Shopping for a car for my wife

"Old Red Wagon" (wr10) 10/29/2015 at 15:34 • Filed to: None

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Hello fellow oppo’s, in about 5-6 weeks my wife will be getting a car. We are shopping used sedans. Looking at 2009 or newer, automatic, four cylinder vehicles. Looking to spend no more then $13k. Problem is we are located in Europe at the moment so we haven’t test driven anything to narrow our choices down. We’ll be moving to Texas so once we are there we’ll be able to check out vehicles in person. So far I’ve narrowed a list down to 2009+ Civic or Accord, 2013+ Elantra/Sonata, 2012+ Corolla S, Chevy Cruze, 2012+ Kia Optima, Forte. I haven’t driven any of these cars so I can’t comment or compare until we both drive them. This will strictly be her car as I will have my E30 and GTI.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

HammerheadFistpunch > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:40

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do you mind me asking, and please understand that I don’t want to make it sound like you should do what your doing at all, but why a sedan? I drove a sedan for the first time in forever the other day and I stepped away thinking “why would anyone buy a sedan?”. Again, I’m asking more because I really want to know and not because I’m judging your sedan preference. I know some cars can’t be had as wagons but if there was a choice (and there is in europe) then...why go sedan?

Milky > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:41

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As an American, that list bores me. Why not something French or Italian!?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:43

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Why not something fun and funky, like this:

Future next gen S2000 owner > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:44

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I would add a Focus and the Mazda 3 to that list. Honestly, most of those are commuter mobiles. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, they are all pretty much interchangeable with very few redeeming qualities. If she is happy with one she will be happy with any of them.

JustAnotherG6 > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:45

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Only thing I have to contribute would be to stay away from the Cruze based on 1/2 co-workers that drive them.

duurtlang > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 15:45

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My guess, from the choice of cars, the car will be bought in the US. In Europe that list of sedans is actually quite exotic.

we are located in Europe at the moment

HammerheadFistpunch > duurtlang 10/29/2015 at 15:46

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I re-read and realized he would buy them here. Even still, I maintain the question only maybe more broadly...whats the appeal of the sedan?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:47

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Why not a Jetta? For 2009-10 it still had 4 wheel discs and fully independent suspension. And once the new gen started in 2011, it became a lot more practical size wise. Plus the I5/Auto combo is bulletproof.

yamahog > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:47

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Gonna need a little more ‘MERICA on that list if you’re living in Texas!

My citroen won't start > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:48

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http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/…

Meh, it looks nicer than the others and the interior is nicer.

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/…

You might actually have to drive it some times.

Brian, The Life of > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:49

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Any reason you’re not including Fusions or Mazda 6s in the mix? I’d notch them both above what’s on your list so far and Ford’s 2.5L I4 in the Fusion is a damn good N/A 4-banger. I’ve got over 100K miles on mine and it’s still rock solid and seems to still have all of its original power.

ETA: Just noticed the Europe part so change “Fusion” to “Mondeo” ;)

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 15:49

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Rear seats, decent trunk?

Boxer_4 > Milky 10/29/2015 at 15:49

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As far as I know, this is the only recent French car you can buy in Texas.

HammerheadFistpunch > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 10/29/2015 at 15:50

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wagon - rear seats, even bigger “trunk”

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 15:51

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Most sedans aren’t available as wagons. If they were, then wagons all the way.

Old Red Wagon > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 15:51

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She’s always had a preference for sedans. If there is a car that comes in both two and four door 9 times out of 10 she picks the four. More room in the back is an added benefit as well.

cazzyodo > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:51

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Test drove a Forte when my sister was looking. It’s decent for the money and feels similar to a Mazda3...which is what she went to (2010 Mazda3 for about $10k). GF has a 2013 Elantra GT which is a solid vehicle but devoid of anything else. When I say “solid” I mean it is a very capable mode of transportation and seems to be well build.

Fuck the Corolla S. You basically end up with extra plastic cladding and no performance difference...my buddy has one and idk why he did it. Chevy Cruze is nice to look at outside and comfortable for long distances (it was my rental for over 400 miles) with good efficiency. Accord is largest in the group there. Another friend has a Civic and I hate it...hate. It’s dash is a mess and it feels so much longer than it is.

I’m biased when I suggest a Focus but I also recommend taking a look at the Mazda3 and Elantra. Also, look to expand to hatchbacks for versatility. My sister hates hatches and got the 3 sedan so I can understand if it isn’t your wife’s style.

Old Red Wagon > yamahog 10/29/2015 at 15:52

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Haha I was thinking of that. My e30 and GTI might be out of place.

HammerheadFistpunch > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:54

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as a family man, I recognize the desire for larger cars, and even as someone who’s often alone in a larger car I can understand. I’m just trying to understand why most people preference sedans over wagons, hatches or crossovers? As far as I can tell, they don’t seem to offer any compelling advantages. I haven’t owned a sedan for years though, and mainly drive wagons and “wagons” (suv’s and such) so Im just trying to get inside the mind of the average persons attitude towards sedans.

someassemblyrequired > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:54

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Obscure choice but Buick Verano or Regal? Verano is a hell of a lot nicer than the Cruze and usually pretty cheap used. Regal you might get a deal on that would put it in that range.

Milky > Boxer_4 10/29/2015 at 15:54

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... I read “located in Europe” and went right to the comments.

yamahog > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:57

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Lol :)

And is the 4cyl part her preference or gas mileage concerns? IMO you’d get a lot better options looking at 6cyl as well, and if you’re not aware, fuel will be much cheaper in Texas.

ETA: if you do decide to stick with 4 cylinders, see if you can find a Ford Fusion in your price range. My SO loved his.

Old Red Wagon > Brian, The Life of 10/29/2015 at 15:59

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No reason at all, the pre 2013 Fusion interior has much to be desired. This is going off auto trader and carmax pictures where I’ve been doing most of my browsing.If I can land a 2013 in my price range I will add it to my list

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 15:59

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I’m with Brian, The Life of. You’re doing yourselves an extreme disservice not having the Fusion and Mazda 6 on your list.

They are in my opinion the absolute top of the list for the category you’re looking at.

That being said skip right the hell over the Focus. (says Ford guy)

HammerheadFistpunch > My citroen won't start 10/29/2015 at 16:08

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This spec list isn’t far off it terms of what the 2.5 feels like in the big passat (from the listing). Note: its also technically accurate

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Transmission Automatic

Drive 2WD

Engine 2.5L engine

Cylinders 5 cylinders

Horsepower 0 horsepower@0rpm

Torque 0 torque@0rpm

Klaus Schmoll > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 16:09

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Word! I only bought a sedan because it was a dirt cheap one owner car with perfect service history. Most of the time it’s fine, but every once in a while you want to transport something bigger and you’re screwed. When buying a new TV I was limited by what I can get in the car!!!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 16:10

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Definitely consider the Mazda 3 in the category too. And if 4-door hatches work, then the fiesta and focus as well (NOT the sedans though!!). Even though you wont have to drive it, having something at least slightly interesting is always better!

My citroen won't start > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 16:10

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Well, she won’t be using it for racing is she?

HammerheadFistpunch > Klaus Schmoll 10/29/2015 at 16:11

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I just don’t get...aside from an asthetic choice...why the majority of people prefer sedans to wagons? They just don’t make as much sense.

That being said, I guess there is SOME value in not sitting in the same space as your cargo.

Chariotoflove > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 16:12

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Where in Texas? I’d offer assistance, but it sounds like you’ve got this covered.

HammerheadFistpunch > My citroen won't start 10/29/2015 at 16:13

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I suppose in flat, low Texes it might be alright, but its sloooow up here in Utah. Like “for reals this is how its supposed to be?” slow.

My citroen won't start > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 16:15

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We have this problem with the Jetta as we only get the 2.0 and the TSi. How does a company that big manage to get 120HP from a 2 liter in 2015? Why won’t they offer other engine choices that are already on the market here? We will never know.

Brian, The Life of > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 16:16

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Well, if you’re in Europe you won’t be seeing any pre-’13 Fusions for sale even as Mondeos because they were very different cars. The last gen Mondeo was a very nice car and the interiors were better than the Fusions over here. That said, my 2010 Fusions interior is not at all bad ... even though my trim level is the “rental grade” SE.

Tekamul > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 16:19

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Look at his manufacturer choices.

Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Chevy, Kia.

What does that leave him with that’s a wagon, not a crossover . A Prius V?

Meatcoma > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 16:20

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Juke, Veloster(only the turbo should even be sold, the non has no power at all it seems), Focus, Fiesta etc.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 16:21

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Does she “care” about driving? After owning a Mazda3 for a couple years, I would totally recommend one to someone who wants a fun, small sedan. I’ve got 100k km on the clock without anything other than regular maintenance. I also use the doritos logic of “a redline a day keeps the carbon away”.

If you want something a little more comfortable, one of the larger sedans may fit the bill, like the Accord. I’ve heard good things about the later model Optimas - A family member of mine was one shitty trade offer away from buying it.

I’ve driven a Civic in your range bracket and I nearly died on the inside.

Klaus Schmoll > HammerheadFistpunch 10/29/2015 at 16:27

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If your cargo is dead hookers, you might have a point there.

Gripevo1 > Old Red Wagon 10/29/2015 at 16:47

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The cruze with the 1.4 turbo is actually a pretty decent car. The corolla and accord will be bulletproof but boring. The elantra,optima and sonata are pretty good too(not sure about long term reliability). The forte is crap. Ive never been a fan of that gen of civic but will still be reliable.

Old Red Wagon > yamahog 10/30/2015 at 04:01

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It’s mainly my preference, she will be commuting to work and back and occasional road trips so fuel economy is more important than power. Fuel is definitely cheaper but i figure why spend more on it if it’s unnecessary.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Old Red Wagon 10/30/2015 at 06:09

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buy a manual.

Dacia Logan?

Old Red Wagon > pip bip - choose Corrour 10/30/2015 at 06:43

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We are in Europe now but are buying a car in the US as we are moving there. It will be her car, she has no interest in driving a manual.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Old Red Wagon 10/30/2015 at 06:49

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Hyundai or Kia then , don’t get a Cruze (the Auto trans in them shit themselves regularly)