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Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay
Ok, so nothing official or imminent, but I'm starting to think about buying a new used vehicle. Either a small sedan or hatchback, don't want an SUV, not entirely opposed to a crossover but emphasis on smaller commuter car that would do well with the occasional road trip.
Something at or north of 2016, $30kish. Would love AWD but not required. Don't think I'm interested in domestic. I've been driving an 05 Mazda 3 for years now and it's been a great car. I LOVE Audi and quite fond of VW (love the looks of the GTI for instance) but honestly no idea how good they are. I also like the Subaru Impreza.
So if someone is holding a gun to your head right now and demanded you buy a car within those specs, what would you buy?
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Depends on your priorities.
I'm in a similar situation in that I've owned a 2010 Mazda 3 daily driver since it was new, and although it has relatively few kilometres (~107,000) 12 years later it is starting to feel a little "old". Pretty sure it needs new suspension bushings all around, needs all fluids changed, new spark plugs, and I suspect one of the rear calipers is sticking because the parking brake on that side is pretty much useless. I actually dread driving it in the winter; its low ground clearance is a pain in the ass. I'm also finding its small size to be a bit inconvenient these days. I don't often have passengers, but when I do it's a pain because of the tight confines of the back seats. It can carry a lot more cargo than one might suspect, but with the rear seats folded it's only about 5'10" of space back there, which I've found super-annoying; another 3" would suffice for 99.9% of my needs.
That said, I don't want something big either. I live inner-city-ish and work downtown and really enjoy having a car that's super-easy to park.
If you haven't already looked at the new Mazda 3s, I would suggest you at least give it a shot. I haven't driven one but did extensively check them out at the auto show three years ago. The interior is
very nice; without being hyperbolic, behind the driver's seat it honestly feels very much like a small Audi. That said, it's bigger and longer than the 2005-2013 cars but has far less useable space in the back. The hatch especially seems so... compromised. Form over function. The back seats are downright claustrophobic and nigh-impossible for the average adult to comfortable get in and out of.
I have a friend with a VW Golf wagon, and as other's have said it's quite nice. Very practical, loads of space in the back, and drives pretty well too. Just a shame they don't sell 'em new anymore. I have been in a few Tiguans, which I think end up being the closest equivalent VW now, but they're a lot more expensive. They don't really feel any different than the Golf, just chunkier.
The new Honda Civic looks very promising. No AWD available, but a very nice interior, far better looking exterior than its predecessor, and sounds from reviews like a really nice driving car.
As much as its not my cup of tea I know several people with Corollas, and they're not outstanding in any way other than being very practical and cheap to run. Pretty much the perfect commuter car, if it's to your liking.
I'm interested in trying a Subaru Crosstrek (Outback-ified Impreza essentially, butched up with a higher ground clearance), specifically with the 2.5 L engine. My brother-in-law bought an Outback last year and seems to like it a lot, but I'm not so keen on something that big. Price is definitely a turnoff though, not cheap in the slightest.
If you like the Mazda 3 I'd also give the Mazda CX-5 a shot. It's just a "crossover" version of the same car, but just big enough to be a lot more useful in my experience.
