Topic: What are YOUR Deal Breakers?

[dougjp]

Knowing that a car's msrp is way lower in the US is a real turn off for me. The Mazdaspeed 3 is a good example. At $24k it's a steal. at 30+k not so much.

Funny you mentioned that car, I was thinking of buying one however that's crazy pricing, $ 33k MSRP. Either they would prefer not to sell them here and concentrate distribution in certain areas of the US only, or there will be a big factory cash discount coming soon (not likely). In the US its $ 23.7k plus $ 795- destination (its $ 1,395- here).

They also need to bring it in another colour that is available in the US (liquid silver metallic) that hides the smiley.  

[Triple Bob]

Hey tpl, why the move from DSG to manual? I thought you liked the DSG?

[sailor723]

Would have to have decent power for merging and passing on two lane highways. Needs to be able to hit 120 by the time you reach the top of an uphill on ramp

Must be AT (wife can't drive a manual)

Leather upholstery with firm,supportive heated seats. I want to be able to drive the ten hours to New York and still be able to walk when I get there.

I agree with the comments about not too common. I like something at least a little different so you don't see yourself going by all the time.

AWD for at least one of our cars (my garages are behind the house and it's 200 feet uphill from the street)

[rrocket]

@Dougjp
I'm on my 6th Mazda in a row and unfortunately they've priced both vehicles I am interested in off the charts (CX-9 and Speed3). It's really unfortunate as my next vehicle will most likely not be a Mazda.

Buy a Speed3 in the USA....

[tpl]

Hey tpl, why the move from DSG to manual? I thought you liked the DSG?

I DO like the DSG. In fact I think that manuals, CVTs and slushboxes will all end up disappearing from regular cars in favour of some variant of the DSG.  So, having been driving manuals since I learnt to drive in the '60s now I have tried a DSG perhaps I'll go back to a manual while I still can.  About 2/3 the cars on my "maybe" list are not available with manual in NA so I'll compromise on a DSG if I have to.  I wonder if the GTI MK VII in 2013 or so will be DSG only.

[dkaz]

GTI, DSG only? Not gonna happen!

[tenpenny]

No MT, it's a family car.

I have one kid with another on the way, my Mazda 5 with MT disagrees with this statement. Why do you need an AT if you have a family?

Umm, perhaps I'm not the only driver in the family, and other drivers can't drive a MT?

[tpl]

GTI, DSG only? Not gonna happen!

We will see. You're probably right for the GTI. It would be interesting to know, NA wide, the mix of DSG and manual cars sold.

[Schmengie]

I shuttle elderly folks around on a regular basis, so good backseat room and comfort is essential. The back seat has to be easy to get in and out of as well.

For obvious reasons the car will have to ride comfortably, while hopefully retaining a bit of handling.

I don't like feeling cramped so the front seats need to be roomy. I'm not particularly tall at 5'11" but I'm long in the torso so I need a vehicle with plenty of headroom.

Seats that don't kill my back on long trips are a must, as is a good sound system with Bluetooth integration and iPod control.

If I had my druthers my next car would have a MT, but since that's not the case  a responsive 5-speed AT with manual mode would be acceptable. I'd even consider a CVT but I'd have to drive one first.

A reasonably responsive engine is a must, but big power isn't important. The car has to be quiet and it has to be nimble in city traffic since that's where I do most of my driving.
 
I want padded places to put my elbows but I don't care if the dash is 'soft touch' as long as it looks good and works well. I like simple mechanical controls better than complicated electronic ones.

Steel wheels and plastic hubcaps are a no-no, but not a deal-breaker. The alloys I got on sale for my Versa were actually cheaper to buy seperately than the OEM steelies, so no big deal here.

Power heated outside mirrors. I won't even look at a car without those, same with power windows, A/C  and central locking. I miss cruise control, so my next vehicle will have that as well. Fog lights would be nice, but that's not a deal-breaker for me.

A sizeable and versatile cargo area. No split-folding rear seats, no deal. Hatchback or wagon, no sedans. The car also has to have good interior storage and a sturdy accessible cupholder for each seat.

Good fuel economy, 10L/100 kms or better.

Things I can live without - sun roof, power seats, leather, climate control, touch-screens, navigation, DVD entertainment systems and ultra low-profile tires.
 

[Leviathan]

I'm thinking that the next car needs to get me to/from work using electricity yet still get me to Whistler, Kelowna & central BC or up the Island. I prefer hatches too. 

[rrocket]

I'm thinking that the next car needs to get me to/from work using electricity yet still get me to Whistler, Kelowna & central BC or up the Island. I prefer hatches too. 

AWD?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

CVT, crappy dealer experience. Not much else is an absolute deal breaker.

I don't like following the herd either.

[vdk]

GTI, DSG only? Not gonna happen!

We will see. You're probably right for the GTI. It would be interesting to know, NA wide, the mix of DSG and manual cars sold.

I'm thinking around 70% DSG in Canada. In QC is the other way around I'd imagine.

[tortoise]

It has to be fun to drive.  I won't buy a car that wallows all over the road with its numb steering.  I'm not saying it has to be a canyon carver or an autocross champ, I just want something that's fun to interact with.   A good example is the 2003 Passat wagon that my inlaws owned.   It was a surprisingly great handler with a nice balance to the suspension tuning that made driving it enjoyable.  At 130 km/hr it really came into its own.

Next is a manual transmission.   The wife and I both prefer it and I've made it an absolute must.

Sedans and CUV's are also out.  It has to be a hatch or a wagon.

Fuel economy.  Our DD would ideally use less than 9 L/100 km (city, summer).  I'll give a little on this for more size/cargo room (like the Honda Element or Mazda5).

Reasonably reliable.  Our P5 has 215,000 km and I would expect my next car to make it there without many significant repairs.  I am willing to give on the reliability to drive something interesting.


I think my wife's only criteria is that it's funky.  She loves the mini, the soul, the Cube (eek), Juke, etc.  As long as it has personality she's interested.

I have a lot of other deal breakers but they're mostly standard on new cars.  Remote power locks, power windows, A/C, etc.

[Trainman]

...

If the seats are uncomfortable to me ...

This would also be one for me, due to my bad back, thanks for the reminder.

... The wife says ... NO! 

So true!

No MT, it's a family car.

I have one kid with another on the way, my Mazda 5 with MT disagrees with this statement. Why do you need an AT if you have a family?

Umm, perhaps I'm not the only driver in the family, and other drivers can't drive a MT?

I agree with tenpenny, it applies to me as well.  I would love a MT, but not the rest of the drivers and we need to be able to share our vehicles.

[toolatecrew]

Overly short gearing resulting in high cruising revs. Drives me crazy (assuming its a main driving car and not a beater or track car)

Curise control is probaly a deal breaker.

[safristi]

...after driving the "thing" it leaves me COLD............................no frisson or Elan ............it's gotta be LURVE @ first drive..or I dump her..... ...


   p.s I'm neither PETTY OR the Heartbreakers.............

[Dante]

1. Design - I can't buy a car I don't like in and out, regardless how good the car is in any other respects. I'm wiling to compromise on other points if I absolutely love the car.

2. Platform/steering/brakes - must handle good and have good steering feel. IRS, 4 wheel disk brakes are a must.

3. Powertrain - the car must have adequate power AND torque (my rule of thumb is 150-200 hp/lb.ft and max 3000 lbs). It must feel up to the task in normal driving conditions and not struggle or feel over worked under acceleration. I don't care much about 0-60mph time, but if the power/weight/gearing are adequate, this should not be an issue. I care more about 40-60, 60-80, 80-100, 100-120, 120-140, etc.
* Old tech or low tech engines are a deal breaker.
* CVT or 4AT are immediate deal breakers. MT-only is unfortunately a deal breaker as well (the wife must be able to drive the car).

4. Reliability and maintenance costs – again, I’m willing to compromise a bit here if all the rest is outstanding.

5. Size - must be compact car/CUV

6. Price

7. Leather seats mandatory for the powertrain/features I want.

8. Brand - there are few brands (both domestic and imports) I'm not ready to buy yet.

[ktm525]

First thing: I have to fit in it. Good ergos get me to the next step. Lack of headroom killed a Mazda 6 wagon for me while the lack of stretch-out legroom killed the Subaru Legacy GT that caught my eye. Next step: How does the rest of the brood fit?

[dguthmann]

1) Red dashes/consoles - too hard to focus on with my old tired 50+ eyes.  Blue/White is much easier to focus on
2) Anything from Ford - after my Windstar experience