Seems like everyone around here is changing jobs, so add me to the club! I am heading out from behind my desk as an engineer to work in outside sales. Anyways, the point of the post is that I will be getting a company car. They let us choose the car with the only catch being that it is a 4-door, not a convertible and is under 24k. Any suggestions? The ones I have kinda looked at online are: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, VW Jetta, and a Maza6 Any comments on these vehicles or others that may be in that range? Many thanks in advance!
Vee-Dub: Don't even think about. Unreliable as hell. Toyota Camry- Can't go wrong with it, but the 4 cylinder is anemic as hell. Had one as a rental car last year in California when I covered the Auburn/USC game. It was sloooooooooooowww. Sure, I drive a 500 hp car, but by any measure, it is way too weak for hwy traffic. Doubtful you could swing a 6 cylinder at that price. Honda Accord- Very nice car, enough power in the 4 cyl range to get where you need to go, but they are pricey like the Camry. Nissan Altima- The six is a screamer, you can't beat the styling and one of my cousins has one. You can even get a manual with the 6 cylinder. I'm biased since my daily driver is a '99 Maxima, but this Nissan rocks. You can get a 6 starting around 23 grand. Mazda 6- I love this way this car looks. You can get the six for around 23 grand with nearly everything you could want. If had to pick a car, this would be the one. Despite the fact it has around 18 hp less than the Altima, I personally think that styling and price/features-wise, it trumps the Altima. And God, I love that electric blue color. It just looks awesome standing still. I looked at one in the parking lot this weekend and they are a very well-crafted automobile with probably the best interior this side of the Altima I've seen. And did I say I love that blue! As for the dumbestics, they suck. That's all you need to know. The Taurus and Impala look like turds, handle like drunken sailors and the interiors look as if they were assembled by chimpanzees. I wouldn't take one if someone gave it to me. The new rear-wheel drive Dodge Magnum with the V-8 would be out of your price range and won't be out until much later this year. This begs the question, why are the dumbestics wasting all this time and engineering on these useless, low-volume "halo" cars like the Chevrolet SSR truck/convertible and Ford Blunderturd (which will be killed shortly) when their bread and butter cars are so goddamned pathetic? No wonder they are losing marketshare.
Since my Altima is in the shop today, I would probably not recommend it. It's a nice car and all (and reliable up until yesterday), but had the Mazda 6 been out when I was in the market, I probably would've gone for it. I'm sure I'll like my Altima more when it's fixed than I do right now (I always hate car trouble, and after that A4 which required a six month wait to get into the shop, I'm skittish every time my car gives me trouble), but that Mazda 6 is awfully sharp. And it doesn't seem to suffer from my biggest complaint about the Altima (it has an uncommonly cheap dash/interior for the class). I do second the notion on the VW that bamaslammer put forth. My A4 had a lot of the same components and gave me nothing but hell once I passed the 50K mileage barrier, and it was extremely expensive to repair and took forever to get parts and service. I drove a rented Saturn more often than my A4 in the last year I owned it.
I love my Mazda but it's not a 6, if you're lookin for a car you could sneak by the company censors and still have tons of fun driving I suggest the Mazdaspeed Protege Reviews
I'm biased, but I wouldn't think twice about buying anything in the price range other than my Accord. It could have been had for about 24K, and the engine is more powerful than all in class besides the Altima. The interior is unmatched in this class. There are plenty of photos on the Honda website if you would like evidence.
Damn, I'm surprised about the Altima being unreliable. My dad had several Mazda trucks and they were quite reliable. I'd go with the Mazda 6 any day of the week. As for the Mazdaspeed Protege, I like the car, but it would not be what I'd call a comfortable cruiser by any stretch.
You're right, long drives w/o cruise control sucks it's the only thing I don't like but otherwise it's a blast. I'd go with the 6 or the altima.
To me, a car like that is like my Porsche, it is not a fun car to drive on a long trip. I think Mazda did a great job with the zooty Protege, but are they going to continue it to the new Mazda 3? If not, folks who want one might want to make some tracks to the Mazda store. I like that Neon turbo as well and the WRX kicks ass.
Well, one problem in 50K miles is not necessarily "unreliable". It's just that it's in the shop today (and they've not yet diagnosed the problem). Heck, it could be something I caused. But even if not, within any year, there are going to be some vehicles that have problems. Overall, I think people are happy with their Altimas and have not had significant problems (though I know there's at least one other board member who bought an Altima and had troubles early on). My A4 was the definition of unreliable.
What kind of product do you sell? I would't recommend sports car for sell's man, it won't make good impression to the customers, at least it's some kind of product that's only for single men.
One thing that perplexes me about the WRX...It is simply a supercharged Impreza. Same engine and everything. Doesn't supercharging usually kill the engine after about 90,000 - 100,000 miles?
It's got a turbo, if you keep your foot out of it (most of the time) it will last just as long as a NA - Subaru makes a bullet proof car.
Anyone ever heard of the Honda Jazz? I don't think they're available in the U.S., bc it's more of a Euro-style econocar, but it's a really sweet little car. Thinking of buying one of those -- they only go for 10.5
I'm sorry..."keep your foot out of it...NA"? I bought my car 6 months ago, and there isn't a thing besides the XM radio that isn't stock. What does all that mean?
How about a Toyota Prius? You can be environmentally friendly, and get a $1500 tax deduction, plus the great gas milage. You don't have to plug it in since the batteries charge when you are braking. They run around $21K base.
'Keeping your foot out of it' would mean not pressing the accelerator pedal down to the floorboard often and causing unnecessary engine wear. May also be known as punching it, flooring it, dropping the hammer, floor boarding, lighting it up, lead footing, stomping it, throttle bombing, getting on it, hammer slamming, etc. That’s all I can think of or make up… Oh NA means Naturally Aspirated – non-turbo. 'Bullet proof' means the car is reliable if you shoot it the bullets will go through the metal and make holes. Back at you what is XM?
