Wanted: New Fun/Comfortable/Economical Car with Auto Trans

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:06 am

What automatic transmission 2 door NEW cars under about $35K have good acceleration, looks, ride, gas mileage, and handling compared to our 1997 and 2001 Mustangs? Cannot be bigger than a Mustang due to garage configuration. Decent trunk required with hatchback better. Neither my wife or I like the Scion TC. The new V-6 Mustang is a possibility but I don't know if the ride is really any better than our current Mustang GT's.

We buy new because we "buy and hold" our cars - we've had our newest car for 10 years and the oldest running (barely) car for 26 years.

Ideas?

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

G35?
BMW 128?
Accord coupe V6?

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:49 am

IIRC, Les claims that the stock S197 Mustang rides better and handles better than his STX modified mustang. Trunk space is decent, but the access to the trunk is small.

The 2011 V6 mustang would be nice. I bet you will be able to pick up a 2010 v6 mustang for real cheap in a couple of months.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:54 am

92 Viper?

oh wait...what was the question?

Some decent possibilities

370Z
G37
Mini Cooper S (jump in cline)
Mustang V6 (2011)
Accord V6 Coupe
BMW 135i
Audi A5
Camaro V6
The new Caddy CTS V6 Coupe
Hyundai genesis Coupe V6
Mazda RX8

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:12 am

Thanks for the input so far.

One of my MAJOR concerns with a smaller engine in an otherwise acceptable car config is how badly the automatic will "suck". I know the Mustang auto would be fine (Camaro also if the car wasn't far too big (and a Chevy :lol:

). What about autos in other cars as power/torque levels go down? Anybody have real world CVT experience?

FYI, the ride needs to be BETTER than our STOCK 97 and 01 Mustang GT's. My wife is tired of hard riding cars and doesn't want another for our retirement daily drivers. I'm tired of shifting in traffic. We both want "sporty" and, unfortunately our generation doesn't necessarily equate "3 or 5 door station wagon" with "sporty" . . . no offense meant to all you "hot hatch folks".

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:28 am

You can always rent a v6 Mustang to try out for a weekend. Although, I'm not sure if rental cars are really representative.

I think the v6 has softer springs than the GT.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:31 am

I drove a V6 Accord coupe with a manual when my wife was looking at her i4 sedan (5AT) that we eventually bought. The v6 coupe was very refined for a Honda....almost too much so. Very soft ride rate. You couldn't hear the engine at 5k rpms and the tranny shifter was rubbery and the clutch was so soft, there was no feel to it. Anyway, I know you don't want a manual.

Honda has been known in the past for making mediocre slushboxes, but the 5AT in my wifes 09 Accord is quite a bit of improvement from the 4AT in her previous civic. It shifts smoothly AND fast (not one or the other like previously). It downshifts as you decel rather than waiting for you to get back on it like in the other Honda auto's I've driven.

Anyway, the 5AT V6 coupe seems as though it will fit your bill: auto, 2 doors, room for a few bodies in the trunk, soft-ish ride rate and yet power to boot.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I would try to talk you out of a new car and suggest you find something a year old with 10k miles or so.

If I were shopping with your requirements I'd be looking at about a 2007-2008 BMW 328i. Personally I'd go for the sedan since there is no downside unless you're picky about looks. Skip the sport package and most options and you'd have a nice, comfortable, fun car that is never "annoying".

It would be cheaper than your budget too so you'd have some money to pay Hans after the warranty is out.

Here's a nice example of a 2008 328i sedan w/ 18k miles (personbally I love the color combo, may not be for everyone)
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1533911817.html

Here's a manual coupe with higher miles (25k) but you get the idea:
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/1540814875.html

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:04 pm

I would also say the same on the G35. get one less than a year old, great ride, fully loaded and many think it looks great.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1544936911.html

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:17 pm

Delete. I suggested 4 door cars. I can't read.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:57 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

I would try to talk you out of a new car and suggest you find something a year old with 10k miles or so.

If I were shopping with your requirements I'd be looking at about a 2007-2008 BMW 328i. Personally I'd go for the sedan since there is no downside unless you're picky about looks. Skip the sport package and most options and you'd have a nice, comfortable, fun car that is never "annoying".

It would be cheaper than your budget too so you'd have some money to pay Hans after the warranty is out.

Here's a nice example of a 2008 328i sedan w/ 18k miles (personbally I love the color combo, may not be for everyone)
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1533911817.html

Here's a manual coupe with higher miles (25k) but you get the idea:
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/1540814875.html

Mike,

Good input. Question-How "smart" is it to try to keep a BMW automatic for over 10 years and 100K miles? May be a moot point since my wife doesn't like "kidneys" on the front of cars.

. Otherwise I would be researching "affordable" BMW's.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:58 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

I would also say the same on the G35. get one less than a year old, great ride, fully loaded and many think it looks great.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1544936911.html

I agree. However, tiny trunk.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 2:00 pm

Jason Mauldin wrote:

You can always rent a v6 Mustang to try out for a weekend. Although, I'm not sure if rental cars are really representative.

I think the v6 has softer springs than the GT.

Jason,

Good idea and something I would absolutely do if we narrow down to a V6 2011 plus Mustang as "one of the long term" cars to replace the current "fleet".

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 2:03 pm

JamesShort wrote:

I drove a V6 Accord coupe with a manual when my wife was looking at her i4 sedan (5AT) that we eventually bought. The v6 coupe was very refined for a Honda....almost too much so. Very soft ride rate. You couldn't hear the engine at 5k rpms and the tranny shifter was rubbery and the clutch was so soft, there was no feel to it. Anyway, I know you don't want a manual.

Honda has been known in the past for making mediocre slushboxes, but the 5AT in my wifes 09 Accord is quite a bit of improvement from the 4AT in her previous civic. It shifts smoothly AND fast (not one or the other like previously). It downshifts as you decel rather than waiting for you to get back on it like in the other Honda auto's I've driven.

Anyway, the 5AT V6 coupe seems as though it will fit your bill: auto, 2 doors, room for a few bodies in the trunk, soft-ish ride rate and yet power to boot.

James,

Good info since the Accord Coupe is on my possibles list. Might be too long for our garage.

Is the i4 a 4 cylinder? If so, how is the normal and hill driving in regard to downshifts to hold speed or accelerate?

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

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