What would you buy new, around $25k, that is fun to drive and fuel efficient?
10-21-2011, 02:32 PM
#42
10-21-2011, 03:31 PM
#43
Burning Brakes
10-21-2011, 11:15 PM
#45
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestions. The Mazda 3 is a little small, but I read in these parts (ahem, Mazdazine 
) that it is absolutely fun to drive. The GTI as well....I love the current iteration of it, it is definitely hot-looking and again, I hear it is very entertaining to drive.
Just to clarify.....if I do this, the point is to simplify my financial life. The CTS-V has held its value well and if I sell it, the proceeds + a small cash outlay would land me in a car with NO MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS.....for the first time in many years.
...and again, I'm just thinking idly about whether to do this and if I did, what I'd move on to. Besides, I LOVE to chat about cars and just want some idea of what's out there right now. My current plan is the status quo....keep my two "car guy" cars and the Mommymobile (Pilot) since the S2k and Pilot are owned free and clear, and the V is about 3/4 paid off.
) that it is absolutely fun to drive. The GTI as well....I love the current iteration of it, it is definitely hot-looking and again, I hear it is very entertaining to drive.Just to clarify.....if I do this, the point is to simplify my financial life. The CTS-V has held its value well and if I sell it, the proceeds + a small cash outlay would land me in a car with NO MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS.....for the first time in many years.
...and again, I'm just thinking idly about whether to do this and if I did, what I'd move on to. Besides, I LOVE to chat about cars and just want some idea of what's out there right now. My current plan is the status quo....keep my two "car guy" cars and the Mommymobile (Pilot) since the S2k and Pilot are owned free and clear, and the V is about 3/4 paid off.
10-22-2011, 12:42 AM
#46
05/5AT/Navi/ABP/Quartz
Thanks for the suggestions. The Mazda 3 is a little small, but I read in these parts (ahem, Mazdazine ) that it is absolutely fun to drive. The GTI as well....I love the current iteration of it, it is definitely hot-looking and again, I hear it is very entertaining to drive.
Just to clarify.....if I do this, the point is to simplify my financial life. The CTS-V has held its value well and if I sell it, the proceeds + a small cash outlay would land me in a car with NO MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS.....for the first time in many years.
...and again, I'm just thinking idly about whether to do this and if I did, what I'd move on to. Besides, I LOVE to chat about cars and just want some idea of what's out there right now. My current plan is the status quo....keep my two "car guy" cars and the Mommymobile (Pilot) since the S2k and Pilot are owned free and clear, and the V is about 3/4 paid off.
) that it is absolutely fun to drive. The GTI as well....I love the current iteration of it, it is definitely hot-looking and again, I hear it is very entertaining to drive.Just to clarify.....if I do this, the point is to simplify my financial life. The CTS-V has held its value well and if I sell it, the proceeds + a small cash outlay would land me in a car with NO MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS.....for the first time in many years.
...and again, I'm just thinking idly about whether to do this and if I did, what I'd move on to. Besides, I LOVE to chat about cars and just want some idea of what's out there right now. My current plan is the status quo....keep my two "car guy" cars and the Mommymobile (Pilot) since the S2k and Pilot are owned free and clear, and the V is about 3/4 paid off.
Fornula for saving as I understand but didn't do.1 buy nice stuff quality that you like.
2 take good care of it.
3 keep it forever as long as it will do it's job.
As you know the break even for a gas saver is years.
Bob, I think your three years is about up and you just had an itch. Thanks for playing. What happened to the turbo kit for the S2K?
10-22-2011, 07:04 AM
#47
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Surprisingly, not as much of an itch as usual. I had the itch bigtime earlier this time last year when the TSX wagon was released, but it passed uneventfully.
10-22-2011, 08:10 AM
#48
Senior Moderator
Love the V but am thinking practically. I want an inexpensive car, around $25k budget, that is FUN to drive and fuel efficient on regular gas. I may park the V and make it another weekend car.
Requirements:
Mid-size
Highway mpg at least 30 and city miles well over 20
Sedan (e.g. 4 doors)
Sporty or easily modifiable as such
FUN to drive/toss around. NO BORINGMOBILES (e.g. Camry
)
Not fugly
AWD is a MAJOR plus
So far, what leaps out at me are the following:
Suzuki Kizashi SE or GTS with CVT and AWD, mpg 23/31
Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited with CVT and AWD, mpg 23/31
TSX wagon
Accord SE or EX sedan
and don't like styling that much but hell, it's a Honda
Mazda 6
So far, the Kizashi is winning in the pure financial analysis. Anyone own or driven one?
An option (and I shudder to think of this) is that since the V is still worth lots--I can sell it for a little over $40k now that it's hit 30k miles--I can sell the V, pocket about $12-14k, add a little to that, pay for something new out of pocket....and have no car payment for the first time in many years. The fiscally responsible side of me is really pushing for this as I want to be saving more money than the 10% of income I already put away. New life goal is millionaire status in ten years, and can't do that by spending.
The reality is, though, I'm probably not going to get rid of the V anytime soon as I am enjoying it way too much and can still afford to do so. Just thinking idly....
Requirements:
Mid-size
Highway mpg at least 30 and city miles well over 20
Sedan (e.g. 4 doors)
Sporty or easily modifiable as such
FUN to drive/toss around. NO BORINGMOBILES (e.g. Camry
)Not fugly
AWD is a MAJOR plus
So far, what leaps out at me are the following:
Suzuki Kizashi SE or GTS with CVT and AWD, mpg 23/31
Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited with CVT and AWD, mpg 23/31
TSX wagon
Accord SE or EX sedan
and don't like styling that much but hell, it's a HondaMazda 6
So far, the Kizashi is winning in the pure financial analysis. Anyone own or driven one?
An option (and I shudder to think of this) is that since the V is still worth lots--I can sell it for a little over $40k now that it's hit 30k miles--I can sell the V, pocket about $12-14k, add a little to that, pay for something new out of pocket....and have no car payment for the first time in many years. The fiscally responsible side of me is really pushing for this as I want to be saving more money than the 10% of income I already put away. New life goal is millionaire status in ten years, and can't do that by spending.
The reality is, though, I'm probably not going to get rid of the V anytime soon as I am enjoying it way too much and can still afford to do so. Just thinking idly....
As I am starting a new job next week, I'm looking to pick up something similar to your requirements. A local Honda dealership quoted me $23,270 for a 2012 Accord EX-V6 (sunroof/cloth). It's not terribly ugly, has good interior room and decent fuel economy (20 city/30 hwy) so, it looks like I'll be pulling that trigger sometime during the week.
10-22-2011, 11:06 PM
#49
Under construction
iTrader: (3)
As I am starting a new job next week, I'm looking to pick up something similar to your requirements. A local Honda dealership quoted me $23,270 for a 2012 Accord EX-V6 (sunroof/cloth). It's not terribly ugly, has good interior room and decent fuel economy (20 city/30 hwy) so, it looks like I'll be pulling that trigger sometime during the week.
10-23-2011, 01:37 AM
#50
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
That's an awesome deal.
10-23-2011, 08:02 AM
#51
Senior Moderator
Indeed......the car has a $28,XXX sticker price. I suppose it being in the last year of production helps a little bit. Particularly in the face of the new Sonata, Camry and Passat being on the market. (NOTE: Back in 2007, I picked up my old 07 AV6 -- another last year model -- for $25k and it had leather and Navi.)
10-23-2011, 08:04 AM
#52
Senior Moderator
10-23-2011, 03:31 PM
#53
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
That is a steal of a deal! Congrats!
10-23-2011, 11:03 PM
#54
Senior Moderator
Stay tuned! If all goes well with the job offer AND finance details, it'll be done!
10-24-2011, 12:42 AM
#55
Both a Mazda 3 and Subaru Imprezza would probably work, especially the newer versions with the more fuel-efficient engines. However, I think a used, well maintained, 4-cyl Accord with a manual transmission would be an excellent choice and fit all of your requirements, even being stealthy fun. You could probably also find an excellent one for $8k under your budget.
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