Replacing the Accord - suggestions?

[2o6]

The Civic is a good platform with a shitty interior which the ILX fixes.  It also actually looks pretty good (better then the TSX, IMO).  Less sporty is subjective, they are both more sporty then his old Accord.  Less useful is also a dumb comment considering he already has a pretty useful wagon and it?s not like the ILX is a tiny sardine that he can't fit anything inside.  He already mentioned liking the TSX but not wanting a sedan since he would then have the same car (and I agree, that would be boring).  The ILX has much of the same virtues of the TSX sedan while not being the same car. 

I dunno, it's still a FWD Acura sedan. Just seems like buying a TSX all over again.

[Laconian]

A cornucopia of cars test driven today:

Fiat 500C 6AT

Fiat 500 5MT

Both the Fiats were a lot of fun to drive. I noticed that the AT sucked a lot of life out of the 500C, which was already burdened by having the salesperson in the back seat (3 people is a lot to ask of such a small motor.) Steering feel was very nice once Sport mode was engaged - lots of heft, perhaps too much so?

The 5MT gave the car a lot of verve and was actually somewhat comfortable once I had adjusted the seat properly. I liked how zingy the motor was and how it could be revved to an inch of its life without breaking the speed limits (which was NOT the case for some of the other cars we drove today!) The clutch engagement point was remarkably high and took some getting used to, but once I had adjusted, it was actually quite easy and low effort to use. I don't know why the pedal has so much travel when only the top 15% is actually used.

The 500C convertible roof was interesting. The roof rails kept it from providing a true, liberating convertible experience. It was more like a really big sunroof. I suppose there are some pros to be had with that - wind buffeting was significantly lower in the 500 versus the Mustang or the MX5.

Mazda MX-5 NC PRHT
So much fun, so much sadness. I love this car to death and I can't drive it for more than 15 minutes without being in pain. Sucks.

Kia Rio hatchback 6AT
This is my shot at going for the "cheap and cheerful" category. Car felt very stable and quiet, but it was underpowered and the seats were uncomfortable. The economy numbers and price were appealing -- I'm sure it's a good appliance, but it's not a very interesting car overall.

2012 Mustang convertible V6
The V6 had plenty of power, more than enough to compensate for the parasitic automatic transmission. The "convertibleness" was very good too, almost as good as the MX5, and certainly better than the 500C's. Seats were comfortable, and I found that the Premium trim level's lumbar adjustment actually made them *very* good. I only wish the steering was less overboosted, and that the steering wheel was telescoping. Otherwise, a compelling choice.

Infiniti G37S sedan
Wow wow wow. Blew my socks off. Illegal speeds are yours in a fraction of a second. The power and the steering definitely emasculated the TSX. But unfortunately the car would be redundant with the TSX. A possible future replacement for that car, perhaps. But not a suitable car purchase for now. The convertible G-series is too expensive and too new to be found on the used market, and besides, the windowsills are way too fucking high.


Upcoming test drives:
Mini - wasn't considering it before, but as long as I'm looking at the 500, I might as well consider its arch-rival.
BMW 3-series cabriolet
Volvo C70
VW GTI
BMW Z4
???

[2o6]

I love the Fiat 500. That car had me crunching numbers before I bought my Yaris. It was just too small and too expensive for me.

[2o6]

If you're still considering "cheap and cheerful" the Mazda 2 and Fiesta blend what I liked about the 500 and what I liked about the Rio in one package.

[Laconian]

For some reason, I expect the 2 to have shitty seats. I don't know why I believe this.

[2o6]

For some reason, I expect the 2 to have shitty seats. I don't know why I believe this.

Get inside and check it out. I found the Mazda 2's driving position and seats to be better than the Fiesta. Mazda 2 also seemed like it had a bigger rear seat.

[ifcar]

For some reason, I expect the 2 to have shitty seats. I don't know why I believe this.

The 2 has better seats than the Rio or Fiesta -- those two have flat, thin cushions.

[2o6]

If it helps any, dealers are practically giving away Mazda 2's. I looked at a two-year old Elantra touring for 12.5K (pre-yaris, pre budget cut) and the dealer tried to upsell me into a Mazda 2 sport for 13,100. That price was before any incentives, discounts or haggling.

[Cookie Monster]

Damn, sucks about the Miata.

Also, I feel like getting a 2 or Fiesta would be silly as the autos seem terrible with such small engines but you don't want a manual... so....

[2o6]

Damn, sucks about the Miata.

Also, I feel like getting a 2 or Fiesta would be silly as the autos seem terrible with such small engines but you don't want a manual... so....

Mazda 2 - Maybe.

The automatic Fiesta I drove did just fine. Keep in mind this car is for commuting (right!?)

[Laconian]

Given my emphasis on comfort and enjoyment over price and economy, is the Mazda2 a better choice than the Mazda3?

[ifcar]

Given my emphasis on comfort and enjoyment over price and economy, is the Mazda2 a better choice than the Mazda3?

Depends on how you find their respective seating positions. The Mazda2's is higher and more upright.

[2o6]

Given my emphasis on comfort and enjoyment over price and economy, is the Mazda2 a better choice than the Mazda3?

If you're going to go that route, consider the Chevy Cruze.

[Laconian]

Yes, it's for commuting, though the commute itself is only 4 miles and pretty damn easy.

[2o6]

Yes, it's for commuting, though the commute itself is only 4 miles and pretty damn easy.

Prius Plug-In?

[Cookie Monster]

Mazda 2 - Maybe.

The automatic Fiesta I drove did just fine. Keep in mind this car is for commuting (right!?)

Yeah but considering they were looking at cars like the G and have a theoretical $30k limit, is it a good idea to settle for "good enough"?

[CJ]

Drive a C70.  They're really pretty good. 

[2o6]

Renault Medallion?

[Laconian]

Prius Plug-In?

I'm not an unthusiast. Driving the MX5 reminded me of how wonderful it is to drive a sportscar. I need to find a way to get that feeling again. The G actually came close to the levels of feedback of the that car, hence why the 3-series cabriolet is interesting -- perhaps a sports coupe is my salvation...

[Laconian]

Oh, also: I stopped by the Toyota/Scion dealership and asked about the FR-S. They didn't have any in stock, but they said I could look at an employee's FR-S if I wanted to see what it looked like. Sure, why not - I hadn't seen any in person before. Wow, it looked amazing! And, wow, it is low to the ground! Unbelievably so! Definitely a non-starter.

[Laconian]

Drive a C70.  They're really pretty good. 

That's not a bad choice for Seattle weather, actually. Hmm.

[CJ]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=88856497&listingRecNum=5&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26alMdId%3D20751%26mkId%3D20044%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D20751%26rd%3D30%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D98101%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26alMkId%3D20044%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1


There's a nice one.

[2o6]

I think a Renault Medallion would be a great idea.

[Madman]

If it helps any, dealers are practically giving away Mazda 2's. I looked at a two-year old Elantra touring for 12.5K (pre-yaris, pre budget cut) and the dealer tried to upsell me into a Mazda 2 sport for 13,100. That price was before any incentives, discounts or haggling.

It's a pity the Mazda 2 doesn't seem to be selling.  I looked one over on the showroom floor at the Mazda dealer and it seems to be a fine little car.  It was surprising roomy for such a small package, good quality materials, solid feeling controls and everything appeared to be well screwed together.  Another good car shamefully overlooked by the unwashed masses.

Renault Medallion?

Good luck finding one!  It's one of few quirky/weird cars from the last thirty years I haven't owned!

[2o6]

It's a pity the Mazda 2 doesn't seem to be selling.  I looked one over on the showroom floor at the Mazda dealer and it seems to be a fine little car.  It was surprising roomy for such a small package, good quality materials, solid feeling controls and everything appeared to be well screwed together.  Another good car shamefully overlooked by the unwashed masses.

I wouldn't say it's shamefully overlooked; the powertrain is pretty lackluster, both MT and AT alike.

Good luck finding one!  It's one of few quirky/weird cars from the last thirty years I haven't owned!

The proportions on those Medallions are delightfully European.....




Look at those big rear doors!

[Eye of the Tiger]

I saw the pictures of those two heaps of car and I didn't even have to scroll up to see who posted them...

[2o6]

I saw the pictures of those two heaps of car and I didn't even have to scroll up to see who posted them...

I never said the Medallion was GOOD. I just said it was European. 

[Laconian]

GTFO with these ridiculous 80's Euro crapboxes!

[2o6]

GTFO with these ridiculous 80's Euro crapboxes!

I have one as my car of the month. It's not possible for a few more days. 

[CJ]

Kevo, check your PMs.