Car to eventually replace the Accord (Miata RIP)

[68_427]

Holding out hope for an auto is a lost cause with these cars.

Taking a pit stop,  but so far we have driven the Edge and a FX35. Will try the CX7 soon.

You could ship a $26K Outback XT 5spd from Texas.  Limited trim in a nice brown metallic color.

[Raza]

Holding out hope for an auto is a lost cause with these cars.

Taking a pit stop,  but so far we have driven the Edge and a FX35. Will try the CX7 soon.

Automatics are silly.  You're a man, get a manual.  Find a stickshift 9-3 or 9-5 wagon.  Enjoy the bath in stereotypes.

[Laconian]

What has Subaru done??!?!?! This is so goddamn confusing!

Forester: you only get the stick shift if you go with the lowest tier model. Otherwise you're stuck with that awful 4 speed auto. EVEN WITH A TURBO. A four speed auto plus turbo equals bad times.

Outback: you only get the stick shift if you go with the HIGHEST tier model. And where did the turbo motors go?

This brand has lost the plot. Ugh.

[Cookie Monster]

What has Subaru done??!?!?! This is so goddamn confusing!

Forester: you only get the stick shift if you go with the lowest tier model. Otherwise you're stuck with that awful 4 speed auto. EVEN WITH A TURBO. A four speed auto plus turbo equals bad times.

Outback: you only get the stick shift if you go with the HIGHEST tier model. And where did the turbo motors go?

This brand has lost the plot. Ugh.

Obviously this means that you should get an STI.

[Laconian]

Quick thoughts on the cars we've driven:

'11 Edge Limited: Surprisingly good!! Solidly built, tracked nicely, good steering radius and comfy seats. Computerized dashboard not as obnoxious as I feared. I get an X-plan discount on it. It seems like pretty substantial car for $32k.

'08 FX35: Best part about it was the steering. Loved the heavy meaty feel around town, and it lightened up and became incredibly agile and tight at speed. It drove like a smaller car. But, alas, it drank gas like a truck! The interior was clearly mid-oughts vintage, feeling much like our Accord in many respects. Certain details were a big improvement, like the quality of the leather and the adjustability of the driver's seat, but in general it didn't feel like a major upgrade over our existing car like the Edge did. Glad I got the chance to drive it, but not going to buy it.

'11 CX7 Grand Touring: Much better than I remember. Sure, the rake of the windshield makes it feel a little like looking through a mailbox slit, but the truth is that you can still see the parts of the road that matter. Dashboard is spare but well designed. Seats are comfortable but the lack of side bolsters makes taking corners unpleasant. Lots of power from the turbo motor, not off the line, but on the highway - it surges to high speeds effortlessly. Brakes modulation was utterly fantastic, not grabby, not spongy, just right. Rear seat comfort isn't great, thanks to the high floor and a weird bulge in the cushion right in the middle where passengers' asses would be. Nav lacked voice recognition capability. Hmm.

[Laconian]

Boyfriend's reaction to the Juke: O_O WTF THAT LOOKS AWESOME

OK, we're going to test drive it, then.

[Cookie Monster]

Boyfriend's reaction to the Juke: O_O WTF THAT LOOKS AWESOME

OK, we're going to test drive it, then.

At least if you get the Juke, you can get a manual and it'll be far under your $30k budget!

[CALL_911]

You're a fan of the Puke, Laconian?

[SVT666]

My sister and her husband love their Edge.  

[Laconian]

You're a fan of the Puke, Laconian?

I think could warm up to the styling. It depends on the functional compromise that it strikes and how well it drives. You have to admit that the specs are intriguing.

[CALL_911]

I think could warm up to the styling. It depends on the functional compromise that it strikes and how well it drives. You have to admit that the specs are intriguing.

That they are. It is a cool little car, I won't deny that.

But man, it is hideous.

[Laconian]

This might be so hideous that it goes full circle and becomes awesome. The first generation Scion xB did that to me. Need to see it in the metal first, probably tomorrow morning.

We might check out the Rogue at the same time, but that's the same car that my blatantly racist neighbor drives...

[CALL_911]

This might be so hideous that it goes full circle and becomes awesome. The first generation Scion xB did that to me. Need to see it in the metal first, probably tomorrow morning.

We might check out the Rogue at the same time, but that's the same car that my blatantly racist neighbor drives...

It's at that point of ugly where it just can't grow on me. It just looks too outlandish.

I fucking HATE the Rogue. I have no idea why, either. Probably the same reason I hate the Altima.

[Laconian]

My sister and her husband love their Edge. 

There's a lot to like. It changed my boyfriend's mind on Ford. He won a Mustang GT in an office raffle about 6 years ago and he thought it was a piece of shit (coming from a guy that grew up on Peugeot 505s and Twingos, OUCH!!) He was converted after spending some time in that Edge and seeing what Fords can be like when they aren't based on 30 year old chassis or constrained by rental car fleet budgets.

[CALL_911]

If you're checking out Nissan, would you consider the Xterra?

[the Teuton]

There's a lot to like. It changed my boyfriend's mind on Ford. He won a Mustang GT in an office raffle about 6 years ago and he thought it was a piece of shit (coming from a guy that grew up on Peugeot 505s and Twingos, OUCH!!) He was converted after spending some time in that Edge and seeing what Fords can be like when they aren't based on 30 year old chassis or constrained by rental car fleet budgets.

Wait, your significant other is straight up Frenchy? And he lost the point of the Mustang? WTF.

Me LOVES Ford. Om nom nom nom! 

Fixed.

[Rupert]

If you're checking out Nissan, would you consider the Xterra?

What the hell for? Too big, too shitty gas mileage, drives like a truck...

[mzziaz]

Bah, I'd get a used XC60. I really like them, both inside and out.

Bimmers and Benzes too expensive?

[Raza]

I think could warm up to the styling. It depends on the functional compromise that it strikes and how well it drives. You have to admit that the specs are intriguing.

It's so fucking ugly that everyone on the design team should be blinded and everyone who likes it should be piled high and set on fire. 

[mzziaz]

It's so fucking ugly that everyone on the design team should be blinded and everyone who likes it should be piled high and set on fire. 

Yes, and to top it off, it's boring inside.

[68_427]

Laconian have you checked last Gen Outbacks?  Your local Subaru dealer might have and outback XT with a manual.  I'm really glad you guys are trying sweet Juke its sweet.

[Madman]

Nobody has mentioned the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?  (looks sort of like the outlander, only smaller)  I haven't seen one up close yet but it looks like a nice little package.  I know there's not a lot of Mitsu-love out there but I'm sure the dealers will be ecstatic just to see somebody walking in the door!  You could probably swing one helluva deal, too.

Honda CR-V is also a good, safe bet.

[CALL_911]

What the hell for? Too big, too shitty gas mileage, drives like a truck...

I guess you're right. I fucking love those things though, they're just so cool.

I'd still buy one.

Laconian have you checked last Gen Outbacks?  Your local Subaru dealer might have and outback XT with a manual.  I'm really glad you guys are trying sweet Juke its sweet.

Dude, you've mentioned the last gen Outback like 123908219038029138 times. I think it's safe to assume he doesn't want one.

[68_427]

Why would he consider the new one but not the old one?  The only thing the new one has over the 08/9 is a little extra space.  I also priced a Countryman S to $31K, so while it could be doable I don't think it has anything over the Juke.  Although both the Juke and Countryman should be satisfying to drive I'm not sure the space will be enough if you guys are used to an Accord.

[2o6]

This might be so hideous that it goes full circle and becomes awesome. The first generation Scion xB did that to me. Need to see it in the metal first, probably tomorrow morning.

We might check out the Rogue at the same time, but that's the same car that my blatantly racist neighbor drives...

To me, it's a butterface. It has an athletic body, but an odd face.

[2o6]

Laconian have you checked last Gen Outbacks?  Your local Subaru dealer might have and outback XT with a manual.  I'm really glad you guys are trying sweet Juke its sweet.
[/quote


They're boring.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Do you want an auto or a stick?  What about a 9-3 wagon?

The backseat would not be that accommodating for driving old people in the backseat. Rear entry/exit is reasonable for most people under the age of 60 and those under 6'2".

[the Teuton]

The backseat would not be that accommodating for driving old people in the backseat. Rear entry/exit is reasonable for most people under the age of 60 and those under 6'2".

His in-laws (?) are French it would seem. They're used to cramped, uncomfortable small cars.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Nobody has mentioned the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?  (looks sort of like the outlander, only smaller)  I haven't seen one up close yet but it looks like a nice little package.  I know there's not a lot of Mitsu-love out there but I'm sure the dealers will be ecstatic just to see somebody walking in the door!  You could probably swing one helluva deal, too.

Honda CR-V is also a good, safe bet.

He already mentioned it earlier. He likes it, but has no confidence in Mitsubishi staying in the market. I really do like it, but why not just go up market and get the more comfortable Outlander GT other than not having a stick?

[Secret Chimp]

Won a Mustang GT in a raffle? I need to get in on those raffles.