Bye Bye Buick.....

So Vern our 2012 Buick Verano 2 year lease ends on May 30th. It has been a great trouble free car.

But time marches on. Really haven't looked all that hard for replacements but guess I need to get my head in the game.

Couple of cars that pique our interest in no particular order:

• 2014 Nissan Altima
• 2014 Mini Hardtop (non-S)
• 2014 Mazda 6
• 2014 Toyota Corolla S
• 2014 Buick Regal

We are only looking for new and we want another 24-36 month lease with 12,000-15,000 miles a years. So far that has worked well over the past 7 vehicles in a row.

This time around we are going to become empty nesters with KK's acceptance to OSU this fall. So I'm wanting to keep it on the cheap side of the spectrum since we know we are going to be sending large sums of cash to Oklahoma. The Mini is on the list since SHMBO thinks we might want to get something "Fun" this time around. ;-)

Anything else we should be considering?

How about the VW Golf / GTI?

Minis look like so much fun, but I can't think of another car with a worse reputation for reliability. Everyone I've known that had one has had many troubles. One says she seems to be back at the dealer every 2k miles for some new issue. Do some research and make sure you're comfortable with the Mini before you buy...

I am loving my MINI, and the 2014 has a much more exciting engine and some cool new technology. They have some of the best residual values in the industry, which makes them much better leases than some other awesome cars (why we didn't end up getting a Verano ourselves last year.)

I probably would have gotten a 2014 Mazda3 hatch if the residual was better.

I also suggest you look at Subaru. The Legacy 2.5 my wife has is a very nice car, roomy, peppy, and Subaru also has high residual values. We got the Limited (I think) which is only 1 step above the base in subaru trim levels, and it has plenty of stuff. The car has none of the annoying FWD tendencies since it is AWD, and it is quite fun to drive for a sedan. I also cannot rave enough about how well it drove in the ice storms this winter, and made it almost so easy that it wasn't much of a challenge (kinda kills the man-protector ego thing). Subaru also has great deals on the Impreza line, which includes base WRX's if you really want some fun. The 2014's are getting nice lease subsidies right now. We had no problem getting the 2013 in Jan of 13 w/ 15k miles/year and 2-year maint for around $220/mo and <$1k/dn. We put more down than we initially agreed to because we paid for the add-on window tint up front instead of rolling it into the finance.

Car has been flawless, looks great and gets good MPG's.

I would have taken a really good look at the new Mazda6 if it had been available when we were leasing last year, but it doesn't appear to have the high residuals it needs to get the best lease values.

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

Minis look like so much fun, but I can't think of another car with a worse reputation for reliability. Everyone I've known that had one has had many troubles. One says she seems to be back at the dealer every 2k miles for some new issue. Do some research and make sure you're comfortable with the Mini before you buy...

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Granted I haven't had mine too long, but I think this reputation is exaggerated a bit. Also, bear in mind that this is a lease we are discussing. I would never own a BMW product of any kind out-of-warranty, based simply on the cost of parts/labor and complexity. Same for Benz and Audi, VW to a lesser degree.

All I'm saying is go in with eyes wide open. That's good advice about not owning out of warranty.

Re Subaru: I got my '12 WRX base hatch from Sewell Subaru. They have been awesome to work with. So much so that I couldn't get myself to even look at other makes. I just ordered a 2015 STI from them last week that I hear should be here mid May. Can't wait! If you're going to go to Sewell, ask for "D" and tell him Allen sent you.

We also bought from Sewell and have been really happy with the service. Free carwashes and a well-appointed waiting area with a kids section make my wife very happy too. Every appointment has been on-time or early.

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Originally Posted by neirbot

How about the VW Golf / GTI?

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We went and looked a VW last week and came away totally unimpressed. They seem to be about 5 years behind on everyone else when it comes to features, technology, and amenities. Guess I don't fit the VW demographic.

Plus my Grandfather wasn't a fan of the Germans since they spent several years trying to kill him when he visited Europe during WWII.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

Minis look like so much fun, but I can't think of another car with a worse reputation for reliability. Everyone I've known that had one has had many troubles. One says she seems to be back at the dealer every 2k miles for some new issue. Do some research and make sure you're comfortable with the Mini before you buy...

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Leasing it lessens my concerns somewhat since I'd never own it. But the interwebz seem to be very hard on these cars. More BMW parts content for 2014 seems like a good thing but who knows..... I'm hesitant. Also the German part bothers me a bit (see above).

The Buick never had to go back to the dealer for anything but free oil changes and free tire rotations which was nice.

Focus ST? Fun and practical ;)

I was actually going to suggest that he consider the Focus and Fiesta ST flavors. Not sure if Mrs POS wants that kind of ride, though.

The STs look nice. The fiesta in particular lools like a blast to me.

I sat in the FiST at the Dallas Auto Show just for giggles, and I felt a bit cramped in it. In my FoST I have no issues and am rather comfortable. I love the seats, nice and supportive.

I'm sure the Focus is much nicer, more livable, more capable, and more practicle. It's the smallness and weight that I think would make it so much fun.

We are not a fan of the Focus or the Fiesta.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

We are not a fan of the Focus or the Fiesta.

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What are you, the Borg?

Seriously, at least drive one of the Subie's before you rule them out.

Interesting.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...47#post6888547

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

What are you, the Borg?

Seriously, at least drive one of the Subie's before you rule them out.

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We aren't a fan of any of Fords current offerings. We also had several really bad experiences with several Ford Dealers and the Ford Regional Offices with an Expedition that was an absolute turd. That 36 month lease couldn't end fast enough for us & we still hold a grudge.
::Fruity::

Heck I don't even know where a Subaru dealer is on the west side maybe Abilene? ::hippi:: We did own a Legacy Outback back in the day it was a tank!

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Interesting.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...47#post6888547

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The new WRX is definitely worth test driving. It has gotten rave reviews. I don't think I've seen a bad review. Even the CVT has gotten praise. In sport # mode it mimics an 8 speed auto, and it apparantly does it quite well. I personally want nothing to do with the CVT, but for others not wanting stick it may be a great option. As for styling, it's subjective. I can tell you that the WRX looks better in person than in the pictures Subaru released. Sewell had one of the preproduction cars around the time of the Dallas Auto Show.

As good a value as the WRX is, I just couldn't pass up the STI this time around. I've got a Lightning Red base STI coming in around mid May. Now the daily driver and the track miata will have ridiculous wings ;)

There is one on 820, I believe, Hiley. Huffines up towards Denton.

Just noticed that they are incentivizing the 2013 MINI's even more now. $179/mo on the base Cooper, $219 on the S. You might also take a look at the Paceman. A little bigger, but still very sporty. Just like Leilane's Countryman but a 2-door.

^Isn't there a Subie dealer right there at Highway 10/820? Near DPS office (sort of).

I think that one closed, but I haven't been over there in quite a while.

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Originally Posted by sammm

^Isn't there a Subie dealer right there at Highway 10/820? Near DPS office (sort of).

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It is a Mitsubishi dealer now noticed that as we were leaving the Toyota Dealer.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Just noticed that they are incentivizing the 2013 MINI's even more now. $179/mo on the base Cooper, $219 on the S. You might also take a look at the Paceman. A little bigger, but still very sporty. Just like Leilane's Countryman but a 2-door.

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We are going to the Mini Bloody Original Launch Event in Ft. Worth after work tonight.

Not exactly sure what it is all about but what the heck!

http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniusa/en.html

I'm not really seeing anything on the Subaru site that makes me want to drive out to Abilene to look at. ;-)

I'm not all that interested paying WRX STi insurance rates I still have an 18 year old on my insurance policy.

I agree they don't look as exciting as the new Mazdas, but the Legacy sedan sure does drive well. Much more sport feel than the Verano, without being harsh or noisy. I wouldn't pay WRX money since the residual is meh. LMK how you like the 2014 Mini, especially if you compare it to a 13 too.

The Mini maintenance is sweet; even brakes and rotors are included.

We saw the '14 last weekend at Mini of Arlington it looked pretty good.

They asked if we knew anyone with a Mini. We said yes OZMDD and jrj512 they then gave us a Subaru brochure and asked us to leave the property and paged security......

Better not mention me at the Subaru dealer... they won't be so kind...

Drive a Mazda Speed 3 Hatch before you decide. Very practical car. Lots of space for people and stuff. Decent mileage. And ...
it's more fun to get used to a car with too much power than not enough.

I test drove one before I got my wrx. It was nice until I flored it. I had one hand on the wheel and the other on the shifter... things got interesting... Torque steer like I couldnt believe. Some people find it endearing. I prefer the wrx 20:1 over the speed3, ymmv.

Speed3 is inferior to the other fwd turbo cars on the market now like Focus ST, GTI, MCS, etc.

Didn't the Mazdaspeed3 die when the new 3 was released?

http://www.torquenews.com/1083/sayon...-see-you-again

For the love of the automobile, absolutely under no circumstances get an Altima. Nissan's are horrible vehicles anymore. And to add insult to injury most of the DFW Nissan dealers are autonation dealers. Avoid autonation at all costs.

My buddy has had TWO Minis, both 2nd gen turbo S models. He traded the first one off for a Clubman so he could haul his dogs around. The only trouble he had with either one was with the moonroof - it never would seal right, and was a constant source of rattles and wind noise. He's decided to keep the Clubman for the long haul, but he's going to pony up for the 100K mile extended warranty.

FYI, he bought the Clubman from Moritz in Arlington, and has nothing but good things to say about them. Mini of Dallas (where he bought the first one), not so much... but that was 6-7 years ago.

I pulled up next to a 2013/14 Mazda6 at a light last night. Those are remarkably sexy cars. Really has lines you'd associate with a new Jag or Lexus without all the cheese-dick bling.

^Of Meesh's original list, the new 6 was the only one that stood out to me.

The Mazda6 is sexy!

We went to the Mini deal in Ft. Worth last night wife likes it more than she did I'm still not so sure this is the car for us.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...17130044_n.jpg

And I still like the Buick Regal.
http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/wp-...bo-front-2.jpg

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Originally Posted by pos racing

and i still like the buick regal.
http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/upl.../old-farts.jpg

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ftfy

Fixed again...

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

And I still like the Buick Reatta.
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-co.../reatta-ad.jpg

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Doesn't the new Regal GS have 260 HP and AWD? That doesn't sound bad for a daily driver. Think of it as a grown up alternative to the WRX. It's also better looking than anything in Subaru's current lineup, which have all gone from "ugly but quirky" to "fugly and boring".

I like the looks of the new Mazda6, but they only offer the 185 hp SkyActiv 4 banger so far stateside. No bigger motor, no turbo 4 cylinder, and still no diesel variant. It looks good, but on paper it matches up stat for stat with my old '00 Honda Accord I4. Not something I'd want to lease new in 2014.

The Regal Turbo lease offer is $259/mo for 24 months/10k miles, with $3k up front, and is for non-GM owners. I suspect POS can get them to back-down on the up-front stuff with his current lease equity. Not AWD or GS in that price point. I'd guess the GS is closer to $350+/mo, not TCB territory. Also not so sure about the 21 mpg city in a 2014 car. #notafan

Edit: just checked, the GS AWD starts at $40k. LOL