Whats a good 4dr car?

[DropTopPony]

I just went through this last year, we needed a relatively cheap 4 door that was good on gas but had some power to it. We went with an 05 Chevy Malibu with the V6...its @200hp and gets 27/31mpg. I found one that was a demo and paid $13,000 for it out the door. Regular price is 22k...its not bad at all, i smoke most kids in imports and i think i'll take an NPI GT too

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

thankx for the opinions. She told me tonight its down to a mazda 6, mazda 3, maxima, and an altima. The only 2 that will be new are the 6 and the 3, we cant afford the maxima and altima new since we r gonna leave the hicktown and move over by st.louis. makes more of a reason for me to buy another sports car.

I would skip the Altima especially if its the 4 banger model. Lots of problems with that engine. The 07s had a recall for catching on fire. They are notorious for blowing out the precats and then them getting sucked into the motor and scoring the cylinder walls, which causes oil useage and if the owner doesnt check it blown engines. They also have a problem with the screws that hold the secondary butterflies comming loose and dropping into the combustion chamber, and as you can imagine bad things.

The V6 Altimas are very quick but not so great on mileage. I am a big fan of the Maximas, they are very nice and have tons of room. But again not that good of mileage.

You cant go wrong with either Mazda but I bought the 6 because its got more room and was the same price if not less than an equally equipped 3. There are tons of rebates and the dealers work with the 6s but not alot on the 3. But the V6 Mazda 6 gets bad mileage and its not quick so if its a commuter I would get the 4 banger Mazda6 and if you want some performance go with the Altima or Maxima.

That being said I have heard from the Mazda forums that people are picking up new Mazdaspeed6 cars for like 23K. Thats a steal, sticker is around 30K. Awd and 270 or so hp.

 

[mineralgray2002]

I want her to get a mazdaspeed but she cant drive a stick and i dont want her to in st.louis traffic. Her commute when we move will be about half an hour. Thankx for the info on the altima, i hadnt heard anything bad about it. Actually i have a friend that thinks it will beat the new mustang gt and crap like that. Ill be in the area of a mazda dealer tomorrow so ill stop by and look at them all, maybe i can talk her into an rx8

 

[mywifesgt]

How about a used Acura TSX...I'm currently looking at one of those for my wife.

 

[Mike97gt]

The Mazda3 is definatly faster than a Focus aside from an SVT. The 2.3 Mazda 3 is a quick little car, like 160hp.

I have an 06 Mazda6 with the 2.3 and its descent quick and was 17K brand new. Great car for the $$. The wife has an 07 Pontiac G6 with the panoramic moonroof and its a pretty nice car as well.

they have that same 2.3 in ford focus, it's a shared motor... it's getting hard to tell the mazdas from fords

I used to HATE the MadzaFords like the probe/cougar but now that mazda is using Ford EEC it's much better.. Who ever at mazda invented the MECS setup needs to be stabbed in the eye with a rusty screwdriver and then have battery acid poured into the wound.

 

[LI98GTStang]

I've had a Ford 500 for about a year now and it's by far the best made Ford/car that I've ever driven. Unless you need the space the 500 provides (which I do for 3 kids), the Fusion would be a great option IMO and the lighter weight would help performance also. The Fusion has a stretched Mazda 6 frame under the covers with the same motor and 6sp. tranny (made by Aisin - who makes the Toyata Avalon's tranny) as the 500, which works great together. I also like the Mazda 6 in Hatch form for the utility and looks cool too. Sporty interior/exterior with sporty ride/handling. I would atleast put them on my short list along with an Accord for a test drive. GL with the purchase.

 

[LI98GTStang]

they have that same 2.3 in ford focus, it's a shared motor... it's getting hard to tell the mazdas from fords

I used to HATE the MadzaFords like the probe/cougar but now that mazda is using Ford EEC it's much better.. Who ever at mazda invented the MECS setup needs to be stabbed in the eye with a rusty screwdriver and then have battery acid poured into the wound.

One thing I like about the 2.3 motors that are in the focus/Mazda 3 cars are that they are chain driven so no stupid belt to be changed out at big expense or pain in the 60-90k mileage range.

 

[BurningRubber]

Mercury Marauder FTMFW.

 

[Pughman]

all a taurus needs is some small things to be bad a$$.....

 

[Mossberg]

Mercury Marauder FTMFW.

QFTMFT

I would have one if I didn't have the Stang.

 

[Mossberg]

If she can wait, get one of these 4 door Mustangs. I don't know what they cost though.

 

[hotmustang331]

^now THAT is UGLY! Who the heck is ford letting into the design room! Gosh dang, everything is all square and the car has brick like aerodynamics.
Its almost 2007, lets see some more slippery vehicles for petes sake! That car has probably never even seen the wind tunnel haha.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

i bought mt wife an 07 accord about 2 months ago. it is a GREAT car. it pulls 25 mpg in town and rides amazing! i would say get an accord, TSX or the new camry. we originally wanted the camry se but didnt get what we wanted for our trade in. i wouldnt buy an american car for a DD. i hate to say it but when it comes to getting a car for the woman in your life, an import is better all around! i have no doubt my honda will make it to 300k with no problems

 

[40th GT]

I would either get a Camry or a Fusion. Maybe even a Passat.

 

[Pennywise2]

Have her get a Subaru WRX they make the perfect daily
driver.
They are good on gas,plenty of power,excellent looks,
and have four doors also.
Happy car shopping though!

 

[mineralgray2002]

i tried talkin her into gettin a wrx or an evo but she didnt go for it. hell i might go get myself an sti if i can find one

 

[Pennywise2]

i tried talkin her into gettin a wrx or an evo but she didnt go for it. hell i might go get myself an sti if i can find one

A Subaru STI is a great investment and will hold it's value very well
over the years.In my opnion the EVO8 is fugly and they have alot of
problems/issues of their own.As far as performance and looks go talk
her into getting a STI.You should no problems finding one in your area
if you are really serious about getting one.
www.ebaymotors.com
www.autotrader.com
www.cars.com

 

[mineralgray2002]

actually ive been lookin around at some stealerships, and the only sti ive found is like an 05 and they want 30k for it.

 

[chromedog]

we have just over 3k miles on our 07 fusion, and i must say, it is the best car ive ever owned...it is the 3.0 duratec, 231 hp, 6 speed, and it flat out flies for a 4 door sedan! 90 mph, the tach reads 2800 rpm. ive read up on the tsb's, there was a minor programming glitch with the computer that screwed with the shifting, and another for rattles in the doors, and dash...thats 3 tsb's vs. 7 for the honda... pretty good for a 2nd year domestic car, i think!

 

[Pennywise2]

actually ive been lookin around at some stealerships, and the only sti ive found is like an 05 and they want 30k for it.

Actually you mite pay alittle more but,the STI's you will
find at Subaru Dealership's are certified diamonds and are probably
in mint condition.
I know quite few guys that work at this place and they are very
reputable.
www.garylangsubaru.com