commuter car options...
06-18-2007, 12:39 PM
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commuter car options...
We're currently a 1 car family since I can walk to work. Next year I'll need to begin commuting to work with a car, since we're moving. The drive will not be too bad - 20 minutes with minimal traffic (10 miles or so each way).
Here are my requirements for a commuter car:
An economical car (budget is ~ $20,000 CDN)
Remain reliable >7 years
fuel efficient
manual tranny (my preference)
room for 2 kids in a pinch (to bring them to soccer etc) when our TSX is in use.
air conditionning
My initial list, which I'll expand once I think about it, is as follows:
a) Honda Civic sedan or coupe
b) Honda Fit (Sport? or lower model)
c) Mazda 3
Any advice?????
Here are my requirements for a commuter car:
An economical car (budget is ~ $20,000 CDN)
Remain reliable >7 years
fuel efficient
manual tranny (my preference)
room for 2 kids in a pinch (to bring them to soccer etc) when our TSX is in use.
air conditionning
My initial list, which I'll expand once I think about it, is as follows:
a) Honda Civic sedan or coupe
b) Honda Fit (Sport? or lower model)
c) Mazda 3
Any advice?????
06-18-2007, 05:19 PM
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corolla or yaris?
06-18-2007, 06:14 PM
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I'm enjoying my Fit Sport AT that I've had for a year. My other car is the 06 TSX and I find them the perfect complement to each other. (I'm also in Ottawa, well Kanata)
06-18-2007, 11:00 PM
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Mazda 3 is a great car! It's affordable and cheap to maintain. Also equally stunning as Civic, whichever you prefer. A friend owns one and just bought a new Mazda AC Compressor that's easy on the pocket. 
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06-19-2007, 06:33 AM
#8
Living the Dream
Mazda 3 hatch (5 door) or whatever it's called
Honda Fit Sport
I think that a hatch would be the perfect commuter car.
Can load up all you'd need for work and the kidlets.
Honda Fit Sport
I think that a hatch would be the perfect commuter car.
Can load up all you'd need for work and the kidlets.
06-19-2007, 07:25 AM
#9
Drifting
Out of those three, I've only driven the Mazda3 and was pretty impressed with it. However, for the price and for something to get from point A to point B for the least amount of money. I'd say the Fit's probably the most economical out of those choices. I haven't driven one yet, but from what I understand, they're great cars. For the price, the Fit's definitely worth checking out.
06-19-2007, 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by BlacknBlue
I'm enjoying my Fit Sport AT that I've had for a year. My other car is the 06 TSX and I find them the perfect complement to each other. (I'm also in Ottawa, well Kanata)
06-19-2007, 08:09 AM
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I've not had one, but the Mazda 3 is a really good looking car and it looks like it'd be fun to drive as well.
06-19-2007, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by cmschmie
Mazda 3 hatch (5 door) or whatever it's called
Honda Fit Sport
I think that a hatch would be the perfect commuter car.
Can load up all you'd need for work and the kidlets.
Honda Fit Sport
I think that a hatch would be the perfect commuter car.
Can load up all you'd need for work and the kidlets.
06-19-2007, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by crisco
interesting coincidence. How does the Fit do at highway speeds?
06-19-2007, 07:06 PM
#18
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Your best bet is probably the Mazda3. Go and test drive one just to be sure. It has a decent styling,impressive stock performance and a very good handling.(I'm an ottawan too,Orleans)
06-20-2007, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by BlacknBlue
It does just fine. I've taken it to Sandbanks for camping, Cornwall routinely, and Montreal twice. It is particularly fun in Gatineau with the paddle-shifting. You can certainly notice greater sensitivity to high crosswinds compared to the TSX but the car always feels confident.
06-20-2007, 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by nokiaman
Your best bet is probably the Mazda3. Go and test drive one just to be sure. It has a decent styling,impressive stock performance and a very good handling.(I'm an ottawan too,Orleans)
06-20-2007, 07:54 AM
#21
Fahrvergnügen'd
I loved my Mazda3 5-door but the 5-door only comes with teh 160hp 2.3L in the US. Not sure about Canada.
I think it's going to be out of your price range new.
I think the Fit gets better gas mileage so as a commuter car that's probably a consideration.
I think it's going to be out of your price range new.
I think the Fit gets better gas mileage so as a commuter car that's probably a consideration.
06-20-2007, 08:02 AM
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i think i read somewhere here the Fit is a nice car, but for merging on the highway or expressway it sucks because of the low hp and torque.
some thread on here a few months ago a guy did a test drive of the Fit. when he wanted to merge on the highway, the guy floored it because there was a huge semi in the back of him and the Fit didn't move at all.
i guess good car for the city, but well for me (imo) i wouldn't drive it on the highway with all those big suv's and semis.
some thread on here a few months ago a guy did a test drive of the Fit. when he wanted to merge on the highway, the guy floored it because there was a huge semi in the back of him and the Fit didn't move at all.
i guess good car for the city, but well for me (imo) i wouldn't drive it on the highway with all those big suv's and semis.
06-20-2007, 08:03 AM
#23
Burning Brakes
If you really only use it to commute, you are talking about 5,000 miles a year. Why not just get a three year old civic and drive it until it is ten years old?
06-21-2007, 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by brizey
If you really only use it to commute, you are talking about 5,000 miles a year. Why not just get a three year old civic and drive it until it is ten years old?
06-21-2007, 03:10 PM
#27
This one is not in your list, but if I was in your place I would get a Scion TC, It is about $17,000. I don't know if it is the same price in Canada though.
From your list I would go for the Fit.
From your list I would go for the Fit.
06-26-2007, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Roci
This one is not in your list, but if I was in your place I would get a Scion TC, It is about $17,000. I don't know if it is the same price in Canada though.
From your list I would go for the Fit.
From your list I would go for the Fit.
06-26-2007, 11:25 AM
#30
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Originally Posted by crisco
a) Honda Civic sedan or coupe
b) Honda Fit (Sport? or lower model)
c) Mazda 3
Any advice?????
b) Honda Fit (Sport? or lower model)
c) Mazda 3
Any advice?????
I'm not crazy about the civic's dash, so the Fit Sport and Mazda 3 would be also on my list of commuter cars...
07-02-2007, 09:39 PM
#32
E92
Mazda 3 5 door is a great car, and the interior looks great.
We looked into it when I got my mazda 6 a few years ago.
I honestly dont think the civic or fit even compare to it
We looked into it when I got my mazda 6 a few years ago.
I honestly dont think the civic or fit even compare to it
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