☟ Car people ☟

[pretend]

I've managed up til now not owning a car (have driven since 17 though, and have owned a motorbike). Public transit to work downtown, do gym and shopping after work before coming home. Other outings can be a hassle, but I've made do. I'm about a month in to a new job and am going to be working from home 4/5 days a week. It's great, except for the fact it'll take me 30-40 mins each way to get to the gym. I'm not willing to make a 2+ hour outing multiple nights a week just for that, plus having to bus for groceries. My solution is to buy a car!

Details: occasional use, mostly city driving, I'm single. It's going to be used in Canadian winters, so straight up sports cars are out (low ground clearance, rear-wheel drive). Automatic transmission. Leaning towards a coupe, as I have no immediate need for regular rear-seat access. Plus if I need the extra space, I can go borrow my parent's truck. It also probably can't be a small/compact model to fit my height (and hyoog bicepts). And... I don't want it to look too generic, and be at least a little fun to drive.

Budget: I'm also planning on buying new, as I intend to keep it long-term and feel the big depreciation hit is only really an issue if you sell it in under 5 years or so. Let's say $25-30k (which will probably end up ~$30-35k with fees, taxes, etc). I could go higher, but cars seem way too expensive already that I'd have a hard time justifying it.

So far on my list (i like blue):

Kia Forte Koup SX ~$27k


Honda Accord Coupe EX ~$29k


Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S ~$29k


I test drove the Forte and Accord, both seemed pretty nice. Accord seemed higher-end, with things like backup camera, keyless entry/start and quiet on the highway. The Forte, I can get the top trim package for less than the base Accord, plus it had a sportier feel to it (probably since ~300lbs lighter), and a great warranty. I'd have to take them out for a 2nd drive (along with the Altima) though.


Do any of you have any thoughts on these, or others to suggest?

[desslok]

Long term, Accord no question

[SoulZeppelin]

I love my accord coupe. Great, reliable car with good mpg. 170k miles and still no major issues.

[miacanesfan25]

I've had my kia optima since '07 with 54 miles on it. Runs great, has never had an issue. 97k miles today.

[moneyrich]

The accord is definitely a solid choice. Very reliable.

[pretend]

Honda/Accords do seem to have a great track record, but Kia's value for the money is hard to beat...

[ssg10587]

Honda/Accords do seem to have a great track record, but Kia's value for the money is hard to beat...

Id check out the Kia Optima more. It is a pretty reliable car.

[AdamWW]

I second the optima... the korean manufacturers are getting MUCH better, and the warranties are unbeatable.

You also get great value for your dollars... my ex-roommate got a new optima and she loves it.

[jammyo40]

Have you considered a WRX?

[AdamWW]

Have you considered a WRX?

Gas mileage not comparable and premium fuel

Tho I love those, too.

[jammyo40]

Gas mileage not comparable and premium fuel

Tho I love those, too.

OP never said anything about fuel. It's not only reliable, it'll be leagues for fun to drive than anything mentioned here. OP, keep in mind that having a standard transmission will almost always be more reliable than an automatic. So with that said, if you're going to pass up the WRX, I'd get the Kia with an automatic or the Honda with a standard (Honda sticks are a joy).

[FitnessCPA]

I bought a base model 2013 Accord sedan less than two months ago. I love it so far.

[midcoastking33]

brb buying a 30k car for occasional use. In the great words of stephaun, SMDH

[TelochDeOiad]

Internet Sales Manager of a new/pre-owned dealership checking in. I worked at a new KIA dealership a couple years ago, and I'd stay away from the Forte koup. Appears to be a solid vehicle and is easy to afford, but Kia/Hyundai (sister companies so same manufacturer) are undergoing massive recalls recently on newer model line up.

The Optima is the most solid bet for a Kia sedan, but even that rules out a coupe option.

If you'd consider a four-door sporty looking sedan you should research up on the 2013 Ford Fusion. They're in a similar price bracket as the Optima and upper end Forte's, have a new aggressive design and drive substantially better than any Kia. They just feel more solid.

To counteract any arguments that praise Kia's for their long warranty: I've seen more brand new Kia's straight from the manufacturer be brought back days after purchase and spend weeks in the shop than any other new vehicle. Sold brand new Kias for two years, and it seemed every other Forte or Optima was being brought back to me days later with electronic issues. It's covered under warranty, but frustrating when your brand new car has to go back to the shop for a week or more.

So yes, the warranty is the longest manufacturers warranty in the business, because they have to. If you've got the time to deal with a service center often, have at it. They look good, drive adequately and are cheap as hell. But you get what you invest in.

The new Ford Fusion starts off in the 20`s, depending on trim level. The SYNC system has been redesigned to be more user friendly than ever. It's come a long way and is a serious contender for your ownership decision.

Check it out.

[WonderPug]

Have you considered a MINI Coupe S?

[snorkelman]

Have you considered a MINI Coupe S?

I'm wondering if the ground clearance would fit those winters that OP has to deal with. I suppose it depends on how often the roads that he travels are plowed.


These are issues that I never have to deal with.

[Total Body Rebuild]

Ummmmm....

http://www.vw.ca/en/models/jetta_gli_2013.html

Representing Deutschland, ya?

But, i'm a VW fanboy.

[pretend]

Have you considered a WRX?

Yes, the WRX looks pretty good and has a big jump in power, but even the base model is really creeping up in price. Fuel economy isn't going to be a deciding factor, but yeah that turbo seems to guzzle it up!

brb buying a 30k car for occasional use. In the great words of stephaun, SMDH

Not sure what you're implying... I probably wouldn't even find a new, non-compact car for under 20k, so spending a bit more for something nicer than the bare minimum doesn't seem unreasonable. And if acceptable car price is based on hours/distance used, only travelling salesmen and pizza boys would be justified getting the $50k+ ones. Buying used has its own set of issues, and to bring the price down considerably would require getting an older model that's going to have more things breaking down and shorter usable life span. It's not like I'll only be using it a few times a month, in which case I'd just rent or take a taxi.

Internet Sales Manager of a new/pre-owned dealership checking in. I worked at a new KIA dealership a couple years ago, and I'd stay away from the Forte koup. Appears to be a solid vehicle and is easy to afford, but Kia/Hyundai (sister companies so same manufacturer) are undergoing massive recalls recently on newer model line up.

The Optima is the most solid bet for a Kia sedan, but even that rules out a coupe option.

If you'd consider a four-door sporty looking sedan you should research up on the 2013 Ford Fusion. They're in a similar price bracket as the Optima and upper end Forte's, have a new aggressive design and drive substantially better than any Kia. They just feel more solid.

To counteract any arguments that praise Kia's for their long warranty: I've seen more brand new Kia's straight from the manufacturer be brought back days after purchase and spend weeks in the shop than any other new vehicle. Sold brand new Kias for two years, and it seemed every other Forte or Optima was being brought back to me days later with electronic issues. It's covered under warranty, but frustrating when your brand new car has to go back to the shop for a week or more.

So yes, the warranty is the longest manufacturers warranty in the business, because they have to. If you've got the time to deal with a service center often, have at it. They look good, drive adequately and are cheap as hell. But you get what you invest in.

The new Ford Fusion starts off in the 20`s, depending on trim level. The SYNC system has been redesigned to be more user friendly than ever. It's come a long way and is a serious contender for your ownership decision.

Check it out.

Not sure I agree with the bolded part. It doesn't makes sense that a company would offer a shorter warranty because there won't be any problems... they'd offer as long as they can without it costing them from too many issues.

I actually stopped by a Ford dealership first, and looked at the Fusion. The salesman was awful though (which I didn't appreciate until seeing Kia and Honda). He "couldn't" get a license plate, so all I got to do was drive it around the lot. He didn't even explain any of the features, but put a lot of pressure on the sale, and then refused to give me any info on the car/pricing (because he'd written it all on the back of the bill of sale he'd already written up). So I'm a bit soured on Ford, even though I realize the salesman != the car.

[acharlong]

Of the three you have I'd say either Altima or Accord.

Have you considered the 2013 Hyundai Elantra coupe? Fully kitted out 26-28k depending on how you buy it.

[pretend]

Have you considered a MINI Coupe S?

I'm wondering if the ground clearance would fit those winters that OP has to deal with. I suppose it depends on how often the roads that he travels are plowed.


These are issues that I never have to deal with.

At least i'd be able to lift it out of the snow banks!

Ummmmm....

http://www.vw.ca/en/models/jetta_gli_2013.html

Representing Deutschland, ya?

But, i'm a VW fanboy.

I did consider the regular Jetta, but I find most VWs pretty plain looking. They just seem to be conservative family styling (even if they do have some power under the hood).

[jammyo40]

I did consider the regular Jetta, but I find most VWs pretty plain looking. They just seem to be conservative family styling (even if they do have some power under the hood).

That's a picture of a Smart Two (I think), which I would consider more of a street legal go-cart than a car. Someone else in the NMisc along with myself have a MkVI GTI. I do admit that they might tend to look a little more conservative, but thinking that it'll still look good in ten years, that's more of a plus for me. Also, don't get the latest gen Jetta - it's ****. Absolute ****.

[pretend]

That's a picture of a Smart Two (I think), which I would consider more of a street legal go-cart than a car. Someone else in the NMisc along with myself have a MkVI GTI. I do admit that they might tend to look a little more conservative, but thinking that it'll still look good in ten years, that's more of a plus for me. Also, don't get the latest gen Jetta - it's ****. Absolute ****.

Yeah, wasn't a Mini, but a funny representation of what's possible here. I'd read the new Jettas were made in Mexico... might explain some things there.

I also realized MSRP are something like 10% higher in Canada (along with fewer trim options - ex. can't upgrade Accord without including Navi option), so I'm going to be spending more for the same cars

[WonderPug]

I'm wondering if the ground clearance would fit those winters that OP has to deal with.

I believe the ground clearance on the Mini is about same as on the Altima Coupe and Kia Forte Koup SX and it is half an inch lower than on the accord.

[deadpool9]

I believe the ground clearance on the Mini is about same as on the Altima Coupe and Kia Forte Koup SX and it is half an inch lower than on the accord.

Don't you have to have the oil changed in a Mini at the dealership only?
(Unsure personally, worked with a girl who had one and she said she had to drive 2+ hrs to the nearest dealership, 2x a year). May not be bad for some people, but I have to change my oil every 6 weeks and that would be super inconvenient.

[WonderPug]

Don't you have to have the oil changed in a Mini at the dealership only?
(Unsure personally, worked with a girl who had one and she said she had to drive 2+ hrs to the nearest dealership, 2x a year). May not be bad for some people, but I have to change my oil every 6 weeks and that would be super inconvenient.

It's the same as any other car, but I bet she also doesn't have carbs after 6pm because she knows that she can't do that either.

[deadpool9]

Ok, lol. She had said something about a specialized pressure system that required the dealer to do it. I know Acura had a model a few years back that you couldn't just pull into an Express Lube and get it changed, thought it might be something similar.

[desslok]

It's the same as any other car, but I bet she also doesn't have carbs after 6pm because she knows that she can't do that either.

Haha, yeah, the 3 world oil refineries don't make a special blend of oil for Mini's from fossilized Cambodian dinosaur breast milk. Sure, dealerships will try to scare you into getting all your service done there as that is where they make most of their money(that and financing). But they can't force you to. They may require you to keep all receipts from any service done elsewhere and record in manual to keep as record in case you need warranty work.

[deadpool9]

Wasn't an issue with the type of oil, she said it was something special about the oil system.
I never cared much about Minis, so I didn't bother to look into it.

I just told her she was silly for not buying something that she (or her husband) could service themselves. (Same girl paid like $180 to get new brakes.)

[pretend]

Update:

Did a bunch of reading, scratched VW, Mini and Subaru off my potentials list, and went out again Friday night to test drive a Nissan Altima coupe and the Kia Optima.

Altima was pretty nice, but really cramped interior. I would have had to lean my seat way back for my hair to not brush against the top. Plus the back seat had about 3" of leg room behind me, and any passengers back there would be constantly smashing their heads against the glass. I'm not expecting spacious interiors with a couple, but at least comfortable ones. It might as well get a 2-seater at that point.

Optima only comes in the 4-door but still looks pretty good... sportier than the Forte Koup anyways. The seats are firmer than the others, but maybe they soften over time. Or at least build up a customized ass-groove. It's definitely a step up from the Forte all around... features, power, finish, price, and to me, looks.

This morning I'd narrowed it down to the Accord coupe vs Optima, and took both out for a spin back-to-back. I didn't bother trying out the manual version, as I'd probably think it was awesome for the 30 mins I was out on the road, and the first few months even, but I'm sure it won't take long for the constant shifting in the city to get old. The CVT is pretty nice regardless. The Altima has it, but any reviews I've read said Honda "got it right". Perfectly smooth acceleration from 0 to whatever. Accord probably was my favorite looking of the bunch, but I don't like all the technology they cram in, like dual touch screens. Plus if you want to go up from the base model, you're forced to get their $2000 navigation system (I think the US models you have more freedom, but just 3 options here - base, leather + navi, v6 + navi). I didn't notice much difference in terms of handling or smoothness between the Accord and Optima. The Kia might have been a bit stiffer, but still nothing bad to say about either.

I ended up making an offer for ~invoice price (yay carsaver.ca) minus advertised rebates ($4800 in total), and we settled for about $500 over that. Plus GST of course. And then they sucker you in for protection packages, which aren't so bad since they reapply them every 2 years for the life of the vehicle. I'll post some actual pics when I take possession later in the week. Oh, and it's the turbo

Next up, building a garage lol.

TLDR; Bought this:

[FitnessCPA]

Dual touch screens on an Accord?

I have a 2013 and I don't have any touch screens. Which model are you referring to?