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Trading in my car Saturday

17K views 66 replies 11 participants last post by  sambandit 
#1 ·
So we've decided to have my wife stay home with our daughter. Good news is that it means I get to get a new car, LOL.

I'm basically going to buy the cheapest possible new car that fits my minimal needs in order to cash out my equity in the Outback when used car prices and trade in values are peaking.

My needs/wants:

1. Preferably hold a baby seat while still allowing a front passenger (i.e. not having to move the seat all the way forward)
2. Manual transmission
3. Hatchback

So far, my choices appear to be a base Kia Soul (probably the most likely purchase due to rear seat space), Mazda2 (fun to drive, but small back seat), Chevy Aveo (yuck....), Yaris 5 door (blah) or maybe a Versa at the high end of what I want to spend. The problem with the Yaris and Versa is finding one with a MT....

Any other ideas? Don't say Fiesta as they are asking way too much for them right now.
 
#3 ·
The Soul and the 2 are the top two contenders. I'm just really having to decide if I can handle never having a front seat passenger when carrying my daughter if I got the 2. It's tiny....

Both would be huge improvements over the Outback in the fun-to-drive area.
 
#5 ·
The Soul.... :nice:
End of thread...everything on your list basically and then some.

My oldest daughter has a hard on for one too....you driven one yet?
 
#6 ·
[quote author=NefCanuck link=topic=192270.msg4051248#msg4051248 date=1308277436]
Is the redone Focus off your radar altogether? Cause that's been getting rave reviews from what I've been reading.

NefCanuck
[/quote]

Focus wouldn't achieve the biggest goal of getting a new car: getting into a much cheaper vehicle in order to not have so much dough tied up in a car. I can get about $20k for my car, so if I get the Soul for ~$13.5k OTD, I have $6.5k in my pocket.

[quote author=HALOREALM link=topic=192270.msg4051252#msg4051252 date=1308277825]
The Soul.... :nice:
End of thread...everything on your list basically and then some.

My oldest daughter has a hard on for one too....you driven one yet?
[/quote]

Nope, haven't driven one yet, but have driven the Rio on which it's based. Not expecting much out of the drive other than to handle better than my Outback (which won't be difficult).
 
#8 ·
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051379#msg4051379 date=1308311492]
Used something better than any of those.
[/quote]

Not going used on this one. Prices for 1-2 year old models are within spitting distance of new nowadays.

[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051379#msg4051379 date=1308311492]
Or honda fit, fiat 500.
[/quote]

Fit is impossible to find with a MT. Hell, there only a handful of Fits in inventory in the DFW metroplex to begin with. I like the 500, but still need more room than that.

Going to test drive the Soul first. If I like it, I'll buy it. If I don't, I'll evaluate the Mazda2.
 
#10 ·
[quote author=Ckenaan link=topic=192270.msg4051415#msg4051415 date=1308314646]
You would need to pay me more than 6.5k to drive a Soul.
[/quote]

LOL, fair enough. As is obvious from my recent choices in cars, I don't buy them to impress others. :lol:

I might just be nostalgic for my '99 Accent GSi I bought while in college. Best car I've owned. Hope the Soul drives similarly and the powertrain behaves similar as well.

My price range is < $15k. Not much available.

If I don't like the Soul or the 2, I'll likely wait for the new Accent hatch.
 
#12 ·
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051648#msg4051648 date=1308327216]
Elantra touring? Those arent bad. Im not sure what a mazda 5 costs but those are great. Even a new jetta can be had for cheap now. Anything but a soul. Dont do that to penny
[/quote]

Both the ET and the MZ5 are priced to where there would be no point in getting it. If there's not going to be any real financial gain in getting a new car, then none of the cars listed by myself or others would even be on my list. It's all about compromise...

As for the Jetta, the 2.0 models are cheap. Then again, they should be. That's the worst engine currently sold in any car today. :lol: My sister's '98 Jetta had the exact same engine, and it was sucky even for that time period.

You have to remember that I in no way buy cars for aesthetic reasons, LOL.
 
#13 ·
[quote author=fatabbot link=topic=192270.msg4051676#msg4051676 date=1308329106]
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051648#msg4051648 date=1308327216]
Elantra touring? Those arent bad. Im not sure what a mazda 5 costs but those are great. Even a new jetta can be had for cheap now. Anything but a soul. Dont do that to penny
[/quote]

Both the ET and the MZ5 are priced to where there would be no point in getting it. If there's not going to be any real financial gain in getting a new car, then none of the cars listed by myself or others would even be on my list. It's all about compromise...

As for the Jetta, the 2.0 models are cheap. Then again, they should be. That's the worst engine currently sold in any car today. :lol: My sister's '98 Jetta had the exact same engine, and it was sucky even for that time period.

You have to remember that I in no way buy cars for aesthetic reasons, LOL.
[/quote]

um..yeah...I think "practical" & "necessity" & "compromise".....kinda being overlooked. Wait until you drive the Soul. Not really that bad for the money spent. No it's not everyone's dream car but dream car isn't one of the requirements.
 
#14 ·
No matter the price point, people are always going to be heavily opinionated about cars (especially when it's not their cash). :lol:

Which is why I posted this thread. Been doing research for a long time and just wanted to see if I'm missing any alternatives. As of now, the Soul is the obvious front runner. If I don't like it, probably back to the drawing board. Been doing research on MZ2's and infant seats and it ain't pretty. No matter what I get it'll be a serious downgrade from the Outback in many areas (passenger & cargo room, quietness, ride, interior surface quality, etc.) but a serious upgrade in my two most important "wants" (handling and a fun to drive manual, which the OB does not have).
 
#16 ·
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051700#msg4051700 date=1308330934]
I could trade the gti for an 87 chevy lumina but id rather die.
[/quote]

LOL, not sure that's the same scale, but ok :lol:

We have a lot in savings, I'm just tired of constantly having to raid it like I've had to over the last year with medical bills, 2% insurance deductibles on the house, etc. So if we're going to be losing over $6k a month in income, something's gotta give. Bye bye fancy watches! :( :lol:

Plus, I hate my Outback. Having $20k+ tied up in it isn't all that appealing, either. I have little doubt that I'll actually like driving the Soul better and have $6k in my pocket to boot.
 
#18 ·
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051700#msg4051700 date=1308330934]
Meh. Keep the outback. I could trade the gti for an 87 chevy lumina but id rather die.
[/quote]
That's because you don't drive a boring lesbaru station wagon/crossover thing :p
 
#21 ·
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051753#msg4051753 date=1308333895]
I guess if both suck but one is cheaper i understand. I dont get it, but i understand.
[/quote]

:lol: Thanks..?..

To be honest, I'm a rare case when it comes to cars. My two favorite cars that I've ever owned were a '94 Suzuki Sidekick 4dr/4wd and a '99 Accent. I'd gladly buy the exact same cars if they hadn't all been trashed to shit by now by teenagers, etc. I think the Soul will fit me pretty well, although I'm going to start a Mustang slush fund so I can have a second car once Penny goes to daycare or school and wifey finds a job.
 
#22 ·
[quote author=fatabbot link=topic=192270.msg4051848#msg4051848 date=1308339427]
[quote author=biggee72 link=topic=192270.msg4051753#msg4051753 date=1308333895]
I guess if both suck but one is cheaper i understand. I dont get it, but i understand.
[/quote]

:lol: Thanks..?..

To be honest, I'm a rare case when it comes to cars. My two favorite cars that I've ever owned were a '94 Suzuki Sidekick 4dr/4wd and a '99 Accent. I'd gladly buy the exact same cars if they hadn't all been trashed to shit by now by teenagers, etc. I think the Soul will fit me pretty well, although I'm going to start a Mustang slush fund so I can have a second car once Penny goes to daycare or school and wifey finds a job.
[/quote]

It's amazing how thing change when kids come along. My two girls will both be juniors in college this year. I've been waiting on real toys for over 20 years and got about two years to go. House is now paid for and got a sizeable chunk saved/invested. I'd like to retire/semi-retire by the time I'm 50 or in about 3 years. We've driven some pretty sad shit over that time and I'm glad we did. I'll still be reasonably young and have the security to play hard core. Priorities....priorities...priorities...
 
#26 ·
I suppose now would be a good time to hit ya up for a small loan eh? :respect:
 
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