If you were looking to downsize (or get a second car besides the 8) to a new compact or subcompact for daily errands and commuting, what would you recommend?

This would be a four (or five) door sedan or hatchback, no coupes. Doesn't need to be powerful, but should be able to merge into traffic without struggling. Doesn't need to be luxurious, but not cheaply built either. Fun to drive a plus, but obviously I'm not expecting too much in this segment.

Basically a very easy car to run errands in, reliable, decent fuel economy, good visibility, not too embarassing to be seen in, lol.

Along the lines of the newest Elanta, Accent, Civic, Mazda3, Focus, etc. Mazda2 and Fiesta types too small. Sonata and Accords too big.

I'd consider the sporty versions, but I dunno... the Civic Si seems targeted for young video gamers (even though it's a nice car to drive), and the Mazdaspeed3 seems very raw and youth-oriented (even though it's practical and powerful).

So any recommendations (or warnings against) cars in these categories?

 

Volvo C30. Text drove many cars and this was my fave for when my suv dies.

 

Wait for this coming Autumn. The Mazda2 and 3 will get the SkyActive G motor - about 70mpg in the two. Plus it's a Mazda, and I presume you're in to that

Re-read the OP, and I change my opinion to Hyundai Elentra

 

The Mazda 6 or Mazda Speed 6 could be a possibility. I haven't test drove it, but convinced my dad to start looking at it.

 

Cheap- Ford Fiesta. Lots of options and 40mpg
Not so cheap- Mini cooper. Its a BMW...

 

Mini Coopers are pretty fun to drive, never looked into their gas mileage or anything like that though. Maybe a Toyota Yaris?

 

ummm guys, he clearly stated what is too big and too small, and no coupes.
the 6 would be too big, fiesta too small.\\
I suggested the c30 because it is another variety of the focus/3.
I could have suggested a Peugeot 207 or Citroen C4 but that is just as pointless.

 

LoL, I just built this on the Mini site. I WANT this car. http://www.miniusa.com/?cm=mcom_forw...urator/minis-m

 

ahhh... I tried to post the car I built but it just loads the builder from the beginning. Basically mine was black with black stripes and 200 hp and every option I even kinda wanted. It was just $40,000!

 

or mini cooper countryman.

 

Get a Lancer like I did 8-)

 

Mazdaspeed 3...this is my downsize.

 

Thanks, all suggestions considered

The mini is a great car, but I can't seem to like boxy cars like that. And yes, Fiesta types are too small. Mazda6 a great car, but too big.

Looked at a Civic Si and MazdaSpeed3. Neat cars, but both seem more appropriate for young males rather than a middle aged professional woman

Never knew about the C30, thanks I'm looking into that one.

So far I think the Mazda3 (2012 coming) and Elantra are at the top of the list for now. The Elantra is actually a really nice little car. And I know I said "no coupes," but while looking at the Elantras this afternoon, a red Genesis Coupe kept calling to me, lol... what a pretty car! I have to give Hyundai credit, they've really come a long way.

Anyone have any first-hand experience, good or bad, with the Mazda3, 2011+ Elantra, or latest Genesis Coupe?

 

I have a 2010 Mazda 3 in Celestial Blue Hatchback aka 5 "door"

It has EPA rating of 22/29(automatic) but "real" life mpg in POS NYC traffic is about 18.5 (that's what it said on the car's system)

I had 1 trip to Boston with it I got about 30-32 mpg.

Got it fully loaded (with tech package). it's really a fun car to drive. Not the greatest car for MPG. but as a DD, it should be more than enough.

I'm thinking of selling it though.

Why I wanna sell it? cuz I have a 8 and a 7, and I'm getting another car for my work (picking up clients) so there is no reason for me to keep the Mazda3, I can give it to my father and let him sell his CX7 out but I don't know yet. I don't want to trade it in for my next car cuz that means I'm getting rip by stealership.

If you are interested in the car. I can stop by somewhere in Jersey like Edgewater for you to look at it. I can point out all the "nicks/scratches" to you. You don't even have to worry about maintenance cuz ppl know me ... I'm such a freak. I still have like 5-6 Mazda filters for the car. if things work out I just gonna give them to you and I will do another oil change for ya before I hand the car to you.

as for Genesis Coupe. My friend had one in Black loaded, it was a pretty cool car, but it has a slight turbo lag (if that's what you're looking) and it's really a "2 person" car if you know what I mean. He is planning to have kids so he traded it in for an Evolution(we were all like what the F? Evolution for family car?)

I was in Hyundai's showroom today to look at the Genesis again and the Sonata Hybrid. Elantra is not a bad car, for a DD that's a pretty good choice.

 

I still say a Mitsubishi Lancer or Kia Optima.

 

The best choice by far, imho, would be the upcoming Mazda 3 2.0 skyactive. It will come in manual or automatic 6 speed and get 40 plus mpg hwy.

This car will KILL the competition and really save in the pocketbook.

It should be out within a month or two.

Paul.

 

if u can wait, you can wait for SkyActiv to come out, but honestly, I will try not to buy anything in their first year model. Just wait a bit and see what happens.

 

kia optima.
turbo if you want more power.
they are very well made these days.
good looking design from that peter s..? guy.

 

I'm assuming that it should be an automatic transmission model.

For a new compact runabout for 2010-2011, depending on priority, these are my personal choices:

sporty: Mazda3
sporty/comfortable: Kia Forte (SX trim)
comfortable: Hyundai Elantra

I'd put the new Focus in here, but I read that the automatic transmission programming royally sucks.

 

I read that Chevy Cruze is nice too, but I haven't had a test drive, so I can't say.

 

^^ I test drove one and it wasn't too bad. That was going to be my suggestion.

 

Do you mean combined? Combined would be a bit low, but 70mpg each seems really high.

 

I think it narrows down to those two as well. The nice thing is you pretty much can't go wrong these days, as most "budget" cars - even the subcompacts - are actually nice cars. Even the usually hated Hyundai Accent has apparently morphed into a decent little car for 2012.

The alternatives mentioned are all pretty cool: Lancer, Mini, C30, Cruze, Forte, Focus, Optima, Focus, etc. But there's always something about each that brings me back to the 3 or Elantra (others too expensive, not as reliable, not as efficient... something).

What's kinda sad is there's nothing out there that makes me want to spend 30Kish on a car again. There are good cars for sure, but nothing boldly unique, different, special. I actually never planned to spend so much on an RX-8, I was actually planning on getting a Civic or 3 back in 2004. But the RX-8 was just so special, magical and different... I had to have it.

As for the 3 or Elantra, I guess I need to decide on looks/comfort versus a sporty drive. The catch with the 3 is we don't really know when the 2012 is coming out (I'd want the SkyActiv, apologies to nycgps )...

 

If you're willing to go somewhat north of $20k, the VW GTI Mk6 is a superb (jack of all trades) compact car.

 

I was just in your situation and got a Fiesta SES.
Great car... much much more than an economy vehicle.