Author Topic: We are now semi-serious about a new car (Read 2954 times)

quadzilla · « **on:** March 28, 2005, 01:05:56 pm »

Since I can get more useful info in this one note than anywhere else here it goes.
The g/f is now talking about buying (I’ve always have) a new car so we went out on the weekend a drove the Mazda 6-wagon. Despite the not so good salesperson we both really liked the car. It took him 15 minutes to give us a price leaving us just sitting there staring at a wall. It became more of a game for us wondering how long it would take him to get us any information at all. The worse part was after saying we wanted that exact car that was on the showroom floor (GS-fully loaded) he asked did we want 17” wheels. ME: Doesn’t it come with them? HIM: <pause> yes <confused>.
There are more bad examples but this would take too long. So to the point….

These are main things that we need are.
1)   Must be a wagon or very similar. (no minivans or SUVs)
2)   Auto (the main reason for the new car).
3)   Power Sunroof. (must have)
4)   Decent on gas.
5)   Price around 30G (prefer less though, but don’t we all)

So the cars that I can think of are
1.   Mazda 6-Wagon
2.   Subaru Forester (I think it’s the X-SE package?)
3.   VW Passat – TDI
4.   VW Jetta – TDI
5.   Maybe the Mazda MPV as its car like size? I think of it as a mini-minivan.
6.   Did I miss any?

Our driving is mostly highway (80-90%) as we don’t need to drive in the city as we both take the subway or ride out bike to work.

Since we would like to have the car by the end of April or the beginning of May this rules out the Mazda 5 or new Jetta TDI which I would also consider. If we don’t buy one by this time (as its not an emergency, we just want to) we can wait until these come out and re-evaluate our choices.

Does anybody know of any good Mazda, Subaru or VW dealers in our area. We live in the Beaches in TO but it doesn’t have to be really close to us. We will drive a bit for good service.

Thanks in advance for everybody’s help.

ndamro · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:23:41 pm »

What about the Toyota Matrix? I believe one ofd the FWD models has a sunroof with MRSP around $26,000.

Driver · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:26:47 pm »

Quad, you might want to visit Subaru of Mississauga, the corporate-owned dealership of Subaru Canada at 401 and Mavis. They can give you a far better deal than any Subie dealership around TO, (since it is coporate-owned and has more flexibility with discounts and freight charges)

jeeper · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2005, 02:04:26 pm »

i think u hve already answer your question...

if u've already test driven all those cars (thats what im considering now) and u really liked the Mazda 6 W...what what ru waiting for?

quadzilla · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2005, 02:50:58 pm »

Ndamro: We already have a Mazda P5 and the Matrix isn't that much bigger inside (I'm talking trunk only) so I don't think that we would be getting that much more trunk space for our money.

Multi: We haven't tested anything but the M6-W. Its hard to get the g/f out on test drives until she says "Yes" to the idea of getting a new car. For some reason she doesn't find it as much fun as I do, so we just started on Saturday. Now if it was shoes, we would have gone to 10 stores by now.

Crolly: Thx. Now I know what I'm doing Thursday night.

The Fuzz · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2005, 02:08:01 am »

I don't know what you classify as "decent on gas" but with the 6 wagon ATX you'll be lucky to hit 20 MPG. But you'll do it with a smile on your face!!!!

quadzilla · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2005, 06:40:25 am »

Decent on gas: under 8.0 L/100 hwy (35mpg cdn/30mpg usa)
Good on gas: under 7 L/100 hwy
Great on gas: under 6 L/100 hwy
Amazing on gas: under 5 L/100 hwy

Since we don't drive in the city very often, I don't even look at those figures.

CP: How are you liking your new 6? Has the honeymoon worn off yet?

jeeper · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2005, 09:09:10 am »

I think ur running out some interesting choices from your list...I would add:

- Subaru Legacy Wagon 2.5i, at around $30k with automatic;
- a base Volvo V50, at around 33k with automatic;
- Dodge Magnum SXT, at around 33k;

tenpenny · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2005, 09:11:51 am »

CP, why would the mileage on the 6 wagon be so poor? When I got my Legacy AT AWD, I kept track for a while, and it was about 33 to 35 mpg the way I drive....what would make the Mazda so bad?

mark · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2005, 09:18:41 am »

As mentioned in other threads the Passat is about to be re-designed for the next model year. I believe there are deep discounts on all varieties. You could consider the 1.8T as well as the TDI, although some report the 1.8T plus tiptronic (auto) tranny to be weak. FYI - the Jetta wagon will remain in its current bodystyle for a while yet.
If you are handy with Excel, make a comparison list of features and prices.

quadzilla · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2005, 12:51:48 pm »

Multi: Thanks for the ideas. The problem with the Legacy is that we 'need' a sunroof and with the Legacy it now costs 36,695 in the Limited form.

I didn't know that the V50 was that price so I will be looking at that for sure. I really like the looks of that car.

We didn't like the looks of the Dodge.

Mark: Already have the spreadsheet started. Everyday I add something new to it. I like VW for its diesel engines. I wish more cars came with diesels actually. I see on the other side you can get a Corolla Wagon 2.0D w/200 tq. I think I would be sold.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2005, 06:53:49 pm »

Seriously check out the Passat TDi wagon. It's great!

You say you drive on the highway often. If so, diesel's great. If you're in E TO and am in the city often, maybe it's not for you. And if you're driving on city streets, won't heat all that fast in winter.

Otherwise it's a great car, and the upcoming Passat will be priced higher than the current one so it's really quite the deal while they're around.

And there's no more coming. So once they're gone, they're gone.

Mazda engines deliver relatively poor mileage for their engine size. The Mazda5 will over tonnes of room tho! Worth it for the price ($19,995 - $26), and a unique package.

As for dealers, I've dealt with Avante Mazda in the North, Westowne in the W, and Ajax in Ajax (ask for Greg). All were positive.

For VW, I'd recommend the APA rep there, VW Villa seems helpful in the North, and of course I'd have to plug my friend Erik @ Owasco in the east GTA.

jpd · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2005, 07:28:52 pm »

Sira I do agree with you, if I had the money I would go for the Passat TDI too! To me it's one of the best for sure in that price range!

airbalancer · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2005, 07:38:20 pm »

if you need a sun roof put one in. http://www.webasto.us/am/en/am_auto_sunroofs.html
It cost 1200 to put one in my pick up truck.
Better warranty then new. life time warranty on parts and labour

jeeper · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2005, 11:57:46 pm »

not sure i would prolly pick the Volvo over the Passat anytime...

Now talking about Diesel engines...
Diesel are very used in Europe having a market share that is close to 52% nowadays...by 2010 the diesel engine will have a market share of more than 64%...but then comes the problem for the Diesel engines....The EURO V anti-polution rules...according to the Fiat president Diesel engines will cost 2x the price of nowadays and by the 2015 the market share of this fuel will be around 25%....maybe thats why we dont have diesel engines in NA?

Anyway if this prediction comes trues a Passat TDI will cost at least 60K...lots of money...

(Message edited by multivisao on March 30, 2005)

Shnak · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2005, 08:21:21 am »

The V50 is a lot smaller than the Passat... and the 2.0L TDI is one awesome engine... I'd go with the Passat TDI Wagon just for the sweet engine and space. But then again, that combination problably pushes 35k$... Still a great price for what you get though!

The Fuzz · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:04:27 am »

Nope, the honeymoon has not worn off yet. Still love this car and feel a tingle in my pants every time I look at it

.

From what I hear the Mazda powerplants are very poor when it comes to fuel use. My 6 (6cyl with 5 speed) has been averaging between 18 and 20 mpg over the first 2500 kms. Hopefully that will go up as the cold weather breaks and the motor loosens up. There's currently a "what is your fuel economy?" thread going on on a 6 based website and everyone with the 6cyl seems to be in the same area, although some wagons with the ATX are complaining of worse.

wing · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:11:42 am »

It seems like Mazda is having woes with fuel economy, the 6 is bad the Rx8 is worse, apparently the MPV is not all that great either. I wonder about the 3?

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:34:40 am »

3's are terrible as well, and the upcoming Mazda5 gets worse than the 6's. Just a touch above the large minis like Odyssey and about the same as a Tucson.

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2005, 10:54:23 am »

A friend has the base mazda3 and is disapointed with fuel economy. Says its not horrendous or anything, but is still not what he expected.

Quad drive the V50 and the car will speak for itself.