Car buying for DINKs

sessionswedding

DH and I are thinking about replacing his old Saturn S pretty soon.  His parents got it for him years ago as a college car.  We've greatly appreciated the free ride, but we're not sure how much more time this car has left.  It totally broke down on him the day before our wedding, and FIL had to get it fixed for us while we were on our HM.  So I don't really trust it.

ANYWHO, I was just wondering what sorts of cars the other DINKs around here drive.  DH wants a low-to-mid range sports car, I want a smaller sedan.  Either way, we're interested in Hyundai and KIA because of our price range.  Any suggestions?  What do you drive?  What gas mileage does your car get?

Wine Enthusiast

I have a Mazda6 and love it.  Its very sporty, has all the options you could wish for beside backup cam and is great on gas.  H is 6'5 and fits very comfortably and even loves the car.  They are pretty affordable, especially used with low miles. 

My cousins have Hyundais and like the a lot.  Every one I knew that had KIA had nothing but problems, but that was years ago.

sessionswedding

Yeah, I remember the KIA problems from a few years ago.  They revamped their cars though, and my parents now have 2 KIAs.  They've had the mini-van for about 1.5 years now with no problems.  They've had the Forte about 3 months and LOVE it.

Wine Enthusiast

sessionswedding:

Yeah, I remember the KIA problems from a few years ago.  They revamped their cars though, and my parents now have 2 KIAs.  They've had the mini-van for about 1.5 years now with no problems.  They've had the Forte about 3 months and LOVE it.

I wondered if they improved because I was thinking they wouldn't still be around if they didn't.  I remember seeing a commercial for their new sedan awhile ago and it was a really sharp looking car!

MrsBPO

We drive a Lexus and a Mazda CX-9 (three row SUV).  And yes, we're DINKS but I like my third row and hauling capacity.

It really depends on your wants, needs and financial abilities.  If you're looking at the low-to-mid-range try the Hyundai Elantra (smallish sedan, reasonably priced and excellent gas mileage)

or the Lexus IS-250 (coupe with a hard-top convertible if you can expand your price range or buy certified used.) 

We rented a Kia Rondo a few years ago and weren't impressed at all; the inside seemed incredibly cheap.  It seems that they've improved drastically.  What about the Kia Optima?  It's available in a sedan but is certainly sporty looking.  One pulled into a handicapped space in front of us yesterday and it wasn't bad looking at all.

Another favorite is the Infiniti G series, which is Nissan's intro level to the Infiniti.

The Mazdas have also proven to be very popular.  And they are very fun to drive.  My CX-9 is over 3,000 lbs and it handles like a car (relatively speaking.)  It corners well and handles very nimbly.  The Mazda Miata was voted convert/fun (or whatever) car of the year a few years back.  ZoomZoom is accurate.  The Mazda6 might fit your description of sporty-sedan

sessionswedding

I'm personally pulling for the Elantra! That Infiniti looks sweet, but I'd have to check out the price. And yeah, Kia doesn't even make the Rondo anymore I don't think.

darkling_glory

Sessions... my hubby traded in his Infiniti for a Hyundai Sonata and we both really love it! 

The car drives really nicely and while we scaled back and didn't go with the highest luxury package there are a lot of really great features.

Plus, the trunk space is AMAZING.

Not to mention, Hyundai has the best warranty around. 

sessionswedding

darkling_glory:

Sessions... my hubby traded in his Infiniti for a Hyundai Sonata and we both really love it! 

The car drives really nicely and while we scaled back and didn't go with the highest luxury package there are a lot of really great features.

Plus, the trunk space is AMAZING.

Not to mention, Hyundai has the best warranty around. 

That's definitely one of the selling points for me.