Help me pick out a car

[SirPoonga]

[quote author=SirPoonga link=topic=31146.msg264224#msg264224
I suggest looking at Ford Focus.  Especially the new ones.  As of last year I think Ford put the Protoge engine in the Focus.  It's a pretty nice car.

I can't speak for the new Focus but I have a 2001 myself.

My car has had about 11 recalls since it's been released.

My 3 biggest problems with the car...

1) The brakes are WAY WAY WAY too small for this car and don't last for sh*t.  You shouldn't need new pads and rotors after 30K miles.  It's probably the car's biggest design flaw.  In fact, on the SVT model Focus, they replaced them with larger brakes. 

2) The windshield wiper motors are designed poorly.  My car had a wiper moter that wasn't covered under the major recall they did and it failed the same way anyway.  When it gets too much load (like when your wipers are frozen with ice), it just strips the teeth off of the gears inside and quits working.  Now with the replacement motor which I took off of a 2002 model, if it hits a load, it blows fuses.

3) The gas mileage on the automatic is horrible.  I get a little over 25mpg.  My neighbor's Focus with a manual tranny gets nearly 35mpg.  Plus, he has the larger 4 door model.

I know many people form focaljet.com.  It is agood car.

[shmokes]

I'd recommend a Subaru Outback Sport.  It's a bit lower than you want on gas mileage, but the AWD makes them really safe vehicles, especially if you live somewhere that gets much snow or ice.  And they're a ball to drive.  Good car.

[missioncontrol]

I found you the ultimate "five door hatchback"

Chicks will dig this car.......

Plenty of storage space......

[mrhowell]

My wifes been very happy with her Mazda 3 5 door.  Good mileage and power.  160HP I think.  We have a 2004 and it's loaded. Got it for around $19000

[Jakobud]

Yeah I'd look toward the Mazda 3 wagon.  Those things look pretty sweet.  I drive a Mercedes but I'd like to have one of those Mazda 3's.