Stay away from Kias - they have no resale value and you'll probably really need that "standard warranty"... And avoid Hyundais (sp). My dad test one when he was shopping for my Focus last year - and the passenger door on the brand new Hyundai wouldn't close. until the salesman slammed it really hard.

go with Toyota. i drive a 2003 Solara and although its a 2 door its a very nice car. no problems with it and i love it!

I just got a 2005 Focus in Dec. I wasn't really sure that I would like it,but it;s growing on me. Mine was gently used. It had a little over 21,000 miles on it.

I have had my 2001 Honda CR-V auto trans w/75k miles. for about 2 wks and averaging about 24-25 mpg [combo fwy/city driving].

The 2005 Mazda 6 rental driven for 2 wks it was comfortable and roomy. I think it averaged 25 mpg. For a smaller engine, it has a lot of get up and go.

Michell, I knew there was an other reason I like You!:)

1999 Honda, My 4 th. Hell only have @ 39,000, 5 speed and still love it.

They just keep on ticking like a Timex!:D

Keep resale value too.

Either a Honda or a Toyota are great for mileage and resale.

How ironic i spent the last two days looking and how thorughly disgusted i am with sales reps. I want either a expidition or chevy yukon taho

**LOVE** my 2004 Mazda 3

No problems whatsoever...drives like a dream...4 doors, yet sporty. I **LOVE** her!!

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Plus, great safety features (max airbags - front, passenger, side curtain, etc.)

I had a Mazda Protege prior to the 3, and it was fabulous - most importantly kept us safe in a major crash (with airbag deployment, etc).

I drive a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S

I love this car. It rides smooth and does really well on gas. 20 in the city and 30 on the Highway. The only problems I've had were morons (who don't know how to pull into a space) side swipe my vehicle. :rolleyes: I've had to buff out scratches a few times.

I guess people with the same types of cars have totally different opinions of them. I have a 2003 Kia Rio Cinco and I love it. I am a recent college graduate and obviously I can not afford much. I paid around 14,000 for my car. I have had absolutely no problems with it and I am on year 3. I go to school 8 hours away from home and I have put many miles on it. The warranty is the reason I got a Kia because I don't have money to be pouring into fixing everything that breaks. One of the reasons I got this car is because it is great for moving my crap from home to school and back. It is a 4 door and has a hatchback. The seats fold down so I can fit a lot in it.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

I just got a new 2005 VW jetta and I absolutely love it! While looking for it, I drove the focus (I personally really liked the hatchback, but didn't like the look of the sedan, it also didn't get great safety ratings), honda civic, mazda, and hyundai elantra (which I hated). We ended up getting a great deal on the jetta where it was cheaper than nearly all of the other cars we were looking at. It also has side and curtain air bags, which is something my mom is very happy with :).

LOL you guys, why do so many people respond to a request for information about some specific makes of cars by saying what kind of car they have or like?

So I test drove 5 cars this weekend... just to see what I am interested in... the dealership was really cool because I had no press placed on me by the sales guys... I just took keys and then traded them when I wanted to try something different.

I started with the Corrolla... but didn't like it. My legs went numb.
I really liked the Camry... but it drove rough, bouncy.
I really really really liked the Ford Escape... fullly loaded (top to bottom).

I didn't drive a KIA, so I need to go do that still... it is a good thing that I am just looking and am not in a hurry.