Topic: Clash of the Titans! Or not...

[kelefe]

Alright, I am facing the age old dilemma of which car to buy and I need help... lots of it…  

My hard cap is $30 grand drive off the lot for the car. If I spend $30,001, my head will explode from debt…. I still have a year and a half till graduation, so I’d like to keep my debts to a minimum.

Alright, here we go! Here is my eclectic list of candidates:  

2006 Honda Civic (if I can swing it, the one with 160 HP… is it coming out in September??)  
- Not much is known yet, but my dad had a 1999 civic, and the Girlfriend has an 04’ LX. The LX is fun to drive, and has a nice (if not boring) interior. I’m just peeved that there won’t be a hatch…  

2006 Echo Hatch  
- Avtoller has converted me . The 06’ model is very attractive looking with potential for upgrades in the future. Fuel economy and emissions is a big plus too. Just enough cargo to hold my hockey and ski gear. I can always get a ski rack right?  

RSX Premium
- I was amazed how big the hatch just is, and the seats are soooo nice.  Has great fuel economy and I like the idea of having something I can push a little once in a while. I just don’t know if the extra 5-6 grand (compared with echo) for this car would be justified though…  

Mazda 3 Sport
- Nice interior/exterior and lots of goodies. Great package for $$$. The only gripes I’d have is that I see 20 of these every day, and they’re the worst on fuel out of this bunch.  

Any other choices you can think of is great too! In this order, something non-boring (is that a word?), good fuel economy, and fun to drive/decent performer, is what I’m most interested in. I’d also need it to last for a while until I take advantage of my grad discount, which will expire in 5-6 years from now. Mostly city driving, but I’ll also take some ski trips, so that might be of consideration… Domestics are out. It’s blatant illogical bias, but it’s my car dammit!

This is getting ridiculously long, so I’m going to stop now…

[Mdxtasy]

You've got a good list.

Subaru Impreza
VW Golf
Chevy Cobalt/Cobalt SS
Dodge SRT4
Honda Accord coupe

[AVToller]

I won't try to do any more converting, but the EH with EVERYTHING will be way below the head-explosion level. With a year and a half to go and perhaps a couple of weeks after that before you start getting a huge pay cheque, that could give you some addition financial cushion. But I'm an old, retired prof, so what do I know about the real world.

[weebl]

Good list of cars, not a bad one in the lot.    How about some more clues about the sort of driving you'll be doing, some might stand out as being better more than the others depending on your criteria.

[kelefe]

Good suggestions MDX,  

Subaru Impreza  
-Although the AWD would be nice, I don't think I'll need it and I fear the wrath of the gas gods when I am at the pump.  

VW Golf  
-Pricey as I'd want a TDI. I'm also a little scared of the reliability.  

Chevy Cobalt/Cobalt SS  
Dodge SRT4  
-Never really gave these cars a thought, I should research them, but every time I'm in a domestic car, I am astounded of how they can get away with such cheap plastics in the interior... Plus I'm not sure, but fuel economy is not great.  

Honda Accord coupe
-Actually thought about this one for a while. The new Sonata tempted me too, but I quickly realized that I don't need something that big and (for a number of reasons like parking, handling, fuel,etc.) I'd prefer to get something no bigger than a compact.  

As for my driving habits, mostly stop and go traffic to and from the University on weekdays. I live in a hilly area so going up and down with minimal drama would be nice. I'll also be frequenting the hills for some skiing, so some highway driving will be involved. Other than that though, 90% will be city. We see snow here a little over half the year so winter tires may be in order... although I'm tempted to cheap out and use the stock all seasons for a year... or two.

[ovr50]

Kelefe - I think you have enough choices and good ones at that. I would take the 3 of '06 Civic, '06 Echo Hatch and '06 Mazda3 and try each on for size/fit. They will all 3 be winter capable WITH 4 snows fitted, including going skiing. The EH is less expensive, and cheaper to run. The Mazda3 probably most costly and fuel hungry. Not sure where the new Civic will be priced. Why look at more and get confused. I think avtoller's comment is good, you can always get more car later if you wish/can afford it.  

You don't need AWD cost to buy/operate for your needs IMO. Good luck.

[Snowman]

The RSX would be my pick out of the list you have….followed my the Mazda3. The RSX will give you fun, quality, and reliability in one nice package. Can you get one for $30k?...I thought they were more.

[airbalancer]

I did not see a BMW 3 series on the list! A nice used BWM will be under 30gs
Get an an Echo and ALL your friends will laugh at you.Yes the true hurts.
Get a BMW and you will have a cool factor to deal with. Which will be fun.

[AVToller]

Only if your "friends" are seriously lacking in class! I guess we should all try to impress others rather than getting what we need. Great way to run a life!

[Snowman]

“Get an an Echo and ALL your friends will laugh at you.”  
WTF…Get an an….now we are laughing at you. What are you?....4 years old?...arse hole.

[Snowman]

I can’t wait to log on next time and vote 1 again…

[Sterling]

You guys are taking his comment a little too seriously, no?

[Smainville]

I have an Echo and I laugh at everybody when I drive the gas bar these days  "How do you like that fookin Expedition these days buddy"

[hondasalesguy]

If you have any interest in a bigger car you could get a 2005 Accord LX-G right now with manual transmision, with the $1350 Honda credit, an additional $1000 pre tax dealer discount, and you would be closer to $28,500 ON THE ROAD. Finance rates are currently 3.9% for 60 months, which would give you a $550 payment with ZERO down.  

Count on a loaded 2006 Civic being less than $22K before freight and taxes, which still puts you thousands less than your dollar cut off point.

[JSCC]

Get a Corolla or an Echo.
If you know the Mazda3 consumes too much fuel, it's not for you.
You might be shocked with insurance on a Civic or RSX, where you under 25?

[Mdxtasy]

I think the winner in my opinion would be the RSX if you can get one for under 30K.  Great engine, good looks, hatchback practicality with good fuel consumption.  The suggestions I made are really second to what you've already listed.....the Cobalt  SS seems to be getting good reviews and may be worth a look.  

As for getting a newer car later, it depends on what you have planned.  House?  Loans to pay?  Travel?  If you can find a car that is under your budget (which I assume you can afford comfortably) and meets all your needs of being sporty, practical, and good on gas....I say go for it.  That frees up eating the depreciation on getting another new car in a few years to allow you to get other things you may need.

[ovr50]

"Get an an Echo and ALL your friends will laugh at you."

Only the stupid ones will laugh, Airbal. Have you lost your marbles? Nothing wrong with the EH at all.

[The Mighty Duck]

Are you looking only at brand new?  A used Civic SiR Hatch could be had for a reasonable price, and they were a very nice little machine.  I would drive a Cobalt SS and see what it's like, as well.

Or, if you want to wait a little, you can wait for December and a price on the Civic SiR with the 2.0L 200 HP iVTEC.  I think HSG said it will be around $28 000 MSRP?

Might be worth considering?

[Bullet Blue]

Maybe Airbalancer got hijacked by draino, what with the ignorant comments and spelling mistakes.

[wing]

The Mazda3 isn't THAT bad on gas.

If I were you (and I might be soon), I'd get the Mazda3.  Why?

Cheaper on Insurance than an RSX for sure, fun to drive like an RSX as well.

I got the article from the Ottawa Citizen right in front of me from our 50L challenge.  Mazda3 made it 755Km on 50L of fuel 6.6L/100km or 43mpg that's pretty good.