PortlandRL

I hate to say it because I swore up and down it would be the car that got me to 300,000 miles but I'm seriously starting to get bored with the Elantra. Don't get me wrong, it's a great car and I like it a lot....it's just not exciting anymore.

I'm thinking about getting a new car next spring as I vowed never to buy a car in the dead of an Oregon winter ever again. My short list is topped by the 2014 Mazda 6 Grand Touring and I was swayed into it over the Kia Optima SX because I feel the interior is richer with far superior materials and honestly, I think the 6 is better looking and Mazda seems to have handling and suspension nailed down pat, something with which the Koreans are still struggling. Also, next October will mark ten years that I've been driving Hyundais and I'm ready for something new. Life is too short to keep driving the same car brand over and over again.

Any new style 6 owners on here with words of advice or encouragement?

MTEAZY

You're telling me there was a time you found the elantra exciting?

DaeHanMeenGuk

i don't think the mazda 6 will keep you entertained for more than a few months. perhaps look into a well maintained s2000 for more excitement.

65 Fury Convert

How many miles out of 300,000 miles have you made it to?

Saintor

I don't see a Mazda6 to be so much more exciting, really. Or any of midsize of this class.

If I was your age, for the same kind of money I'd look toward something with more zest like a Focus ST or VW GTI/GLI. Even a Civic Si since they have occasionally great deals. The Mazda3 2014 is also just around the corner but unless the infos I read are wrong, they seem too expensive so far.

Crazy Bimmer

I havent driven the Mazda6 but if its better than our 08 Mazda3 then it sure to entertain in the driving department, for what it is.

What you want out of the next car besides fun factor? Theres lot of good cars out there.

charliemike

Generally speaking, no matter how nice it is, a FWD family sedan is not going to be exciting forever. If you're stuck on the hedonism treadmill like me (with new cars) then you're going to struggle to find something that really makes you smile every time you get in it if it's not exactly what you wanted in the first place.

I like my Focus ST and it's finally running the way I want. But it's not the Audi I wanted and it never will be.

If I were you, I would keep the Elantra and look for something as a second car that you will enjoy every time you get in it because it's different from the Hyundai. It will make you appreciate both cars more that way.

A S2000 is a great choice if you can swing it. If not, there may be other cars in your budget that will be fun to drive that you can consider. If the Hyundai is running great and you're happy with that, don't underestimate the value of that. As someone that bought a new car and has been dealing with issues, having something you know is a solid car is a real blessing.

neuronbob

Keep Elantra.

Buy S2000 as your fun car.

/thread

mrmako

Hmmm, I know it seems like the thing to do, don't. Unless you can get a hell of a trade, and even then a 6 is not going to get the thrill meter buzzing.

Now, if you started talking about the Mazdaspeed 3 or 6 (yep, used), then I would agree.

speedemon90

Says the elantra is boring, considers the Kia Optima

Get the mazda 6, it will def be more entertaining than anything korea will make right now. If you can go small, the 2014 Mazda 3's are supposed to be pretty great from what I've seen. Also the Mazda 6 has been winning comparos in its class for its sporty character.

Mr Marco

Camry

Aman

You're young. Plenty of time for Elantras and Mazda6s later.

I say go with a Genesis, or if you really don't want another Hyundai, maybe a Mustang, Mk7 GTI when they come out, or an FR-S! Something sporty, genuinely fun, a little dramatic, but still reasonably practical.

UKwrath33

Take a look at the Mazda3 2.5L for 2014. Sportier version of the 6 with the good looks and mileage. Otherwise if you're looking at just fun take a look at the gen coupe or something? Those are the 2 I'm looking at hardcore around the 25k range. Depends on pricing, needs, and future needs etc. Good luck sir, keep us updated

Myxomatosis

have you driven the SX? I find it quite exciting, material are very nice, engine is very exciting and it looks like teh sex. I don't comment are cars I haven't driven. I've driven a 6 and I've driven the sx. I cannot stand mazdas, they just seem blah to me and no offense intended, but they seem cheap. And I was told never to buy a turbo mazda, from a tech/salesman at mazda.

PortlandRL

I thought I was making my point clear but I guess not. There is a difference between being bored with a car and being bored of a car; my situation is the latter. I bought the Elantra because I needed reliable transportation, not blow-your-hair-back acceleration and handling. And while it has fulfilled that daily driver task admirably, I'm not exceedingly happy with how certain aspects of the interior are holding together after 30,000 miles. Also the navigation system is getting exceedingly glitchy and as the dealer can't replicate the problems I'm having and replace it, an out-of-warranty replacement past 36K would be a $3,000 part plus labor.

A 2-seat roadster like an MX-5 (which I love) or a small coupe like the BRZ (which I absolutely adore) is simply out of the question for me. While I'm not married and don't have any kids, I have friends and when we go out, I often volunteer to be the driver and even DD for my sister and her friends when they go downtown on Saturday night. Good luck fitting four drunk girls in an S2000. Also, my traffic signal hobby occasionally requires transport of such items and while they don't look large up on the poles, they're massive down on the ground (40" tall, 14" wide and about 18" deep) and one certainly wouldn't fit anywhere in a BRZ. I don't have the desire or the space to own two cars and I'm just looking for something that is fairly fun to drive when I want it to be but reliable, stylish and practical enough to be an everyday machine.

However my main drive behind this change and switch to Mazda is that I realized I've been driving a Hyundai product in one form or another since October, 2004 and frankly, I'm tired of it. I'm not sure what happened; if a switch got flipped or if I just woke up out of a kimchi-induced coma but I'm tired of flying the flag for South Korea and really want to branch out. Life is too short to devote all your driving time to one product and as I finally have a career level job with decent pay and annual raises, I plan on going out and buying a good car that I like, probably next spring.

I came in here to find out if there were any Mazda 6 owners in here and clearly there aren't.

CCColtsicehockey

So with all that said it sounds like the Focus ST would be something good to drive. I think it should hold 4 drunk girls and when needed the hatch should hold your traffic lights with the rear seats folded down. I would imagine it should be more enjoyable than the new 6.

Aman

Or GTI, or MS3.

If no one here has a 6, go to the dealer and test drive one, or check Mazda forums. Truth be told there are a TON of cars that fit your criteria.

charliemike

Wow man, we're just trying to help.

Costco

I don't know if you've considered it but a manual on whatever your next car is, but that would improve the fun factor a lot. I really like the new 6 and Mazda makes great manual gear boxes.

RPhilMan1

Focus ST is a great candidate. It has great cargo capacity, can easily hold four passengers, has a huge driving fun factor, and it gets great gas mileage. Also next spring you should be able to get some good dealer discounts on one. They aren't exactly flying off dealer lots (being manual transmission only limits customers), so they will be willing to bargain. I highly suggest driving one.

Ken1997TL

I really liked the Mazda 6 GT trim I test drove. I would have been quite happy to own that. I think it would be a good fit for you. Go try it and get one.

UKwrath33

I'm not a Mazda6 owner but I've driven one about a half dozen times now and am blown away with it. I'm in the market for a car myself and have test driven almost everything except for the new Accord (which the 6 pretty much beats in every professional review) and while the GT is definitely sweet, if you don't need all the "goodies" the standard iTouring with leather is a sweet deal, and save money on the "tech" package as you can get the navi set up for like $400 after market as opposed to the $1000+ they charge you at the dealer.

My local dealers ask for around 25k for a new 6. Would have one now if I wasn't waiting to test drive the new 2.5L M3. I've sat in the base model M3 for 2014 and it's a lot more roomy than the old 3. I'm 6'2 and sat behind my comfortable driving position and my knees barely grazed the back of the seat with plenty of head room too. As I said in the other posit, it's around the same price as the 6 but due to size and weight differences, it's said to be a lot more fun and because it's standard as a Grand Touring, has even more goodies then the GT M6 somehow. Including a bigger nav screen. Just my but if you're looking at the new Mazda's you can't go wrong from what I've seen.

Only way I don't end up in one myself is if I get a sweet deal towards the end of the year on a '13 Gen Coupe

Moog-Type-S

Get a hot hatch like a GTI or Focus.

You can flog it for tons of turbo fun, or if you want to save gas you can go into "elantra mode": drive that turbo 4 like a granny and stay out of boost.

It's the best of both worlds.

usdmJON

Buy an acura.

madrussian190

Am I the only one here that sees this as a missed opportunity?

2 on your lap, and two in the passenger seat... Problem?

charliemike

There's more to the world than just Honda.

UKwrath33

Yeah. There's Acura

Golfe .:R

I would say a GTI would fit your criteria perfect or a WRX?

usdmJON

Then you probably shouldn't post here. This is an Acura forum.

ttribe

You're barking up the wrong tree with this tribal attitude (as exemplified in your signature)...especially given your limited tenure. Most of us have been here for many years and, while our Acura may have gotten us back into the enthusiast way of life, the brand couldn't follow-thru beyond a generation or two of vehicles. Most of the posters in Car Talk are of that variety - former Honda/Acura owners who still feel like this is the best online auto-related community on the 'Net. No more of this "...you probably shouldn't post here..." nonsense unless you somehow supplant Ron A as the god of Acurazine.

usdmJON

I don't see the point in being here if you no longer own an Acura. There hundreds of tuner websites, a couple for every make and model out there.


My issue with non acura owners is when they bad mouth newer designs because it wasn't like the 2nd Gen TL they owned a decade ago. I own an ILX and have been annoyed more than a couple times by someone claiming it is shit and their Speed6 is so much better.
Im on an Acura site to talk to Acura owners... or at least NOT hear people bad mouth Acura or entire generations or models all together.

ttribe

What part of - "...former Honda/Acura owners who still feel like this is the best online auto-related community on the 'Net" - did I not make clear the first time? We've been members here for many years. Formed friendships. Unless you become head admin on this site, you don't get to decide who stays or goes.

If you want to avoid any semblance of negative feedback about Acura as a brand, etc. then the model-specific forums are the places to spend your time. The group in Car Talk (and Ramblings, for that matter) is much more eclectic and inclusive.

usdmJON

I want to come to an Acura forum to talk to acura owners that enjoy the acura brand. Not get bombarded by a bunch of BMW owners about how the brand has gone to shit.

Do you walk into an Acura dealership and them tell you how great their BMW is? No! So why the hell do I want to talk to VW owners on an AZINE? By all means you can be here all you want. But the negativity toward the brand begs the question WHY?!
My only answer is that it makes you feel better.


Edit:
And TL/TSX owners find their way into the model specific threads all the time. I can have my opinion on who should and shouldn't be here. I'm entitled to my opinions as you are yours. I just feel it would be wrong to go on the VW forums and tell them I think my car is cooler.

ttribe

Makes me "feel better"? About what? This is nonsensical tribalism you're spewing. You think the brand is perfect how it is? Fine, feel free to say so. But don't get all bent out of shape because someone disagrees with you.

No one said you weren't "entitled" to your opinion. I'm just giving you heads-up; in this part of the board, it's not a very welcome one.

charliemike

I joined 13 years before you did. Go F#$K yourself.

usdmJON

It doesn't matter how long you have been here or how high your post count is. Doesn't change the fact that this is a forum for Acura owners.
In the end I can't tell you to go away. I'm telling you if you can't be nice you should find another forum.

And pardon me for never thinking Azine was worth my time while owning my previous cars. I tend not to frequent places that think Vossens are the real deal.
This wouldn't have started if someone didn't have a negative comment to me telling the OP to simply buy an Acura. I didn't even start this BS; a non Acura owner did.

ttribe

I predict a Sarlacc will consume this child before the day is out.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

^



If you haven't noticed, this section is called CAR TALK .. you know - we talk about cars here. All types of cars.

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

We may have a winner here....

usdmJON

Yeah because I go on the G35 froum's car talk thread to talk about my ILX and how Infiniti should have released a coupe. That would make a TON of sense.

Why is everyone getting so hot and bothered by my opinions? Who cares if I think you other make owners are still here to get your jollys off talking to owners of the car you traded up from.
Azine the best auto community on the net? Eeerr? Don't get out much do ya? This place thinks Vossens and homedepot lips are game changers.

And ttribe, I never said acura was perfect. Far from it. I just dont want to come to an Acura site to hear about it. I go on an acura site to enjoy acuras, not bmws or vws or whatever you as an owner deems better.