shopping for a second car...

We have a 2002 CR-V EX 5 spd. (Canadian).
I know that in the next 2 years, we'll buy a house in the suburbs and we'll
need a second car. So I started looking what there is on the market that I
could find interesting. It will be mine to drive as I don't want to commute
with the CR-V.
Recently, I went with my father in law to look at a VW Jetta TDI he wants to
buy. I had a look at a Jetta 1.8 T and I like it. For about 28000$ CAN I can
get one with 1.8 Turbo engine, 5 spd manual tranny and sport suspension. It
handles really nice, it is comfy, 4 dr and not too big. The new gen
Golf/Jetta is will apparently be getting a 2.0 Turbo with 200 HP and 6 spd
tranny.
I like Honda, but its line-up definitively lacks what I'm looking for. I
don't want a Civic, used to have a 2001 but I got rid of it because I wanted
something better, more comfortable. I don't wan't an Accord, it is too big
for what I need, the 4 cyl seems boring and not sporty enough and I think
that the 4 door is ugly. It needs a V6 for being fun and I don't want to
spend over 30000$ for a second car.
The European Accord is what I need but it is sold as Acura for 35000$.
It is the same thing with other Japanese manufactures. There is not much
between the entry level and the boring family sedan.

What do you think?

 

About what? .. the car? ... buy a car you like, not the one I like.
Visit several dealerships and drive them, you will know which one is right

 

right

About the lineups offered by Honda and other makers.
I like Honda in general and have mixed feeling about the quality of VW made
in Brazil and Mexico.
But VW just happen to have in their lineup the kind of car I'm looking for.
I'd like to have more options but I don't see any car from another
manufacturer that compares closely enough to the Jetta 1.8T.

 

Jettas are nice looking cars, nice power and interiors. However, my
girlfriend has a '90 GLX with 65,000 miles on it. It has been to the
dealer about 9 times for 3 major problems, and it continues to have
electric problems.

For these reasons (and other stories I've heard from Volkswagen owners)
I'll never buy a Volkswagen or Audi, although I like both lines of cars.
J.D. Powers quality surveys have also not been nice to Volkswagens or
Audis.

Maybe an Acura RSX?

 

Last year, I said the exact same thing--for the exact same reasons. So,
I got a VW.

6 months later, I went back to Honda. I found an Accord, and it was
amazing--after the VW, the Accord was like heaven. Still is. The VW
experience changed my views on the Accord.

I might add, this 4 cylinder 5 speed Accord EX got me 35mpg on the
highway, through the mountains with the A/C on. Amazing.

Been there, thought that. Then I had the VW.

Let me tell you: after years of Honda, I just plain didn't want another
Honda. Boring, plain, staid, etc, etc. I wanted something a little
more exciting. Hence the VW.

The VW was like a mistress. When she was hot, she was HOT. But she was
high maintenance.

I decided I didn't want high maintenance. I wanted what I had become
used to: Honda reliability. So when I went back to the Accord, I saw
it in a WHOLE new light.

The Accord was like the wife. I had my fling, but it was time to go
back to the wife. And I haven't regretted it one bit.

 

Mazda Protege V6 GS, for 28K (canadian).

Pars

 

have fun with the VW. save some money for maintenance, youll need it. check
the oil regularly too- the dealer will tell you that burning a quart every
1k is "normal".

 

Where did you see that?

 

Maybe an Acura RSX?

Wife will not let me buy a 2 door and I'd prefer to stay with 4 door too.
Me too, I'm not that sure about VW reliability.
Anyway, it is not for now, maybe something else will show up.

 

www.autonet.ca

I'm assuming that you're after and automatic tranny. Otherwise, the 4 banger
version of the Mazada 6 might be a better deal. The Outback Sports is also a
nice package when equipted with the standard. If you want the 'sport' feel and
the power sapping automatic, the v6 or a 4 banger with a turbo...

Pars

 

Good point. But if I were you, I'd hold out for the TSX

Pars

 

Buy a VW and your maintenance costs will be twice a much, and the car will
probably last half as long as your CRV.

 

The TSX (European Accord ) is a 4 banger not a V6, so it is out.
How about the Altima V6?