Recommend me a new car

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’d appreciate recommendations from the 'Dope for a new car to replace my 1998 Honda Civic sedan. I like it fine, but my son is going to need a car soon, making this a good time for me to get a new one and let him drive my old one.

What I want in a car:
Reliability
Good fuel economy
Safety
Reliability (worth saying twice!)
Room for 4 adults, plus some luggage
Driver comfort
iPod interface in radio
Interior color pale enough that the steering wheel doesn’t burn my hands in the summer

What I don’t care about in a car:
Style
“Coolness”
Exterior Color - I’ll pick a color, but I’ve driven a car with a color I don’t like for 15 years. It was the last on the lot and we got a good deal.
Big engine, high speed, whatever

For me, a car is a box that takes me from one place to another.

I would like something of similar size to my Civic. I use the car mainly for commuting (36 miles each way), and some local driving. With a new car we might take it on family trips of 300 - 1000 miles now and again. I also use my car for Boy Scout events. I need to be able to put 4 adults and some gear in the car for a day or weekend trip.

I’m interested in a hybrid, but I’m not sure the price increase over the current internal combustion engines is worth it to me. I’m getting 32 MPG highway now, with a 15 year old ICE - real measurments not EPA estimates. I’d have to be talked into an all-electric vehicle, as I’m not sure there are enough charging stations in the DC area yet. I’m willing to listen to reason on both these points.

I have had very good luck with Honda, but I’ve seen comments on this board that their quality isn’t what it used to be. I, and my family, have had bad luck with GM and Chrysler products, and I will not own a Fiat. Mama Zappa had one in the early 80s and it was a disaster. I am too old to drive a car that is likely to strand me anywhere, or gets me on a first name basis with a mechanic.

So, what can you suggest?

2

Everyone makes a compact sedan, and they’re honestly all pretty good nowadays. I rank ordered them for you based on my own personal tastes and the requirements you gave:

Mazda3
Ford Focus
Chevy Cruze
Kia Forte
Dodge Dart
Hyundai Elantra
Honda Civic
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
VW Jetta
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Sentra

eta: The Chevy Cruze is a “GM” but it was designed in Korea by GM Korea by the folks who used to make Daewoo, but it’s actually a very nice car. It’s also assembled in Ohio. The Dodge Dart is effectively a Fiat but reviews are very positive and the Fiat of today has very little in common with the Fiat of 30 years ago.

3

I’d get a VW if I was buying a new car.

4

Scion xB.

I had a 2008 one that I bought new, put 120k miles on it, then traded in for a brand new one earlier this year. My old one never had a single mechanical problem with it.

The new ones get about 30 mpg highway, are comfortable (I’m 6’4" and cars often seem really cramped), and has been fantastic for me.

5

Hyundai Elantra.

6

I like the Prius for your needs. Even without the gas miliange (we get 48 to 51 mpg) it’s a nice car with USB port, good nav system, and comfortable ride.

7

Honda Fit. It’s always ends at a Fit.

8

My advice is fiscal - buy a car at least 2 models years old. Let someone else take the huge initial depreciation hit.

9

VW Sport Wagon TDi.

Space for everything and everyone. Great mileage. Good engine for hauling things (torque). Great styling.

You’re welcome. :slight_smile:

10

We have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata and have been pleased with its reliability, mileage, and comfort. My husband is 6’3" and was tired of his head touching the ceilings of all of our cars, so we wanted a slightly bigger model than the Saturns we’d been driving for years. We do mostly highway driving (his commute is 45 miles each way) and have real-world MPG of 30 to 35, though it is lower in the winter. We’ve had one recall issued (brake-light switch) and absolutely no mechanical or body issues other than those caused by a suicidal gigantic raccoon and a deer.

I think the Elantra is a similar model but slightly smaller and cheaper, so that might fit your needs better.

11

BMW if you can afford it, Suzuki or Nissan if you can’t.

12

Toyota first. They scream reliability if not excitement. My Camry is the first car I liked enough to hold onto for a while and it is completely reliable. I would consider VW next and perhaps Hyundai just because of their warranty.

13

I test-drove a Dart when I was looking earlier this year, and I didn’t like it very much at all. On the other hand, my best friend loves her new Fiat 500.

I went with a Prius, and I think the amount I’ve saved on gas already has made it more than worth it. It’s got a USB port and iPod control from the steering wheel and console. Definitely fits four adults without a problem, but I don’t know if you can cram four adults-worth of luggage in the back.

14

You don’t give a price range or if you are looking at new or used. I’d recommend the 2013 Nissan Altima. My 6’0" son fits easily in the back seat and the trunk is huge. Took 3 adults, 2 golf bags, luggage, etc on a week long trip with no problem… and averaged close to 35 MPG. Stereo has Blue Tooth so you can easily connect your iPhone or whatever without worrying about wires (also has a USB port if you like wires for some reason). They redesigned it for 2013 so except for the name plate it is really tough to distinguish it from the more expensive Maxima.

15

The Ford Fusion seats actual adults comfortably in the back seat, and has amazing trunk space available. Unless you get the hybrid version, which will give you much greater fuel economy but a bigger cost up front and far less cargo space. The sync system works seamlessly with iPods, too.

16

I don’t think that’s true. I think Honda still makes high-quality cars. Also, I second the recommendation of the Honda Fit, but you need to test drive it as well as testing the room and comfort of the back seats for your adult passengers, as well as the amount of space in the trunk. If it’s not big enough, look at the Civic or perhaps the CRV.

17

Elantra
Sonata
Corola
Camery
Sentra
… And try out the Kia Soul. Surprisingly comfortable, roomy and inexpensive.

18

I’ll throw in a positive recommendation for the Mazda 3. My 2008 5-door has been very reliable, has plenty of room, and is fun to drive.

19

I’ve bought three new cars in my life and 2 of them were taken out of production a few years after, so perhaps I have poor luck. But I’ve owned a Mazda 3 and a Hyundai Elantra and I recommend the Elantra for your stated needs.
The Mazda 3 wants to go fast.

20

Seconded. The inside feels like a giant van, and the cargo space is simply shocking, but it still gets 30city/35 hwy.