Car Shopping - Small Crossovers

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Originally Posted by tulip

Older Jettas had reliability issues, it's true. My brother had one that went bonkers.

Rabbits/Golfs are made in Germany, as are all diesel models. Gas Jettas are made in Mexico or Brazil, but they seem to have fixed their issues, as Jettas are apparently not unreliable anymore as they were 10 years ago.

I've had no problems with my Rabbit. I created an elaborate decision matrix when I was shopping, and the Toyota Matrix came out on top...but I found it such a drag to drive and the rear visibility bugged me. I ended up going with the car I wanted, not the car that the excel table told me I should buy! There's something to be said for fun-to-driveness.

The Mazdas are very nice. I also like the Subaru Impreza WRX. I like actual driving with manual transmission, so that kind of performance is important to me.

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Mazda 3 5-speed GT = "zoom zoom". :)

OK, I'm convinced. The Mazda 3 hatchback is going on my shortlist. My DH is leaning toward a sedan, but I've really like my last two hatchbacks. I officially start shopping today.

ETA: I just checked the Highway Safety Institute, and the Mazda 3 hatchback is one of their top picks for 2011.

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Originally Posted by Irulan

Mazda 3 5-speed GT = "zoom zoom". :)

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That's what I have, only the touring package, not GT. No cool HID headlights or leather/heated seats.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

That's what I have, only the touring package, not GT. No cool HID headlights or leather/heated seats.

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HAD to have heated seats. :D

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Originally Posted by Irulan

HAD to have heated seats. :D

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I wanted them...DH was all "HTFU!" :rolleyes:

For what it's worth... I mentioned on the first page of this thread that my father loves his Dodge Journey... Anyway, my parents were in town this weekend to celebrate Easter with us (and 15 others), so we had to rent some tables and chairs in order for there to be appropriate dining accommodations. Well, we were able to fit 2 8' tables and 20 folding chairs in the back of his Journey without a problem.

Just thought I would share a real life scenario with this particular vehicle. I have no idea about gas mileage though as we are not in the market for a new car at this time.

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Originally Posted by tulip

I created an elaborate decision matrix when I was shopping, and the Toyota Matrix came out on top...but I found it such a drag to drive and the rear visibility bugged me. I ended up going with the car I wanted, not the car that the excel table told me I should buy! There's something to be said for fun-to-driveness.

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I SO get this. Both that the Matrix has visiblity issues and it's not even a little fun to drive when it's an automatic and the concept of buying what you want and not necessarily what your analysis tells you. The "older" (pre 2007, I believe) Matrix had a different window config that was way better than the new ones for convenience (hatch glass!) and visiblity. And I'm pretty sure we would have traded ours in sooner had we not gotten the standard transmission. It's got a 'super charger' effect that really makes it zippy. I've had loaners in automatic and they absolutely did not have it at all. Unfortunately, the clutch on the standard sucks donkey balls, but we've gotten used to it after 5+ years.

The Matrix was the very first car I've ever purchased based solely on being 'practical'. I normally buy cars 1) for how they drive, 2) for how they fit my lifestyle and 3) for how they look. Hence...our next car (a 2011 MINI Clubman). ;)

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I wanted them...DH was all "HTFU!" :rolleyes:

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LOL, my DH was all "huh?" until he used them a few times.

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(Tulip)I created an elaborate decision matrix when I was shopping, and the Toyota Matrix came out on top...but I found it such a drag to drive and the rear visibility bugged me.

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Interesting. I had a spread sheet going too, but for me the Mazda came out on top. I was comparing the 3, the matrix. I wanted a small wagon, no Subaru, and that was what it narrowed down to.

When we were looking it was pretty much between the 3 and the Civic...I never even test drove the Civic, but DH tested both and said that there's no way I would have been as comfortable with the Civic, since the driver's seating wasn't nearly as flexible. It was more like the seating in my Escort, which wasn't short-person friendly...I practically ate the steering wheel in that car. In my 3 my arms are like they are on my bike...just crooked a bit at the elbow...nice and stretched-out. Much safer with an airbag, anyhow.

After test driving a 3 sedan (that was what the dealership had in manual) I was hooked and I think we ordered our hatchback that day. We will never again own a sedan. Hatchback/wagons are so much more practical and roomy. Hubby had an '89 Civic hatchback that he hauled windows in when we replaced a bunch. He'd put the back seat down and remove the passenger seat...amazing how much room that little car offered. He hauled 12' planks on top of it when we redid our floors, too. The only reason we will need a larger vehicle (though this is relative...we'd be looking at something like the Mazda 5 or Ford C-Max) for our next car is that DS is 10 and growing. He's not going to fit well in the back seat of my 3 for all that much longer.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

DS is 10 and growing. He's not going to fit well in the back seat of my 3 for all that much longer.

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Uh oh. This could be a problem. My two sons are 12 and 9.5. The 12 y-o has recently moved up front (he's a tall kid), but there are times when all of us are in the car or we're driving his friends, too, so some kids are usually in the back. And of course, the 9.5 y-o will not be 9.5 forever.

My DH loves his Mazda 3, but for me it has too many blind spots.