Used midsize car recommendations

1,719 Views | 27 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by a07nathanb
bigtruckguy3500
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Looking for something relatively low miles, maybe a couple years old. Not looking for anything too fancy. I'll be driving across the country in a couple weeks when moving, and then be using it for basic commuting. So I just need something reliable.

Located in the Houston area currently, in case anyone has anything they're looking at selling.
Aggiemike96
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AG
Username does NOT check out.
1agswitchin4lanes
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Budget?
GTIAG09
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A used Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima should fit the bill
AgOutsideAustin
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Nothing too fancy, driving across country, basic commuting, and something reliable. I would choose either an Accord or Camry and nothing else.
The Fife
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Since there's no budget I'll say Audi A7.
FIDO*98*
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My company cars over the last couple years include Passat, Sonata, Fusion, and now Subaru Legacy

Hated the Fusion, was ok with the VW and Hyundai, and now I absolutely love my Subaru.
bigtruckguy3500
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Aggiemike96 said:

Username does NOT check out.

Knew that was coming. Sometimes you just gotta make sacrifices.
bigtruckguy3500
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1agswitchin4lanes said:

Budget?

Probably around 15 k, but I'm flexible if the car is good.
91AggieLawyer
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People dog the CVT, but I'm enjoying my Maxima. You should be able to find a 2012-13, maybe 14, with 50-75K. I'd go dealership with a reasonable price extended warranty to cover the transmission if it does act up (there aren't many reported problems with them recently).

Or you might find an Infinity for a few dollars more. A little more power but both cars are very pleasant to drive on the highway as they can be driven at higher speeds and pass with ease.

I'd recommend budgeting for a tire swap as well. I put new Pirellis and they make a world of difference over the stock Goodyears.
TRIDENT
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Find a Toyota or Honda that you can live with.
CrottyKid
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VW CC
Texker
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Hard to argue with Toyota or Honda but the Mazda6 is worth a look.
Jack Cheese
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FIDO*98* said:

My company cars over the last couple years include Passat, Sonata, Fusion, and now Subaru Legacy

Hated the Fusion, was ok with the VW and Hyundai, and now I absolutely love my Subaru.

You're a lesbian? Spreadsheet updated.
bigtruckguy3500
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How are the Optimas and Sonatas? I drove a Kia Soul and Huyundai Elantra as a rental for a month each last year, and they drove ok, but both had really bad engine noise.

And anyone know how good the JD Power reliability ratings are? It shows some vehicles that I expected to be more reliable as less reliable than some I expected to not be as reliable.
mm98
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I haven't looked at JDP rankings in a long time but aren't they rating based on recalls within the first 90 days?

Anyway back to OP, if you have a shred of enthusiast needs in a car, check out the Mazda6.
bigtruckguy3500
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I really like how the Mazda6 looks, but it had below average JDP rankings on reliability, so I was a little concerned. Also looks like it gets great mileage. I'll have to look into the methods on their rankings.
FIDO*98*
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The Mazda 6 was one of our options to order.....still a distant second to the Subaru

Of all the vehicles mentioned, only the Subaru puts power to the rear wheels. Save the Lesbo jokes for the Forrester.....the Legacy is the real deal. Also, if you ever have to deal with traffic, the EyeSight system drives for you.
jh0400
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The CVT in my wife's 2014 Rogue lasted 30k miles before it had to be replaced.
reproag
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TRIDENT said:

Find a Toyota or Honda that you can live with.
FIFY
1agswitchin4lanes
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mm98 said:

I haven't looked at JDP rankings in a long time but aren't they rating based on recalls within the first 90 days?

Anyway back to OP, if you have a shred of enthusiast needs in a car, check out the Mazda6.
JD Powah? Sounds like a Porn Stah....
malenurse
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I have a 2013 Hyundai Sonata with 66k and the car has been absolutely flawless. There were two recalls within the last year which were taken care of promptly with little inconvenience to me.
bigtruckguy3500
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How's road/engine noise? How does it handle rough roads. Seats holding up well and comfortable? Which engine do you have and how's the power?

Thanks
malenurse
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I have the SE Trim so the ride is stiff and, with low profile tires, the road noise is louder. The GLS or Limited are much smoother and quieter. I did not buy the turbo because I drove both and did not see enough power increase to justify the amount. The 4 banger puts out surprising power with a decent mileage. The way I drive, no car will ever produce good mileage.

I am a big guy and the driver seat is showing wear on the outside edge from me sliding in a couple of thousand times. But there is plenty of room fore and aft. Seat are comfortable, heated but not cooled.

I grew up in the car business. My father owned Chevy, Olds, and Dodge Dealerships so I have driven hundreds of cars. This is the best midsize car I have driven. I picked it after driving a Focus, Optima, and a Mazda 6. I also have owned an Accord and drove several hundred miles in a rented Camry. The Sonata was my pick.
LeftyAg89
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I've put 60k miles on my 2014 Fusion and love it. Very comfortable car, but it is a loaded Titanium model with very comfy cooled leather seats. Smooth/quiet ride and I get about 27 mpg (combined) in Houston.

I would definitely recommend.
91AggieLawyer
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Quote:

The CVT in my wife's 2014 Rogue lasted 30k miles before it had to be replaced.

My wife's 1991 Taurus had a transmission replacement at about that mileage. These things happen but they're happening with much less frequency than 8_ years ago.
bigtruckguy3500
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Dang it, seems like so much of the used inventory around me are prior rental/fleet vehicles. And no way to filter them out in the search.

Should I worry about vehicles from up north that ended up here? I've heard they tend to have corrosion issues due to the salt on the roads.
Ag03 CQE
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I had a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE with the turbo and loved everything about it except the reliability. Once it hit 80k miles it started falling apart. It was in the shop 6 times the last year I owned it, twice covered under warranty, and over $1500 for the other 4. Different things I've read seem to indicate that they were better by 2013, but the 2011s and early 2012s are now notoriously unreliable.
a07nathanb
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bigtruckguy3500 said:

Dang it, seems like so much of the used inventory around me are prior rental/fleet vehicles. And no way to filter them out in the search.

Should I worry about vehicles from up north that ended up here? I've heard they tend to have corrosion issues due to the salt on the roads.


The majority of the used midsize car market is former fleet/rental units. I've bought several through the years without any issues. Personally, I like to buy them with miles in the mid teens.

I know there are several states cheaper than Texas at registering vehicles so it is not unusual to see a Carfax or Autocheck saying a car is from up North when in actuality it's never been out of Texas.
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