Ok so I have a 2002 Mazda Protege ES just about to turn 70K. It's been relatively trouble free and I'm sure it has another 70K in it, but I'm looking to move into something newer.
I have a long list of things I'm looking for in a car and I've been having trouble finding models that meet all of them, though some of them are a bit mutually exclusive and I will most likely have to give on one or two of them in the end. I don't have a strict budget but ~27k would be an absolute max.
What I'm looking for:
1. Reliable
2. Manual trans
3. Somewhat luxurious (don't need all the bells and whistles, but sunroof and heated seats would be nice)
4. More power (current Mazda is 130hp/132ft-lbs)
5. Decent mileage (~30 on highway would be nice)
6. FWD or AWD
7. Something a bit more spacious, but not too big
What I've looked at:
1. Honda Civic. Like the latest styling, can get the EX-L with heated seats, good mileage. About the same size as my Protege, but only 140hp/128ft-lbs, so no noticeable power difference. Could probably snag one for ~$20k.
1a. Honda Civic SI. Like the above, except it has the extra power, but not the luxury features. Requires premium fuel. Not much more than the Civic EX-L.
2. Acura TSX - Meets all my criteria. Test drove one over the weekend, it was very nice, 6spd was nice and smooth. Not crazy power, but a nice upgrade and would be enough for me. Only downside is the price, it's on the very upper end of my budget.
3. Mazda3 - To meet my critera, I'd have to get the s GT. Would have a bit more power than the Civic (156hp). Not quite as reliable/lower resale than the Honda.
3a. Mazdaspeed3. Similar to the Civic/SI comparo, has the power but lacks the luxury, and a bit more expensive than the SI. Not too big on the hatchback look.
4. Mazda6. The lower models don't seem much different than the upper end 3 models, except for size. The 3.0V6 would provide more power, but mileage wouldn't be so hot, also to get the luxury I'd need the sGT which looks to only come in auto.
5. Subaru Impreza. Decent power (170hp), no luxury, mileage not the best due to weight/AWD.
5a. Impreza WRX. Checked one out on Sunday, I like the new look, though a lot don't seem to like it. Couldn't test drive since it was Sunday. Has more than enough power, good reliability. Mileage isn't the best. To get the heated seats would have to get the premium package which has ground effects, spoiler, and other stuff I really don't want. With premium package it would approaching mid 20's, the upper end of my budget.
6. Subaru Legacy. All the base model has over the Impreza is size. GT version is nice, but similar in price to the TSX, i.e. upper end of budget.
7. Honda Accord. Went and checked them out. Not big on the new styling, and as others have said, it's friggin huge. An EX-L would run in the low/mid 20's. To get the V6 in a stick I'd have to get a coupe which I'm not sure I want.
I've only test driven the TSX so far, but will probably be driving some others over the next couple of months. I'm not looking to buy until next Spring.
Thoughts? Any other cars I should be looking at? Any new models coming out next year that would be worth waiting for?
I have a long list of things I'm looking for in a car and I've been having trouble finding models that meet all of them, though some of them are a bit mutually exclusive and I will most likely have to give on one or two of them in the end. I don't have a strict budget but ~27k would be an absolute max.
What I'm looking for:
1. Reliable
2. Manual trans
3. Somewhat luxurious (don't need all the bells and whistles, but sunroof and heated seats would be nice)
4. More power (current Mazda is 130hp/132ft-lbs)
5. Decent mileage (~30 on highway would be nice)
6. FWD or AWD
7. Something a bit more spacious, but not too big
What I've looked at:
1. Honda Civic. Like the latest styling, can get the EX-L with heated seats, good mileage. About the same size as my Protege, but only 140hp/128ft-lbs, so no noticeable power difference. Could probably snag one for ~$20k.
1a. Honda Civic SI. Like the above, except it has the extra power, but not the luxury features. Requires premium fuel. Not much more than the Civic EX-L.
2. Acura TSX - Meets all my criteria. Test drove one over the weekend, it was very nice, 6spd was nice and smooth. Not crazy power, but a nice upgrade and would be enough for me. Only downside is the price, it's on the very upper end of my budget.
3. Mazda3 - To meet my critera, I'd have to get the s GT. Would have a bit more power than the Civic (156hp). Not quite as reliable/lower resale than the Honda.
3a. Mazdaspeed3. Similar to the Civic/SI comparo, has the power but lacks the luxury, and a bit more expensive than the SI. Not too big on the hatchback look.
4. Mazda6. The lower models don't seem much different than the upper end 3 models, except for size. The 3.0V6 would provide more power, but mileage wouldn't be so hot, also to get the luxury I'd need the sGT which looks to only come in auto.
5. Subaru Impreza. Decent power (170hp), no luxury, mileage not the best due to weight/AWD.
5a. Impreza WRX. Checked one out on Sunday, I like the new look, though a lot don't seem to like it. Couldn't test drive since it was Sunday. Has more than enough power, good reliability. Mileage isn't the best. To get the heated seats would have to get the premium package which has ground effects, spoiler, and other stuff I really don't want. With premium package it would approaching mid 20's, the upper end of my budget.
6. Subaru Legacy. All the base model has over the Impreza is size. GT version is nice, but similar in price to the TSX, i.e. upper end of budget.
7. Honda Accord. Went and checked them out. Not big on the new styling, and as others have said, it's friggin huge. An EX-L would run in the low/mid 20's. To get the V6 in a stick I'd have to get a coupe which I'm not sure I want.
I've only test driven the TSX so far, but will probably be driving some others over the next couple of months. I'm not looking to buy until next Spring.
Thoughts? Any other cars I should be looking at? Any new models coming out next year that would be worth waiting for?