OT: Car Choices?
Way off topic but I thought I'd reach out to the MGoSphere for help on my new car. I am currently in a 2009 Subaru Legacy (which I love, by the way) but my lease is up next month. I got a helluva deal on my Legacy and the 2011's don't have any deals going. I am debating between a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2010/2011 Ford Fusion, 2010/2011 Toyota Camry or a 2010/2011 Nissan Altima.
Anyone able to comment on these choices from experience? And help would be greatly appreciated!
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
Although I haven't been inside a Fusion, I would bet $100 that my car's stereo has a better non-customized stereo.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
You comment may be a little smug, but after re-reading what I wrote, you are probably right. Ford's upgraded sound system is probably not the cream of the crop. But literally, it is the best I myself have heard. I didn't consider more luxurious or sports car types. I should have worded that different.
Trust me though, it really is a great system, and you get some subwoofer power without the subwoofer.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
I could be wrong, but isn't leasing the most expensive way possible to get a car?
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
It depends. You are paying for the depreciation on the the first 2-3 years on the car, however you never have to worry about changing tires, getting new brakes, etc. When I was younger, my dad did the calculation on buying vs. leasing and determined he would have to own the car for 10-12 years before the investment paid off. I don't know if that still holds true, but I think it really depends on how long you want to own your car.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^
In my case, it's the best way to go. I only drive 10 minutes to work each way and rarely take long road trips. My wife has a 4Runner and it is completely paid off so a lease isn't a bad route for me to take. I don't have to worry about anything aside from putting gas in it and changing the oil -- and I also have the option to buy it after my lease is up, so there is some flexibility for me if I like it enough to purchase it.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
Since you own a subaru, I assume you like the AWD feature. Of all the cars on this list, the Fusion appears to be the only one that offers this option.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
Yeah, I love AWD and will miss it but it is something I am willing to sacrifice for the right car. I might eat those words driving in December during lake effect snows over here in the GR area.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
It was the sport model with (I believe) the 3.5 L. It had some excellent get up and go. I had difficulty finding the right configuration I was looking for in terms of option packages.
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^
I've rented a few Fusions (08-10 models) and they're very nice, even as base model rentals. I'd put it at least on par with Camrys and better than an Altima. I prefer the styling of the Fusion over the Camry, so I'd choose that.
As for the Sonata, I haven't had a chance to drive one, but all the reviews say they're outstanding cars. Depending on how long you can hold out, they're supposed to be introducing the hybrid this fall and turbo (with 276hp or so) a little after that. This definitely has your bang for the buck. I really like the styling. It's been compared to the Solara, but 10x's better (imo)
One thing the Fusion has that others don't is Sync. I've been in a car with it and it's really neat if you're into in-car multimedia integration. All else being equal, this could be a key differentiator if this is a feature you really want. The Sonata (and maybe the others) has in-car bluetooth, but not the level of integration you get with Sync.
Note that 3/4 are available with hybrid drivetrains now, and the Hyundai will be soon (if you're into that sort of thing).
1. Tie between Fusion and Sonata
3. Camry
4. Altima
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
Again, I appreciate the insight! Didn't meant to draw in the American/Foreign arugments but I guess it was bound to happen when I mix Ford with Nissan and the likes. I think I have narrowed everything down to a Fusion or a Sonata. Next comes the test drive.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
I financed and took possession of a four-cylinder 07 Camry exactly three years ago today. For me, it came down to choosing between the Malibu and the Camry. The pick-up for this version of the Camry is definitely slower than other cars I have driven. However, I was offered the car, with moonroof, for about $500 above invoice price at Rinke Toyota in Detroit, because they were making space for the 08 models. You might want to see if you can get a deal like that now. At the time, resale value for a Toyota was much higher than for Ford and GM, a factor which helped the decision too. For the record, my Camry was built in Kentucky.
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
does this sort of analysis, among others. Brand loyalty dropped about 11% from Nov 2k9 to Feb 2k11, but then rebounded.
http://www.polk.com/tl/PV-201007-Issue021-Toyota-Loyalty.pdf
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
I own a 2010 Evo (and no, I'm not going to get drawn into the USA vs Foreign debate), and all I'm going to add is this:
Get the most fun car you can afford (in terms of both practicality and financially). It makes the daily commute much easier.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:51 PM ^
No Mazda? The 3 series is an absolute blast, and mine has been perfect for the first 70K. Fun to drive, too. Zoom, zoom.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:13 PM ^
I have owned many vehicles over the years but mainly stuck with foreign ones. When my wife got pregnant with quadruplets we knew cars were no longer going to cut it and had to switch to an SUV because I would die before owning a van.
We looked at all the various types from Lexus to Gm's and the one we liked the most and eventually purchased was the Suburban LTZ. It has everything all the others had and more and we have owned it for two years now and no problems thus far (knock on wood).
I thought my wife would hate driviing because she always had smaller cars (acura tl was the last one she had) but she says she will never go back and it is Suburbans from here on out.
I have never liked GM cars, but they seem to have their trucks down in my experience.
So yeah, no help to you, but someone contemplating a suburban might find it of use. Good luck to you.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
Subaru. My WRX will go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, quarter mile in under 13, and I can drive it in 2 feet of snow with no worries about getting stuck. And if you invest about $1200 more in it, it can be faster than a C6 corvette without losing its legendary reliability. It's going to be darn near impossible for me to ever buy any other brand of automobile after owning a Subaru.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
quarter mile in under 13
Stock STi running 12s? I call BS - even slicks on stock won't pull you 12s. Did you mean under 14?
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
Not STi, I hate the gearing of the 6 speed, regular WRX. Added a downpipe and catback and got a protune. Gives it quite a bit more top-end power than stock. Last time I ran the quarter my fastest time was in the 12.9's. I still need to work on my launch though and might be able to shave a tenth or two off that. That's with my summer Toyos.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:46 PM ^
Added a downpipe and catback and got a protune.
Ah - that'll do it (especially the tune). For a moment you had me thinking a) you have a manbearfreak (ie, Carson Butler) of a car or b) you're the best driver in the world.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
is going to be one hell of a car. Very good looking, esp. in the hatchback, with--for once in a blue moon--the same basic styling as the Euro version rather than dumbed down inexplicably for us. Not cheap--18-22-ish, but available in 2011, already in production here. You should at least get a gander at it.
I went to check out the new Fiesta, which looks good in the commercials, but in the end is pretty tiny and had no power on hills.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:33 PM ^
is going to be one hell of a car. Very good looking, esp. in the hatchback, with--for once in a blue moon--the same basic styling as the Euro version rather than dumbed down inexplicably for us. Not cheap--18-22-ish, but available in 2011, already in production here. You should at least get a gander at it.
I went to check out the new Fiesta, which looks good in the commercials, but in the end is pretty tiny and had no power on hills.