I am in the market for a car now.... and have several in mind. I have a list of them i been looking at, and willing to spend the amount on what they are worth.
First I am still keeping the Yukon 4x4. I like the truck, ( as i have it payed for and own it) ...it has given me no troubles at all and very reliable, but its big and a little expensive on gas to use as a commuter to &amp; from work. I will keep it for weekends, going to the cottage, towing trailers, towing the boats, off roading, and going on long trips because its comfortable on the highway.


In a car, i am looking at somthing a little more econimical on gas, smaller, and good for uses the big truck is not practical for. Also i will be looking for a manual tranny as preference....


Below are the list of cars i seen,...driven,...looked at,...and in the market for depending on what i decide.
The prices range between $ 2000 and $ 15,000, depending on what it is. ( i can buy either one of them based on what i want.) I want to see what your opinion is on all the models below, and my thoughts &amp; impressions on my test drives in all of them. I have not driven all the years listed, the years is just a reference to what i would buy depending on price, condition, etc. They are not listed in any preference order )






-- 1992 to 1998 Honda Civic LX &gt; Pros: Very easy on gas, reliable, popular, a good commuter.
&gt; Cons: Popular for theft in the GTA area, Insurance is generally higher in Ontario based on Statistcs from my insurance company, actually a Honda Civic DX two-door will cost me more per month to insure with my truck than the BMW 325i. Parts are moderate price.


-- 1990 to 1993 Chevrolet Z24 or or Pontiac Sunbird GT &gt; Pros: Moderate on gas with the 3.1 Multiport V6 as compared to my truck, good power &amp; acceleration, easy to get parts for and new parts are cheap, indestructable engine.
&gt; Cons: Most of them are getting old, and have high kms showing wear &amp; tear, and hard to find in exellent condition, heavy torque steer, and a little more expensive to insure than a base cavalier.


-- 1995 to 1998 Pontiac Sunfire &gt; Pros: good on gas, reliable, popular, cheap parts, can be found anywhere, not bad looking, and the Sunfire GT has a little more power than the base model, cheap to insure.
&gt; Cons: some years had head gasket problems, there are to many everywhere you look. not as powerful as the older V6 Z24 or Sunbird GT, BMW, Talon, or Celica.


-- 1993 to 1998 BMW 325i &gt; Pros: Its a Beemer. Great handling, good power and acceleration, nice fit and finish, leather interior, rear wheel drive, German engineering, nice looks, Gas mileage is reasonable, ( compared to the Yukon)
&gt; Cons: Parts are really expensive, popular for theft in the GTA area, Insurance is a little more than the compacts, but less than the civic, talon , &amp; celica, rear drive hates snow, crampy back seat.


-- 1993 to 1998 BMW 318i &gt; Pros: Its another Beemer... Great handling, comfortable, nice fit and finish, leather interior, rear wheel drive, German engineering, nice looks, good on gas.
&gt; Cons: Not alot of power for a BMW, ( 1.8L I-4 engine , compared to the 2.5L I-6 in the 325i) again parts are expensive, popular for theft here, and crampy back seat.


-- 1994 to 1998 Suzuki Swift &gt; Pros: Easiest on gas of the bunch, econimical, cheap to insure, park anywhere, reasonably reliable.
&gt; Cons: not alot of power, not alot of room inside, Parts are a little more expensive than the domestics, but less than the Beemer.


-- 1992 up Eagle talon &gt; Pros: Good on gas, sporty, good power, insurance is not bad.
&gt; Cons: harder to get parts for, parts a little more expensive than the domestics, not alot of room inside.


--1990 to 1995 Toyota Celica &gt; Pros: sporty, good looks, not bad on gas, good power, reliable.
&gt; Cons: Most in that range are getting old and have some rust, not alot of room inside, parts are harder to find &amp; moderately expensive, insurance is higher than the others except the civic.


-- 1995 to 1998 Dodge Neon &gt; Pros: good on gas, somwhat roomy for a small car, popular, used parts are easy to find, insurance is cheap.
&gt; Cons: The earlier years had some enging issues, all three i tested had a hesitation in throttle response, hear many stories of reliability problems.


-- 1990 Nissan 300ZX &gt; Pros: Reasonable on Gas, Sporty, Handled, good, good power, good looks.
&gt; Cons: Seems to low for a guy my size, ( banged my head on the roof getting in and out) harder to get used parts for, more expensive for parts and insurance.


-- 1995 to 1998 Acura Integra &gt; Pros: good on gas, sporty, relaible, popular.
&gt; Cons: Popular for theft in the GTA area, seems small inside, parts are moderate pricey, ( as the honda) insurance is expensive, ( almost same as the civic ?) Bothe the ones i driven seemed to have
a clunky shifter , and had a loud exaust.)




There are other cars i would concider, i just listed the ones i test drove over the last couple of weeks. Everyone will have different thoughts, opinions, and impressions on all of these cars, which is what im looking for. :) either way, all of them are alot easier on gas than my truck, smaller, and will save mileage on my truck. Im' just looking for a second vehicle, and the ones i listed above i somwhat like, and could fit the bill. There are other cars too i like, i just havent tried others yet.
Whats your thoughts on the cars above ? :)