Topic: New car - what to get - update case closed!

[Neutron]

Hi there everyone!

So to cut it short, my budget is 15k max, preferably no more than 13K. Has to be under 100K km, and at least 2014. Options I was able to find:

2015 Hyundai Sonata
2014 Volkswagen Passat
2015 Nissan Altima
2015 Honda civic
2015 Mazda 3

I want something that's comfy and quite, nice looking cabin, drives good. I'm not looking for a WRX or anything like that but if it's absolutely boring I don't want it.

I'm currently leaning towards the Sonata. Nissan is a close contender tho. Reliability and ownership costs are driving me away from the VW. Civic and mazda 3 are a bit small. It's not cut and dry for any of the above tho, I'm not decided, it's just why I'm favoring the nata.

Which one would you guys get?

[Jaeger]

Assuming that the 2015 is the new / current generation Civic I'd pick that from the bunch, unless you really need the extra space that the Sonata and Altima provide. But really, the Civic is more than sufficiently spacious for 4 occupants, and the middle spot in the back of any sedan isn't much fun regardless.

[tortoise]

'15 Civic is the old one.  It's a good car that will be reliable over the long haul.  But the model that replaced it is better in almost every way.

From your list of wants I'd look for the nicest Camry SE you can find within your budget.  You might also be able to get into a Mazda6 which is a nice driving and good looking car.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

https://www.taylorvw.ca/en/used-inventory/volkswagen/passat/2015-volkswagen-passat-id5944725

I knew the owner. He was a saint . 

[Jaeger]

Can't find a 2016 Civic for 14k? Should be doable given your mileage allowance. You definitely want the current gen car - scratch the 2015 Civic from your list.

[me_2]

https://www.taylorvw.ca/en/used-inventory/volkswagen/passat/2015-volkswagen-passat-id5944725

I knew the owner. He was a saint . 

St-Sir, 'O' Liver 

Fwiw, if you have a place to recharge, a Chevy Volt (gen.1) has been the best $20K used car ever I bought, few years ago.
Could be possible now to find some below 100K kms and close to your $15K target budget.

[Neutron]

Any reason why I should pick the civic over the above? There is a 2016 civic on auto trader that's within my reach more or less but it's like 1G more than the 2015 Sonata I'm looking at, and the Hyundai seems to have a few more features. Is there an important reason I should pay the 1G more for the civic??

[Jaeger]

Any reason why I should pick the civic over the above? There is a 2016 civic on auto trader that's within my reach more or less but it's like 1G more than the 2015 Sonata I'm looking at, and the Hyundai seems to have a few more features. Is there an important reason I should pay the 1G more for the civic??

They are both comfortable and reasonably quiet. But the Civic will be a bit more fun to drive. That would matter to me more than a couple extra features, but it's your priorities that matter. Not hating on the Sonata. I drove one for 5 years before my current ride. And I had an Altima before that.

Have you driven examples of each of the vehicles you are considering?

[Ex-airbalancer]

https://www.taylorvw.ca/en/used-inventory/volkswagen/passat/2015-volkswagen-passat-id5944725

I knew the owner. He was a saint . 

What was the buy out ?
34,000  , the oil would not have been dirty 

If want save really money , I am told you need to buy a Tesla with Hercules tires 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

https://www.taylorvw.ca/en/used-inventory/volkswagen/passat/2015-volkswagen-passat-id5944725

I knew the owner. He was a saint . 

What was the buy out ?
34,000  , the oil would not have been dirty 

If want save really money , I am told you need to buy a Tesla with Hercules tires 

The sensible thing to do was to buy it out and keep it until it died.

But here we are. 

[Neutron]

Any reason why I should pick the civic over the above? There is a 2016 civic on auto trader that's within my reach more or less but it's like 1G more than the 2015 Sonata I'm looking at, and the Hyundai seems to have a few more features. Is there an important reason I should pay the 1G more for the civic??

They are both comfortable and reasonably quiet. But the Civic will be a bit more fun to drive. That would matter to me more than a couple extra features, but it's your priorities that matter. Not hating on the Sonata. I drove one for 5 years before my current ride. And I had an Altima before that.

Have you driven examples of each of the vehicles you are considering?

The Sonata and I like it, and the old civic but I scratched that one. I'll need to test drive the Altima and the new civic tho and see if I like any of the last 2 more than the nata, in which case I'll change my mind. The new civic looks sexy as hell

[Neutron]

Any reason why I should pick the civic over the above? There is a 2016 civic on auto trader that's within my reach more or less but it's like 1G more than the 2015 Sonata I'm looking at, and the Hyundai seems to have a few more features. Is there an important reason I should pay the 1G more for the civic??

They are both comfortable and reasonably quiet. But the Civic will be a bit more fun to drive. That would matter to me more than a couple extra features, but it's your priorities that matter. Not hating on the Sonata. I drove one for 5 years before my current ride. And I had an Altima before that.

Have you driven examples of each of the vehicles you are considering?

@jaeger which one would be your pick between the Sonata and the Altima at the same price?

[Neutron]

Case closed, bought me a 2015 Mazda 3 skyactiv with 88600 something km for 11500 CAD. Most fun to drive for the money, and the interior is real nice too. Got a set of 4 winter tires with alloy wheels included too. It's got the rearview camera, heated seats, and a few other options. Hope it's a good deal

[BWII]

If it makes you happy it's a good deal.  Don't look back, don't look for a cheaper one.  Just don't look.  But...pics???  You've hit the magic 10 posts (for pictures), go do a show'n'shine. 

[ltruong]

Case closed, bought me a 2015 Mazda 3 skyactiv with 88600 something km for 11500 CAD. Most fun to drive for the money, and the interior is real nice too. Got a set of 4 winter tires with alloy wheels included too. It's got the rearview camera, heated seats, and a few other options. Hope it's a good deal

nice choice.  Definitively the most fun to drive out of the bunch.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Can't go wrong with a Mazda3.  It's definitely among the nicest of the compact cars.  And, $11500 seems fair for a 4 year old model...