Dear Oppo, Why Do I Want a Mid-size Sedan?

"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08) 01/25/2015 at 09:32 • Filed to: Car Thoughts, Midsize Sedans

1

28

So as a jalop, I find myself racking my brain over what I want to buy on a daily basis. Here's the scenario: I'm married, have no kids (nor am I having any), my wife has an Forester and I like small coupes (currently DD'ing my wife's old Cobalt Coupe). Also, the next car I buy I really want to buy in stick for the first time (so that's kind of exciting).

However , I still find myself looking at mid-size sedans like a Mazda6, a Subaru Legacy or Honda Accord.; despite my actual needs (I'd rarely actually use the back seats, except the odd time we're out with friends and have my car).

Now I know there really isn't a wrong answer here, I should just buy what makes me happy, but I'm looking to keep the car for a long time and I'm not really sure what I want.

Nibby > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 09:36

1

inb4 fusion

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 09:36

1

Such a sexy looking car. Best looking midsizer on the market IMO

JGrabowMSt > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 09:45

0

Im in a similar boat, but I drive a massive wagon (no kids, no intentions of having any).

You like what you like, and it can be handy. I drove to lunch at work once, and did so because I seat 5 comfortably. How often will that happen? Not very, but thats not about to make me get rid of it.

superdave847 > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 09:47

0

Among those, I vote for Subaru—otherwise I say 335i or S4!

Long Live the Longdoor > jvirgs drives a Subaru 01/25/2015 at 09:55

0

Hands down, best looking mid-sizer in the segment. Plus, the interior on the 2016 looks pretty awesome too (looking forward to seeing it in person at the autoshow next month).

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 09:56

0

Get a Mazda6.

Long Live the Longdoor > superdave847 01/25/2015 at 09:57

0

My wife just got a new Forester, which we both really like, so I'd be giving the Legacy quite the consideration. I'd love a S4, but honestly, the maintenance scares the shit out of me.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 10:02

0

my advice: Test Drive, Test Drive, and Test Drive some more. I really do like the new Mazda6.

However, might I suggest testing some of these before you pull the trigger, at least so you have more of a concrete idea of what a sedan isn't: Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mustang, BRZ, Challenger.

And then there's allways the nice new WRX and STi if you want the best of both worlds.

Long Live the Longdoor > JGrabowMSt 01/25/2015 at 10:03

0

Good call of the occasional convenience. I think for what I need in a daily driver, a mid-sizer would fit the bill. Do I need it? No. But would be nice.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 10:09

0

Some of the midsize sedans, when loaded up (Mazda6, Passat, Optima, Fusion, 200) are actually really nice cars.

Long Live the Longdoor > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 01/25/2015 at 10:21

2

Good call, I think I need to test drive everything even remotely on my radar to stop any kind of buyers remorse.

I was surprised how much a test drive could make a difference when we were buying my wife's SUV. On paper and after all the research, I thought for sure the CX-5 was the winner; but after test driving everything the Forester won out. There's really no telling how a car will make you feel until you test drive it.

Long Live the Longdoor > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/25/2015 at 10:24

1

Agreed, loaded mid-sizers these days do a good job of begin pseudo-luxury cars.

Milky > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 10:27

0

Or this might be the best time to get that RWD sports car.

Long Live the Longdoor > Milky 01/25/2015 at 10:43

0

Any recommendations? The Crossfire is nice ;)

Thunderface > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 11:05

0

step 1) Have kids

step 2) Buy minivan

step 3) Profit

Tohru > Nibby 01/25/2015 at 11:15

2

He's looking for a car, not a shaver.

#oldjokeisold

Milky > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 11:30

0

Ha! But if you're looking at $20-something-k sedans there is always the Mustang and Miata in that price group! Personally though I'm waiting for the new Fiata (Fiat Miata) to come out. I've been told its worth waiting for by someone on the inside …. but damn the new miata felt very nice at the auto show.

Tom McParland > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 11:45

0

Drive the Accord Sport with the 6MT...it's better than the Mazda6.

/flamesuiton

Long Live the Longdoor > Milky 01/25/2015 at 11:54

0

I really hope Mazda has the new Miata at our autoshow next month (Toronto); I'm really interesting in it. I worry that I might need more space than the Miata, but I really only need room to bring my lunch to work every day (and it more than accommodates than).

If it turns out to be horrible for some reason (which I doubt), I could always get a used NC Miata. The new Miata will likely strike a interesting balance as a daily driver: fun and sporting but also probably pretty efficient.

In fact, I did a combined MPG comparison the other day between the old 2.0 MZR engine in the Mazda3 (27MPG) and the current SkyActiv 2.0 in the Mazda3 (33MPG). Then if you compare that improvement to the 2.0 MZR in the Miata (24MPG), one could estimate that the SkyActiv could get 29MPG combined (which is pretty damn good for a sports car).

The new Miata can't get here fast enough.

Long Live the Longdoor > Tom McParland 01/25/2015 at 11:59

1

Having read and watched reviews on both, I could see that. The Accord is definitely faster and is often said to have the best shifting setup.

Milky > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 13:39

0

One thing I really like about the new one is the interior, seems tons better than the NC.

Which I'm sure will help it be a more daily-able car. But I hope you're right about the mileage, imo it seems like it always should of got better mpgs.

superdave847 > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 13:50

1

As long it is 2010 or newer its not as bad. You only live once, right? My 335i is best decision I've made other than marrying my wife (which was really her decision).

Long Live the Longdoor > Milky 01/25/2015 at 13:57

0

Agreed, I think the interior is a home run. The reasons not to buy one as a daily driver are diminishing. I can't wait to test drive one.

I just hope I can get heated seats & bluetooth without buying the top spec model (right now in Canada you need to spend $40k on the GT to get those).

Milky > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 14:36

0

DAMN!! Why is it so expensive there? A GT with the PHRT is $29k here, fully optioned out is $33k.

Sorry DBWine and Canada :(

Long Live the Longdoor > Milky 01/25/2015 at 14:52

0

Ya, the base Miata with the cloth top and the 5 speed is $29k here, GT full loaded is $40k (I have no idea why): http://www.mazda.ca/MciWeb/configE…

I'm also hoping the price on the ND Miata brings the price down a bit. But no big deal, I can always get one used.

ranwhenparked > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 15:20

1

Well, there's a reason why midsize sedans are still the most popular car type in America. They offer most of the room and comfort of a full-size and most of the maneuverability and nimbleness of a compact and are fairly affordable and economical. It's basically the ideal sized car for most of the things people use cars for. And, since they no longer need to be boring, there's less and less reasons for car people to ignore them.

Long Live the Longdoor > ranwhenparked 01/25/2015 at 15:25

0

That makes perfect sense, thanks!

Pableez > Long Live the Longdoor 01/25/2015 at 18:18

1

I completely agree you should test drive first. I was convinced I wanted the Mazda 6 because of the great reviews and I really loved how it looked. Once I went to test drive it I was really disappointed. For me it just didn't feel right and I ended up with one of the new fusions which I do love.