What car(s) do you drive?
 

I am trying to buy a new car. I have to do it sometime soon because my rental junk runs out on Thursday. I am leaning toward the new Lincoln MKS, because of my inner technophile - seriously that car is gadgetry heaven and I could make it work pricewise, or the new Mazda 6, because I loved my previous one, there is an owner loyalty bonus, it is fairly affordable and it's also pretty quality.

Any thoughts?

Mazdaspeed 3!!!!!!!! Ask Lasereth.

I'm assuming you're in the US.

It looks like you're headed mid/full-size, which is a good segment right now. What's not good? American cars. The Lincoln MKS, while attractive, does not drive well, perform as well as it should, get decent gas mileage, or much of anything when taking into consideration what else you can get for the price. It's odd, too, because the Volvo s70 and s80 have the exact same platform and the drive quality is much better.

Let's say you have $35k-40k to throw into something you're really going to enjoy. My list would be the Aucra TL (26 mpg hwy), Audi A6 (27 mpg hwy), Honda Accord (31 mpg hwy), and BMW 5-series (28 mpg hwy). I've driven each of these and they perform quite well, have a higher quality ride, are build better, and will likely last longer. The Audi and BMW may be a bit more to service eventually, but they have good warranties.

Accura TL, Honda Accord EX V6, Infinity G35 would be high on my list. I would avoid the Lincoln and the whole BMW group. Repairs are way to high and frequent.

Right now I drive a Mazda Protege, and I love it - it's dirt cheap (several years used, about $6k), fairly peppy and fun to drive. It was perfect for me b/c I didn't want two car payments (still paying off the minivan to haul the kids around, ick!)

A friend of mine bought a new Mazdaspeed 3 turbo, and is head over heels in love with it. He's a 'car guy', and drives like a maniac. If I were in the market for a 'new' car, that's probably where I'd head, given how happy I am with my cheap little protege and his recommendation.

Have you taken either of your candidates out for a spin?

I have an Acura TL Type S. If you want a car loaded with electronics, this is a car you should consider.
The base TL is a very nice car but it drives exactly like an Accord. I know because that is what i traded in when I bought the Acura. The biggest difference between the base TL and the TL-S is the S has a firmer suspension set-up.

Hmm, Acura seems to be pretty frequently recommended. I'll have to check those out.

I did drive both the Mazda and the Lincoln. I like the Lincoln, though I am less of a fan of its handling than the Mazda, which I rather like. (As I knew I would, I loved the previous model.)

I'll have to check out your recommendations today. Thanks guys!

I'm a huge fan of the Lexus IS350. It's close to the same class as the TL and 6 and a hell of a lot more fun to drive.

One of my friends has a TSX and loves it, so if you're ok with FWD (I know I'm one of the few who won't consider it,) go for it. I really liked having a Lincoln (should've learned after the first one,) but when they break, they don't fuck around with cheap repairs and simple DIY stuff.

I drive a 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP (Black). I know nothing about cars. I love it though.

If you enjoy driving, stay away from the 2008 Chevy Malibu. I recently leased this car (thank god only for 2 years), and although its been completely restyled for 2008, and it sucked me in with its looks, it drives like an old fart's car. Dead steering feel, dead braking feel, more body roll than Aretha Franklin on a KFC binge. This car drives no better than my late grandmothers powder blue '83 Buick Century and thats not an exaggeration. This is what happens when GM rehires a fucking 77-year old redneck and puts him in charge of Design. What the hell does a 77 year old know about fresh, new cutting-edge design? This is a man who last experienced an orgasm when Ronald Reagan was president. And people wonder why 2 out of the 3 major car companies in America are on the verge of bankruptcy. Nevermind the lunacy of pouring billions of dollars into a battery-powered electric car (Chevy Volt) whose success will determine the fate of the company, while simultaneously releasing a 620 horsepower Corvette.

I fart on Chevy Malibu, Bob Lutz and GM.

NSX every day. I don't need tons of tech toys, I go for the feeling I get in the seat.

go with the new Mazda6s............best midsize,best handling,best!

xoxoxoo

We got a Mazda6s,,,2004 and a Nissan Sentra SE-R....1991,and some trucks

I must have missed this line the first time around, which is OK because apparently we're back in 1983 and I have 25 years before I have to read it. Every manufacturer has their issues, and we've done a lot of catching up recently. Made in USA doesn't mean it's going to fall apart or explode anymore.

For what it's worth, I'm going to suggest a 2006 and up Audi. They worked out most of the problems that plagued the B6 and B7 generation A4s, and the A6 and A8 benefited from it, too (especially with ditching the W8, who wants to drop 30 grand when the engine dies?)

Would you believe I drive a 2003 Chevy Impala?

Its name is Vlad.

I just bought myself an Audi TT Quattro - and I absolutely love it. All wheel drive - bring it on, stupid Winter.

My truck:
http://www.goinglimp.com/gallery/d/474-1/toolbox.jpg

Love it, and with the 33s it gets good gas mileage as long as I stay at or below 65 on the spedo (actually ~71mph, but gearing/spedo/ tires don't match). Either way, lots of clearance and it suits my personality :)

I used to drive a 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Coupe...until it decided to crap out on me by blowing two struts at the same time and thus requiring 4 new tires and almost 3k dollars in repairs. I now drive a 2007 Scion tC...and i LOVE it.

Judging by your original post, you're looking at a midsize car. Personally, I won't drive a car unless it's European. A Volkswagen Jetta or Passat would be my recommendation. A Jetta GLI with the DSG transmission is affordable, drives great, is good on fuel, and can be easily autocrossed (important for me :) ) If you need a bigger backseat, then a Passat would be the way to go.

What do I drive?
2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara (daily)
2001 Chev Tahoe Z71 (wife's)
1997 BMW 328i Cabrio (summer toy/track bitch)
1996 Chev 3500 2wd dualie crew cab (used maybe once a month, strictly for towing)

we drive a '93 corvette roadster (which is for sale, by the way), a '97 camry xle, and a '02 forerunner...

love them all...

i have no ideas as to what you should buy as i'm not going to be driving it; you are...

In terms of quality, the US hasn't kept up. Sure the Malibu has won a few awards, but if you drive it's European counterpart, say a Citroen C5 or Vauxhall Insignia, there's no competition. Performance, economy, design... Even Ford is better in Europe. I wish I could get a Mondeo over here.

I drove a 2005 mazda 6i at one point in time and it was ok, but being in alaska, i come to find out ( /shrug) that I needed a truck here.

So I traded in the Mazda and got a 2007 Nissan Frontier Nismo edition. The suspension is firmer on the Nissan but I love my truck, and I am going to keep it till i pay it off.

Though the gas mileage is a crappier. But I wont have to beg anyone to use their truck. hehe.

as far as any loyalty bonus, i doubt it.

the best thing to do is to come at the end of the month. that is what i did. i got my $36k truck for $26k.

Meta.

I bought a 2003 Volkswagon Jetta GLI brand new in August of 2002. It now has 111000 miles, and I have not had one serious issue with it. I bent the axle, but of course, that's not the car's fault. I just replaced the rear brakes 10,000 miles ago for the first time and still have 60% left on the original front brakes. It's a 6 speed manual, so that helps with the braking. I love the pick-up and power of this car. Many people have mentioned Audi. They're the same company. You can save money by doing a Jetta (the same car as the A4) or Passatt (same as the A6).

Now, if I had the money and wanted to treat myself, I would love to step up to the S4 (sporty/powerful A4) or the S5 (Coupe) but in the end don't know if the quality difference could justify the price increases.

I drive a 2008 Toyota Corolla Type S. Got it solely for 36 mpg and reliability. I drive a lot and cannot afford all the gas and repairs of what I would like to drive (truck).

We just got my wife into a 2009 Camry LE V6. The V6 is an absolute rocket. Cannot believe how fast that thing is. Gets about 26 mpg and the room is really good.

http://radio2.be/CMupload/21huisauto...t/AudiTT02.jpg

Audi TT: 200 hp tiptronic

On Mondays it's my Porsche, Tuesdays my Rolls Royce, Wednesdays my Ferrari, Thursdays my Mercedes, Fridays my BMW (personal fav), Saturdays my jaguar, and Sundays I pull out all the stops with my 97' Camry. I try to live simply.




If only every day wasn't Sunday :(.

94 red civic 2door hatch, with crumples all over.

Well, before I was able to find the best car and the best deal for me, I HAD to find something to hold me over.

I ended up finding a pretty good bargain on an '06 Saab 9-3, and it should do until I find a car I actually want at the price I want to pay.

as for myself: in iceland i have a 93 volvo 850gle 2.0 20v which has what i need and want

back in au i have a 66 volvo 122s which i´ve injected making it a 122e and a 71 volvo 1800e for the weekends.

Heh, nice. I got an '06 9-3 a month ago. Loving it so far.

This cracks me up, by the way. Vlad the Impala, indeed!

I have 2 cars. A 1981 AMC Eagle, odo broke a couple years ago at 182k, but still runs quite well and is full time all-wheel-drive. It's a wagon body style, which I wanted to be able to carry my upright bass. Wouldn't pass Mass smog, so is still licensed in Kansas. It was a gift (well, really more of a hand-me-down) from a relative. Perfect for me and I'm glad to have it. I wanted all wheel drive, but I have a thing against trucks and SUVs.
Also have a 2002 SAAB 9-5 Turbo with only about 54k miles that I bought on ebay a couple of years ago. Will break 30 mpg on the road (if I keep the speed down) and still gets about 25 mpg when I drive as fast as I think I can get away with. I paid a little over $8000 when I bought it in 2006.
You guys can have your new cars, I'm not interested. :no:But I might buy one from you after four or five years. That way you can take that $30k hit on depreciation instead of me.
I live in Boston, so don't drive them much, except to go to Kansas to visit my family. I hate to fly.:grumpy: Love to drive.:thumbsup:

Lindy
on the road again (now in Western Nebraska)

I've been driving a Nissan Altima for 6 years now and never had any issues. I had an 03 2.5S, traded it in last year for an 07 of the same model. I love it. I was annoyed when they came out with the coupe version after I'd gotten my sedan though. I've never had a 2-door anything before. :(

I have a 2007 Honda Civic Si. I love the handling and the 6 speed transmission.

Lol. Isee a lot of reports that US citizens are becoming more fuel conscious, but you guys still drive massive cars! A Mazda6 is considered a large sedan. The Focus is the midsize benchmark over here, and a few years ago eve nthat was considered a "large" hatch.

I drive a 2008 1.3 Mazda2. (petrol). I get 14 - 17 km/L depending on how I drive.
Before that I drove a 2004 Ford Bantam 1.3 pickup (payload 700kg).

If you're looking for a nice comfy sedan, you should test drive a Toyota Avalon (05 or later). I'm seriously thinking about trading my van in on one.

Not to spoil the ending, but it came out on top of a Car and Driver sedan test:

2005 Buick Lacrosse vs. Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred, Kia Amanti, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon - Sedans/Comparison Test/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

Yeah, here in America we power our lawn mowers with 1.3L engines, not cars. Mazda2 is so economical, it's not even sold in the US because not many people would buy it with those power specs. Even econo cars aim for at least 100 horses.

I don't drive anymore. I am all about public transit and taxis.

I have a 2008 Ford F-150 but I rarely drive it. Mainly it sits and I take the bus everywhere or just walk. Easier, cheaper and less of a hassle.

I don't own anything new because I think all new cars are junk

so I will stick with my 81 Malibu and 88 Pick-up