Grad School: Looking for a nice/cool/reliable car.

[college_student]

Hi all,

Moving to a new city for grad school. Looking to buy a new car. My budget is ~$22K, but of course I would like to spend as little as possible.

Things I care about:
- Exterior doesn't look like crap >.>

- Technology Integration -- I would love it if I could integrate my smart phone via bluetooth or something, and be able to control the iPod app on the phone using buttons on the steering wheel. Don't care about navigation system because I have Google Maps on my phone. If I can answer calls/texts, that would be gravy, but not a deal breaker.

- A moon/sunroof would be cool.

- Not too expensive to upkeep (read: MPG, oil change cost, etc).


Long story short, I'm leaning towards a 2013 Honda Civic EX-L. I'm undecided between the coupe/sedan. You guys have an opinion?

What do you all think? Feel free to suggest other cars that fit the stuff I like above.

Thanks,
-DV

 

[superccs]

a CRX with an Alpine headunit.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Focus, Mazda 3, dodge dart, prius if you like the look. Hopefully the civic isn't 22k

 

[AmdEmAll]

Subaru BRZ

 

[Dumac]

Subaru BRZ

A little above 22k.

 

[Fenixgoon]

buy my genesis coupe!

 

[boomhower]

A Mazda 3 Grand Touring pretty much ticks every box on your list depending on your feelings on the looks. It maxes the budget and you'll have to do a little dealing with the dealer but if your decent at negotiating it won't be impossible. You have a pretty long list of wants to hit that price point with a new car, particularly the tech features and sunroof as both are expensive to equip.

 

[Yuriman]

I am pretty much a Honda guy but I was impressed by the Mazda 3 last time I sat in one.

I'd personally buy an S2000 but it's not a one-size-fits-all car.

 

[jlee]

You can get a 2013 Focus with MyTouch for just over $22k MSRP, but I have no experience with them.

Are you looking for new only?

 

[mmntech]

Can't go wrong with the Civic. Though I'd get the sedan. Insurance is obscene on the coupes.

 

[NutBucket]

Coupe because an EX sedan isn't available with an MT.

And My Ford Touch HD is way more "techy" than anything else in the segment. Car isn't bad either I still don't like their Powershift trans though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Scion TC seems to be a popular choice.

 

[vshah]

can't go wrong with a civic! i've had mine for 7 years, no problems.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The versatility of a Hatchback is nice as they have a ton of cargo room.

Ford Focus with MyFordTouch would be my pick and I have had a Titanium model for the past 16 months that has been trouble free. Quite a bit sportier than the Civic with a superior suspension setup and 6spd DCT Automatic.

 

[college_student]

Thanks all. This thread has actually made my decision harder!!

So contenders:
1. Civic EX-L Sedan (~22K).
2. Ford Focus (which trim?? S? Titanium?)

I didn't like how the Mazda3 looks, and it lacks many of the tech features I'd like to have.
BRZ looks awesome, but not practical for me. I've decided to forget about coupes altogether for this car. Maybe someday!

Anyone have pros/cons for Focus vs Civic (along the lines of what Fmr12B said; thanks btw)? Price is an important consideration. I absolutely cannot go over $25K.

Thanks!!

 

[Born2bwire]

I'm just getting out and I got a Ford Focus in the Titanium trim. I'm really liking it so far. If you need to get one soon, you can get some really good rebates on the 2013 models ($3250 w/ student discount) right now. But they have stopped producing the 2013 and have started the 2014 models. So if you order, you'll get the newer model in say August or September without all the discounts. But you can get out the door at just below $25K with a 2013 Titanium trim with the moonroof if you can find one that does not have too many extras.

I did not consider the Civic when I was buying. The Ford models are really the best that I found when it came to getting features in a compact car. You can use bluetooth to take calls using Sync (and it should upload your phonebook and send and receive text messages too). It can play audio off of your Ipod (I use a USB thumb drive myself) and it can also do Pandora if you have a data plan if I recall correctly. There are not many audio controls on the steering wheel, just volume and track/scan. Most of the interaction is done using the touch display which can be a bit slow and distracting. However, as I have been learning the voice commands I have found that they are much easier. I can just say, "Play Album <Album Name>" to start an album for example. The voice commands to browse are limited to searching and refining your search (you can search within genres, albums, etc). One thing that I haven't made much use of is to play similar music. That may help compensate for the inability to randomly browse using the voice commands.

So the technology package is really good on the Focus Titanium but there is a learning curve that you really need to tackle if you are going to make use of the system.

 

[college_student]

I'm just getting out and I got a Ford Focus in the Titanium trim. I'm really liking it so far. If you need to get one soon, you can get some really good rebates on the 2013 models ($3250 w/ student discount) right now. But they have stopped producing the 2013 and have started the 2014 models. So if you order, you'll get the newer model in say August or September without all the discounts. But you can get out the door at just below $25K with a 2013 Titanium trim with the moonroof if you can find one that does not have too many extras.

I did not consider the Civic when I was buying. The Ford models are really the best that I found when it came to getting features in a compact car. You can use bluetooth to take calls using Sync (and it should upload your phonebook and send and receive text messages too). It can play audio off of your Ipod (I use a USB thumb drive myself) and it can also do Pandora if you have a data plan if I recall correctly. There are not many audio controls on the steering wheel, just volume and track/scan. Most of the interaction is done using the touch display which can be a bit slow and distracting. However, as I have been learning the voice commands I have found that they are much easier. I can just say, "Play Album <Album Name>" to start an album for example. The voice commands to browse are limited to searching and refining your search (you can search within genres, albums, etc). One thing that I haven't made much use of is to play similar music. That may help compensate for the inability to randomly browse using the voice commands.

So the technology package is really good on the Focus Titanium but there is a learning curve that you really need to tackle if you are going to make use of the system.

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply!!

The moonroof is not a deal breaker. I can easily live without it. Do you have an iPhone or another smartphone? Is it easy to connect an iPhone, and then switch songs back and forth from the steering wheel? I know in some cars the bluetooth audio only lets you use the speakers as an external bluetooth speaker. It doesn't let you change the songs back and forth. Is this the case with the Titanium?

Thanks!

 

[NutBucket]

I don't like the Ford's auto trans. That alone would push me towards a Civic if I was limited to an automatic.

Both the Civic and Focus have infotainment systems that allow full control of an iDevice. Should be similar with Android too but I'm not absolutely sure about that.

 

[college_student]

^whats wrong with the auto trans?
Yes, automatic is a requirement.

 

[Eureka]

Most non-specialty cars will have a moonroof. A lot of newer cars have good tech integration. Upkeep is going to be the same, more or less. Avoid German cars if you want a car to be a bit more lenient in maintenance slips.

So it comes down to a car you like. Find cars that you like looking at and sitting in. Then drive them.

I think the Honda CR-Z would make a nice car. The new Dart looks good too. And the newest Fords (Focus/Fiesta/Fusion/etc) have more electronics than you could ever need.

If it's a city car, I would avoid a larger car like the accord. Go small, lightweight as it will help on gas mileage (engine choice matters much less than car weight for mpg), and will be easier to park. If it's a city car, don't spend 22k as it will get banged up, unless you're OK with that.

I would look into the CR-Z. It's a hybrid that drives sporty, has a good interior and good electronics, and very compact. I also agree with the Focus recommendation above.

 

[NutBucket]

I can't imagine the CR-Z being "sporty" with the CVT. I certainly wouldn't have bought mine with a CVT.

 

[Born2bwire]

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply!!

The moonroof is not a deal breaker. I can easily live without it. Do you have an iPhone or another smartphone? Is it easy to connect an iPhone, and then switch songs back and forth from the steering wheel? I know in some cars the bluetooth audio only lets you use the speakers as an external bluetooth speaker. It doesn't let you change the songs back and forth. Is this the case with the Titanium?

Thanks!

I have a fairly dumb smartphone. It can connect via bluetooth but it cannot upload the phone book. I have no doubt that a more recent phone or one that is a true smartphone can achieve the full functionality. But the car pairs with the phone so that it automatically connects to it whenever you start up. Since it loads your phonebook, you can simply choose, or say, to call so-and-so. My phone, lacking the phonebook upload, I have to input the actual numbers.

Choosing tracks is easy, you can switch between tracks on the steering wheel. If you want to switch albums, artists, genres, playlists, etc., you need to use a voice command or the touch interface. The car indexes the songs that you have and organizes them based upon the tags. I have had problems browsing by files and folders. For some reason, folder view will not organize the songs correctly. My format is tracknumber.title (01.Sunshine and Lollipops). The car ignores the number and orders it alphabetically by the title. I don't know how to fix this but this goes away if you view by albums which uses the track number in the tags to organize the list. This is just using a memory stick though. I don't know if the functionality changes if you use an MP3 player.

Taking a quick look at the Civic, a few things that the Focus will have are remote start, LED ambient lighting, and satellite radio are standard. The Civic though has the moonroof standard. Don't know if the Civic has push to start though, that's really nice about the Focus. I don't take my key or phone out of my pocket now.

I would still do test drives. The downside of the Focus is the transmission. I moved from a Nissan Altima 2.5S and while the Focus has a slightly more powerful engine (160 HP vs. 150 HP), it doesn't always feel like that's true. That's probably because I am more gentle on the acceleration in the Focus because the transmission shifts much better when doing so. If you are hard on the gas, the gear changes feel more awkward. It feels much better as I have gotten use to driving the car. You should also be given a demonstration if you bring your phone and/or Ipod with you.

 

[Overgloc]

If you can wait the 2014 Toyota Corolla coming out soon. 40+ MPG http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/02/2014-toyota-corolla-images-leaked-through-forum.html

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Honda Accord. Very nice vehicle. Assuming the dealer would budge on the price.

I got my Sport for 24k USD out the door price.

 

[college_student]

I have a fairly dumb smartphone. It can connect via bluetooth but it cannot upload the phone book. I have no doubt that a more recent phone or one that is a true smartphone can achieve the full functionality. But the car pairs with the phone so that it automatically connects to it whenever you start up. Since it loads your phonebook, you can simply choose, or say, to call so-and-so. My phone, lacking the phonebook upload, I have to input the actual numbers.

Choosing tracks is easy, you can switch between tracks on the steering wheel. If you want to switch albums, artists, genres, playlists, etc., you need to use a voice command or the touch interface. The car indexes the songs that you have and organizes them based upon the tags. I have had problems browsing by files and folders. For some reason, folder view will not organize the songs correctly. My format is tracknumber.title (01.Sunshine and Lollipops). The car ignores the number and orders it alphabetically by the title. I don't know how to fix this but this goes away if you view by albums which uses the track number in the tags to organize the list. This is just using a memory stick though. I don't know if the functionality changes if you use an MP3 player.

Taking a quick look at the Civic, a few things that the Focus will have are remote start, LED ambient lighting, and satellite radio are standard. The Civic though has the moonroof standard. Don't know if the Civic has push to start though, that's really nice about the Focus. I don't take my key or phone out of my pocket now.

I would still do test drives. The downside of the Focus is the transmission. I moved from a Nissan Altima 2.5S and while the Focus has a slightly more powerful engine (160 HP vs. 150 HP), it doesn't always feel like that's true. That's probably because I am more gentle on the acceleration in the Focus because the transmission shifts much better when doing so. If you are hard on the gas, the gear changes feel more awkward. It feels much better as I have gotten use to driving the car. You should also be given a demonstration if you bring your phone and/or Ipod with you.

Thanks a lot for the detailed response!!

Honda Accord. Very nice vehicle. Assuming the dealer would budge on the price.

I got my Sport for 24k USD out the door price.

Yea, the sport does look quite nice. However, I'm looking for a "smaller," i.e. lighter, shorter, etc. car. In that regard, I think the Civic EX-L is a better fit for me.

I like everything I've heard about the Focus and the Civic. I'm leaning towards the Civic, but I might give them both a test drive soon!