Best car under 25k... a discussion...

Scott · April 21st, 2006, 07:56 PM

Ok, this does NOT have to be a new car, you can go back to model year 2000. I am looking for what is (in your opinion) the perfect daily driver/ grocery getter available in the USA. Take these points into consideration before posting:

gas mileage
reliability
comfort
ease of use
ability to carry kids
ability to get out of it's own way

Like I said 25k new or used back to 2000... ready, steady, go!

mautzel · April 21st, 2006, 08:18 PM

Ability to carry how many kids? (Want to clearify that before suggesting something like a minivan)

Scott · April 21st, 2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mautzel

Ability to carry how many kids? (Want to clearify that before suggesting something like a minivan)

one kid possibly a small dog from time to time and the associated kid "crap" (soccer gear, school projects, etc)

mautzel · April 21st, 2006, 08:26 PM

I'm not too familiar with the US market, so maybe there'll be better advices, but taking your points into consideration that sounds like a Japanese saloon (estate would come in handy as well tinking of school projects and stuff like that though I'm not sure whether there are that much estates to choose from in the US - in general they're very practical but don't have disadvantages in fuel consumption compared to SUV's and minivans)

sandor_ · April 21st, 2006, 08:27 PM

4 door VW Golf TDI

or if you need more space, a Jetta wagon TDI

for overall ease of use, a 4 door hatchback is great, and the golf is small enough to be a city car, the TDI will get you close to 50 mpg, and the seats fold flat for the trips to IKEA.

I only have the 2.0L golf, but after 3 years of ownership, and averaging 25,000 miles a year, the thing has been mechanically rock solid - one $350 bill for replacing a coil pack. cheapest car, per mile, that i have ever owned. only downside is that it seems to eat head light bulbs for lunch - i usually need to replace one of the 2 every 3 months or so.

Danny Tran · April 21st, 2006, 08:33 PM

im getting a used rx8

best handling new car you can buy, apart from an mx5

bartboy9891 · April 21st, 2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny Tran

im getting a used rx8

best handling new car you can buy, apart from an mx5

not exactly what the question was.
i would go with a Subaru Legacy. has something for everyone

mautzel · April 21st, 2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandor_

4 door VW Golf TDI

or if you need more space, a Jetta wagon TDI

for overall ease of use, a 4 door hatchback is great, and the golf is small enough to be a city car, the TDI will get you close to 50 mpg, and the seats fold flat for the trips to IKEA.

If cars of that size are an option as well, I can second the recommendation - I've owned a MkIV Golf TDi for over a year now, apart for a weird and very rarely occuring problem with the turbocharger I'm really happy with it - 50mpg is not illusional to achieve, you'll have to push it like crazy to get it anywhere near 30MPG (permanent FULL speed on the motorway or very heavy city traffic would do). Just a few things to keep in mind as well: the back especially of the Mk4 Golf isn't known to be the roomiest in its class but it should be allright for children and dogs. Compared to the smoothness of an petrol 6 cylinder the engine noise of the Diesel version might disturb you. On the other hand the ride is very good in my opinion, the layout is clear and easy to use and you will be well within your budget .

BlaRo · April 21st, 2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartboy9891

i would go with a Subaru Legacy. has something for everyone

x2.

My other choice would be the VDub GTI, which starts at $21,900.

Scott · April 21st, 2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandor_

4 door VW Golf TDI

or if you need more space, a Jetta wagon TDI

for overall ease of use, a 4 door hatchback is great, and the golf is small enough to be a city car, the TDI will get you close to 50 mpg, and the seats fold flat for the trips to IKEA.

I only have the 2.0L golf, but after 3 years of ownership, and averaging 25,000 miles a year, the thing has been mechanically rock solid - one $350 bill for replacing a coil pack. cheapest car, per mile, that i have ever owned. only downside is that it seems to eat head light bulbs for lunch - i usually need to replace one of the 2 every 3 months or so.

Well I am an avid VW/ Audi enthusiast and I own a Mk1 Jetta coupe for racing. The funny thing is that I posted this exact same thread on my local VW club forum... they all told me a Subaru Forester XT or a Legacy wagon... LOL

I have always liked subies, so that is an option but the TDI has ALWAYS been an option for me.

mautzel · April 21st, 2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssnapier

Well I am an avid VW/ Audi enthusiast and I own a Mk1 Jetta coupe for racing. The funny thing is that I posted this exact same thread on my local VW club forum...

Then my advices weren't exactly news to you images/smilies/lol.gif

My father drives the current Golf TDi and never faced any crucial problems so far, though he keeps saying that the MkIV felt somehow better qualitywise. If you need the space, the Subarus will be a good choice otherwise.

bartboy9891 · April 21st, 2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssnapier

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandor_

4 door VW Golf TDI

or if you need more space, a Jetta wagon TDI

for overall ease of use, a 4 door hatchback is great, and the golf is small enough to be a city car, the TDI will get you close to 50 mpg, and the seats fold flat for the trips to IKEA.

I only have the 2.0L golf, but after 3 years of ownership, and averaging 25,000 miles a year, the thing has been mechanically rock solid - one $350 bill for replacing a coil pack. cheapest car, per mile, that i have ever owned. only downside is that it seems to eat head light bulbs for lunch - i usually need to replace one of the 2 every 3 months or so.

Well I am an avid VW/ Audi enthusiast and I own a Mk1 Jetta coupe for racing. The funny thing is that I posted this exact same thread on my local VW club forum... they all told me a Subaru Forester XT or a Legacy wagon... LOL

I have always liked subies, so that is an option but the TDI has ALWAYS been an option for me.

you'll probably never need the Forester, its not a bad car but the legacy GT wagon should be able to cover all bases. only thing i could complain about those is the fact that you cant get the manual if you get GT wagon.
but in a different direction, you could look into various honda/acuras in the mid $20K range like the RSX, TSX, accord V6 etc. also, there is the Mazda6 you may want to think about. i would also recommend a whole slew of VW's, though they can raise in price quite quickly

here is a comparo by C/D you may want to look at http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...ay-heroes.html

thedguy · April 21st, 2006, 11:35 PM

If your willing to haggle, Mazdaspeed 6's are able to driven off the lot for $23k. That seems to fit your requirements. And it's not an ugly subaru.

xtasy127 · April 21st, 2006, 11:59 PM

the new camry looks pretty good. Its Japanese. It sits people in the back. good mpg.

Overheat · April 22nd, 2006, 12:03 AM

this answer your question?

http://www.blackboxcarputers.com/hid/bmw2.jpg

I'd prefer the 325 Ci Sport, but perhaps a smaller engine would be better. Either way - awesome vehicle.

xtasy127 · April 22nd, 2006, 12:05 AM

do kids fit in the back of a 325 ci??

UMass · April 22nd, 2006, 01:03 AM

Subaru Legacy GT wagon or Honda Element

wahaha · April 22nd, 2006, 01:43 AM

2002 Audi A4 3.0 avant
2002 Audi S6
2002 Audi Allroad

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandor_

I only have the 2.0L golf, only downside is that it seems to eat head light bulbs for lunch - i usually need to replace one of the 2 every 3 months or so.

There's a relay under the dash you can pull to turn off the DRL. Did it with my '02 Passat after one bulb blew, then replaced both with Philips Vision Plus, 50% brighter.

SL65 · April 22nd, 2006, 01:46 AM

You guys have said pretty much what I would have said. VW Golf, Legacy and even used BMW 5'er are all good. Theres so much selection so I'm trying to think up something better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahaha

2002 Audi Allroad

That car is shit.

Scott · April 22nd, 2006, 02:24 AM

What if I changed the price limit to 15k?

April 21st, 2006, 07:56 PM	#1
Scott Previously known as ssnapier Joined: May 23rd, 2005 Last Online: 03:00 AM Location: Fort Detrick, Maryland Posts: 1,331 Car: RS2'd 95 Audi S-6 '06 Jetta TDI Rep Power: 24	Best car under 25k... a discussion... Ok, this does NOT have to be a new car, you can go back to model year 2000. I am looking for what is (in your opinion) the perfect daily driver/ grocery getter available in the USA. Take these points into consideration before posting: gas mileage reliability comfort ease of use ability to carry kids ability to get out of it's own way Like I said 25k new or used back to 2000... ready, steady, go!

April 21st, 2006, 08:33 PM	#6
Danny Tran Joined: Dec 20th, 2004 Last Online: 04:02 AM Location: Montreal, Canadaland Age: 26 Posts: 779 Rep Power: 18	im getting a used rx8 best handling new car you can buy, apart from an mx5 __________________ If I were a caravannist, with a family to feed and a modest income, I'd probably buy a Kia. No, come to think of it, I wouldn't. If I were a caravannist, with a family to feed and a modest income, what I'd actually do is kill myself.

April 21st, 2006, 11:35 PM	#13
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: 03:58 AM Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 5,773 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Rep Power: 71	If your willing to haggle, Mazdaspeed 6's are able to driven off the lot for $23k. That seems to fit your requirements. And it's not an ugly subaru. __________________

April 22nd, 2006, 12:03 AM	#15
Overheat Joined: Sep 7th, 2004 Last Online: September 30th, 2008 Location: Bradford, UK Posts: 5,735 Rep Power: 25	this answer your question? I'd prefer the 325 Ci Sport, but perhaps a smaller engine would be better. Either way - awesome vehicle. __________________

April 22nd, 2006, 02:24 AM	#20
Scott Previously known as ssnapier Joined: May 23rd, 2005 Last Online: 03:00 AM Location: Fort Detrick, Maryland Posts: 1,331 Car: RS2'd 95 Audi S-6 '06 Jetta TDI Rep Power: 24	What if I changed the price limit to 15k? __________________

April 21st, 2006, 08:18 PM	#2
mautzel Joined: Jan 28th, 2005 Last Online: December 1st, 2008 Location: Frankfurt/M, Deutschland Age: 28 Posts: 2,452 Car: Golf IV TDI Rep Power: 21	Ability to carry how many kids? (Want to clearify that before suggesting something like a minivan)

April 21st, 2006, 08:26 PM	#4
mautzel Joined: Jan 28th, 2005 Last Online: December 1st, 2008 Location: Frankfurt/M, Deutschland Age: 28 Posts: 2,452 Car: Golf IV TDI Rep Power: 21	I'm not too familiar with the US market, so maybe there'll be better advices, but taking your points into consideration that sounds like a Japanese saloon (estate would come in handy as well tinking of school projects and stuff like that though I'm not sure whether there are that much estates to choose from in the US - in general they're very practical but don't have disadvantages in fuel consumption compared to SUV's and minivans)

April 21st, 2006, 08:27 PM	#5
sandor_ Joined: Mar 16th, 2005 Last Online: December 28th, 2007 Location: Philadelphia, USA Age: 28 Posts: 1,043 Car: 911, 328i, Golf, '71 Vespa Sprint Rep Power: 0	4 door VW Golf TDI or if you need more space, a Jetta wagon TDI for overall ease of use, a 4 door hatchback is great, and the golf is small enough to be a city car, the TDI will get you close to 50 mpg, and the seats fold flat for the trips to IKEA. I only have the 2.0L golf, but after 3 years of ownership, and averaging 25,000 miles a year, the thing has been mechanically rock solid - one $350 bill for replacing a coil pack. cheapest car, per mile, that i have ever owned. only downside is that it seems to eat head light bulbs for lunch - i usually need to replace one of the 2 every 3 months or so.

April 21st, 2006, 11:59 PM	#14
xtasy127 Joined: Jan 22nd, 2006 Last Online: November 5th, 2008 Location: California Age: 18 Posts: 184 Car: 350z Rep Power: 0	the new camry looks pretty good. Its Japanese. It sits people in the back. good mpg.

April 22nd, 2006, 12:05 AM	#16
xtasy127 Joined: Jan 22nd, 2006 Last Online: November 5th, 2008 Location: California Age: 18 Posts: 184 Car: 350z Rep Power: 0	do kids fit in the back of a 325 ci??

April 22nd, 2006, 01:03 AM	#17
UMass Joined: Mar 17th, 2006 Last Online: December 15th, 2007 Posts: 139 Rep Power: 0	Subaru Legacy GT wagon or Honda Element

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