Help me pick a car!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not VW. Everyone I know with one in has hated it.

I'd do Acura/Subaru/Honda, but that's because I've had great experiences. I just said goodbye to my little Civic that lasted me 20 years. For a family, I'd do an Accord.

I'd revise this to include Mazda/Subaru/Honda/Toyota. Acura's reliability is an issue (for that matter, so are some Hondas). Toyota and Subaru are pretty bullet-proof. Mazda is underrated, but reliable.

This poster has it right. Acura/Honda's reability seem to went down recent years. I'd suggest a RAV4 or a small Subaru.

Thanks, but no Mazda. My parents had one in the 90s and it felt AWFUL to drive. Sadly, we can't test drive anything which is why I'm limiting it. I don't want to buy a car and have it feel cheap and perform poorly. Thanks for the input on Acura. Drove an 8-year-old one in HS and it was wonderful.

What an absolute idiotic way of thinking about cars. Do you evaluate potential friends based on what they were like when they were in the 90s or in high school? If not, why are you judging cars based on these outdated impressions? I had a Mazda3 and it remains one of the most enjoyable cars I've ever owned - I am a car nut and my current car is over $100k. I strongly recommend that you give Mazda another look.

Also I was going to recommend one of the new Mini SE electric cars. The thing is small but can hold your family just fine. It offers a 130 mile driving range and fits great in your budget. I test drove one and really enjoyed it. It would be the *PERFECT* city car and one that will fit in your tiny garage.

Why so defensive? I drove a Mazda, had a strong dislike for how it felt and performed and therefore I'm not going to take the risk because I can't test drive it right now. Do you make Mazdas? I also rented a Mini once and was so annoyed by how poorly designed the interior was that I'd never buy one. Different strokes and all that.

I don't see how you got "defensive" out of what I wrote, more like "annoyed", by the fact that you seem to hold such strong opinions about cars which you obviously know very little about. Brands change over time, it's simply irrational to write off modern day Mazda based purely on your experience with one from over 20 years ago. The Mazda6 introduced in 2002 represented a revival for the brand, a dramatic departure from the periods of 80s and 90s during which Mazda doddled along with uninspiring products like the 323, 626, 929. Modern day Mazda cars do not sell as well as Toyotas and Hondas, but they are held in higher regard by people who are car enthusiasts because they are more enjoyable to drive. Even consumer reports said that they would pick the CX-5 over the CRV if the buyer cares about driving enjoyment. But according to you, this is impossible because of your experience with one in the 90s.

I don't know which Mini you rented or what year it was, but I strongly doubt it has an interior that looks anything like the current Mini SE. Go google some pictures.

This is not a case of different strokes, but of ignorance.

Okay, friend. I'm basing my opinion on lots of things, including my father's guidance (and donuts to dollars he knows a hell of a lot more than most "car guys" like you). And yes, I'm ignorant to Mazda's current quality because I haven't driven one in a decade (though I have rented them) so it's reasonable not to make that gamble based on some anonymous comments. I have no interest in one and there are plenty of makes that I am willing to buy so please stop trying to get me to buy a Mazda, Mazda Guy.
P.S. Nope, Mini interior still ridiculous. Also hilarious to suggest a two door for a family of 4.

So why are you here, asking for the opinion of anonymous people who are not your father for help picking a car? If you've already made up your mind, are you just here to troll for responses?

I recommended the Mini to you, knowing full well that you have a family of four because it seats four people comfortably and you said you would only drive it for short trips in the city. You manged to live car free thus far so even a 2-door car is still more car than what you currently have. Plus the Mini SE is compact at 68 inches wide, making it a more comfortable fit for your tiny garage - again an important requirement. Plus you said you wanted a car that has "good pickup" and not a slug - the Mini SE satisfies that requirement very well, being a torquey electric vehicle that accelerates very sportily and a chassis that is renowned for handling. Maybe you don't like the Mini SE overall, but it's a well reasoned recommendation, as you can see.

To think that your dad has had to put up with this all your life. Maybe that's why you are having to go elsewhere for car advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still wondering why Mini is off the list.

Getting two young kids out of the back of a 2-door isn't great. Also, I've driven one before and didn't like the interior design or interior feel. Car itself drove nicely.

Mini has two models with four doors, the classic copper and the countryman.

I’m different from the guy above who also recommended mini but I posted before suggesting mini. Honestly reviewing your needs I would give mini another look. Fit and finish are superb and the friends and family I know with them say they are reliable.

I won’t push it anymore though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still wondering why Mini is off the list.

Getting two young kids out of the back of a 2-door isn't great. Also, I've driven one before and didn't like the interior design or interior feel. Car itself drove nicely.

Also thinking trips to visit family on 95 won't be very comfortable in a Mini.

Minis are made by BMW and they drive/ride super well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not VW. Everyone I know with one in has hated it.

I'd do Acura/Subaru/Honda, but that's because I've had great experiences. I just said goodbye to my little Civic that lasted me 20 years. For a family, I'd do an Accord.

I'd revise this to include Mazda/Subaru/Honda/Toyota. Acura's reliability is an issue (for that matter, so are some Hondas). Toyota and Subaru are pretty bullet-proof. Mazda is underrated, but reliable.

This poster has it right. Acura/Honda's reability seem to went down recent years. I'd suggest a RAV4 or a small Subaru.

Thanks, but no Mazda. My parents had one in the 90s and it felt AWFUL to drive. Sadly, we can't test drive anything which is why I'm limiting it. I don't want to buy a car and have it feel cheap and perform poorly. Thanks for the input on Acura. Drove an 8-year-old one in HS and it was wonderful.

What an absolute idiotic way of thinking about cars. Do you evaluate potential friends based on what they were like when they were in the 90s or in high school? If not, why are you judging cars based on these outdated impressions? I had a Mazda3 and it remains one of the most enjoyable cars I've ever owned - I am a car nut and my current car is over $100k. I strongly recommend that you give Mazda another look.

Also I was going to recommend one of the new Mini SE electric cars. The thing is small but can hold your family just fine. It offers a 130 mile driving range and fits great in your budget. I test drove one and really enjoyed it. It would be the *PERFECT* city car and one that will fit in your tiny garage.

Why so defensive? I drove a Mazda, had a strong dislike for how it felt and performed and therefore I'm not going to take the risk because I can't test drive it right now. Do you make Mazdas? I also rented a Mini once and was so annoyed by how poorly designed the interior was that I'd never buy one. Different strokes and all that.

I don't see how you got "defensive" out of what I wrote, more like "annoyed", by the fact that you seem to hold such strong opinions about cars which you obviously know very little about. Brands change over time, it's simply irrational to write off modern day Mazda based purely on your experience with one from over 20 years ago. The Mazda6 introduced in 2002 represented a revival for the brand, a dramatic departure from the periods of 80s and 90s during which Mazda doddled along with uninspiring products like the 323, 626, 929. Modern day Mazda cars do not sell as well as Toyotas and Hondas, but they are held in higher regard by people who are car enthusiasts because they are more enjoyable to drive. Even consumer reports said that they would pick the CX-5 over the CRV if the buyer cares about driving enjoyment. But according to you, this is impossible because of your experience with one in the 90s.

I don't know which Mini you rented or what year it was, but I strongly doubt it has an interior that looks anything like the current Mini SE. Go google some pictures.

This is not a case of different strokes, but of ignorance.

I'm with the other poster. Mazda's suck. Clearly you actually don't know anything about cars. Mainly because you buy Mazdas. There is a reason some cars sell better than others, and it's not because only an "enthusiast" can appreciate the less liked car. It's funny how an enthusiast is promoting a Mazda so highly. Try other cars that are not on your lot.

*Shrug*, say whatever you want, you are only kidding yourself. Notice I didn't actually recommend any specific Mazda vehicle for the OP to look into. My entire point is that the OP's poor opinion of Mazda has no basis in rational reality. I wish the OP, and you, best of luck in your future vehicle purchases. Whatver you buy, may your decisions be based on logic and relevant facts.

[Anonymous]

Why can't you test drive it?

[Anonymous]

Toyota Yaris?

[Anonymous]

Wait, you have VW on your list but not Toyota?

[Anonymous]

If you care about "pickup" Camry XLE with the V6 engine but they hold their value well so you probably will have a hard time finding one with low mileage in your price range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you have VW on your list but not Toyota?

This thread seems a bit of a car crash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you have VW on your list but not Toyota?

This thread seems a bit of a car crash.

Yeah VW and Nissan are on the list but Toyota is missing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you test drive it?

Not risking it during covid times. Also, am carless in the city so getting to a dealer is not really possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you test drive it?

Not risking it during covid times. Also, am carless in the city so getting to a dealer is not really possible.

Most advertise they take the car to you.

[Anonymous]

wait, OP so you haven't driven a car in years and you're basing your choices on cars you rode in during the 90s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wait, OP so you haven't driven a car in years and you're basing your choices on cars you rode in during the 90s?

I have rented and borrowed many cars. But yeah, a Dodge is still a Dodge, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wait, OP so you haven't driven a car in years and you're basing your choices on cars you rode in during the 90s?

I have rented and borrowed many cars. But yeah, a Dodge is still a Dodge, no?

Depends. The Chrysler Pacifica is arguably a toss-up against Honda Odyssey for the #1 minivan spot, and certainly superior to the Toyota Sienna. As an overall brand, Consumer Reports ranks Dodge higher than Ford and Chevrolet, also higher than Acura. Oh no, how is this possible?

What's this? Consumer Reports also rank Mini as a brand higher than Honda, Acura, VW, and Nissan? Say it ain't so!!!

And above Mini by several positions: Mazda! Abort! Abort!