All photos by Randy Stern
No, I do not own a car. It gives me the freedom to take a temporary experience of driving one and putting it through a routine that includes in-town driving, carting friends for enteratinment, creative and school work and the oft occasion of fulfilling my wanderlust. These are the reasons why I try to make my MotorGeek posts more realistic for a consumer’s point-of-view – seasoned with an enthusaist’s arrogance (for lack of a better term).
Not everything I have driven gets on this site. Then again, not everything I have driven fully satisfies my needs and wants. As a comsumer, only a few vehicles would be considered for purchase – if I was in the position to do so.
So, this final Five Favorite post answers the question: “If you were to buy an automobile, Randy, what would you get?” To be honest, I can never be satisfied with one automobile while paying for it over the course of 3-5 years. I would end up getting sick of it after 1-2 years – maybe.
But, what if – what it I bought an automobile? Is there one that I would be happy to drive to the final payment of my loan or lease? As the years roll on, there have been more vehicles that appear to enjoy more of a long-term relationship in my care.
So, what are these automobiles? First off, they would ones I’ve experienced and reviewed in this blog. To be somewhat realistic, my cap would be at $30,000 based on the sticker price (before any incentives).
2010 DODGE CHALLENGER: It simply won me over. It did not take an R/T Classic in Plum Crazy or a SRT8 to do the trick. Just a SE – a V6-powered basic coupe. Sure, I haven’t driven a Mustang or a Camaro, but why should I? Why mess up something out of a childhood memory (the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, to be exact) for the purpose of finding the right weekend tourer for me. A Challenger would be a good daily driver – and, it is. For me, it would be a weekend runner chasing car shows, sporting events and drives with a special friend. Since I am single, it’ll only just be me. Add Sirius to the mix, and there’s no tomorrow. Out of all the cars I’ve driven in the past few years (including the Cadillac CTS from this year), it got more looks from everyone who set eyes on it. Truly an incentive to get one – well, it could be the right guy magnet. PRICE: $23,185 (SE coupe with Sirius satellite radio).
2010 MAZDA6: Yes, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will put the Toyota Camry on notice. But, can it truly satisfy the enthusiast side of me while carrying friends, groceries, road trip stuff and Boomer? That job goes to the one car I know will do all of that: The Mazda6. I agree – it’s softer than the last Mazda6. However, the steering feels right, the handling feels sharp and it has everything I expect in a Mazda these days – right down to the red-backed audio/HVAC read out on top of the middle of the dashboard. Yet, it feels just right on the highway. It accomodates friends for dinner and such. It swallows a week’s vacation in the trunk – or, a weekender for four. So, it doesn’t win the hardcore Mazdaspeed enthusiast – but, as a former Mazda owner, I wouldn’t have any other mid-size family sedan. PRICE: $21,750 (i Sport model with an Automatic gearbox and Sirius satellite radio).
2011 KIA SORENTO: There has to be at least one crossover/SUV on this list. It might as well be this one – a West Point, Georgia-built, Korean-designed five (or seven) passenger guilt-free device. It comes with a four-cylinder standard – a robust one, at that! It also comes with everything standard in the LX model, which includes Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth phone connectivity (which I have yet to master on Hyundai’s and Kia’s audio systems). Everything just seem to work well with each other while I am driving. It also doesn’t feel like a crossover or SUV. There’s no complaints about how it drives. In fact, I called it a “free spirit,” packed full of all-weather goodies and the ability to make your year-round driving a satisfying one. I’ll stick with the five-seat configuration thanks to a huge rear cargo hold capable of swallowing everything from an extended weekend’s run for four to an IKEA run. PRICE: $24,890 (LX 2.4litre with an Automatic gearbox and AWD).
2010 KIA SOUL: This was not entirely my choice – but the favorite of two of my closest friends, whom I trust with their judgement, of anything I’ve driven in the past few years. I can see why – the cabin’s big and tall enough to accommodate them. If we’re going on a road trip, the cargo hold could be expanded to bring more stuff. Let’s not forget the array of standard equipment on the “+” model that will entertain everyone along the way – including Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity for the phone. In all, the Soul is not a bad driving machine. I could use a bit more power (using the Kia Forte’s more powerful version of the same engine), another gear in the automatic gearbox, but I’m only nitpicking. It’s suffices as a fun, image-busting fountain of youth-mobile. Personally, I’d rather have a Forte EX sedan – but, this is a democracy after all. PRICE: $16,985-18,515 (“+” model with an Automatic gearbox – the latter price includes a sunroof and auto-dimming rear-view mirror).
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA: Before I get into why this compact is on this list – there are two things I need to address. Yes, there are three Korean automobiles on this list. What’s wrong with that? Secondly, the Elantra is on here because I have yet to drive the Kia Forte – which would be my choice. In the meantime – the Elantra. It’s quite good, you know. Even better with improvements, it now emphasizes fue efficiency than ever before. And, it works as I have achieved some amazing consumption figures in them lately – all over 30MPG. Not only that, it is a well-equipped and comfortable place to take a long drive in. Let’s not forget its versatility in-town. It’s simply a nice car to drive anywhere – XM satellite radio included! PRICE: $17,710-18,640 (GLS model with an Automatic gearbox – latter price includes Sunroof package).
