GF is car shopping

[Joe G]

R3v,

I come to you for your infinite wisdom on a wide variety of vehicles.

My GF is currently looking for a new car/suv. Her budget is around $10,000 but she will go up to a MAX of $12,000.

Seeking a vehicle with the following:
2008 or Newer
75K miles or less
FWD or AWD
22-25MPG city 28+MPG highway
Safe
Reliable
Relatively low maintenance cost
Big enough for 2 adults and or a dog (dalmatian)
Somewhat well optioned (CD player, Leather?, electric seats, sunroof)


Basically the nicest, most reliable, MPG friendly car/small SUV under $10K.

She is looking at the following: Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volvo S40, Mini Cooper, Mazda 3, and maybe a few more that escape my mind.

What is R3vs experience with vehicles that fit the aforementioned criteria? Thoughts, suggestions, experiences, and opinions welcome!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Joe

[LJ851]

How the fuck can we accurately assist you without pictures of your girlfriend ?

[phreshkid]

It sounds like what she really wants is an e30

[EclipseMTL]

Sounds like someone needs to get a e34 Touring.

[Joe G]

It sounds like what she really wants is an e30

YES

Sounds like someone needs to get a e34 Touring.

double YES

[butters]

I'll bite. First thing that comes to mind - VW 2.0T anything... GTI, GLI, Passat. Great cars, keep up with maintenance and the owner will be happy. TSI motors have no timing belt to deal with (though really, not a big deal on the FSI which will be less expensive). Plus if you go auto, you get a DSG box. TDI are still quite pricey, I think $10k buys a 150k-mi car.

Minis are nice, but I considered suggesting for my mom until I read that the ride is a bit "sporty" (pretty firm). Mazda probably is the same way, and a friend has a speed3 and I think it's pretty junky inside compared to a VW. My 2 cents.

[Wschnitz]

Stay the Fuck away from Mazdas, I work there, PIECES OF SHIT, same goes for Hyundais.

[Cabriolet]

she wants a Toyota 4runner.
/thread


tow vehicle for you. car for her to DD w/o issues

[Joe G]

Stay the Fuck away from Mazdas, I work there, PIECES OF SHIT, same goes for Hyundais.

Care to elaborate?

[Wschnitz]

Hyundais = cheapest interiors in the world, everything is an afterthough, including silly things like charging ports. Everything is in an awkward place, etc. Mazdas are better, but the Speed3s pour gas out of the exhaust, its like its running rich 24/7. 6's are ok, not my choice, but if you want a cheap appliance with a stiff ride go ahead, mazda 3 wagons are boring, the auto trans sucks, and they are always beat to shit and have issues.

[chadthestampede]

Stay the Fuck away from Mazdas, I work there, PIECES OF SHIT, same goes for Hyundais.

My girlfriend has a 2008 Mazda 3 and she has had almost zero problems with it, with the exception of a few ruined tpms sensors. It gets good mileage, is relatively good looking and comfortable.

EDIT: To elaborate, she's put around 40,000 miles on it, including a cross country road trip.

[ME30W]

mazda 3 (not the speed3) is a fantastic car

[Joe G]

My girlfriend has a 2008 Mazda 3 and she has had almost zero problems with it, with the exception of a few ruined tpms sensors. It gets good mileage, is relatively good looking and comfortable.

mazda 3 (not the speed3) is a fantastic car

I think that car is what she is leaning towards. Found a few local 1 owner cars with reasonable miles in her price range. Aside from being a relatively inexpensive car with a fairly basic interior/trim, what complaints or issues have you experienced with Mazda 3s?

[chadthestampede]

I think that car is what she is leaning towards. Found a few local 1 owner cars with reasonable miles in her price range. Aside from being a relatively inexpensive car with a fairly basic interior/trim, what complaints or issues have you experienced with Mazda 3s?

The only annoyances I've noticed is that the headlight bulbs are a PITA to install and that she's bent up the stock wheels to basically 4 octagons, although that might be because she hits every pothole in the road. The aforementioned TPMS sensors as well, but that might be due to her driving habits as well.

It's an appliance, but it works.

[Wschnitz]

Yea Mazda 3s are not bad, just enjoy replacing headlights and tpms sensors, that's what they come in for all the time


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