[Subtle_Cynicism]

So after having my third gear overhauled on my 2006 Civic Si (with only 20,000 miles on the odometer), and a newly-discovered SRS airbag/seatbelt tensioner light that gremlins me, I've decided to ditch my Si. It's a shame because it's damn near a perfect car for me. The seats are supportive and sporty, it's fun to drive, and it looks gorgeous (and doesn't get half bad fuel economy either).

However, if anyone knows me, they know all the **** I've went through with this car. Problem after problem after problem. Honda has fought me all the way with it, as well. And I'm sick of it. I bought a Civic because I wanted a car that would last me at least five years, and the way things are going, the car will have fallen apart by that point.

I have been looking into the Mazda3 pretty seriously. I was furious they discontinued the Aurora Blue Mica paint, because that was the only color I wanted, and I don't know what other color I want. Stormy Blue Mica is a far cry from that, but I really love the car. It felt so much more well-built than the Civic, and was equally as fun to drive, even with the automatic. It was a perfect blend of almost everything.

But I saw a Mitsubishi Lancer GTS the other day in blue and I said "Damn, that is one gorgeous car."

I don't know next to anything about Mitsubishi's quality, and I know that Mazda's isn't supposedly all that great, but as Honda has shown me, that doesn't always mean anything.

What are people's thoughts and suggestions? I'd really like to not only have suggestions, but a good conversation about small, compact cars.

Pictures are, as always, welcome.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

How about the Cobalt?
Or the G5 if you like Pontiac more.
I've heard the new Focuses are nice, my hockey coach just bought himself an '08 and is loving it.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Since GMI won't allow a post without 4 or more characters:

"Dubbayew Are Ex"

 

[nsap]

I love the Mazda3 (would like to have one myself), but I would have a hard time buying one now knowing that the all-new one is just around the corner.

In all honesty, I would look at a Focus.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Yup.
A few years ago, if somebody told me that I'd be recommending Focuses to people, I would've laughed in their face.

 

[Ttple]

People seem to like the Hyundai Elantra.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Jesus Christ I am by no means a "Honda guy". But I would rather push your Si than drive any of the cars mentioned so far, and that is assuming I didn't pay for them!

 

[Phoenix]

Astra 3-door XR
VW GTI
Mazda 3

My 3 favorite hatches, the Lancer is nice as well.

 

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

The Lancer does look damn nice, it even had its own cult on GMI for a while lol.

 

[chaseabryant]

Mini Cooper S, or Clubman S if you want a bit more space.

Volvo C30?

I would suggest a big day of test driving soon. Do you have any nice twisty roads nearby?

-Chase

 

[F14CRAZY]

Impreza World Rally X/cross...

 

[plane]

 

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Focus:

I thought about it. I actually seriously considered it briefly. However, it's styling, while it has grown on me, doesn't really do it. The chrome fender trim makes me feel it is trying to be something it definitely is not. The interior doesn't do it for me either. I'll hop by the dealer when I get some freetime and take a look, but from what I've read and seen so far, it'd be a step down slightly. I'd like the replacement to be at, or just slightly below, the Si. Performance excluded, of course.

Cobalt:

This car has been on my mind since it came out. It gets a lot of hate, unduly so. The interior is a bit dated and simple, but it looks and appears to be solid. The exterior still looks nice, but it's, also, a bit long in the tooth.

WRX:

I'd kill for it, but it's a bit out of my price range. I'm looking to escape the premium fuel necessity, but not lose too much sporty appeal.

GTi:

Not a fan of the styling. It's a bit out of my price range as well. I'm looking for a nicely loaded (if not fully) for $23,000 or less.

Mini Cooper:

I don't like the styling that much. There are also way too many fun options that make me want them all, haha.

Astra:

I love the Astra. It is a beautiful car. However, the gas mileage is a little lacking, and so is the sunroof and aux. jack for $20,000. Those options, to me, are pretty much non-negotiable for that price.

 

[DoomsDave]

Cobalt SS - 260 hp turbo would be faster than your Civic SI. Great reviews so far. Basically, the American sport compact.

Volkswagon GTI - 200 hp FSI & great German handling. With the DSG auto trans, it's supposedly faster and better fuel econ than the manual.

Scion tC - Evil empire, but probably a decent car. Budget option that you could probably get a good deal on.

 

[vsd]

Get a used Saab 9-2x Linear.

 

[silvergoat2k6]

Mazda 3...I know a new one is right around the corner...use that to your advantage to get a good deal on a current one.

 

[ksr]

The new Focus got ripped by the press for being just a cosmetic makeover, but it's a nice-looking makeover and seems to be selling quite well.

The Cobalt coupe has always been underrated. In the most recent Road & Track, the turbo version got a very nice writeup. The author said it was one of the most fun cars he had driven and that cobalt was now a "precious metal."

You can't go wrong with a Mazda 3 either.

It doesn't have a lot of power, but the Saturn Astra 3-door is a looker.

 

[Baz]

G8

You will not be disappointed

 

[SirRaven]

You are seriously letting the color of a car be the ONLY reason you do not get a car. I can see it pushing someone over the edge, but it sounds like to me you are going to get a car you dont like just because it comes in a shade of blue you like more. Why settle for a car you think has less styling, less features, not as comfortable with controls you dont like as much because of the shade of blue. Sorry but to me your priorities in a car seem completly out of wack. Go sit down figure out what you want most in a car and buy on that.

If I would have let that decide what car I got I would be in an HHR rather than my Astra and lets just say I would have regretted that every single day I drove my car. Why because I wanted a car in the Metallic Orange, but lets say I will never complain because the I still think the blue I got looks good. If I couldnt have gotten it in a blue? Well I would be driving a black Astra then.

(sorry for the rank, just my opinions on what I have noticed so far)

 

[genjy]

No contest.

Get a 5speed manual Mazda3 hatchback. The Mazda3 is the best car of its class, IMO.

The tC might be a good buy too because of its standard features. The tC doesn't feel as substantial as the Mazda3, though. I drove my friend's tC a couple of years ago, and I didn't really like how it drove and how it was put together.


If you can spend a few more thousands and go for a car in the $23k-$25k turbo compact class... then that's a different story.

-Mazdaspeed3
-Colbalt SS
-GTI
-C30 T5
-Cooper S

That's a really fun list of turbo compacts with their own pros and cons.