Best Family Car (Final Vote for Best Compact Car)

[YSSMAN]

Okay, we're ending the last thread a bit early due to the pretty wide spread of votes, and I want to try to keep interest up. So, first things first, we need to make the final votes for the 'Best Compact Car' thread, which came down to:

Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit
Mazda3
Honda Civic
Ford Focus (MKII)

So please vote, I'll keep the polls open for three days, but this is where we focus on the next category:

BEST FAMILY CAR​

So, the rules are fairly similar as to what they were last time. Nominate ONE new Family-sized car (Think Ford Mondeo, Saturn Aura/Vauxhall Vectra, Honda Accord, etc) that has been built MY06+.

• The price caps are as follows:
  *£26,000
  *€30,000
  *$30,000

Keep in mind that we're nominating BASIC models, not specific ones. So, although you may want to give the nod to VW Passat 3.6 4MOTION, you would only need to nominate the VW Passat in general...

So are we ready? Lets do it... You've got three-ish days...

---
So is it really any surprise as to what I would nominate? I mean, I've been going crazy over this car for almost a year now, and it still has surprised me every time I see one... No, its not the Ford Mondeo, its the Saturn Aura (and I guess that includes the Vectra too).

What it comes down to is that GM took the class-leading design of the Vectra from Europe, sat it on an extended version of the Epsilon chassis, packed it full of other goodies for a great price, and altogether has created a game-changer with the American mid-size class.

For not much more than $22K USD, you can get yourself into a basic top-level XR that includes the 3.6L 252 BHP V6 and a six-speed automatic, but fully-loaded, you would be hard-pressed to find the car for more than $30,000. At least for me, the sweet-spot will be the 2008 XE with the 2.4L ECOTEC and the 6-speed automatic, as it combines the best that GM has for fuel efficiency outside of the GreenLine (hybrid) model.

Simply put, these cars are screwed together exceptionally well, look stunning, and can perform amongst the best of the best when it comes to this crucial car class worldwide. We (as Americans) owe it all to the Germans over at Opel for making this car so great, and thereby, letting us make it better.

 

[JCE]

Ford Mondeo. It has power, beauty, reliability, and style.

 

[1X83Z]

$30k to spend on a family car?

Ferrari 412 automatic.

that has been built MY06+.

Damn.

HONDA ACCORD

 

[Joey D]

I always get confused on what is what, I say one thing is a family sedan and someone snaps its a sports sedan. So for this I'm basing my decision on a car I like with four doors and seats five people. I have a secret love for this car even since I drove one, the Nissan Maxima, MSRP $28,050.

The only complaint I have about this car is the CVT...I don't care for them.

 

[Wolfe]

I always get confused on what is what, I say one thing is a family sedan and someone snaps its a sports sedan. So for this I'm basing my decision on a car I like with four doors and seats five people.

Not all wives and children are adverse to zippy commuting. I say you should pick what you want, regardless of how sporty it is. 👍 It just shouldn't have miniscule backseats that kindergarteners would turn down.

With that said, I'm going to pick the somewhat sporty Subaru Legacy.

It has AWD for year-round driving, four doors, enough room for backseat passengers, is available as a wagon for families that need more cargo space, gets up to 30mpg from its 4-cylinder boxer, and comes with plenty of nice interior amenities. Beyond all of that, it'll please the parent behind the wheel when opting for the scenic route on long trips.

 

[Joey D]

I almost went for the Legacy...another one of those cars I would love to own (realistically speaking of course).

 

[TuneRVisioN]

How about the Ford Fusion? It looks nice, and the grill is chrometastic. I am seriously thinking about saving up for that car.

 

[1X83Z]

How about the Ford Fusion? It looks nice, and the grill is chrometastic. I am seriously thinking about saving up for that car.

You're thinking about saving up for a Ford Fusion?

Did YSSMAN father you?

 

[Tornado]

$30k to spend on a family car?

Ferrari 412 automatic.

Son of a...
I was going to post that the second I saw the thread title, and you beat me to it.
The sad part is that you and I are probably the only ones who know why that is funny without looking it up.

that has been built MY06+.

Fine. Saab 9-3. The car is so good, despite completely loathing the brand I still love the car. And considering how much loathing there actually is, I'd say that is quite an accomplishment.

the grill is chrometastic.

Now, as in 1955, a perfect reason to want a car. I bet I know what you are going to vote for in the "best outdated luxury SUV" thread, then.

 

[JCE]

I always get confused on what is what, I say one thing is a family sedan and someone snaps its a sports sedan. So for this I'm basing my decision on a car I like with four doors and seats five people. I have a secret love for this car even since I drove one, the Nissan Maxima, MSRP $28,050.

The only complaint I have about this car is the CVT...I don't care for them.

As a Nissan purist I agree with you, the Maxima is just a brilliant car--even with its catastrophic torque steer. But I'd gladly pay that price to go that fast in a car that large. And as for the transmission, they used to offer a 6spd manual in the SE models--did they remove that option?

Not all wives and children are adverse to zippy commuting. I say you should pick what you want, regardless of how sporty it is. 👍 It just shouldn't have miniscule backseats that kindergarteners would turn down.

With that said, I'm going to pick the somewhat sporty Subaru Legacy.

It has AWD for year-round driving, four doors, enough room for backseat passengers, is available as a wagon for families that need more cargo space, gets up to 30mpg from its 4-cylinder boxer, and comes with plenty of nice interior amenities. Beyond all of that, it'll please the parent behind the wheel when opting for the scenic route on long trips.

Brilliant car, has everything one could want...but with this segment of the car population so flooded with cars I'd love to own this unfortunately is out of my top 5.

How about the Ford Fusion? It looks nice, and the grill is chrometastic. I am seriously thinking about saving up for that car.

I love the Fusion, it is in my top 5 saloon cars offered for sale today--but the Euro Mondeo has everything the Fusion has and more. Well, that is except the Fusion is only based on the Mazda6 platform but stretched 4 inches for more interior space and I doubt the Euro Mondeo has this longer chassis. I haven't driven the V6 SEL AWD Fusion yet--and only because no Ford dealer in the state currently has one, you have to order them from Ford to build. I HAVE driven plenty of V6 SEL models and they are just a blast to drive-even for a FF car.

And I know I can't vote twice but YSSMAN can a car costing $30,4xx be entered? It's less than $500 USD off the $30k mark--as Jeremy Clarkson says "work harder" for that $500 and buy this:

2007 C230

 

[TuneRVisioN]

Come on, you can't exactly call this car ugly...
http://www.fordmuscle.com/blog/FMBlogImages/fusiona_lg.jpg
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/FordFusion/Images/RightFront.jpg
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/01/detroithybrids/image/4fusion.jpg
Atleast I'm not one of those guys that would put a Nissan Skyline GT-R in a thread like this.

I'm going for the V6 model. I'm looking at American cars ATM, since I already own a 1986 Toyota MR2. I can't wait to get a camera to show you guys the pictures of it. I think that Ford has really improved with it's styling, I'm also looking at the Egde lately. I see no one likes Ford lately.

EDIT: Two posts came up as I replied. I like the Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 too. They are both sporty and fun to drive. Great cars...

EDIT: Cool threads...

 

[1X83Z]

Son of a...
I was going to post that the second I saw the thread title, and you beat me to it.
The sad part is that you and I are probably the only ones who know why that is funny without looking it up.

And as for the transmission, they used to offer a 6spd manual in the SE models--did they remove that option?

Yes - gone for 2007 in favor of a CVT with Tiptronic, which sort of defeats the idea of a CVT but what the hell - shifting is fun. Still all the nice Maxima bits, though, including that 265-horse 3.5-liter V6. I love the Maxima, but now that the Altima is the size of a small bridge, I see little reason for the Maxima to keep soldiering on. It's been a hilariously good run, though - especially since 2002.

Come on, you can't exactly call this car ugly...

Not ugly - definitely crappy. That Saturn Aura that YSSMAN loves so much is a much better car.

 

[Aquendwato]

I was considering nominating the Lexus IS just to annoy YSSMAN (although it is 250 dollars over budget) but I cannot shake my love of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS (or just Lancer I guess).

GPS naivgation, hard drive for your music, heated seats, kickass sound system, available Sportronic CVT transmission, keyless entry/ignition. And above all, just look at it. It's beautiful.

 

[TuneRVisioN]

Also I would like to add the Honda Civic Sedan, it's pretty cool IMO.
http://carsmedia.ign.com/cars/image...-civic-si-sedan-concept-20060209035912784.jpg
http://www.melraptonhonda.com/images/civic_sedan_2006.jpg
I don't know the price of it though.

Also can't forget the almighty SRT-4...
http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/0646543775475287.JPG?0.39171738006058526
http://www.techimo.com/photo/data/5/medium/738mysrt.jpg
A Turbocharged 230HP Sedan, known for making alot of noise from a 2.4L Inline-4 engine.

And finally...
http://www.privatewallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/chrysler_sebring_112_1152x864.thumbnail.jpg
http://www.autobytel.com/images/2007/Chrysler/Sebring/400/07_Chrysler_Sebring_12.jpg
I would like to add that this is the ugliest car ever! Gah! A good car gone wrong. What were they thinking?

The Lancer is good too.

The Fusion isn't all that "crappy IMO. I think it looks very clean, and fun to drive, even though my father's friend only owns the 4 cylinder engine.

 

[JCE]

Yes - gone for 2007 in favor of a CVT with Tiptronic, which sort of defeats the idea of a CVT but what the hell - shifting is fun. Still all the nice Maxima bits, though, including that 265-horse 3.5-liter V6. I love the Maxima, but now that the Altima is the size of a small bridge, I see little reason for the Maxima to keep soldiering on. It's been a hilariously good run, though - especially since 2002.

WHAT?! They DROPPED the 6spd? The 6spd manual equipped Maximas were so blindingly fast in a straight line that it almost gave me wood. I managed to spin the tires (AKA scratching) shifting to 2nd, then to 3rd, then even to 4th! But I digress, I do like SVT transmissions but every manufacturer that offers them should do exactly that--OFFER them while still maintaining a manual and a regular automatic for people who want that.

Not ugly - definitely crappy. That Saturn Aura that YSSMAN loves so much is a much better car.

Crappy? Psh, the Fusion is built a whole hell of alot better than people give it credit for. The interior plastics alone are much better quality than your average Chrysler or GM.

 

[1X83Z]

WHAT?! They DROPPED the 6spd? The 6spd manual equipped Maximas were so blindingly fast in a straight line that it almost gave me wood. I managed to spin the tires (AKA scratching) shifting to 2nd, then to 3rd, then even to 4th! But I digress, I do like SVT transmissions but every manufacturer that offers them should do exactly that--OFFER them while still maintaining a manual and a regular automatic for people who want that.

Classic.

I agree to some degree. I, famously, hate manual transmissions, but if you're going to do the performance thing you essentially have to offer it, and Nissan's been doing a good job of that up until recently. I think the main reason to offer the CVT in the Maxima as the sole transmission is just that the thing doesn't sell anymore, and those who really want the sportiness can go Altima, which of course still offers the 6-speed manual.

Maxima either need to go upmarket (vs. Avalon and Taurus) or take a hike - its only role from here on out will be 'big Altima' as Avalon is a 'big Camry.'

Crappy? Psh, the Fusion is built a whole hell of alot better than people give it credit for. The interior plastics alone are much better quality than your average Chrysler or GM.

Yeah, but fortunately we're not just limited to domestic products, and with vehicles like the Accord available, we don't have to settle for crappy interior materials anymore. The Saturn Aura is nice, too, and has similar materials to the Fusion but is a better value.

And then there's always used cars, which all Fusion owners should have considered...

 

[Tornado]

Crappy? Psh, the Fusion is built a whole hell of alot better than people give it credit for. The interior plastics alone are much better quality than your average Chrysler or GM.

Not a really difficult thing:

Average Chrysler. That just spells mediocre.

Average GM. That just spells worst car sold in the U.S. (I considered using the Impala, but this is more fun as its more obviously trash)

Also I would like to add the Honda Civic Sedan, it's pretty cool IMO

Thats a compact car that starts in the late teens. Not really a family car.

A Turbocharged 230HP Sedan, known for making alot of noise from a 2.4L Inline-4 engine.

Dude, they haven't made the Neon for like, two years or so. And the new SRT-4 is based on the terrible Caliber, which isn't even a sedan anyways.

And above all, just look at it. It's beautiful.

So was the eigth generation Mitsubishi Galant. And everyone knows how much of a quality piece that was (not that I'm saying that the new Lancer is automatically bad, but the last one wasn't much above that very standard).

 

[1X83Z]

That just spells worst car sold in the U.S. (I considered using the Impala, but this is more fun as its more obviously trash)

Hey! Don't forget about me! Even though everyone else has.

So was the eigth generation Mitsubishi Galant. And everyone knows how much of a quality piece that was

 

[JCE]

As a former Maxima owner x2 I hope to god they don't kill it.

 

[1X83Z]

As a former Maxima owner x2 I hope to god they don't kill it.

As an all-time Maxima admirer I hope the same thing. The Maxima has shown a lot of flexibility though (it's been a wagon, a Datsun, a '4-door sports car,' Nissan's best product, outdated, slow, fast) so it'll probably endure.

 

[TuneRVisioN]

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/02/nissan_museum/image/bluebird-1600-deluxe-1969.jpg
Me too, as I am slow and out of shape!

How about the Ford Focus?

 

[Tornado]

Hey! Don't forget about me! Even though everyone else has.

No. The Saab 9-5 cannot being to touch the DeVille in crappiness. The Saab was at least arguably good when it was new, being designed to compete with BMW's and all. The DeVille was designed to compete with the Crown Victoria, and it only vaguely managed to do that back in 1994 when it was new.

I was around during Whitewater.

I remember it fondly.



But here is a fun (and only vaguely related) thing to think about, that hit me a couple of weeks ago. The movie Patriot Games came out in 1992. A major plot point of the movie is when IRA terrorists shoot at Harrison Ford's wife from the back of a Ford Econoline. The funny part is that they could still make that movie today (barring an old Harrison Ford) by strolling down to their nearest friendly Ford dealer and picking up a new Econoline with which to shoot submachine guns from.

 

[1X83Z]

True, although you know it's being restyled for the upcoming model year. They're putting the F-series Super Duty grille on the front, which looks positively awful on the van.

And for the record, while the Deville is dated, it received a full redesign in 2000 (and a minor one in 2006) and thus cannot even touch the 9-5 for 'most outdated thing.'

 

[JCE]

As an all-time Maxima admirer I hope the same thing. The Maxima has shown a lot of flexibility though (it's been a wagon, a Datsun, a '4-door sports car,' Nissan's best product, outdated, slow, fast) so it'll probably endure.

The Datsun Maxima--while slow--was RWD and I'd KILL for one in black on black. Infact my friends laugh at me when I get asked the obligatory "what would you buy with $1,000,000?" question. I usually respond with: "first I'd obviously buy an Audi RS4 in blue then I'd buy every Nissan Maxima of every year all in black.". Is that weird?

That my friend is one sexy ass classic Japanese car. 👍

 

[1X83Z]

The Datsun Maxima--while slow--was RWD and I'd KILL for one in black on black. Infact my friends laugh at me when I get asked the obligatory "what would you buy with $1,000,000?" question. I usually respond with: "first I'd obviously buy an Audi RS4 in blue then I'd buy every Nissan Maxima of every year all in black.". Is that weird?

I see a Datsun Maxima maybe twice a year. Yes that's weird - although the black leather interior on the 95-99 models was beautiful. And we all know the color to have on the present model is copper.

 

[YSSMAN]

You're thinking about saving up for a Ford Fusion?

Did YSSMAN father you?

Hey, don't ask me. I may partially like the car, but I don't recall saying I'd buy one. There is a pretty healthy list of mid-sizers (American, Japanese and German) that sit long before the Ford...

And I know I can't vote twice but YSSMAN can a car costing $30,4xx be entered? It's less than $500 USD off the $30k mark--as Jeremy Clarkson says "work harder" for that $500 and buy this:

2007 C230

Normally I'd give it a bit of breathing room, but in this case, we're probably leading up to an entry-level luxury thread after we go through the "normal" priced full-size models.

I was considering nominating the Lexus IS just to annoy YSSMAN (although it is 250 dollars over budget) but I cannot shake my love of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS (or just Lancer I guess).

Problem is, the Lancer is technically a compact car. You're one thread too late... But I'd be happy to add the Gallant if you wish...

Also I would like to add the Honda Civic Sedan, it's pretty cool IMO... Also can't forget the almighty SRT-4...

You only get one nomination. The Ford Fusion. Thats it.

---

A few topics at hand:

PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST WHEN NOMINATING A CAR

We want to find the best family-sized car, roughly similar to the models mentioned... Those being cars similar in size to the Mondeo, Vectra/Aura, Sebring, Accord, Camry, etc. The Focus, Lancer, Neon, whatever are all part of the compact class. You're one thread too-late guys, and don't play the price game with me.

...If I wanted a $30K compact, I'd buy an Audi A3...

---

More on the Fusion: Hey, cut the car a break. At least it has a higher quality rating than the majority of the competition (including Toyota and Honda), so God forbid Ford actually builds something wrong after this mess:

Hey, I've got an idea! Lets drag the Taurus name out of the grave, I'm sure its still got some life in it! People aren't even going to remember how we didn't try with the Fivehundred... Whatever the hell that was... Hey, who wants to go throw stones at Chrysler?

IMO, the only Fusions worth getting are at the extreme ends of its pricing spectrum. The basic I4 with a stick seems like a fun car (one of the last cars in its class to have a manual option), and the luxed-up model with the newer V6 and AWD comes off as an excelent piece of work.

Sure, pick on it all you want. But its the only car in Ford's lineup in which the horrible "Red, White, and Bold" design theme actually works (have you SEEN the Focus?)... That, and the Mexicans actually screw them together pretty well...

 

[Tornado]

And for the record, while the Deville is dated, it received a full redesign in 2000 (and a minor one in 2006) and thus cannot even touch the 9-5 for 'most outdated thing.'

However, it is still thorougly more awful regardless of whether it is less dated.

 

[1X83Z]

That, and the Mexicans actually screw them together pretty well...

Certainly better than the Brazillians screwed together your car!

Just kidding - yours was made in Germany, was it not?

However, it is still thorougly more awful regardless of whether it is less dated.

The Saab 9-5 does not have manu-matic. It's so damn trashy it doesn't even have manu-matic. HYUNDAI HAS MANU-MATIC FFS!!!

 

[YSSMAN]

Certainly better than the Brazillians screwed together your car!

Just kidding - yours was made in Germany, was it not?

My former Fox was indeed made in Brazil, and it showed. The weather dipped below 50F and it refused to work...

...The Jetta was among the first of the models to be built in Mexico, despite the fact that it is a Wolfsburg. Kinda defeats the purpose of the name, but at least they fixed that with the later models...

 

[JCE]

HYUNDAI HAS MANU-MATIC FFS!!!

Hyundai and manu-matic in the same sentence FTW!