I'M Sorry, off topic but I need some car advice

[windwalker]

I have to buy a new car since my daughter's car has given up and I'm giving her my jeep.

I'm looking at the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord and Element.

Does anyone have one of these? I'm concerned about a 4 cyl engine for highway and hill power. The 4cyl has much better gas milage than the 6cyl. I will be driving this car on vacation trips so road ability is important, I don't think they will let me test drive to WDW.

Thanks

Confused Panda

 

[ms.mightyduck]

I don't know about those cars specifically, but I wouldn't buy another 4 cyl. again--merging at high speeds on I-95 through NYC always felt like a death wish....

 

[chimera]

I have a 2004 Element (now according to Honda, the great big box of fun! ) I think it would like to be a Jeep when it grows up. It's a little industrial, but is designed for outdoor life. We use it to haul our kayaks, go to the beach, etc. I just brush out the sand with a brush and the seats are Neoprene divesuit material for easy clean-up. We like it a lot. The back seats fold up or come out and are designed as stadium seats. Lots of back leg room, not a lot of 'trunk' space unless you fold up or remove the back seats. DD15 will likely take over its care and feeding once she gets her driver's license. It was designed for the 18 to 34 yo market so has a major subwoofer for the big bass boom while driving The engine and the A/C are underpowered. I think it would be better as a manual transmission. Also desperately needs a sunroof.

Before the Element I drove a Camry. Loved the Camry! I think the biggest difference in the two is the Camry was a little more 'luxurious' than the Element. I had cloth seats, carpet, etc. The Camry had LOTS of cubbies for storage and lots more trunk space.

 

[princessrunner]

My MIL and mom both have an Accord 4 cyl and love the car. I have driven my moms a lot and have to say it is pretty zippy. She gets in the 30s for mileage (no foot in it) without sacrificing any room. I have a 06 Jetta TDI and we have about the same room front and back seat wise. We test drove the Camry and I was not impressed for the $$ difference with the car itself. Lucky for you, I just did this whole mess!!! I have to highly recommend the Toyota Highlander Hybrid though, roomy, economical and you have the 2wd and 4wd option without sacrificing mileage out of the 30 range with a SUV. I loved, loved, loved it. DH did not however which is why we had to drive to CT, fight over being bent over and buy a diesel (can't buy them in Maine anymore due to Cali regs). Good luck on the hunt!

 

[ScoJo15]

I have a 4 cyl. Toyota Corolla and have put about 70,000 miles on it...including multiple trips to Orlando (from Atlanta)...and I'm in constant stop and go traffic every morning to and from work.

The car has held up beautifully, with no maintenance needed (hope I didn't just jinx myself) except for some new brakes. Gas mileage is superior...I get in the mid to high 30's when going down to Florida...and in the high 20's low 30's when tooling around Atlanta. I'm a fairly fast driver, usually between 70-80mph on the highways and have never had a problem with pickup as I've seen with other 4 cylinders.

I have been extremely pleased with it. Low price, good gas, low maintenance....and they retain their value very nicely.

Hope this helps!

 

[beckyb29]

I have a 4 cyl Toyota Corolla also, and I love it! I've had no problems out of it, and have over 50,000 miles on it in about 2 years.(I drove long distance to a previous job 5 days a week). I have had to put brakes on it, but that's about it. The gas mileage varies...I usually get around 30 in town, a little more on the highways. It's extremely comfortable to ride in for long periods of time, and has plenty of room for 4 people, yet it's not too big. The 5 year/60000 mile warranty that came with it was nice too!

 

[Valentine]

Okay.. throwing another car into the mix... I have the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe, 4 cyl... I have had it since it was a newborn... and I LOVE it!! I have had no work needed on it.. other than the typical brake stuff... oil changes, etc....

I get great mileage.... and it rides like a car.. not a truck!

Soooooo... just some food for thought...

 

[julia & nicks mom]

For a Corolla - you would do great with a 4Cyl but if you go to the Camry you HAVE to get a 6 - my DH bought me a Camry and him a Corolla when we were first married - I hated that car - I had a pretty severe hill on the way to work and I felt like it wasn't going to make it every time I went up the hill! We switched cars!!

I am not sure what the price range is but our Rental on our trip to Disney last week was a Rav4 - they just redesigned it and it was brand new - WE LOVED it!!! Just thought I would throw that in the mix for you!

 

[wfloyd]

I would figure for a lean mean Panda machine, the Toyota Sequoia or some other large vehicle that squashes anything that gets in his way would be what you are looking for. A Hummer would also fit into this category.

For what it's worth, DW has a 4 cylinder Camry and loves it and I have a Sienna and love it. The Sienna takes us on our trips and has plenty of room for storage and sleeping.

Bill

 

[windwalker]

Thank you everyone for the imputs. We ended up after the shopping was done with a VW Jetta.

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/mode....uZhs4YxDINjxKaunyaIEc78F;_ylv=3?modelId=5174

It has a 5cyl 150 hp engine and very good stats. The Corolla, Camy, Accord and Matrix we not as well rated so we drove to Nashville to check them out and loved it.

It has heated seats and Erica enjoyed playing with that on the way home. We drove our daughters car down to trade in, I was suprised we made it.

Born to be Wild Panda

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Congratulations on your new purchase!

 

[princessrunner]

Dave: I am on Jetta #2 and love the car. No issues, great mileage and yep the heated seats are aces. It should have heated mirrors too. Did you get the Monsoon stereo??? I can shake the whole car at about half volume. The kids love it. I have the diesel version and get between 45 to 55 mpg too!!!

 

[Kristi1357]

Sorry I am too late to reply!

I LOVE our new Matrix. I drive it to commute into Boston every day and it's great. GREAT pick up as well - no worries there.

Just wish it had map lights (but no big deal).

And we will probably have the dealer install a roof rack too. Looks sportier and would be much easier to transport our kayak. Chad has an awful time getting the kayak up on top of the minivan.

But those things are really no big deal. I love having a 4 door car (must be getting old, huh?). This one is prefect for commuting, hauling Zack around, and doing errands.

 

[windwalker]

Dave: I am on Jetta #2 and love the car. No issues, great mileage and yep the heated seats are aces. It should have heated mirrors too. Did you get the Monsoon stereo??? I can shake the whole car at about half volume. The kids love it. I have the diesel version and get between 45 to 55 mpg too!!!

Yes it has heated mirrors also. I didn't even think about the diesel version. The gas 5 cyl is very strong with excellent passing and merging power.

I will probably be banished to the mustang till summer when Erica can take the top down again. She really likes the heated seats. I could see her ears perk up when the sales lady told us about them.

Done Shopping Panda

 

[princessrunner]

We ALL love the heated seats. I first had them in my Saab. Here, when it is 30 or under, first thing in the a.m., they are awesome. The diesel version is great but only if you can justify paying for it. Here, in the frozen north, it is nice to have the extra weight of the engine over the drivers. And, heck, I don't blame Erica for keeping the heated seats and then opting for the top down. I really miss those days, I have to say but, given my taste (the fact that my DD is "Shelby" and so I need to have one too) it will be a long time before I get my Mustang convertible back.

Hope you enjoy the car as much as we have!!

 

[Kristi1357]

Ok, I am officially weird. I HATE heated seats!

My car best be getting a remote starter installed a.s.a.p. though!