Looking at purchasing a new car.

[Trailer Fire]

Alright car guys, what have you got for me? What would be most worthwhile considering my needs and the list given?

I have a young family, hopefully it's going to get a bit bigger after the wedding. We need a new vehicle. My Tacoma is getting us by for now, but while I'm away for work she primarily uses it. She has a Chrysler Neon, but its almost 15 years old and generally sucks. She wants a mid sized 4 door sedan. We have a short list of cars we have looked at. Keep in mind we are looking at affordability, fuel economy, safety rating and size (no boats). I am also looking at style.

Dodge Dart
Toyota Carolla
Hyundai Elantra
Ford Fusion/Focus (undecided)

Being the open minded one in the relationship, I have no problem going off the board too. Recommendations or insight?

[REDVAN]

Kia optima

[RedMileDJ]

We have an Elantra. 2013. Love it. Lots of space and has plenty of energy. Fuel economy is awesome.

[Komskies]

Here's how the mid-sized sedans rank in average MPG (mix of highway and city):

Ford Fusion SE Hybrid 	                39
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE 	        38
Volkswagen Passat TDI SE 	        37
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 	                33
Mazda6 Sport 	                        32
Nissan Altima 2.5 S (4-cyl.) 	        31
Honda Accord LX (4-cyl.) 	        30
Chevrolet Malibu Eco (2.4) 	        29
Toyota Camry LE (4-cyl.) 	        27
Hyundai Sonata GLS (2.4) 	        27
Chevrolet Malibu 1LT (2.5) 	        26
Honda Accord EX-L (V6) 	                26
Toyota Camry XLE (V6) 	                26
Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 	        26
Ford Fusion SE (1.6T) 	                25
Hyundai Sonata Limited (2.0T) 	        25
Suzuki Kizashi 	                        25
Kia Optima LX (2.4) 	                25
Volkswagen Passat SE (5-cyl.) 	        25
Kia Optima SX (2.0T) 	                24
Nissan Altima 3.5 SL (V6) 	        24
Chevrolet Malibu 2LTZ (2.0T) 	        24
Volkswagen Passat SEL (V6) 	        23
Mitsubishi Galant 	                23
Ford Fusion Titanium (2.0T) 	        22
Subaru Legacy 3.6R 	                22
Chevrolet Impala 	                22
Chrysler 200 (V6) 	                21
Dodge Avenger (4-cyl.) 	                21

[Northendzone]

ford fusion

[Komskies]

This should be an interesting thread, as I'm also on the hunt for a new vehicle. I really love the looks of the 2013 Accords:

Spoiler!

[Finny61]

I'd have to vote for Honda Accord, not sure I'd class it as mid size though. A lot of room in the interior.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Finny61

I'd have to vote for Honda Accord, not sure I'd class it as mid size though. A lot of room in the interior.

I test drove the Coupe on Friday and my 6'2" brother fit into the back seat pretty comfortably. Surprising amount of trunk space too.

[tvp2003]

How many kids do you have now? Planning to have? We have a Focus and it's just a little too tight with two car seats in there. Something to keep in mind -- also, when you say a "new" car do you mean a 2013?

[Ironhorse]

If one of your requirements is "Style", then scratch "Toyota Corolla" off your list.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

If one of your requirements is "Style", then scratch "Toyota Corolla" off your list.

I meant Camry and it isn't my favorite. She likes it.

Originally Posted by tvp2003

How many kids do you have now? Planning to have? We have a Focus and it's just a little too tight with two car seats in there. Something to keep in mind -- also, when you say a "new" car do you mean a 2013?

1. He is 11 months old. We are getting married in October and will promptly try for another. If we have a girl, we stop, if its another boy we try one more time. And yes I'm looking for a 2013. I won't say no to a 2011-2012 depending on condition, milage, and price. I might (most likely) also wait for a 2014 depending on when we decide to finally get it.

[blankall]

Look into Subarus. Great financing rates right now too.

[Minnie]

Focus will be too small.

I bought a Fusion in May 2010 and I absolutely love my car. Have had absolutely zero issues with it so far. It's all been basic/scheduled maintenance. It does pretty well on fuel, and have had no complaints there at all.

If you're going to be doing mainly city driving, have you thought about the Fusion Hybrid? The 2013s also have the new makeover. Great looking car. Almost makes me want to trade this one in for the '13, lol.

If you go with the Fusion (Ford), I can give you the name of the sales guy I/we used. Great guy.

[dissentowner]

Fusion Hybrid.

[Trailer Fire]

I live in a small town of about 10k in south central BC. Unless you live in the Castlegar/Nelson area, I doubt we would use your guy. Appreciate the offer though. And I agree I love the look of the new Fusion. W2B doesn't agree as much. City and highway are fairly interchangeable here

[Bill Bumface]

The new Fusion with the Aston Martin front end looks fantastic.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Unless you live in the Castlegar/Nelson area

Love that area. We've got friends in Castlegar and I'd move to Nelson in a heartbeat, if I could only talk the husband into it, lol.

The Fusion will be lots of fun on the windy roads around there.

[The Yen Man]

The new Acura ILX seems like a pretty good deal. It's like a better built Civic. 30K gets you all the bells and whistles (leather, HIDs, moon roof, power everything). Better bang for the buck than the Civic SI.

[worth]

Subaru Legacy FTW.

Symmetrical AWD, 5 star safety rating, Subaru's retain the value pretty much more than any other brand out there, extremely reliable, list goes on.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

The new Mazda 6 or CX-5 are worth a look