GTI: better gas millage than most of these choices and amazing power with tons of cargo room in the rear. And you won't look like an old librarian driving it. Starts at $25K, or get something with a few miles on it to save $$. Nuf said.
Final result was a Civic LX. With trade value on the Q total OTD was 17k. So far she's happy and saving more than 300/months is huge.
New car smell is always nice. Hondas have a way that they grow on you. They just do their thing and do it well enough that you'll be like this is pretty good and all will be fine.
She really likes it right now so that's a good thing. She will get bored with it - but being a Honda and the way she takes care of her cars it'll have a good amount of equity when she does. Hell, she just got 3500 out of a leased ride. First step will be tint. Then maybe some rims. Then a fart can
Like I said, I still love mine and it's a 2010 with almost 100K on it. The new ones look very nice and have a lot of standard features that weren't standard on any car just a few years ago. The back of the new ones kinda looks like a Volvo to me.
She loves the back end too It was amazing to compare it to the Corolla - a LOT of stuff not on the Corolla that is on the Civic. Night and day really for the same basic price point.
Thinking about it...Evelyn has done the unthinkable in 'Murica. she went from a Luxury SUV to a compact car. That's like so un-American, I'm going to have to double down on pie tonight #murica
I went from a Chevrolet Trailblazer to a Civic and don't regret one second of it. That Trailblazer was a gas guzzler that broke all of the time and just proved to me that American made automobiles suck.
OK so got an awesome deal on Civic LX - got a dark gray metallic - it had so much over the Toyota it was crazy including a bigger motor more pep and handling. Cruise control, auto lights, intermittent wipers,hands free blue tooth decent radio, comfy seats with a cool looking finish - very impressed - lowered my payment by $317. a month, drove it to Tally this weekend - does 78-80 no problem and accelerates nicely. Filled it back up today - $13.00!!!!! So far I really like it - going to get windows tinted and after I wear out these tires - new rims and tires! I maybe should have driven more models but Honda truly worked with me on this and I know the car will hold it's value. I've had some great rides in my years of driving but looking at 64 next month I really wanted to get something fun but also something that will be in my comfort zone - the days of wanting a big bad V8 with lots of power are gone and now I want fun and practical. I will always love driving and if I ever win the lottery the first thing I would get is a high end car with lots of handling.......but until then I'll be happy in my good looking Honda Civic! Things I miss Nav System (but I have a IPhone6S) the power leather seats and keyless start/lock...nothing major for me. I'll get back to you all in a year and let you know where I am with it all!!