Looking for new car

I'm looking for a new car, so far I like the 2013 Ford Focus in the titanium trim. Anyone here own one? How is it?

 

2013 Altima has been redesigned this year. Worth checking out. I am pretty sure that is in the same size category.

 

Sentra is probably more the class of the Focus. Although the Titanium Focus will cost more than some Altimas.
Sentra just had a redesign too.

Nissans are fun too drive.




http://www.nissanusa.com/cars/sentra/colors-photos

 

I have a Ford Fusion Sel-Flexfuel--It's a 2011 only have 20,000 on it..Never had a Ford but love this one..

Here===

http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/trim/titanium5door/

 

I was looking closely at a 2013 Altima or 2013 Fusion, the overhaul on the Fusion they did this year is amazing IMO

 

Right now from top to bottom Ford is making the best vehicles on the planet. Dependibility and looks wise. And I don't own one, so that says something

 

Ford is making the best engine (long life, no problems, etc.), but the best car... come on.

I've had Ford all my life. I know where their problems are. The suspension is not that good.

 

Toyota is AGAIN the #1 selling car in the WORLD.

 

In August we traded in the beemer for a Volkswagon Passat TDI. We really wanted to like the Ford models we drove but didn't find them comfortable to drive. I found the Nissan & the Toyota interiors too loud on the road.
I never thought I would drive a sedan but I am really enjoying this car. It's really comfortable, a little sporty and sleek. One of the aspects I like about this car is that I (or my passenger) can use the Nav functions while driving. It's not as convenient as the BMW Idrive but still easy to use. I legitimately got 41.5 MPG on a long highway trip driving at over 70 MPH most of the time & typically get over 30 MPG in city driving.

 

I must admit I do get the itch every once in a while for a new car, but then I come to my senses. I also chuckle a little every time I hear a car commercial touting their gas mileage as being so good.

My 98 Accord now has 250k on it and with a mix of city/highway driving, I get 33 mpg in the warmer months and 29-30 in WI winter.

Driving back to WI from Vegas, with my car fully loaded, I averaged 38.3 MPG.

My wife thinks I'm nuts, but I keep track of every gas fill-up since I got the car in 6/08. Keep a notebook in the car, once I fill the sheet, I bring it in and transfer it to the computer spreadsheet. I also keep track of all repair costs.

The only non-routine repair I've had is a new starter. Not to say routine maintenance costs don't add up. Close to $8,000 now over the life of the car. That's counting things like tires (4 sets) two timing belts at the 100k recommended replacement etc...

My clutch is starting to wear, but it's still the factory original at 250k.

btw, my wife drives a 97 Outback. Her previous car was a 1977 Saab, that she drove for 19 years.

Anyway, back to the Ford discussion. I wasn't trying to hijack.

 

I too have a 2011 fusion SEL. It's frickin' awesome.

 

There is no best car or best car brand anymore than there is a best toothpaste or wine or casino-hotel. And there is often little correlation between sales and quality; there were times when GM was w/o a doubt the #1 selling brand across the globe and it also was putting out absolute crap. If Brand A drives nicely, well, so do a lot of other vehicles, and some probably "more nicely." Etc.

I've had bad luck with Toyotas when they were roundly considered the best overall brand and I've had great luck with POS "lemons." But on average ...

Research and drive. What brands and below that what models, year-in/year-out get the accolades from the automotive press, rating services and purchasers. That's really the only reliable indicator because even the "best" vehicle will have legitimate detractors because they just happened to get the bad apple within an exemplary model line.

You also have to live with your car. Some don't care if they love their car, but you have to live with it day in/day out for a long time. And that's where things like styling, finish, accessories and gadgets, horsepower or the lack thereof, handling or the lack thereof, mileage or the lack thereof, price sensitivity and a host of other factors come into play.

BTW, Ford is getting what appears to be well-deserved accolades for a lot of models. If I was in the market for somewhat basic American transportation, I'd probably look to a Ford. Or a Honda. And I don't mean "basic" as a negative. I think the Accord is one of the world's best automobiles, but short of the 6-spd. coupe I think it also is "basic." Basic to me is not a stripped-down Corolla. (And the Corolla has been a great car.)

 

I'll take my Yugo anytime

And the parts are interchangable with my washing machine.

 

I have a had a few Focuses. Every new model year has been better than the last. Overall they can take a good beating and the gas mileage has been satisfactory. My overall opinion is that when you are looking for a smaller car, it's hard to find ones better than what you can find with Ford. Other car makers make smaller cars that are either not well designed or that unnecessarily boring.

 

Why buy new?
FWD or RWD or AWD or it doesn't matter?

 

As far as looks combined with dependiblity- yes. Like I said- top to bottom, they are. From compact to big trucks they are getting very high ranks from all critics right now.

Suspension issues? Yeah I have owned a Sable that had the infamous Taurus sag in the rear, but it was a 1996 model. They have significantly improved the entire line.

 

http://autos.jdpower.com/

 

Thanks for link

 

http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/comparison_tests/

 

I guess you never heard of or drove the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra just to name a FEW....

I believe the Civic and Corolla are top sellers.