Need advice

[Shadowkilla510]

Alright just as the title suggests I need advice on picking a car for Spring 2012. I'm probably going to a university in LA starting Fall 2012 so I need help picking a car. I live in the Bay Area, but my dad told me for next year that he'll help me buy a car because he doesn't want to be concerned with me on the road, but I have to choose which one. Now the ones I'm looking so far are the Volkswagen Jetta, Scion FR-S, and the Mazda 3. Reason is because I've been anticipating for the FR-S for a while and if I end up not buying it I want a sedan with good gas mileage, but not trying to get a hybrid. I'm trying to pick a car with a reasonable price tag, 25k is probably asking too much and that maybe the only reason for not getting the car. I love the FR-S, I'm young, but I don't think I'll get too into tuning because of school. It's such a nice car and honestly I would love to see it in my driveway, but since I'm not paying all of it up front gotta think about it. Going to sell my 01 integra and with the expected mpg for the FR-S, 31 mpg hwy(probably) maybe 23 city, I'm not complaining about the mpg too much. Point being, I need help deciding on a car and I'm not willing to get a high performance car, trying to be reasonable. Things I'm looking for are; looks good, price tag isn't high (24-25k limit), if it's not the FR-S I'm not too open to coupes more towards sedans, and great mpg is more a side thing. Thanks for all the help

[import_nation]

How much cheaper is the Mazda 3 and Jetta? Those are very regular cars compared to the FR-S. It would be more of a fair comparison if you compared the Scion FR-S to the Mazdaspeed 3 and VW GTi

Would you be financing it? Or do you have a bunch of money ready for a car. You could consider the second hand market.

[TrailDust]

To be brutally honest, I'd say the Jetta isn't even in the running due to poor VW reliability. Between the FR-S and the Mazda 3, I'd say given your age and circumstances the Mazda will give you more versatility than the FR-S will, so I'd suggest the Mazda.

[dboz]

I would never get an FR-S to use for college. You can't put crap in it. The JETTA diesel is the way to go. You can load it up and get great MPG and it will last a long time. Not sure about reliability issues with this new batch of VW products though, it may be better now.

I think your best bet would be to get the NEW 2012 Impreza Wagon. 36 MPG, and 20k for a premium edition. Plenty of room to haul all your crap, economical and AWD if that comes into play if you are in the mountains or whatever out there.

[import_nation]

Even the regular Impreza is not a bad deal if you aren't into wagons. 4 doors. Decent potential. Not a bad price.

[funbeatsfast]

Keep an open mind, drive all of 'em and see what you like.
The new Jetta GLI has the 2.0 TSI out of the GTI, and is the only Jetta with rear wishbone - the TDI gets twist beam. Looks like vanilla tastes but reportedly fun to drive and more reliable than previous models.

[Shadowkilla510]

Okay the reason for the FR-S is because I've been waiting for it for so long, but if seems too much, then I don't want a car that says "I'm here", im not a showing off type of guy. I don't need a car to look good or get girls, I just love cars. But, heard Diesel is really bad for environment and for the amount of gas ur saving, doesn't change how much more you have to pay. If it's not the FR-S I'm looking for a sedan that looks good and with good mileage and hatch-backs are not my style. Money isn't an issue really, but I don't like to spend alot of money when it's not necessary if that makes any sense. Gonna do a monthly payment thing so I can at least pay half of the monthly payment for 60 months and the money I get from my car right now when I sell it will be the down payment. Like I said, money isn't an issue I just don't want to spend that much or get a really nice car. I'm young and I guess you can say I'm more mature and responsible. Back to the point, just need a good looking car maybe sedan I don't know. And I don't need a car with alot of room, my clothes is all that's going to be carried really. FR-S, maybe other coupes? I don't know, anyone know the resale value for the Mazda 3?

[cfrp]

I would wait until the FR-S is actually released and go test drive one yourself. If the FR-S fits your budget and catches your attention keep it a consideration. Test drive the FR-S then go and test drive the Mazda 3 and Jetta. Decide yourself which one looks and feels the best.

[Shadowkilla510]

Sounds good, was also thinking of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. But yeah I should test drive, thanks for the help everyone