Good morning/afternoon/evening all,
Please bare with me as it's my first time posting (I know I'm just asking for trouble =). I plan on purchasing a vehicle in the coming months and have come to the conclusion that the top choices on my list are Honda, Toyota, Nissan or Volkswagen. The only two models I have test drove were a Volkswagen Jetta (06) with a 2.5L engine and a Nissan Altima (06) with their 4cylinder 173(?)HP motor. Both were excellent cars, please read on.
I've owned two 4-cylinder cars in the past, a stubborn 2000 Dodge Neon,
5 speed manual, and a 1994 Saturn ION, also a 4 cylinder. The problem I find with making a decision is based on engine. I've owned two Buick's besides these and that 3800 engine in the 91 LeSabre and in my 98 LeSabre is 'bulletproof'.Are today's 4-cylinders up to snuff with the reliability I expect from the 3800 engine? Most of my driving is done on the highway, I guess I am gun shy because both the Saturn (4cyl) and Neon were destroyed during my highway use. One blew an oil pump, twice (that was the Saturn) and the Neon blew a head gasket and bent a camshaft. I must say that I can appreciate the fuel economy given from say a Mazda 3, or a Honda Civic but I'm afraid of breaking them.
I guess in all I'm looking for a solid, reliable car to get me my 36 miles one way to work, back and forth, for all the days I work, as well as have a comfortable car to ride in if I want to head out on a road trip with the significant other.
I must say I was impressed with the Nissans transmission, I did feel minor shifting but not very much. I do realize that the 2007 altimas will have a 'shiftless' transmission but I'd prefer Manual over automotic since I can save myself close to a grand.
The Jetta appealed to me because of all the neat features it has internally and for the price of the value edition it is tops on what you get for the price. I had my eye on the GLI (2.0T)
After test driving a Subaru Legacy (06), I must say I did not care for it much, it didn't have any 'pep' and was sluggish on acceleration, it was not the turbo.
My price cap is probably around $25,000 - $26,000, I plan on making a sizeable down payment and certainly have time to decide. A decent MPG rating is necessary, something comparable to my current Buick or better. Acceleration is not really important to me, but when I'm on the highway I can appreciate a car that will have more power after 65-70mph to get me out of the city traffic's way when coming up the highway. And most important I want a vehicle that will last 100,000+ with regular maintenance because I plan on keeping it for a while.
I guess in all I'm looking for information on the trustworthiness of the newer motors offered by Japanese auto makers as well as the suggestions of others on what car might fit my request.
That cars I've looked at: Ford Fusion Chevy Impala Buick Lacross and Lucerne Mazda 3 (liking the fact it's packed with a volvo chassis, and Mazaspeed later...) Volkswagen Jetta (GLI, Package 1 and 2 standard Jetta) Honda Civic EX Honda Accord V6 and EX 4cyl Nissan Altima (V6, and 4cyl) Toyota Corolla (S models, XRS available for 2007?)
Thanks in advance for any information you guys/gals might have to offer!