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What car would you buy?

AJ

110 HP of FURY!
So it's time to start looking at cars to pick up when the Mazda 6 we have comes off lease (which can't happen soon enough!). It's done in March and we are looking at either leasing again or buying used. For a lease we want to stay in less than $250 a month range, but it needs to have value for that. For a use car, we are thinking in the $5k to $7k range. With used we want AWD, auto is a must in this case, and something that has ample room inside for the kiddo and dog to fit comfortably.

So if you had to think of something to drive, knowing full well it wouldn't be modded (though an auto x now and then isn't out of the question), what would you be looking at?
 

OCS

New Member
My wife has an '03 murano. That's the best thing I've ever driven on slippery roads.
I haven't seen any in the price range your looking for though.
 

niterydr

Legendary Status!
Is AWD necessary? After driving the wife's fwd + snow tires, I'd never consider AWD required in MN again if you are staying on public roads.
 
Honestly, I would look at either an 02-07 range WRX or Impreza...maybe an Outback in the late 90 to early 2000 range.

There are all kinds of cars I would consider...not sure I would actually drive very many of them...but hmm.

Would you consider an SUV? Prefer a car?
 

AJ

110 HP of FURY!
I think we are going to look at FWD as well, I want more creature comforts. May look at leasing a new Focus.
 

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
I drove the Focus, Forte, Cruze, and a few others and ended up picking up a Cruze last night. Between price, features, interior and exterior the Cruze was the right choice for me, I think they have some pretty attractive leases on them so might be something to check out anyway if FWD is an option for ya.
 

escort1991

New Member
If the AWD, go with a Suby. If FWD and wanting to lease, Focus is on the top of my list right now. I dont like the Chevs we have in our fleet. Hyundai has come a long way and they seem to run out well. I had an Elantra as a rental and it drove Pretty decent. Customers like the Sonatas. The current Mazda line hasn't done much for me except for the CX7/9. But, those are probably over budget.

It's a tough call on which way I would go if I was in your position.
 

dmention7

Hater
Not sure if it fits your bill at all, but I just picked up a 09 SX4, and if you're looking for an economical set of wheels with awd, it's a pretty darn good value. It's not a fully mechanical awd system like subaru uses, but the tradeoff is balanced by a bit better milage.

Anyway I'm pretty happy with the car fwiw.
 
Cruze is OK...last girl I dated has one and I drove it a few times...stock it's OK, add a Trifecta tune alone to the 1.4t and it makes a world of difference and still get the great mileage...I'm looking to pick up a Sonic 1.4t hatch in the spring/summer...that's what I've decided on between mileage and overall cost. I decided I want something brand new and it was between the Mazda2, Sonic, and a couple others...can't beat what you get in the Sonic over the 2 for the price.

Picklz...explain the Cruze...for Kelsey or you?
 
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