I've never looked at Hyundai. How is build quality on those? On another front, I have a major hatred of road noise in a car. Are there any brands that I should avoid?
Kia and Hyundai. brands that 5 years ago I would never consider. Have things changed?
I live in CT and get snow on occasion. So RWD is not a real option.
No AWD because I don't want to spend money on it's up front cost and lesser fuel economy for the 10 minutes a year I'd actually want it. (Note that I did not say need it). If the roads are that bad, stay home.
/dead horse
Thanks for the advice on Honda. I'll probably avoid Honda all together. That's the thing about Toyota cars. I'd think that the Camry and the Avalon are both very quiet with the Avalon being quieter. I'm surprised that the Prius is one of the quietest cars on the road after doing some reading. I guess I never noticed how quiet it is.
Anyway, I've been reading up on the Chevy Impala. I'm starting to really like what I am hearing about the ECO model. 35 MPG, $29-$31K. Redone for 2-014 and people are raving aobut it.
Fuck the eco model. 3.6 V6 or bust. The previous POS model was damn zippy. The drivetrain was the only good thing about it!
Fuck the eco model. 3.6 V6 or bust. The previous POS model was damn zippy. The drivetrain was the only good thing about it!
I disagree on the Prius. Having been in several of the new ones, including the V, I'd say they are some of the least refined vehicles for the price. Loud, ride is not very comfy (nor is there a terribly sporty trade off), and the seats aren't pleasant imo. If you want a comfy highway cruiser, that is most definitely not it!
The Impala does look promising though.
That was the point I failed to make. The new one looks awesome. The only good thing about the previous model was the 3.6L V6 which is carried over.Read about the latest model. I read one site that placed it as the top car in it's class. That's full size in similar price ranges. Beat out the Avalon and a slew of others.
That was the point I failed to make. The new one looks awesome. The only good thing about the previous model was the 3.6L V6 which is carried over.
Did you test drive the Avalon hybrid? It's on my short list, but I haven't taken it for a spin yet.
Any thoughts on a Mazda 6?
man, the Impala interior looks sweet. I was going to wait till summer but I am currently talking to my wife about moving the date up on all this.
Chevy Impala reviews of the V6 are amazing. The one review that talks about the ECO version said it is juddery. A fancy word for has strange shakes. If that's true, it's no longer on my short list.
New one has been reviewed well, although its not really a 'large' car. I feel like some better engines are on the horizon for it, but I can't remember. Not sure if the diesel is still planned, that will bring some good mpg numbers to it.
Also, consider a diesel. Passat TDI would put you into the 40mpg range easily, and with that budget you could option it up. Its a pretty big car, probably pretty close inside to a Impala.
I would take the Avalon Hybrid over all those cars. Toyota's hybrid system is absolutely bombproof.
Did some math.
The Avalon will cost me about $30/month more than my truck. Gas costs drop from $240 to $120 but the monthly loan will go from $416 to $560.
The Chevy Impala Eco should save me $10/month overa truck. So, that means the Avalon Hybrid costs me an extra $40/month vs the impala.
I might go with the Camry SE Hybrid simply because it will save me about $100 per month vs the truck.
Might test drive both and decide.
ES350 is similar size to a Camry FWIW. So is the MKZDamn, Lexus ES2350 hybrid ..... wow. Comes in at $39,500. Baiscally a nice Avalon?
Over at a Toyota forum, people generally think the Avalon is a waste of money and that the Camry is the way to go. One said that if the Avalon is a consideration you might as well look at a few others including the ES350 which happens to come as a hybrid.