Piston Slap: Protect My Wallet From What I Want Edition
dperaza writes:
I need your opinion and that of the B&B. I need to change my current vehicle (1997 Honda Civic 2dr) for a car with room for 2 car seats because starting in August I will be taking the twins to daycare in the mornings before heading to work. We have a minivan as the “main vehicle” for long trips, going out with family, grocery shopping, etc. So I do not need or want another minivan nor an SUV. Taking into consideration all variables (price, fuel efficiency, resale value, reliability, maintenance, safety and performance) a 2009 Civic Si Sedan seems like a good all around car for what I need but somehow I keep thinking it comes up short in the performance dept. Second choice is the Mazdaspeed 3 but I am afraid of its long term reliability, resale value, integrity and maintenance costs. Third choice is the 2009 WRX but they seem to be having problems with rod bearings and quality seems down.
What other cars around this price would you consider that can offer similar attributes to these three? What about pricier cars, around $28K?
Sajeev answers:
Looks like you are in for several fun filled weekends of test driving! I agree that the Civic Si leaves much to be desired now that everyone else re-ignited their love for low-end torque via forced induction. Hence the Speed3 and WRX are the hot tickets for cheap performance. My offerings include the lesser-known Chevy Cobalt SS sedan and Dodge Caliber SRT-4. The performance is there and they’ll be a great deal post CH11. Then again, either car’s nasty interior fits the bill if you need corrective lenses to legally drive . . . and you choose not to.
But you mentioned fuel efficiency and a host of financially motivated variables. Which gives me pause. Because all the cars mentioned need premium gas, and none (especially the Subie) are miserly with it. And check the insurance rates before you sign on the dotted line. The total cost of ownership might deem these cars a waste of your money. Maybe I’ll leave it at that . . .
And recommend a Civic EX sedan instead. There are other sedans, but you are considering the Si, so I reckon you do like the basic goodness of the Civic. With the EX, the family gets what it needs with money spared for more important things (like your children’s college fund) and you’ll have enough sport and speed if you go with a stick. From any perspective, this choice is made of “win.”
[Send your car questions to sajeev.mehta@thetruthaboutcars.com]
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Reliability dramas? Like what? Broken engine mounts... MAF-incompatibility with Mazdaspeed-branded air-intakes... aversion to heat-soak... c'mon, that's sissy stuff! That said, I would love a Mazdaspeed3, or a Focus RS... unfortunately, the back-seat of that platform just isn't child-seat friendly.
Sedans are totally useless at hauling kids. Period. Forget them. You have to go hatchback, mini-van, CUV, or SUV. Try a Honda Fit. It's a bit bigger inside than your 12 year old Civic. Okay, a lot bigger, and the trunk will dwarf what you can carry today. The rear seats are way better laid out, and you'll get two capsules or two front facing baby seats in easily without them touching the front seats. We have a Sunshine Kids baby seat, which is 17" wide, and is airline seat compatible. You can fit three of these abreast in pretty much any hatchbook, mini van or SUV. Sedans, I don't know about as they are totally useless at hauling one kid, let alone two. The Honda Fit (Jazz) is the better choice for baby seats and getting kids in and out than any Civic as the doors open nearly 90 degrees in the rear. The seat squab is taller, so you don't have to bend in as much - it's very nearly at the same height we had in the 09 Town & Country we hired just before leaving the USA. The back seat has real clearance between the back of the front seats and where your kids feet will be, thus avoiding any issues with feet imprints until they're into booster seats. You can cut off the electric windows easily, and the child door lock is easy to work out, and the internal knob far enough away until they're easily a huge heffer like our baby girl (15 months). The trunk of the Fit *may* fit the twin's double stroller - depends on how much it collapses. If it fits in your sedan, it'll fit in the Fit easily with room to spare. The Fit / Jazz fits in our huge stroller with no issues and has room to spare for groceries, change bag, toys and other essential baby stuff. This may not be an issue if you're just doing the drop off run, but I bet sometimes it will be. thanks, Andrew