Well, my FB is a summer only car..... and soon, very soon, it will be tucked away for the winter.

But it's time for me to start shopping for a daily driver. My drive to work is very short (just 3 miles) but of course, I do other driving as well. Would be nice to have a car that would allow us to take some miles of the CX-7 which we got last year on a lease. So, a back seat that can fit small adults is nice. And some trunk space for carrying bowling ***** (like 6 at a time or so) is a requirement.

So, my list includes:

• MazdaSpeed 3
• Mazda 6 (with v6)
• Mini Clubman
• Nissan Juke
• Volkswagen GTI
• BMW 128i
• Caddy CTS Coupe
• Infiniti G37

I haven't even sat in one of these vehicles, let alone drove one. Comments appreciated from anyone with experience with these vehicles. thx!

 

my buddy had a MazdaSpeed 3, really nice car, handled nice too.

 

Winter = AWD?

Out of those choices, I like the MS3 and the G37. I believe they still offer an AWD version too.

 

My opinions on these vehicles:

MS3: Too much power for a FWD car. I drove C/D's LT 2010 MS3 (albeit on winter tires, but on dry pavement) and it was lag-lag-lag-BOOST TO REDLINE-traction control kicking in-slowly accelerating while the EMS keeps everything in check. Very un-nerving while merging into traffic.

I've never driven a Mazda 6, but it's basically a Ford Fusion. The rear seats are OK, if lacking in headroom (i'm a bit biased at 6'4)

Mini Clubman: G'Luck with people getting in the back seat. Headroom will be good, but legroom will be cramped. If you do go this route, definitely go with the 'S' version. The JCW rides too stiffly for long distance cruising (I drove C/D's 2010 JCW 'vert around a bunch when I interned there).

Nissan Juke: Ugly as sin. Ugly to the point where my dad said yesterday that he'd rather be seen in an Aztek... 'Nuff said.

GTI: 3 door has very little legroom in the back. The interior is gorgeous tho. I prefer the heated cloth seats to the leather. I'd go with the 5door for utility reasons. 2.0 DI Turbo motor is nice (experienced it from behind the wheel of a 2010 Audi A4 S-Line)

BMW 128i: Not enough room in the back for moderate-sized adults. Heavy.

CTS Coupe: Not enough room in the back for moderate-sized adults.

Infiniti G37: I've never been in one, so I have no opinion.

If I were you, I'd go with a Mazda 3 5door in Grand Touring spec. Drives brilliantly. The shifter is a bit rubbery, and the clutch pedal is dead when it comes to feel, but it's a very nice little hatch. Great steering feel. Not so much power that you'll eat front tires left and right, but enough power to be a good commuter. Good headroom and legroom in the back (I can ride comfortably in it (remember, 6'4")). Lots of trunk space for your bowling *****. Good MPG.

 

Winter = snow tires. AWD is not needed in SE Michigan.

 

Those allwheel drive G35's were real nice, my dad has one and it hauls *****, dont know if they did the g37 awd to would be sweet if they did. Also have you given any thought to a Subaru, even the base modles are fun to drive and the newer ones come in a 4 door hatchback that doesnt look to bad. I dont really see alot of subarus in the shop either mostly just regular maintenance stuff.

 

You might also want to consider a Volvo S60. I drove a few of these last spring when I was considering a replacement for my 328. Plenty of power, great handling, and seating fit for a God. Volvos used to be ugly as sin, but the 2000 and newer models are actually looking pretty slick now. And the high powered model (T5) reminded me of a MS3, but with a much nicer interior and better leg room in the back.




.

 

My mom got a Mazda 6 Touring this summer and really likes it. I do too, but the four with an autobox is pretty gutless. You can't get a manual transmission with the six, so that would kill it off as a choice for me.

 

Make sure you can get proper snow tires for the G37... Great platform, though, and Nissan has got reliability figured out (though they do think an awful lot of their spare parts, based on pricing.)

I've been DDing an 03 350Z since it was new; passed 100,000 a couple weeks ago, and so far my entire replacement parts list has been:
Brakes, twice
Tires, three times
Rear hatch lifts, twice
Spark plugs (did them at 90k though no indication of trouble), once
Struts (because I wanted Tokikos at 80k miles.), once
Oil & fluids
Battery

That's it: For 7 years and 100k miles, I find that excellent.

My wife's 02 Maxima had 125k on it when she sold it, and was still pulling strong & driving well. Also a car worth considering, in my book.

 

I'd vote for the maxima as well, though in 03 they switched to a computer controlled transmission - which took way too long to shift. I had an 03 maxima and had issues with the brakes, there was no ABS, but it was lacking brake force enough that you couldn't lock the tires at all.
I've got an 07 mazda 3 GT and like it, no major issues; though there are some interior rattles and mildly clunky suspension on bumps. 35MPG highway, ~30MPG in mostly city / slow driving.
As for the GTI - make sure you can get something other than plaid seats - UGH

If you're looking for a simple driving car, just have a test drive in all that you're looking for. Make a list of first impressions, as well as what you have for requirements (speed, size, mileage). Write everything down and maybe even make a points list for features. When looking for mine I did something similar, ended up with an excel sheet of features, prices, mileage, power etc... And i'm happy with my choice.
Many of the negatives I found on vehicles is the interior layout. The mini looks like a bad 50's flashback, the golf looked like it wanted an audi interior (and faking it). And the scion TC had lots more engine noise than I felt comfortable with.
Oh, you may want to add the nissan altima to your list, I liked that one except for the CVT feel.

 

Thx for all the comments! Big decision, so I want to do it right.

I've crossed of the Juke and the Clubman. Too small and really too slow.

The Mazda3 and 6 remain viable options. The Golf is nice but I like the M3 better. PS its plaid seats are retro homage, as the original GTI had plaid seats. I guess ugly is fashionable in Germany.

As much as the 128i concept sounds great, its too expensive and too small.

The Infiniti (coupe & sedan) are still on the plate, as is the Caddy coupe. Can't believe i'm saying that, but I do think it is a sweet looking ride. The G37 coupe has back seat issues, so the sedan is a better option. Going to the Infiniti dealer tomorrow. We'll see...

 

I say go with the MS3 or the GTI. They both are quick and get decent gas mileage.

 

No love for the Volvo, eh?

 

what about a honda civic great in snow. i know my eg did

 

You know, the S60 is very nice, just a little too pricey for me.

I drove the G37 sedan today, VERY nice vehicle. wow. Looked at the crossover version, the EX, which is a very nice ride as well. Beautiful machines.

Also drove the MS 3 which is sweet. What a riot.

Took a parking lot buzz in the Mazda 6 which is a very nice car. It has a totally different feel that the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MkZ, which is on the same platform. It feels so much smaller and more nimble!

Gonna look at the CTS coupe soon.

 

I believe the G37X is all wheel drive. Nice cars.

I drove a 6 last year, I believe it was a V6/6speed. Nice, but very vanilla. Reminded me of a Camry. But the MS3 made me feel a decade younger just sitting in it.

 

Been pondering this for a while but still a have not acted. The CST coupe is kinda big and pricey. The Maz3Speed is kinda homely, and the G sedan is kinda plain and pricey for what it is....

Today I drove something that was not on my radar: a Honda Accord Coupe. This was the sportier package with a big V-6, a silky 6 speed trans, and larger wheels. Lots of room front and back, quick and hell, and front wheel drive to deal with Michigan winters.

I have never driven a Honda, and really never liked the looks of them. But this coupe is slippery and functional. Hmmmm......

 

If you want reliablilty, Honda is second only to Toyota. Those Accord coupes are sexy too. Never thought I'd say that about an Accord.

 

I got an 06 accord sedan 6sp...and i been in love since day one. Go Honda, you won't be sorry.

 

There was a black Accord Coupe sitting in front of my work today. It was sharp.

 

Well, I pulled the trigger tonite…MazdaSpeed3!

 

Congrats! - Please explain how you came to that decision, out of the choices you had. I've been looking for a new DD as well. Although the MS3 left me disappointed..

 

The big three:

• Fun per dollar ratio:
• Practical yet fun
• Price

I needed something practical enough to carry lots of bowling ***** in the trunk, enough back seat space to occasionally haul around my teen daughters, yet a car that offers run without breaking the bank. This car filled that need better than anything else. There are faster hot hatches (WRX & STi) but at a much bigger price. The Honda coupe was very nice, but both Honda dealers in the area were ********. Caddy coups and Infiniti was too much $. So was the 1 Series, which I really liked, plus it was too small (as were the Juke and Clubman).

 

you should consider the honda fit sport

 

Fit is a lot slower than the MS3...