Oppoinions On A Friend's First Car?

"Kailand09" (kailand09) 05/19/2014 at 20:37 • Filed to: None

1

31

I am helping a friend purchase a car, and we are going out tomorrow to test drive a whole gamut of vehicles in his price range based on his preferred requirements. I'd like to hear your opinions on reliability, fun, and general quality of the cars I'm thinking of, or suggest others.

The Requirements:

~$15k, 4 or 5 door, smaller in size (fiesta is too small I think), automatic, good gas mileage, decent utility, and somewhat fun to drive. My favorite part is he says, "I don't want to be bored driving it".

My thoughts are to buy used, but new is OK with him too. I plan to start at Carmax to at least test drive a multitude of vehicles so he can hone his selection down to one or two. Whether or not we buy at Carmax is no big deal, though I am a fan of the place and think it's a good idea to start there.

The current list:

2012 or 13 Civic

2012 or 2013 mazda 3

2012 or 2013 Ford Focus

2012 or 2013 Nissan Sentra (maybe SR)

2013 Dodge Dart

If he is willing, I may also suggest at least trying the Fiesta and the Sonic. What do ya'll think about each of these cars?

ttyymmnn > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:38

4

I can't help you, but it does give me a chance to post this video. It's brilliant.

signintoburnerlol > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:44

1

If he doesn't want to be bored driving it then why did he pick the most boring cars?

Go ST, go SI, go proper fast.

I tell this to everyone going to buy a car, try things you don't think you like. Don't buy what you know, because you'll end up just satisfied. Satisfied is never enough.

daender > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:45

2

Mazda 3, it'll be fun to drive when you want to (fun autocross car) but it should be reliable enough to take abuse and keep on going without a hesitation. Sentra and Civic are too bland, imo. Dart with the Fiat turbo engine is fun (drove my uncle's Eco model) but I'd be concerned with reliability, especially on used first-year cars.

Also the 3 comes in hatchback so extra cargo area and a cooler look versus the sedan.

Local Miata Bro > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:45

1

the Honda fit is fun to drive on the twisties

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:47

0

It's a tiny bit bigger and fancier than the others on your list, but perhaps a Volvo V50 ? If you want a lot of fun, it can be had as a T5 .

Kailand09 > daender 05/19/2014 at 20:47

0

Good input, this is the car I most suggest to him. Or the Focus, but I feel it's best to try everything he can.

daender > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:48

1

I'd narrow it down to those two and test drive them back to back for best comparison results. Also find some curvy roads to evaluate them properly.

Kailand09 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/19/2014 at 20:50

1

Great suggestion, though I think he wants to stick with newer cars so I'm not sure he'll go for that.

I think he is hoping for a bit smaller and better gas mileage too. But really, that's a fairly new car and a great price, I'm surprised it's so cheap lol.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:54

1

Throw the Sonic RS and Cruze in there, good cars for the money.

And it's rebate season over at GM.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:57

1

haha my brother in law just asked what I thought would be better, a Corolla or a Scion tC

Kailand09 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/19/2014 at 20:57

0

Yeah the sonic may be too small but I still want him to see it and try it.

Cruze I've driven and just don't feel it has any fun to it though. He should try it though really.

Kailand09 > signintoburnerlol 05/19/2014 at 20:58

0

While I agree, for the money he can't really afford any decently new and low mileage examples of those cars. He's also definitely not the type to really autox the car or push it all that hard.

I still think he should try them though, but he also doesn't drive manual.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 20:58

0

If the Civic is on his list, the Cruze should be. Unless the Civic in question is an Si.

Kailand09 > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/19/2014 at 20:58

0

Your answer was neither, right? lol

Kailand09 > Local Miata Bro 05/19/2014 at 20:59

0

Might be too small but he may as well give it a go or a thought!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 21:01

1

I said no to the tC. He is not Jalop and would probably love the Corolla. I'm going to teach him to drive the WRX in a final effort to bring him back from the dark side. He currently doesn't mind'driving' a Camry

Local Miata Bro > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 21:01

1

You would be suprised how much room there is on the inside. We fit 3 adults and camping gear for a week in ours and everyone was comfortable

Vicente Esteve > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 21:05

4

Used GTI/GLI or TDI Golf/Jetta with DSG? This is pretty much the best automatics, not including PDK and Ferrari Dual clutches obviously.

GTI/GLI: Around 2008-2010 Models with less than 100k Miles. (Around 50-80K):

Golf TDI: Around 2010-2011 models with around 40-60k Miles:

Or the best of both! The Jetta TDI CUP!: 2010 will get a bit over budget, but Id guess its worth it!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 21:14

2

Get a used MKV GTI or GLI with a DSG at CarMax

Fun? check!
4/5 door? check!
Reliable? check! (that's what the warranty is for)
Automatic? Check! (well DSG, so same thing)
Street cred? Check!

Kailand09 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 05/19/2014 at 21:36

0

I thought about that, but those are a lot more expensive than he wants to spend unless you get an 05

Kailand09 > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/19/2014 at 21:38

0

I wish he had the price range for a WRX, I would totally suggest it. Good luck with your brother, mine also doesn't really care about any sort of performance.

Kailand09 > Local Miata Bro 05/19/2014 at 21:40

0

oh it's like a black hole, in high school my band fit a lot of gear in one since one guy's mom drove it.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 22:01

0

really? in my area (Seattle, WA) I've found '06's and '07's and even '08's in the 10-15 range.here's an example: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Kailand09 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 05/19/2014 at 22:13

1

I suppose I should look outside of carmax lol. I will definitely suggest it though. I'd like to check it out.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 22:16

0

My stepdad has a MKVI, and when he was buying it, we test drove an '09 "Rocket Bunny" (special edition, about 5000 made) GTI with the DSG. It is a great car. Stable, comfy at speed, fast, and quite attractive!

Mustafaluigi > Kailand09 05/19/2014 at 23:38

2

Cars I found monkeying around Autotrader. 15k, 2005 or newer, less than 100k miles, Automatic and sedans, wagons, hatches,

Audi A3: 2008-2011 with 2.0T (and the few TDI) and quattro. Around 13k to 15k, expect around 30-60k mileage

Audi A4: See above, but sedan or wagon, saw a 3.2 as well.

Buick Regal Turbo: 2011 with the 2.0 turbo with good power. Around 15k, expect around 60k mileage. Decent power, decent cushyness and "sporty".

Mitsubishi: I did find a few Ralliarts in his price range with around 55k. Baby Evo with a dumbed down AWD and less turbo power.

Subaru Legacy: I found the 2.5GT(WRX drivetrain) and 3.0R and 3.6R(newer body) all for less than 15k and varing mileage. Year ranges from 2005 to 2011. These things can come in wagon form and will be a hoot to drive and are practical as hell, esspecially in wagon form. Not too big either. All that and what is one of the best AWD systems and you have a heck of an everyday, every weather fun car.

Subaru Outback: See above but add ground clearance and big fog lights.

VW CC: 2009-2012 with 2.0T. ~40K mileage. These things are pretty nice looking, the turbo can be fun to drive with and has a great automatic trans. Even saw a couple VR6 4motions so theres that too.

VW Jetta: GLI-2007-2009 with about 60-80k mileage. Just look at it as a GTI in sedan form so sporty and fun. Still has the same DSG trans as above so its really nice.

TDI-2009-2011 with about 70-80k mileage. Can get as sportwagon, can be fun to drive. Sporty german car.

Just don't get the 2.5

VW GTI: See above but hatch and option for 2 door hatch, and option for that crazy orange color. This car always seems like the answer for practical, fun, reliable car.

VW R32: 2008, just under 16k and about 90k. VR6, AWD GTI. Gonna be nice.

Volvo S40: 2008-2011 with 50-90k mileage. Turbo 5 and there were a few R-Designs. Can find with AWD.

Volvo V70- 2005-2006 I just looked for V70 R, and yes there are a couple and I want one, sooooo, yeah. Turbo 5, AWD wagon with class.

Overall I would just stay away from anything with a CVT. Since he is looking for automatic but sporty, most of the cars he will see with the CVT will drive like garbage so you just have to keep an eye out.

Kailand09 > Mustafaluigi 05/20/2014 at 01:13

0

yeah I hate the CVT, so far i've been partial for the mazda 3 hatch. I didn't think a regal turbo could be had for 15k holy shit

jkm7680 > Kailand09 05/20/2014 at 06:28

1

It sounds like he's got a great budget to work with. Gti, Gli. Those regulars. The Tiguan also, Mazda 3 too. But he should probably try to expand his realm outside of Carmax, as they tend to have more expensive, certified cars.

Mustafaluigi > Kailand09 05/20/2014 at 09:24

0

Its not the GS but it has a lower output turbo. Its pretty much a fancy Malibu turbo.

Kailand09 > jkm7680 05/20/2014 at 09:30

1

we will certainly look outside of Carmax though I'm Unsure of non certified cars on a short timeline. With only a day or two to buy it, I wouldn'tfeel Very comfortable buying a used car without a thorough look over.

jkm7680 > Kailand09 05/20/2014 at 15:48

0

Yeah, It all depends on the seller. Major dealers are usually the best place to go for those.