New Car input

[CDN_Merlin]

So, I currently own a 2008 Impala. I'm not happy with GM. I've had 2 Impala's and both have given me headaches. At 6'5 and my wife being 6' we can't really fit into a smaller car. I'm currently looking at;

Hyundai Sonata
Volkswagen Jetta/Passat
Mazda 6

I'm not into SUVs or Crossovers.

I don't fit in a Ford Fusion so Ford is not an option either. The only Chrysler I'd buy is the 300 but I can't afford it.

Anyone have any experience with the above cars? I'd be buying a 2012 model.

[Foil]

I'm a little over 6'3", and from my experience, the 6 and Sonata (older versions) both seem to give me a couple inches of headroom. Not sure if it would be enough for 6'5", though.

[CDN_Merlin]

I also want something that will not have issues like the Impala. Currently my read doors do not lock/unlock with my keyless remote. It's a pain. I also had the Throttle Position Sensor die less than a year after I bought it and had to pay $600 to get it fix since they have to change the entire assembly.

[Krom]

The more stories I hear and the more times I go to the shop to get the oil changed and someone says "You really have 233,000 miles on that?" the more I think our 2000 Impala must be some kind of miracle...

[CDN_Merlin]

Krom, I had a 2001 Impala and the head gasket blew. $3000 later I pick up the car and the Alternator dies. Another $400. The gasket was a known issue on the Impala and GM was sued for it but sadly I only found out to late to get any money. Also, the driver window had issues where it wouldn't go up or down anymore. Had to open it up and clean the contacts etc. Did it twice within a few months before I traded it for my 08.

I like the Impala for size, comfort, power but hate the stupid BS about it.

[Krom]

Ours had the head gasket go out at about 160,000 (symptom was a low coolant light), but it was $530 to fix and its been fine ever since. Also had the switch fail on the driver side window control just like yours.

The other problems I can remember over the last 200,000 miles are a bad oxygen sensor ($100 something), a wheel bearing had to be replaced ($200-300), the airbag in the left side of the drivers seat had to be replaced ($300 something iirc), one vacuum hose cracked and caused a cylinder to continually misfire ($70), the rear brakes rusted out recently (one of them actually disintegrated on the road while the mechanic was test driving it, $650), and a coolant line cracked causing coolant to spray on the engine so steam was coming out of the hood ($20 for the part, $160 for the labor). There is also a sensor related to the fuel tank that sometimes causes the check engine light to come on, removing and replacing the fuel cap will make it clear after a while.

Also it had a dead battery this morning... -_-

[CDN_Merlin]

So you've had your fair share of crap. I remember reading about the fuel cap issue.

So far the only issues I've read about the 2012 Sonata is hard seats and some cars tend to pull left.

I haven't looked into VW or Mazda yet.

Not easy decided on which car to get. For looks, I like the Sonata and the Passat.

[BUBBALOU]

Passat would be 1st choice

Sonata second ( I'll check my friends 2011 for size)
I fit in a hyundia accent with no issues and I'm 6'5"

[CDN_Merlin]

Bubba, I also have a daughter who is 5'6". I've thought about the Elantra and I will test drive it to see if it's doable for us. It's cheaper and better on gas and I could get a fully loaded one for the base price of a Sonata.

[Isaac]

Maybe just take the front seats out of the ford fusion and sit in the back?

[dissent]

Can't speak to the Mazda 6, but I've been in a Mazda 3 since 2006. Had a Mazda Protege before that. I like 'em. I expect Mazda to be my next car as well.

[CDN_Merlin]

Mazda 3 is to small for us sadly.

[Capm]

Are you stuck on a car? You might be more comfortable in a mid-size quad-cab pickup. My dad is 6'4" and loves to drive a 76-77 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (500ci v8) And it is a comfortable car, if you can find one. Friend of mine swears by his old-man-car buick somethingorother, like a roadmaster or park avenue or something.

You'll want a full-size sedan on a car, no compact car is gonna make it easy on you getting in or out even if you sit comfortably once you're in.

On that matter, my wifes 07 Grand Caravan is very comfortable, roomy and has given us no problems.


You generally want to steer away from the first year or two of a body-style, as they tend to have more problems than a matured lineage. Like the 08 Grand Caravan, new design, so glad I didnt' get it because they've had a slew of problems. Doesn't matter what make you get, they all have their good and bad versions, you just have to figure out which ones are which.

In the end, you'll have to do your research to find something comfortable and reliable, and ask a mechanic you trust what their opinion is too.

[CDN_Merlin]

No mini vans or pickups or SUV. They guzzle to much gas.

[Foil]

Mazda 3 is to small for us sadly.

If you're comfortable in the Mazda 6, I'd recommend it. My previous car (a 626, the predecessor to the 6) lasted me over 300,000 miles. It was comfortable, especially with a moonroof, and rarely required more than normal maintenance.

[CDN_Merlin]

I haven't sat in a Mazda 6 yet but I'll consider it. I have a lot of cars to test and research to do before I buy one.

[Capm]

Guzzle? My Grand Caravan averages 26mpg highway. Though I can't argue on a truck or suv, but the mid-size pickups, if you get them with their larger engines, actually don't do too bad because the engine doesn't have to work as hard to pull the truck. But even at that, you probably wouldn't do better than the caravan with one.

It all depends on your needs/wants/environment. You might have to trade off a few mpg to get something comfortable to get in and out of, etc.

I can't speak to the new models, but the Ford Taurus, I've had two of those in the past and they've always been very reliable and fairly comfortable cars, and they get ok gas mileage.

[CDN_Merlin]

I LOVE the look of the new Taurus. It could be an option for me but all depends on $$$

[CUDA]

I"m 6'6" 270

of your options go with the new Sonata, I work for a multiline dealership and drive a lot of cars, it's the most comfortable. the new Kia Optima is a sister clone also. if your thinking Hyundai look at the Genesis if you can afford it. Fantastic car for the $$ in a luxury model.

I'm in the process of Buying a Flex, I need the extra seating to carry my 5 grand-kids, plus it sits higher and makes it easier for an old man to get in and out of.

[CDN_Merlin]

Cuda, I've read that the Sonata's have very hard seats. I would love a Genesis (wife's Uncle has one) but I can't afford it.