New car opinions needed
 

I'm in the market to buy a new/used car and I was wondering if any of you have had any experiences with the following vehicles that I've narrowed my selection down to:

Toyota Matrix
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Rav4
Honda Civic
Honda CRV
Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape
Mazda 3

I'm looking for something reliable with decent gas mileage...I was also considering AWD...is it all that much better in the snow than a FWD?

Thanks!!!

The Matrix is the best looking of the group you picked. Does that help?

These are very different vehicles. Much of the answer you seek depends on what you value.

Are you in a harsh climate where 4wd would really help?
Are you wanting something that is really good on petrol?
Are you wanting a vehicle that's sporty looking?
Are you wanting a vehicle with lots of options?

Moooo

Um...sure!

I'm in Nebraska so snow does occur here
I'd like at least 26 mpg
Yes
All I need is AC and a CD player

Yes. It's better at getting going, but not stopping. It's always fun to see the new people learn that lesson in Denver.

I'd go with the RAV4 or CRV. The reason being it will get around quite well in inclement weather, and being a Honda/Toyota and also having 4wd it will fetch better resale value.

It may not get 26, though. I don't know what it gets, but I'd go that route unless its as low as 20.

If you're looking for 4wd with 26mpg, nothing comes to mind. Perhaps a Subaru?

Moooo

What kind of year?

Last year I purchased a new/used Toyota RAV4. I managed to find a 1998 limited edition with 46,000 miles on it. It was/is in perfect condition and had every available option and because of its age I got it for a song from a Chrysler dealer. One of the "limited" options were special luggage/tote bags that clip onto the inside of the rear door. They were not even removed from the plastic packaging.
All I can say is I love this car. It rides high like an SUV, but is small enough to make driving in the city etc just as easy as in a car. It gets a combined 28-29 MPG and it's AWD. Last winter we only saw the one snow (November I think) but it got around in it just fine. It also rides pretty nice as well, definately better than my 99 Civic coupe.
If you can find one that is well cared for - I highly recommend the RAV.

I think the new body style on the Civic looks pretty good. They managed to make it look bigger, more like an Accord. I might drive one to work and back if my lanky arse would fit in it.

I'm shooting for an '04 or '05

I don’t know these specific models but I will say I have a healthy respect for Toyota (proven history of reliability) and Honda (incredible engineering prowess) so IMO you can’t go wrong with either make.

As for 4WD vs. AWD, theoretically for most snowy/icey road conditions an AWD is probably better.
In a straight line they’re equal in that they both apply power to the ground evenly. The problems start when you go to make a turn. A 4WD model, aka part time 4X4, locks the front and rear outputs so that they spin at the same rate period and in order to track accurately ‘round a corner you need the front wheels to spin at a faster rate than the rears. This will cause loss of traction and result in “pushing” the front end.
An AWD, or All Wheel Drive aka “full time 4WD” allows for this differentiating in front and rear drive shafts in order to track accurately ‘round a corner and still apply power to the ground evenly.
For most customers that’ll never actually take their rig off road, AWD is probably the better choice, though it will cost you gas mileage so ensure that you actually need the extra traction it provides.

Fuk the Japenese go for the Mustang
http://www.mustang-deutschland.de/mu...onvertible.jpg

Definitely would if I could afford the insurance.

If your looking for an '04 or '05 you would probably get the best "deal" on a Civic or RAV as both just released redesigned versions for the '07 model year. Corolla and Matrix (if it's still around) are not due until 2008 (actual year) The CRV should be out early next year. The Mazda 3 is good little car, but the Escape/Tribute - Well they have sold a bunch of them.

You pretty much couldn't go wrong buying a toyota or honda product. I still think buying a brand new car is a stupid move.

yeah, because buying a car that's worth 20 percent less immediately after you leave the dealership is really smart.

I just rented a new Ford 500 this week on a business trip. I was very impressed with this car. I drove it around Newark NJ and on the hiway some, 28mpg. Handled very well with lots of room.

Especially here in Omaha, where you can expect to pay 10% of the sale price of the vehicle for license plates.

Last December, I bought my wife a 2006 Honda CR-V EX AWD automatic. Couldn't be happier.

Plenty of pick up. Quiet. Very roomy and lots of cargo space. Turns on a dime. 27-30 mpg highway. Nice stereo and AC.

I went to Sam's Club and bought the family-sized jug of KY for that ass raping! :banghead:

I just bought a new CR-V for my wife and really like it. We went with FWD even though we live in snow country. I have never had a problem with FWD and decent tires in snow and didn't think the extra cost and weight were worth it.

It's very comfortable (just took a 2200 mile trip in it) and gets decent mileage (27 on short trips and 30-32 on highway trips). It also holds an amazing amount of stuff for being a fairly small car.

I don't think it is worth buying a barely used Toyota or Honda. They just don't drop in value enough to not get a new one. When we got ours, we would have only saved about $1500 or so over a 2005. It's not worth that to me to not have a full warrantee, not know the exact driving history, not be able to pick out exactly what you want, etc. Over the full life of a car, that's a pittance. You can also usually get better financing rates on a brand new car.

SOME people are willing to invest the 20% so that they are NOT gambling on a used vehicle. While others, are willing to take a vehicle with a few milew to escape this 20% depreciation. Neither theory is is wrong. It is something that every car owner needs to decide for themselves.

BG, I have sold vehicles for 18 years...and I don't think you have a turd in your mix of choices... If it were me....IF IT WERE ME...I would go with the Matrix. Lots of room...very reliable and front wheel drive will get you around 99% of the inclimate weather. If you actually go off road occasionally, I would suggest the Tribute-Escape or the CRV. All your choices will perform well in MPG.

Yep....that will get you absolutely NOWHERE on a crisp, snowy, Nebraska winter day.

Go for the Escape Hybrid.
You can get 4wd, lots of room, high driving position, and 36 mpg CITY.

I test drove one, and they are pretty nice although the dealer wanted way too much for it. The cabin appointments are not quite on par with the Honda, or Toyota. But it offers utility & milage unavailable from any other vehicle on the market.

Since recxjake isn't saying anything, might I suggest the fine automobiles of GM?

I don't understand why people would'nt buy brand new when it comes to Honda or Toyota. The resale is so High that many times you see dealer ads for new Hondas that are less than what ALL of the private owners are trying to sell a year old model for.

On the other hand there are some really good cars out there that depreciate WAY faster than they should.

I had a 2003 Pontiac Vibe, which is a Toyota Matrix with a Pontiac grille. I had no problems with it, it got great mileage and had excellent storage capacity. I recommend it highly.

Now that we have SNR doing this work at a lower cost, I guess we can lay rexcjake off.

You should check out the Audi A4. We own 3 of them, me and my two youngest. They are 4 cyclinder with great gas mileage but very quick and sporty. Very dependable. We love them and I'm going to upgrade to an A6 very soon just to have a little more room. Just a thought.

Shut up n00b....... whenm we want you opinion, we'll tell you....

























jk

I Always wanted an A8, very underrated against the 7-series, IMO (though I'd take a 7 series at the drop of a hat).

Moooo

Go with the Civic. Car will last you forever and doesn't look to shabby all things considered.