I sold my G35x yesterday. It needed about $3,000 worth of repairs to the airbag system, evap system, and AWD system. The shop quoted me very reasonable repair prices. I ended up just selling it to them for $10,000 (without paying the repairs). Though I could have maybe squeezed another thousand out somewhere else, I felt this was the most risk adverse approach as there was no guarantee that these repairs would fix the problems.

Anyhow, though I loved driving my g35x, I hated the crap out of it because it seemed to always be in the shop. I wanted to thank you because you really informed me of a lot on the car so I couldn't get ripped off by a stealership or found a way to resolve the issue on my own. I am glad this forum exists and hope something similar will be around for my next car. I wish you all the best and hope you don't suffer the many trials this car gave me.

If you want to offer any suggestions for my next car feel free:

Budget $19,000
New
4dr
5 year warranty is a plus
manual
gas efficiency is a plus
ability to pass people is a plus
safety is the most important

My current top options are the Mazda 3 s sport and the Mitsubishi Lancer GTS

The one big problem with the Mazda 3 is they engineered their passenger weight sensor poorly so it doesn't sense my wife weighing enough to turn on the airbag. Though this is flattering it is also a huge safety issue. Though they are listed as 60lbs it is programmed at 88lbs (toso up) meaning even some 110lb girls cant ride in the car without putting their purse and a bowling ball on their lap. There is a TSB to recalibrate the car to 80lbs which might then sense her. The drawback of the mazda is it only has a 3 year warranty which means i might get stuck in the same boat of making car payments while paying for repairs.

The lancer, while nice, it just isnt a mazda 3. Some reasons I preferred these cars is: 10/10 for safety, resonably well loaded, ok gas efficiency, neither are overwelmingly fast, but could pass cars, and they have abs, vdc, and 4 disk brakes. (did I mention I have to be able to drive in the snow, like 18 inches of it)

I'm leaning towards the lancer.

 

Subaru Impreza.

 

Sad to see you go but good luck with whichever way you end up. Had a decision between the Mazda3 and the Lancer while shopping for a car for my son. Chose the Lancer over the Mazda but in the end ended up with none of them.

 

Wannabe-
Already have a subaru (nice car). Test drove the new impreza. Three issues: it isnt very impressive, no great financing incentives so the car is about $3,000 more then the competition over the life of the loan, no one in in the midwest has one in manual. They aren't importing cars here until the 2012s because of the tsunami.

 

beezee- thanks

 

Also look at other 2-3 years old options that could be a better choice. I loved the Lancer and my experience with 2 previous Galants made me trust the Mitsubishi more. The reason I did not buy that was, I had a very good deal on a 3-year old Acura TSX that has so far proven to be a good decision.

 

if I were to go used I would go with the tsx

 

Not very comfortable as a family car but has some sporty feel. Just my experience

 

between the lancer and the mazda 3 i would go with the lancer.

i have had a mazda 3 before (Granted it was an 04) but it really felt like a piece of junk and i got rid of it because i heard bad things about their safety. The lancer seems to be a safer car.

I would also consider a new Subaru Legacy or impreza. They will be good on gas, safe, AWD, and close to what your looking for.

If you want a little more performance than those than i would look at acura's tsx or tl .(may not be new for 19,000). But in my family we have 2 tsx's and 1 tl and i can tell you they are both very comfortable, pretty good on gas, and enough pep (more than the 3 and lancer) and very safe.

 

+1 on the subaru legacy... always liked how those looked

 

You should buy my car!

It fits (most) everything on your list....
--under $19K=check
--4 door=check
--safety=check
--ability to pass=check
--gas efficiency=check (sort of....not a prius, but not a jeep either)
--manual=CHECK!

With the money you save, you can add more mods, or put in the bank, take a vacation, etc.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

It truly is a very clean, well maintained car with some VERY nice extras.

PM me if interested


bryman

 

gluck with everything

 

I don't think id buy any new 20k car. Nothing out there that really appeals to me personally, especially coming from a G35X (I would have fixed and kept that car..)

 

What issues were you having with the X exactly? Miles? Did you ever service the AWD system? Just curious.

For $19K and your criteria I would look at the chevy cruze; ford focus/fiesta; honda civic; and hyundai sonata. Not sure of safety on the last two. the subie is a good pick but I had thought they were more than the 19K you quoted. I would pick the civic, myself only because their resale is the best in the bunch the last time I checked.

As suggested above, why not consider a lightly used car? You could save quite a bit of money. It sounds like you are burned on repairs, but generally you can save even over the long run by keeping a car (provided it's not a early 90s kia or similar...). I hope your next car treats you better.