Recent grad buying his first new car...
 

A good friend of mine graduated from Physical Therapy school last winter, and has been working at a Sports Clinic just outside of Charlotte, NC for ~6 months.

He's getting married in a year, and wants to buy a "practical" new car in the 20K and under price range. He left a message for me last Thursday night, but I didn't get a chance to catch up with him until last night, when he updated me on what he's test-driven thus far:

1) Toyota Camry (4 cyl)
2) Mazda 6i (4 cyl)

He wasn't thrilled with the Camry, but fell head-over-heels for the sweet styling of the Mazda 6! As his fiancee lives in NY, I talked to him about the base Legacy 2.5 sedan (non-turbo) and the benefits of an awd car in the Winter. He's setting up an appointment to test-drive one early this week and will give me an update by Wednesday evening.

Any other cars he should consider?

-Chike

yes. forester 2.5x, impreza 2.5rs, and outback sport. :D

He's not a big fan of wagons (doesn't plan on having kids for another 5yrs). I will mention the Impreza 2.5 RS though. They're sweet, sporty and a ton o' fun! :cool:

-Chike

05 2.5 RS would be great. Its what I bought for my wife, auto of course. Plus the bonus of the RS all WRX mods fit :D

Tell him to give the Mazda3s a shot. It has the same engine as the 6i, but its smaller and lighter. It's very similar to the 6 in feel and looks, but you can get one fully loaded for the same price as a stripper 6i. It does look kinda small, but it's actually got a decent amount of room- I went and test drove one this weekend to possibly replace my Avenger and eat up quite a bit of my paycheck, and I'm 6'2" and felt very comfortable in the car. My dad sat in the passenger seat, and the salesman decided to tag along in the back seat. He had to be over 300lbs and also tall, and he seemed to fit OK back there. I didnt get a really good test drive, because my father didnt like the fact that the salesman decided to come along, but I will be going to a different Mazda dealer sometime this week to give one a real drive. From what I did feel though, power delivery was nice and linear, the steering felt great and it turned very nicely. It has similar weight and power to my Avenger and it felt worlds different.

Oh, also tell him to try the Scion tC- its a Toyota so it's nearly bulletproof, and comes pretty much fully loaded for $16k.

dare i say the new Hyundai Sonata? (if AWD isn't necessary?)

got excellent reviews, cheap, great quality, great warranty. wife and i really thought the Hyundai Tucson was nice when we were shopping for the LGT, but her WRX will have to hold out for a while. :D

i personally wouldn't buy one - i need more sportiness, but its a great value for what you get.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...20024616-E.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...20024608-E.jpg

i forgot about teh sonata. i was in the hyundai dealership getting our first oil change and they finally has some 06s in stock. i didn't drive one, but i sat in one in the showroom and seriously contemplated leaving the legacy unlocked with the keys in the ignition so i could get one.

i wouldn't go that far! :eek:

get yerself a Cobb AP and you'll change your tune - i just installed the new version Stage 1 last week and ....WOW! sucker just PULLS! :D Trey Cobb's daily driver is an LGT. ;)

i'm still in the doghouse over buying the car 11 months ago. the deal is i have to get off my butt and sell some SVX parts so i can pull the trigger. either that or buy hubby anotehr snake. :)

teh snake?!!!!!!?!!?!/11!!?!!?!?!!

yes snakes. we have 7 milksnakes (one of which is MIA somewhere in the house) and two ball pythons. :)

Good call. I'll mention that to him. The Mazda 6 and Legacy 2.5i will be the more upscale, while the Mazda 3 and Impreza 2.5 RS will be the more youthful and sporty shoices.

I mentioned the Scion tC to him, but he wants a practical 4 door. He wants his soon-to-be father-in-law to think he's serious about settling down! :rolleyes: :D

I didn't think about that but reviews on the new V6 Sonata are glowing. Car looks 10x better than the previous model too.

-Chike

I'd have a heart-attack if a snake was MIA in my house!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

-Chike

Yes, Mazda Speed 6. It's an AWD too. :cool:

He wants to be thought as seriously setting down................... ?
Ever thought of the SUZUKI VERONA, that'll give a serious look. :D
I think he could get a very fully loaded EX with a good budget, he would
have 6 cyclinder power and all leather interior. :)

The Mazda6 and Legacy 2.5 are pretty good..........