Hey all, I figured I ask fellow ITR owners what car to get my gf. Currently she has a 2005 Lexus IS300 w/ 65k miles. But she is looking to get another car that gets better gas mileage; however, she wants something with similar power. She was pondering a Mini or a GTI. The car can be as old as 2000, but not really looking for anything older. Throw me ideas. She has the following conditions. Thanks all

Conditions:
4 doors
Similar power or speed as the IS300
Automatic

 

Tsx

 

This or TL

 

This


I know you said she wanted power and great gas mileage, have her pick one.


We love our 2010 TSX, can't say enough great things about it.

 

You can not have your cake and eat it too.

You need a 4 cylinder, but not the Mini.
Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2011, on page 189, doesn't rank the used Mini Coopers very highly. ie...

2002=worst possible ranking
2003=next to the worse possible
2004=next to the worse possible
2005=worse possible
2006=next to the worse possible
2007=average
2008=average
2009=average
2010=next to best possible ranking

If I could afford a TSX, I'd get it.
I can afford Civics. r18 w/auto=28 city & 38 hwy mpg and my SI k20=28 city & 34 hwy mpg.

 

I would steer clear of the Mini if an automatic transmissions is necessary. They have a CVT auto transmission that is notorious for its problems, and its VERY expensive to replace. I think there's a class-action lawsuit in the works ...

 

E46 330XI

 

Yea I have heard about the transmission issues of the Mini.

I would love for her to have a SI, but she doesnt want a manual . I would also like to stay below 12k

 

TSX 6MT is great for mpgs. I had an 08 or 09 loaner and managed 47mpg 2way average through the city streets of Las Vegas (~32mile round trip). And this one was only a 5AT. I liked this car cause it showed you "instant mpg".

My 05 6MT TL is pretty good too, but best I got in the city was 31mpg. 35 on freeway.

 

Toyota Camry Hybrid
E46 3 series
TSX
Saab 9-3/9-5

 

My wife has an 08 Altima 2.5 with cvt she bought new and it has been nothing but great. It gets good mpgs, huge interior space and trunk , and is very peppy imo. Approaching 100k and all we have had to do is change oil and i just swapped in a new battery.