Argh

[bertine]

Cars are so expensive. I wish I liked fixing cars or had my own garage so I could fix my own cars because it would be so much cheaper.

All the cars I am looking at are around 25k. With a 5 year loan that would be $500 a month! How do people buy new cars and have mortgages? I am going to go hide my head in the sand right now.

Comments

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

The Mazda 3 is the same platform as the latest euro Ford Focus. Very good handling (excellent in fact). Good little engine with a lot of pull for its size, perhaps a little non-refined.
The Mazda 6 is the same platform as the US Ford Fusion. Really good handling again, nice little powerplant.
The biggest detraction on the Mazda products is the shiny, hard plastics that can look dated quickly but nothing you actually need to worry about. Both very solid platforms.
Personally I like the way the 3 drives much more than the 6, but obviously trade offs are made for size.

Good luck!

[bertine.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I am saying this but I am not sure if a 3 would fit a carseat. I want something that drives nicely (I have driven a SATURN for 8 years), that holds up and can handle a couple kids. I can't stand driving big cars so I don't think I would ever move up to a mini-van but I would like a sedan that could fit a family.

Zach keeps trying to convince me that a Dodge Charger would be a good car to get but we had one in California and it was HUGE and I didn't like driving it at all.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

A 3 will fit two car seats. It's the same layout as a Focus which is what I had when Henry was a baby. We often had him and a friend in the back with plenty of room.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

Really? Cause I like the 3 much better. As long as I can get a moon/sun roof. This is my only requirement.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

I wish you luck on negotiating with Zach. There is a huge difference between a Charger and a Mazda 3. LOL!

And yes. I used to bitch and rant and rave about people NEEDING an SUV to cart around a car seat because we did just dandy in our Focus.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

When Zach gets a new car he can get a Charger! Though he wants a Mustang. I am not sure a car seat will fit in that.


I get why people get mini-vans now. They are so much cheaper than full sized sedans! Weird!

Yeah, but would your Focus make it from Minneapolis to Billings with a car seat? Though, still, it wouldn't be terrible. I pack light.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

A car seat will fit in a mustang. Are you thinking of a car throne? The problem just comes in when you introduce full sized adults in the backseat of a mustang.
We drove our Focus with a baby from Washington to Los Angeles. No problem. It has a really big trunk. Dunno about the exact layout of the 3. I think you'd be surprised.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

Cool! I am excited to check out the 3. I just need to pick two more cars to try out when I am test driving cars. I am thinking the civic (hey, it is the standard in this class) and maybe a Ford.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

I'm really hoping the new Focus comes out before my lease ends. Here is the latest JD Power ratings for initial quality for new cars: http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/quality-ratings-by-brand/sortcolumn-1/ascending/page-#page-anchor

F placed as the number one brand in non-luxury. But you should definitely shop by car model and not by brand. It's a good indicator of overall quality however.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

For me it is the fact that Ford didn't take bailout money and has been doing well. I want to support American if they make a car I like.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Yep. BTW, it is very, very hard to find a car company globally that hasn't. Ford is on a VERY short list.
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, VW, Porsche, Renault, Citroen, GM, Chrysler, Fiat, Hyundai, Kia all took bailout money or economic assistance.

[sterlingphoenix.livejournal.com]

Ok, you do NOT need a Dodge Charger. My main argument for this is you're not trying to prove you're a man.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

I don't think I could get the Charger down the streets of Minneapolis in winter.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

The police manage.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

Good point. Maybe I should say "I don't think I could park a Charger in the winter". The police don't have to worry about that, they just ban parking on one side of the street and then have the police park on that side of the street.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

I'm being a smart ass. RWD cars are a pain in the ass on ice. Given a choice in MN I'd have FWD.