Shopping for ~$25k new vehicle with Active Cruise Control

[stein_325i]

Probably best off with the Kia/Hyundai. One of the hosts on The Straight Pipes youtube channel is obsessed with car and safety tech, such as ACC, and he usually uses Hyundai/Kia as a benchmark for their ACC system, even compared to that of Tesla. Check out their Forte review and see if they mention anything about ACC.

Edit: Around the 11-minute mark they briefly mention ACC.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I don't understand why you are discussing manual transmissions when you say you need adaptive cruise control because of the way you drive. That would seem to rule out a manual transmission.

My usage pattern essentially does rule out MT cars.

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I am also puzzled by your reference to using your car as an office and needing adaptive cruise control. That scares me a little. If you mean that you talk on the phone a lot, about business, then you also need to focus on the quality and features of the USB or wireless phone connection.

I do focus on the telematics system, but I didn't mention it in this thread because pretty much any new car with ACC has Apple CarPlay. When it comes to the quality and usability of the telematics, I find that so personal I need to do that research myself, and try it in person. I'm simply not at that stage of the process yet.

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

So there are many choices out there. If you gave your other desires, besides cost and adaptive cruise control, we might be better able to give you meaningful suggestions.

I thought I did in my original post, but I'm happy to repeat/elaborate.

For the sake of this discussion, this work car/beater is a new car that stickers around $25k when equipped with ACC. I also need it to have as large of a trunk/storage area as possible without having to have the seats folded down. Because I carry valuable samples in the trunk, and this car will be parked on the street in the worst of neighborhoods, I need the trunk/storage area to conceal its contents. This isn't an issue with a sedan/trunk, but something like an SUV or wagon would need to have a cover to conceal the contents. AWD is not required as much as having some sportiness. Ths vehicle should also have 4 doors. I think that is it.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

My usage pattern essentially does rule out MT cars.



I do focus on the telematics system, but I didn't mention it in this thread because pretty much any new car with ACC has Apple CarPlay. When it comes to the quality and usability of the telematics, I find that so personal I need to do that research myself, and try it in person. I'm simply not at that stage of the process yet.



I thought I did in my original post, but I'm happy to repeat/elaborate.

For the sake of this discussion, this work car/beater is a new car that stickers around $25k when equipped with ACC. I also need it to have as large of a trunk/storage area as possible without having to have the seats folded down. Because I carry valuable samples in the trunk, and this car will be parked on the street in the worst of neighborhoods, I need the trunk/storage area to conceal its contents. This isn't an issue with a sedan/trunk, but something like an SUV or wagon would need to have a cover to conceal the contents. AWD is not required as much as having some sportiness. Ths vehicle should also have 4 doors. I think that is it.

This does help. I am with you on a CVT...its presence automatically disqualifies a car from consideration for me.

What about a Mazda 6 sport? It uses a regular automatic transmission, drives nicely, is a sedan and has some sportiness -- more than a KIA or Hyundai for sure.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

What about a Mazda 6 sport? It uses a regular automatic transmission, drives nicely, is a sedan and has some sportiness -- more than a KIA or Hyundai for sure.

Good recommendation. I'll build one later and see how much more money it is. The 6 is larger and arguably nicer so that will offset the price, but I'm kinda concerned I'll be close to $35k with ACC.

[chassis]

Take a look at a VW Tiguan. I know it has ACC, not sure which build you need to arrive at a $25k sticker.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

Good recommendation. I'll build one later and see how much more money it is. The 6 is larger and arguably nicer so that will offset the price, but I'm kinda concerned I'll be close to $35k with ACC.

I'm not sure, but Mazda has "radar cruise control with stop and go" and it comes standard on all Mazda6 models, however, I'm not sure that its the same thing as active cruise control.

My oldest son and his wife has a CX-9 and Mazda 6 along with an older NB Miata, and they love their vehicles. I always recommend people check out Mazda's cars, they're very nice vehicles.

[stein_325i]

In response to my last post, just checked it out and it looks like Mazda Radar Cruise Control is pretty much Active Cruise Control (all manufactures should just call it the same thing)

It comes standard on all Mazda 3 and 6 models from the base on up. See if you can negotiate a Mazda 6 Grand Touring (Turbo) to around $25k, that's one of their best model/trims.

[ShakyDog]

Wife's car has this god awful assisted cruise control and I disable it every time I use it, not sure why anyone would ever want it or use it. To each their own.

Steve

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by ShakyDog

Wife's car has this god awful assisted cruise control and I disable it every time I use it, not sure why anyone would ever want it or use it. To each their own.

Steve

Personally I love it, and it's been a requirement of mine for any daily driver since 2014. I see it as not only a convenience, but mostly a safety system. When ACC is on, the fore/aft management of the vehicle is managed by the system. This simply makes my trips safer. It's also nice to be able to zone out a little while crawling along at 2 mph on the Cross Bronx "Expressway."

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

Good recommendation. I'll build one later and see how much more money it is. The 6 is larger and arguably nicer so that will offset the price, but I'm kinda concerned I'll be close to $35k with ACC.

Before I posted I took a quick look at the configurator and it looked like you can just fit a Mazda 6 into your budget including adaptive cruise control.

[thegump]

Have you looked at any Hyundai vehicles? Shoot me a PM if you find one you like and I can look up my discount.
Looks like a loaded sonata comes out to $28.5k just as an idea.

[Conissah]

New Mazda 3, no questions asked. My fiance has one, and it's spectacular. Insanely quiet and comfortable, avg 38-42 MPG, has an actual auto tranny (no CVT garbage), has ACC, and the interior is very very upscale.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Conissah

New Mazda 3, no questions asked. My fiance has one, and it's spectacular. Insanely quiet and comfortable, avg 38-42 MPG, has an actual auto tranny (no CVT garbage), has ACC, and the interior is very very upscale.

I agree that Mazda is the way to go. But the car is basically the OP's office so I think he needs a bit more space than a Mazda 3 will give him, that is why I recommended the Mazda 6.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Conissah

New Mazda 3, no questions asked. My fiance has one, and it's spectacular. Insanely quiet and comfortable, avg 38-42 MPG, has an actual auto tranny (no CVT garbage), has ACC, and the interior is very very upscale.

100% go the Mazda route. My oldest son has had plenty, his wife has a CX-9 Signature, and he has a 6 Signature and NB Miata, the new Mazda's have the older VW approach of bringing the premium feel to a more mainstream price but with Japanese reliability and styling. Of all the Japanese cars they are the most "German" in a sense, if that makes sense

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

My oldest son has had plenty, his wife has a CX-9 Signature, and he has a 6 Signature and NB Miata, the new Mazda's have the older VW approach of bringing the premium feel to a more mainstream price but with Japanese reliability and styling.

On my 3rd Mazda (CX-9, CX-5 and 6) but definitely get the 2.5l Turbo (250hp/310ft-lb) on the higher trim levels. Unfortunately not available on the 3 (although it was rumored last year as a GTI competitor: https://www.motortrend.com/news/high...da3-may-cards/)

[Red Bread]

Just beware of Mazda fragility. I got hit in my 2016 Mazda3 hatch by a person running a light, removed the front bumper skin, didn't even hurt the radiator or the fans. But it bent the front subframe and totaled a two year old car. Initial estimate was $1,400, ended up being over $16k.

I had an NB Miata that was well outside of the recalled range for the #4 main bearing, but it always made an odd noise at idle, I had it checked multiple times at the dealer who claimed it was fine each time. I traded it in with 18k miles and heard two weeks later that it had spun the #4 bearing on the new owner almost immediately.

I think I've had my fill of Mazdas.

[hon2bmw]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

To get a GTI with ACC we're required to go for the Autobahn edition that stickers at almost 150% of my KIA build! $38k greatly exceeds my personal definition of a "beater" but I guess someone with a higher income could think differently I guess.

The other issue is hatchbacks like the GTI really have tiny "trunks" when the rear seats are up. That is why I never buy a hatch... Trunk space is way too important to me.

$40k for a non-R Golf? are they fucking kidding?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by hon2bmw

$40k for a non-R Golf? are they fucking kidding?

My friend was able to pick up a leftover 2019 GTI Autobahn Trim (DS6) for <$30k and got the 6/72 warranty. That's a better option if they have any 2019's left on the lot.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

My friend was able to pick up a leftover 2019 GTI Autobahn Trim (DS6) for <$30k and got the 6/72 warranty. That's a better option if they have any 2019's left on the lot.

Trunk is way too small when the rear seats are up... at least for me.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

Trunk is way too small when the rear seats are up... at least for me.

What about the GLI then if the price is right? Sorry if this was already covered, haven't read through yet.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

Trunk is way too small when the rear seats are up... at least for me.

What are you putting back there? Holds a weeks worth of luggage and pillows for three of us and a dog just fine. Volume is good, but length is of course the limit. If you're loading something long and wide, it will be too small. Worth noting that the load floor can be lowered about three inches from the standard setup too.

Mk8 will almost certainly offer ACC on the mid level trim, but we're probably twelve to eighteen months from those, and of course no one in their right mind buys a first year VW/Audi.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

What are you putting back there? Holds a weeks worth of luggage and pillows for three of us and a dog just fine. Volume is good, but length is of course the limit. If you're loading something long and wide, it will be too small. Worth noting that the load floor can be lowered about three inches from the standard setup too.

Luckily I found a couple of pictures showing very-typical scenarios for me.

First, you have to keep in mind that I'm in outside sales. This entails bringing product samples and/or marketing materials to my meetings. Further, I'm also usually traveling on the road a week at a time. I can usually keep my clothes to a large carry on, but you can see that doesn't leave a lot of room.

Also, I play golf weekly (in season of course). My push cart and shoes take a 1/4 of the trunk, and my bag another 1/2.

A hatchback would eliminate that entire part where I put my luggage or my golf clubs.