What car should I get?

[Stargrazor]

My 2003 Elantra needs replacing and I am looking for some intelligent opinions on what car you think would be good for me.

I don't do a lot of driving. Probably no more than 15k annually. I'm single and live out in the Canadian Country (Southern Ontario). I have a budget of around 28k. I can go higher but it needs to be something I really like. I don't drive stick so it has to be automatic. I like speed. I like good handling. I'm not too worried about gas mileage. Needs to have some utility/practicality.

Given this information what do you think makes the most sense for me to consider? My brother thinks I should wait for the 2013 Santa Fe but I'm worried it might be too big for just a single guy like myself. It will also be very expensive and hard to haggle the price down since it is a new model. What else do you think I should look at? Thanks for your help!

EDIT: Here Are My Current Top Pics That I am considering (Canadian prices)

1. 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT (GLS Auto) - $27k
Positives: Reasonable price, not bad looking, good warranty, small yet practical. Negatives: Slow, weird grille

2. 2012 VW Golf GTI (DSG shifting) - Used at around $28k with hopefully low mileage
Positives: Looks great, really fast, small yet practical. Negatives: I can only afford used, my brother had a bad experience with VW

3. 2013 Hyundai Santa fe (base trim) - est. $28-30k
Positives: Looks good, descent power, lots of room, seating position, warranty. Negatives: High price, Might be too big

Image Order - GTI > Elantra > Santa Fe

[mowky]

I don't know anything about cars in general but i must ask why you dont like to drive with stick ? Doesnt that add into the driving experience ?

[Kirsia]

Goblin Turbo-trike?

Not sure how any other response is valid on the WoW general forums.

Edit: And now we've moved. I've been happy with my 2012 Chrysler 200. Not too many of them on the road yet, unlike my last car where I saw all over the place.

[Deleted]

Kodo should do what you need.

[Yunru]

Is it just me or is this fail attempt for a post with a virus/advertising link? The name of tread is like it. (yes i am talking abauth bot programs who make 10 posts and then put on advertisement)

[Deleted]

BMW 3 series sounds perfect.

[Deleted]

Chevrolet.
End of discussion.

[Dermot]

Get a Mini, you won't regret it.

[Deleted]

Hyundai I30 or I40 The I 40 is pretty big for a single guy, though.

[Stargrazor]

Sorry I didn't mean to post this in the WoW General. My bad.

[Stargrazor]

I don't know anything about cars in general but i must ask why you dont like to drive with stick ? Doesnt that add into the driving experience ?

I actually find stick pretty annoying. Just a personal thing I guess.

---------- Post added 2012-08-05 at 02:40 PM ----------

Kodo should do what you need.

lol I should have payed more attention to what forum I was posting in.

---------- Post added 2012-08-05 at 02:40 PM ----------

Is it just me or is this fail attempt for a post with a virus/advertising link? The name of tread is like it. (yes i am talking abauth bot programs who make 10 posts and then put on advertisement)

I am real dude.

[Deleted]

Get a Swift Hawkstrider.

[lockedout]

Hyundai is probably the worst car ever, any model. Get a Honda or an Acura they are both made by the same company (Honda).

[Neodymie]

Hyundai is probably the worst car ever, any model.

They're actually very nice cars these days. They've stepped up the last decade or so.

[chadwix]

Id get a kia or hyundai, i think both come with 10 year warranty. If you dont drive a lot, it will break around the time your normal 3-5 year warranty would be expiring.

Remember, kids pimp their rides, adult pimp their houses

[Gheld]

If you're looking at small crossovers, 10,000km into my brand new Equinox and I'm still loving it, damn good fuel mileage too, if you aren't heavy footed.

[Zoldor]

Buy a one year old used car after driving it is my best advice. A new car fresh off the lot is rarely a good investment. Most one year old cars still have a warranty. My fiance has a Toyota Rav 4 and its held its value and been a great car for the 6 years she's had it. If you are looking for something smaller, say an actual car and not a crossover/mini-suv I would go with a Honda Accord. I'm not the best person to advise on a practical car though, I love sports cars and really never see myself not owning one. I like machines generally and the more performance I can squeeze the better. I've been driving the same car since I was 17 and I'm 29 now. 98 Trans Am. If you take care of a car they can really last you a long time, even a sports car. Hell it has 189 thousand miles on the original motor and transmission. Replaced some other parts, but the two majors are still doing great. It could use a suspension rebuild though, bushing are old and rotted probably.

Still I like Toyota, Honda, American cars for sport, in North America a BMW, Mercedes, and Rover are really expensive. Rover is nice if you can afford one, they'll drive till the wheels fall off, other than that British cars are trash :P

[Pickynerd]

2013 Hyundai Sonata limited, it is a great car, you will not be disappointed.

[Rukentuts]

Whatever is cheap yet reliable and durable.

[Jayburner]

Get on of those new fiat mini cars. The girls think they are cute and they are good on gas. Thats just my opinion.