Tamas:
H2Andy will have to hurry if he wants a new one as VW won't be bringing their diesels to the US for the 2007 model year.
help me get a hatchback
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H2Andy will have to hurry if he wants a new one as VW won't be bringing their diesels to the US for the 2007 model year.
KBeck
Contributor
Andy--
You and I have been doing the same shoopping; my buying plan is just a year or two away.
The Scion's have already been mentioned, but not the tC: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/default.aspx?state=new&make=Scion&model=tC, which was my top runner until I saw this.............. (though you'd have to wait a while, since it's just been introduced:
http://www.jeep.com/en/compass/index.html?bid=1819372&pid=12680259&adid=42130414&rid=0
Both a little above your range, but still well under $20K...........the Compass is now my front runner, unless it really resembles a wagon once I get a look at it in person......
You and I have been doing the same shoopping; my buying plan is just a year or two away.
The Scion's have already been mentioned, but not the tC: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/default.aspx?state=new&make=Scion&model=tC, which was my top runner until I saw this.............. (though you'd have to wait a while, since it's just been introduced:
http://www.jeep.com/en/compass/index.html?bid=1819372&pid=12680259&adid=42130414&rid=0
Both a little above your range, but still well under $20K...........the Compass is now my front runner, unless it really resembles a wagon once I get a look at it in person......
KBeck:
The Tc gets pretty crappy MPG compared to other cars in the same category.
As a sidenote, the new Compass is the Dodge Caliber wearing different skin.
KBeck
Contributor
deepstops:
Yeah, I had noticed the MPG on the tC, but hadn't gotten to the shopping point of investigating things that closely. Definitely a deal breaker when the point is to try to avoid the gas-guzzling issues of the SUV world.
And, funny about the Caliber. Funny how we let our perceptions cloud things....I had also looked and thought, eh, Dodge. I'm still trying to drop my stereotypes about American cars (note I said cars, not trucks....
). Most of what I'm reading is that the American cars are really coming up in quality in a hurry, but it's hard to jump the hurdle of those long held stereotypes (and meddia hype).
OP
H2Andy
Contributor
well, so far the front-runners, numbers wise are the Honda Fit Sport, the Scion xA, the Pontiac Vibe, and the Toyota Matrix
going on MPG, peppiness, price, and standard items
i drove the Honda Fit Sport at lunch today, and like it very much. it is very nimble and agile for city driving, with nice pickup. on the highway, it was a bit sluggish,
but it did manage to pass a few cars on command.
it has a Formula-1 inspired transmission override (how cool is that?) and you can manually downshift to get more power at will (also upshift, if you want to).
it looks nice, and it rides great ... a very strong impression
going on MPG, peppiness, price, and standard items
i drove the Honda Fit Sport at lunch today, and like it very much. it is very nimble and agile for city driving, with nice pickup. on the highway, it was a bit sluggish,
but it did manage to pass a few cars on command.
it has a Formula-1 inspired transmission override (how cool is that?) and you can manually downshift to get more power at will (also upshift, if you want to).
it looks nice, and it rides great ... a very strong impression
OP
H2Andy
Contributor
the $13k did not survive long, alas
i like the Mazda 3, but it's too expensive and the MPG is not good enough
i like the Mazda 3, but it's too expensive and the MPG is not good enough
johnnyseko
Contributor
Gotta throw in another vote for VW. You're paying for quality....
Get a certified preowned TDI (diesel). Probably my next move. I've got a Jetta now and it handles 2 persons dive gear like a champ. Also with 200K+ miles on her, pretty reliable.
Get a certified preowned TDI (diesel). Probably my next move. I've got a Jetta now and it handles 2 persons dive gear like a champ.
Also with 200K+ miles on her, pretty reliable.
tankboygreg
Contributor
TSandM:
The Honda Element would be my first choice for primarily a dive vehicle. However, my Nissan Murano will have to suffice.
The best dive car ever was the VW Squareback. We used to load 4 tanks under the hood and load up the back with dive gear and camping gear. It used to amaze me how much stuff we could cram into it. Of course I'm glad we never had any head-on collisions:11:
eckybay
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I'm sure you've run across this in your research, but the Vibe and the Matrix are basically the same car. Just a matter of which styling you like better and which dealer is willing to give you the best deal. The Vibe is actually built in a Toyota plant and is the version of the car that they sell in Japan. It amused me the first time I looked under the hood of mine and counted all the "Toyota" stamps that I found
