[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

+1 for the Mazda if going sensible.

If she's hung up on the luxury brands more than the actual car, well...we're on bimmerpost not benzworld. CPO 3 series? CPO 5 series? CPO X3 maybe?

What he said and if Mazda is a consideration and she's willing to get into a small SUV, I'd say the CX-5 is worth looking at. My coworker has one and very satisfied with it. I have to admit, for the money it's nice looking, has quality interior materials and should be reliable. Even with the smaller engine it's a bit sporty.

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

She's not so much hung up on luxury brands, that's all my influence. I've owned two BMW's. I told her to avoid them as I don't want to go back to turning wrenches on the weekends.

In that case yeah a Mazda 3 or 6 would be solid imo. Also, what about a 4 door hatch?

A couple examples:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=576024497

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=574333150

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by E92inPHX

DO NOT under any circumstances buy a 2015-current C300, I don’t know what the engine code is but stay away from any MB with a 300 engine from the mid 2010s onwards. I don’t even know if they’ve solved the issue yet. The engine has a known exploding problem and MB refuses to put an extended warranty on it. I couldn’t walk through the shop without there being a 300-C,E, and all the other models with that engine-having a new engine put in. We had a tech dedicated to replacing them, which is good for him since he can get through a 20+ hr job pretty quick cuz he did so many. There were usually several crates around the shop with new engines waiting for someone to come in to have it installed. Luckily all of them except one guy had either the new warranty or CPO, it cost the guy $9500 to replace one fucking piston.

FYI, my neighbor is lemon lawing his C300 thanks to this issue :

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2...-reached.shtml

So if she's sensitive to mold or will be transporting people / kids who are, I'd stay away from the Benz.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

What he said and if Mazda is a consideration and she's willing to get into a small SUV, I'd say the CX-5 is worth looking at. My coworker has one and very satisfied with it. I have to admit, for the money it's nice looking, has quality interior materials and should be reliable. Even with the smaller engine it's a bit sporty.

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

In that case yeah a Mazda 3 or 6 would be solid imo. Also, what about a 4 door hatch?

A couple examples:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=576024497

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=574333150

I'm actually looking at CX-9's now. She's not a big fan of the hatchback. Thanks guys for the input!

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

I'm confused by this. Why does she need a paddy wagon based on my history?

C'mon Jody....Have you lost your sense of humor or have you become the Forum's Dear Abby poster boy?

XO ♥

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

In that case yeah a Mazda 3 or 6 would be solid imo. Also, what about a 4 door hatch?

A couple examples:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=576024497

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=574333150

Rear visibility sucks, no?

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

C'mon Jody....Have you lost your sense of humor or have you become the Forum's Dear Abby poster boy?

XO ♥

Oh no dear, not lost at all. Now had you said a fire truck or an ambulance, that would be spot on.

[chassis]

What are your max/oldest year and max mileage requirements? Fuel economy requirement?

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

Oh no dear, not lost at all. Now had you said a fire truck or an ambulance, that would be spot on.

I thought of that but I should have said 'Padded Wagon' because for the life of me, you need to give your head a shake when you describe your relationship.

When I have to remove some very sticky tape from a hairy area, it only hurts for a s...e...c...o...n...d...!

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by chassis

What are your max/oldest year and max mileage requirements? Fuel economy requirement?

I asked her about this, she doesn't have any real parameters set as of yet. She just mentioned to me yesterday and of course, I got all kinds of excited and started shopping for her. Basically just to show her how far $20k would go. She was thinking she would have to settle for something in the 20 range.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

I thought of that but I should have said 'Padded Wagon' because for the life of me, you need to give your head a shake when you describe your relationship.

When I have to remove some very sticky tape from a hairy area, it only hurts for a s...e...c...o...n...d...!

Oh come one now. I'm happy in my relationship. We have our issues from time to time, but our issues are really non-issues compared to others. I may make a bigger deal about them, or may make them seem larger than they are, only because it means a lot to me. It's always a work in progress.

[4Hockey4]

Wife and a friend I rec'd to, loves their loaded Civic turbo EX's. Hell brand new is only $22K loaded. Drives surprisingly nice..she came out of a Avalon and Bimmer. Her year is 0-60 in 6.6...not bad. Well and 40mpg is nice.

Also I'm 6' and friend is 6'3, its fits fine,

Any Toyota or Honda, go at least 3 years back, or buy new. Simply not enough savings with warranty etc

[E92inNC]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

The girlfriend is looking for a new car. She has driven the same Ford F-150 for the past 15 years. She is looking for a 4 door sedan under $20k.

We have looked at a handful of cars, but nothing has jumped out at her yet. She does like C300's. What do you recommend?

For sedans, I myself like the previous gen Accords 2015/2016. I like the 15 front without the bar and the 16 smoked tail lights. Looks pretty good, plenty of features, 3.5 V6 for mid teens, very reliable.

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

In that case yeah a Mazda 3 or 6 would be solid imo. Also, what about a 4 door hatch?

A couple examples:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=576024497

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=574333150

This is a very common complaint. They usually just spray a disinfectant in the vents and sometimes will replaced the filter. The thinking is it’s a cheap temporary fix for the original owner and then once it gets to a higher mileage they just blame it on age/mileage.

[Maynard]

Another vote for a Mazda 3 or 6 (or the semi-SUV variants).

[dreamingat30fps]

If she's not an enthusiast, doesn't care about luxury, wants a reliable car and likes hatchbacks.... 2020 Corolla Hatchback. Can probably get a brand new one for your budget depending on trim level.

If given a choice to take any of the 4 vehicles in the house my gf will always take the Corolla.

[Sara]

You got a new girlfriend?!

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Sara504

You got a new girlfriend?!

Negative. Same girlfriend.

[M5Rick]

Yes I'd go with Mazda,I had a 6 and it was great, lots of room and easy straight forward servicing.

[rwheels]

Not that it would become a classic, or anything, but have you guys considered a renovation? In other words, a repaint, reupholstery, upgrade of the audio system? This may be a consideration, if she really doesn't see anything she really likes out there.

[King Rudi]

I pulled up some Mazda 6's and CX-9's last night for her to look at. She seemed interested but not overly excited. Personally I feel like a Mazda, Honda or Toyota is going to be the way to go for her.

Originally Posted by rwheels

Not that it would become a classic, or anything, but have you guys considered a renovation? In other words, a repaint, reupholstery, upgrade of the audio system? This may be a consideration, if she really doesn't see anything she really likes out there.

On her current vehicle? No. It's a pretty old ford pick up with over 200k on the clock. She simply isn't interested in any of that. She has a project car that hasn't been touched since we started dating 5 years ago.

[Mintsopoulos]

Mazda or Toyota.

My wife had a CX5 and I was a big fan of it, and she currently has a highlander(bigger than what you need) but I think anything under those two umbrellas youll be happy with.

[DETRoadster]

You haven't told us nearly enough about her to make an educated decision. What aspects of her hobbies, personality, life translate into a vehicle choice? Example: She commutes 100 miles a day and the inside of her car looks like a rolling dumpster and the outside hasnt been washed in 3 years vs. she likes to hike, camp, fish, and needs to carry a kayak.