Recomment a sub-$15k used zippy commuter sedan

[slackerinabox]

Our minivan makes a terrible daily driver (great for when the kids are along, terrible getting to my wife's work, where they charge $10 more per day to park larger vehicles). What's a relatively sporty, decent gas mileaged commuter car? Something that can fit two car seats in the back in an absolute pinch, but is primarily focused on the driver's comfort and drivability. She likes domestic (I'm no fan but she likes the charger, chevy muscle) and german, though I'm trying to convince her to like asian because used hyundai's are cheap A used VW seems ideal for her tastes but I've heard they're a nightmare reliability wise. Is that still the case? Suggestions?

 

[Crono]

If you can convince her to go Japanese, the Mazda 3 fits the bill. It's middle name is "relatively sporty, decent gas mileaged commuter car" (and it's last name is zippy ). If it has to be American, go Focus.

 

[SniperWulf]

A last model year Sonata Turbo should fit the bill too.

 

[WiseUp216]

Mazda 3

 

[jlee]

Mazdaspeed3

 

[Ferzerp]

The word "sporty" in reference to cars needs to be stricken from our language. Ugh.

 

[razel]

The 2007-08 300 horsepower G35s are getting old enough to be in that price range. It don't look sporty, but it's got no problem actually being one.

 

[ElFenix]

The word "sporty" in reference to cars needs to be stricken from our language. Ugh.

how do i know a car has no sporting aspirations whatsoever? the ad uses the word 'sporty.'

 

[slackerinabox]

The word "sporty" in reference to cars needs to be stricken from our language. Ugh.

To be honest, I think "sporty" would have less to do with raw performance and more with looks and general fun to drive steer-ability. Like she really had a kick driving a kia soul rental, and that's like 130 horse power, right? I don't know cars well enough to know what spec to look for, but "fun to drive?" Fun to drive cars I've driven - mustang, mazda 6, honda civic.

I think she doesn't like "rice" (is that a term that's still used?), and just likes good old fashioned american - any gms/fords/heck pontiacs fit the bill? i like the g6 but looks a bit 80s to me (80s as in tacky)

 

[Phanuel]

Ford Fiesta/Focus is about it. Everything else American is trash generally.

 

[pauldun170]

Most people in the states call anything with a spoiler "sporty" that has decent oomph on initial throttle tip in.

Just have your wife try a 2 year old Camry, Accord, Corolla or Fusion
Mazda 3 is a bit tight in the back.

 

[BoberFett]

Camry? Corolla? I would never call either of those sporty. Can't speak to Accord or Fusion, but my gut tells me no.

Mazda 3 is THE sporty small sedan. I didn't sit in the back seat of my ex-wife's 3 (no giggity) often, but when I did the legroom wasn't intolerable.

 

[pauldun170]

Camry? Corolla? I would never call either of those sporty. Can't speak to Accord or Fusion, but my gut tells me no.

Mazda 3 is THE sporty small sedan. I didn't sit in the back seat of my ex-wife's 3 (no giggity) often, but when I did the legroom wasn't intolerable.

Couple of guys on the automotive section of a tech site might not call them sporty.
Out in the real world...slap a set of stripes and a spoiler on an Accent and someone will comment on how sporty it is.

For family of 4, Mazda3 is on the tight side. Car seats today. Growing legs tomorrow.
Steering feel and handling were good but the Mazda3 kinda sucked unless you went with the bigger engine. The 2.5 was decent but the mpg takes a decent hit.
The 2.0 Skyactive, while good on gas was gutless. The interior wasn't wearing to well on some of the ones we sampled (recently helped my sister with shopping in the 10K-15K price bracket)

OP, who will be driving this car and where will it be driven?

 

[Leyawiin]

If you live in SoCal you can get brand new for 15K.

http://www.anaheimmitsubishi.com/ne...aheim-ca-993f97060a0a00e07d40bccd70c82bc5.htm

 

[pauldun170]

Elantra's are actually pretty decent for the money. If you are looking at 2 year old cars, the Elantra's came across as well built with good visibility. Can't say the same for the Mazda3's we sampled.
The steering feel and road manners kinda suck but if you are not hitting up twisty roads on a regular basis then its a non issue.

 

[NutBucket]

Believe it or not I find the Chevy Cruze rather enjoyable. The ones I've had as rentals are a better drive than MIL's '07 Civic. Elantras are OK but I don't like the small windows in the back.

 

[vi edit]

If you have kids totally skip the 3 or Focus. Too damn small. I've got a 2014 Camry SE that really is a nice car. You can get them in the 15k range. The buyout on my lease this spring was $14,100. Gas milage is excellent, it will do 35-38MPG on the highway, in town is mid 20's, enough spunk to get out of it's own way, a cavernous back seat and trunk, and some of the most comfortable seats I've had in any car. It's just a very good distance driver. It also has a great turning radius and is very easy to park. It's really a decent car and not a lifeless blob that is the stigma usually associated with a Camry.

 

[andylawcc]

just throwing it out there, I like the Lancer, but I will go with the Mazda 3

 

[jlee]

Our minivan makes a terrible daily driver (great for when the kids are along, terrible getting to my wife's work, where they charge $10 more per day to park larger vehicles). What's a relatively sporty, decent gas mileaged commuter car? Something that can fit two car seats in the back in an absolute pinch, but is primarily focused on the driver's comfort and drivability. She likes domestic (I'm no fan but she likes the charger, chevy muscle) and german, though I'm trying to convince her to like asian because used hyundai's are cheap A used VW seems ideal for her tastes but I've heard they're a nightmare reliability wise. Is that still the case? Suggestions?

For all you guys saying "you have kids, a Mazda3 is too small."

 

[desy]

The Cruise is quiet and comfy and the largest compact if its domestic
The Focus would be the zippier option on par with a 3
If German is on the Jetta is also probably large enough, I don't think the newer Jettas are an issue if you stay away from an 06
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Volkswagen/Jetta/

The Charger is big, real big, and if that's on the table almost ANY car would fit the bill

 

[heymrdj]

Definitely Ford Fiesta.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I like the compact cars everyone is suggesting but..... they are compact cars that don't fit two cars seats in the back well, if at all.

These will get you closest to new, are somewhat fun to drive, and can accommodate a growing family:

mazda 6
Ford fusion
honda accord
nissan altima

Of the 4 Ford fusion and Nissan Altima will sell for cheapest. Fusion is the best deal around IMHO. $15k will get you a 2012 CPO Fusion SE with under 40K miles almost anywhere in the country.

Someone said G35. Second that. Big time. It will be a couple years older than the cars above. Car is a hoot, basically 4 door mustang. Swills gas but so worth it.

 

[Midwayman]

Couple of guys on the automotive section of a tech site might not call them sporty.
Out in the real world...slap a set of stripes and a spoiler on an Accent and someone will comment on how sporty it is.

Sad but true. So many "sports" models of cars are a spoiler, different wheels, maybe a body kit and if you're lucky a slightly stiffer suspension.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Fiesta is amazing car small package.