't get a sunroof on it.

VW is not reliable enough to be a DD. It is also not cheap to own.

Therefore, the Fiesta is your only choice out of what you mentioned.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 19:40

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Early 2000's VW's are famous for electronics that make 1980's Jag's and Land rovers look like Toyota electronics, so it's not strange that it acted up a lot.
The lack of diesel experience is not that good... but if you take it to the shop every 6months/5000 miles, you should be good
and price? a used one's about 19K
I haven't seen a new one for a while, and I was at a VW dealer in august...

xxxxxx > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 20:02

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Why not a WRX?

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 20:09

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2014 golf GTI, because that's what I want. I would be living vicariously through you, and that's what you want isn't it?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 20:12

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And that's a bad thing?

TheBaron2112 > xxxxxx 09/08/2013 at 20:20

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Scoobies ain't my style.

deekster_caddy > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 20:28

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Good visibility is a problem on most new cars. To get good crash ratings the pillars are getting thicker and thicker.

Test drive a Volt, even if you think you know you don't want one. Remember that whatever price you negotiate on it, you get another $7500 off your federal taxes for '13. That puts it in the ballpark of a $28K car, not $40K... I know there is a lot of Volt hate here but check it out anyway.

Given the choices you listed I'd try to go for the Golf. We have an '08 Passat and I spent some time in my friend's Jazz Blue anniversary edition Golf (I can't remember the year, '03 or '04 maybe?) and it was tight.

TheBaron2112 > deekster_caddy 09/08/2013 at 20:45

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Not even entertaining the idea of an electric car. I live in an apartment and my garage at work doesn't have any electrical plugs, so I'd have no way to charge it.

deekster_caddy > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 20:49

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Yup with no place to plug it in there's not much point. Seems to be a bit of a problem with these. I think you'll like the ride/drive of the VW better than the Fit.

Long Live the Longdoor > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 22:05

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The Honda Fit Sport is a solid little car for quite a bargain if you ask me. I test drove it about a year ago. Punchy acceleration, tight handling for a "sub compact" that is very accommodating inside, with various ways to load your cargo (fold up rear seats!). Interior quality is a bit low rent, but has a spartan look to it that I like (and you get what you pay for). From what I've read, most owners see better mileage than what the EPA rates (just look at Fuelly ). Plus Honda reliability and low cost of ownership all adds up to a good deal. If I needed a good cheap car, it would be it (I kind of wish I knew about it before I'd bought my car).

VW TDI is expensive and the premium you'd pay for the car would far outweighs any gas savings. That said, interior fit and finish is top notch, VW rocks the interior dept.

I like the Fiesta as well, the ST looks to be quite a hoot (that sound symposer really sets the scene of the driving experience). The ST and the base Fiesta offers quite a bit of content for the price. The 2014's have donned the aston-esque grill and looks great.

The Mazda 3 is another good car (does anyone make bad cars anymore?). I have driven several and all have boasted some good handling and nice transmissions. I'm not the biggest fan of the smiley face grill, but the 2014's (or previous gens) will address that.

TheBaron2112 > TheBaron2112 09/08/2013 at 22:49

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Also, what does Oppo think of the Chevy Sonic hatch? I discount GM completely. Should I give the offering from Detroit a fair shake as well?