Or should I say ATSs for Frank?
Ok there are some new cars on his list. Frank has owned an S2000 and appreciates that kind of thing, but wants something resembling a family car. He has a new car list assembled with cars up to about $24k. A lightly used ATS can fit the bill both in terms of how it is to drive, plus the manual, and fit the budget. And probably get either a CPO or a good warranty backed by Cadillac, too.
Not sure how the back seat will handle a rear facing child seat.
Example car: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 2073&Log=0
2014, 3000 miles, 2.0T, manual. $26k
If you go a year older with 30-40k, you can get them for $20k or even like $18k (manual, 2.0T).
I don't believe you can get a manual trans with AWD. You can't get it with the V6, either. Unless you count the amazing V, but let's not...
RWD means snow tires. A bit of an extra cost and effort. Decent all seasons and not driving in more than 5 inches of snow probably would also work, unless you have a steep driveway or something.
Cars for Frank
Re: Cars for Frank
My other honest question is, how much is the ATS going to fit the bill as an appliance?
Not sure that matters as much with the lower miles Frank would be looking at, never mind an actual warranty. He could always just see how the car is over the warranty period and make a determination if it is something to hang onto, or move on. The risk is very manageable that way. Substituting a lightly used ATS vs a new whatever might actually work out in terms of resale.
Not sure that matters as much with the lower miles Frank would be looking at, never mind an actual warranty. He could always just see how the car is over the warranty period and make a determination if it is something to hang onto, or move on. The risk is very manageable that way. Substituting a lightly used ATS vs a new whatever might actually work out in terms of resale.
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frankbreau
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2016 11:47 am
Re: Cars for Frank
The back seat mag be a little tight.. it would also end up looking pretty molested with my bike racks all other it.
This is what I'm after:
Holds rear facing child seat in the center back seat.
Holds my bigass jogging stroller without folding down seats.
Manual trans preferred, but Im not married to it.
New or late model. 20k miles is about as high as I'd like to go.
In the neighborhood of $25k. Obviously less is better.
Good safety ratings
Honestly this thing is going to be more of an appliance than anything. Driving to Groton, Newport, and daycare. Occasionally in snow and going to the mountains, but nowhere near as much as I used to. It will likely have some combination of roof/hitch mount racks.
This is what I'm after:
Holds rear facing child seat in the center back seat.
Holds my bigass jogging stroller without folding down seats.
Manual trans preferred, but Im not married to it.
New or late model. 20k miles is about as high as I'd like to go.
In the neighborhood of $25k. Obviously less is better.
Good safety ratings
Honestly this thing is going to be more of an appliance than anything. Driving to Groton, Newport, and daycare. Occasionally in snow and going to the mountains, but nowhere near as much as I used to. It will likely have some combination of roof/hitch mount racks.
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frankbreau
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2016 11:47 am
Re: Cars for Frank
Test drives so far (all new cars):
Subaru outback 2.5 CVT. Drove like a tank, was kind of big to park, but utility is super high. Would be fine in snow. My telework agreement handles great in the snow too.
Subaru forester 2.5 6mt. Liked the driving position better than outback. Shifter was surprisingly good, clutch was very light with good engagement. Super cargo capacity and good in bad weather. Good pricing and finance incentives on this one
Honda civic ex-t with CVT . I really liked this one. Manual would be nice, but it was fun enough to drive and gets 42 mpg on the highway. Loved the digital dash and turbo boost gauge. Really like the redesigned styling outside and in. The reviews on this car are all really good and I can see why.
Still want to drive:
VW gti 4 door 6mt
Vw golf base model with manual
Subaru crosstrek 5 speed
And the wild card, Chevy volt. Possibly used, 2013 or 2014. I don't want to buy a 35k new car and have to wait for a 10k tax refund.
Subaru outback 2.5 CVT. Drove like a tank, was kind of big to park, but utility is super high. Would be fine in snow. My telework agreement handles great in the snow too.
Subaru forester 2.5 6mt. Liked the driving position better than outback. Shifter was surprisingly good, clutch was very light with good engagement. Super cargo capacity and good in bad weather. Good pricing and finance incentives on this one
Honda civic ex-t with CVT . I really liked this one. Manual would be nice, but it was fun enough to drive and gets 42 mpg on the highway. Loved the digital dash and turbo boost gauge. Really like the redesigned styling outside and in. The reviews on this car are all really good and I can see why.
Still want to drive:
VW gti 4 door 6mt
Vw golf base model with manual
Subaru crosstrek 5 speed
And the wild card, Chevy volt. Possibly used, 2013 or 2014. I don't want to buy a 35k new car and have to wait for a 10k tax refund.
Re: Cars for Frank
Kevin won't agree, but you might want to check out the AWD Fusion if you like the AWD Subaru's. It will definitely have less utility, but might be a good cross between the Subaru and Civic. The GTI on your list gets excellent reviews also.
Re: Cars for Frank
Both the back seat and trunk on the ATS are pretty weak. You'd have to really like the way it drives/feels. Think of it this way...you can split the difference between an S2000 and Forester.
CTS wagon?
CTS wagon?
Re: Cars for Frank
Also, you should test drive a Mazda 6. They get great ratings and the second tier model is just under 25K brand new. (I know I am a crazy Mazda fan, but they do give a nice ride, and it is available in a 6 speed manual). This has won the Car and Driver 10Best with the 3, and I believe won the class of 4 cyl cars against the Accord and
Camry.
Camry.
Re: Cars for Frank
I think he's looking for a better family/activity vehicle, like some kind of wagon/hatch.
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frankbreau
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2016 11:47 am
Re: Cars for Frank
Yeah we'll see. I'm going to try and knock a couple more off my test drive list tomorrow. VW and Mazda are pretty close together in Wakefield.
Re: Cars for Frank
After my recent GTI rental experience, I would definitely recommend a test drive. Maybe VW is desperate enough these days to throw in a good extended warranty.