WHICH VEHICLE WOULD YOU PICK?

[ReKcOhS]

My sister is buying a new car and we've went to the auto show and richmond auto mall to look for cars.
Her budget is $30,000 or less (after tax) and she wants an Auto Transmission.
The cars she has in mind and we've got quoted for are:

Nissan Altima 2.5 S $27,500 (Richmond)
Mini Cooper Classic: $30,033 (Richmond)
Honda Civic LX Coupe: $24,500 (Richmond)

All the above cars and prices are after tax, freight, accessories, etc...

Other considerations include:

Mazda 3 Sport (why choose other cars when you know it's one of the best out of the class? lol.. well she wants something different)
Volkswagen Golf GL MSRP $22,000
Acura RSX MSRP $25,000 (AT)
maybe, Toyota Celica or Matrix, but I dont wanna sound like a hater, but I just dont like Toyota

I've test driven the Mini Cooper, and the Altima and I think me and my dad scared the crap outta the sales person...hahaha we both ripped it...but I really wanted to see how well it performs....but when i test drove the Mazda 3 back then i didn't rip it at all...dont know why...lol..
Mini has no power what's so ever...that thing probably takes like 10 sec to reach 100 km/hr, very loud (exhaust) too stiff, and way too cramped for me, but I like the design of the whole car (exterior and interior) but I dont think it's worth 30 K...Altima has lots of power 175 HP...it's got lots of space, I like the rear lights, but aside from that, nothing special about the exterior or interior. I've driven the RSX and the Civic (sedan) before, and I know how it feels, it's more similar to the 3....Volkwagen Golf feels the same as the Mini Cooper as well....well to me anyways...

I am leaning more towards the Altima since we've negotiated a reasonable price and it's pretty powerful...
but I've always like Honda's and Acura's so I would say the RSX, but we've haven't went to a dealership yet to negotiate on a price...

what do you guys think??

[tonyzoomzoom]

Would u consider the Mazda 6 or the slight cheaper Sentra Spec-V ?

[Inno]

hmm if u want space, as family car, go for altima, definitely..

they hv this 2.5S extra that's without extra cost.... u get a lot of goodies for the base price...


if u dun care about insurance, RSX would be a nice choice....altho that's also a base version u're looking at? so i would throw that off the list if not the premium version at least



-golf too small, under power, mini the same, but would be nice for a girl tho...

-civic is a no brainer, 3 would be also very NICE..

but im sure under 30k after tax, a Camry would do too..but depends on ur sister......surely the altima looks more stylish, but only 4speed auto (pricing wise, go for altima) (too bad u hate Toyota)

[Inno]

Would u consider the Mazda 6 or the slight cheaper Sentra Spec-V ?

um if for a guy, yeah, but it's for his sister...

so i guess altima would suit more for the taste....plus also u do get lots more goodies on the altima than u would for the 6 with the same money

[ReKcOhS]

hmm if u want space, as family car, go for altima, definitely..

they hv this 2.5S extra that's without extra cost.... u get a lot of goodies for the base price...


if u dun care about insurance, RSX would be a nice choice....altho that's also a base version u're looking at? so i would throw that off the list if not the premium version at least



-golf too small, under power, mini the same, but would be nice for a girl tho...

-civic is a no brainer, 3 would be also very NICE..

but im sure under 30k after tax, a Camry would do too..but depends on ur sister......surely the altima looks more stylish, but only 4speed auto (pricing wise, go for altima) (too bad u hate Toyota)

Yeah that's the one I was looking at, the 2.5 Extra Pkg, where we negotiated with the sales guy to $27,500 after tax, freight...
the extra pkg is only $500 extra from the base and it includes power mirrors windows, 15" RIMS...so that is a pretty good deal..cus $500 you can only get 2 sets of wheels if your lucky...
as for Sentra, yea we've looked at it..dont really like it...Mazda 6 is over the budget...

but yeah, not a family car, she's the only one driving it, for work, so I dont see why she would want a big car just for the sake of it...plus I forgot to mention that it has to be fuel efficient since gas prices are like up to a freaking dollar a litre.....so that's why i am leaning more towards a base model RSX

[Ice-520]

I would take the cooper, altho it is not the S, so it is a bit underpowered, but the handeling and chassis is still great and should be a fun car to drive

[Inno]

well yeah... mini would be more fuel effiecient than the RSX....

tho the base mini would not be as alive as RSX, but i suppose it would be quite fun as well....

[ReKcOhS]

well yeah... mini would be more fuel effiecient than the RSX....

tho the base mini would not be as alive as RSX, but i suppose it would be quite fun as well....

Actually they are both the same for fuel efficiency...RSX is 9.3L / 100 KM and Mini is around there too..if i remembered correctly it's 9.0
but 160HP vs. 115HP...
I used to drive a Volvo and I dont remember European cars being that stiff...I guess I am not used to it...but yeah i dont like stiffness, too sensitive...

[Ice-520]

but sensitive is and direct road feel is what a sporty car suppose to be.....

however that's just me, maybe you would like a more relaxing  driving style

[ReKcOhS]

I guess I am saying it wrong...
what I am saying is that I guess the suspension in that car is not as great as other cars...that's what I meant by being "stiff," every bump I will be able to feel it as opposed to a benz I would probably not feel it... or an Audi...but then again..diff class...lol...
and as for sportiness...I dont find it sporty at all...115 HP and me putting my foot all da way down on da pedals and not getting any response doesn't feel sporty at all...lol...

[Ice-520]

well....to me...sporty doesn't have to do with power......
I really don't mine to feel everything on the road...cuz I think I have turned to the kindda the guy that don't care if there is even a cd player in the car
starting to feel silly getting the moonroof option already....

I can see that u would like more luxury...

[Inno]

well first of all, the reported fuel consumption is more than misleading.......

i find that for most japanese cars, their fuel efficiency seem so high because if u turn on A/C, heat defrost, etc etc, the consumption will shoot high........while for european cars are not that way........put in A/C and u're still about the same fuel consumption...................just my 2 cents

[Username]

Just curious, why only a Golf GL? Hard to compare a $22k car to a $27k one.

Also, Mazda 6's aren't moving as fast as Mazda would like. Check for incentive offers and really, you will get a lot of room off of MSRP if you try negotiating. Out of the cars you suggested, I would go for the RSX. The Altima doesn't do much for me. Most imporantly, have you let your sister drive any of the cars? She may have different needs then you guys.

My suggestions would be amongst the 6, RSX or an Accord LX.

Best of luck!!

? Kevin
?

[Inno]

oh... plz not an accord!! the base accord.. IMO, feels more cheap than an Echo

[rancid]

go with the Altima.  It's a better choice of the listed....plus insurance won't kill you like the RSX.

[M Speed]

well since it is for your sister, which I don't think performance is the main concern.

Things need to consider for car
RSX, Civic = expensive insurance
Cooper Classic look lame with lack of options (hell it has 4 pgs of options and 6 set of rims to choose from)
VW/Audi prone to electrical problems

I would suggest corolla or matrix
good resale value
toyota = reliable

or maybe camry SE I4..........

I personally hate the bulky design of new nissans......

[Inno]

i think the Camry SE I4 would be a bit overpriced.........but sure, go with altima for reasons like rancid suggested.....

i never pick 2 doors cuz of the expensive insurance!!!

[M Speed]

i think the Camry SE I4 would be a bit overpriced.........

SE I4 is 26895+tax = 30660.3.........

I hate altima......so I have no comment on it....

[_Haro]

i reallllly like the new RSX.......something about it.. looks more refined than old RSX
T_T


Altima SE-R doesn't look bad....but i don't like overall shape of it, and i like the rear of the maxima more....

[Inno]

i reallllly like the new RSX.......something about it.. looks more refined than old RSX
T_T


Altima SE-R doesn't look bad....but i don't like overall shape of it, and i like the rear of the maxima more....

well it IS MORE REFINED... wut r u talking about~!~ lol..

hmm altima SE-R of corz nice.....but more $$ ...way more than that budget man...