Quote Originally Posted by Egan101 View Post
*paomigz15 - is the 1.5M the ceiling of your budget? I do agree with some that the Everest is the most practical among your choices and the Civic RS is not worth its 1.4M price tag. However, I do have a different view.

If you really need the space for people, the Everest is a wise choice. It is big and tall plus it has the advantage of the frugality of a diesel. It may not be as comfortable as a car due to its pickup-like ride but these vehicles are meant for all-around utility.

If you want spirited driving and performance, go save up for an extra 400k and get yourself a Subaru WRX. It has more power and torque, lots of grip with its AWD system, and a tuned suspension. You don't need all those kits with a WRX. You can get the WRX in either MT or CVT.

If you want performance on a budget, go with the Focus Sport 1.5L Ecoboost. You can get it for just over 1M with discounts. The Sport+ has the extra features but it cost 200k+ more. Its 1.5L turbo engine packs 180hp/240Nm and more in the likes of cars with 2.5L NA engines. It may be a few ticks slower from 0 to 100kmh against the Civic RS due to its heavier weight but it has a better tuned suspension. My father-in-law has a Civic RS and I feel that its suspension is more tuned for comfort, more like a small Accord. My Fiesta Ecoboost's suspension feels stiffer.

If you long for a comfortable ride and better performance, get a sporty midsize car like the Accord or Mazda6. Check them out and you can say that the interiors of the Civic or Mazda3 looks cheap against these cars. They are also no slouch in terms of performance and handling. They maybe around 1.7M-1.8M in price but they offer more than what a Civic or Mazda3 can deliver.

However, if you want a practical ride for 5 people which has better ground clearance and drives more like a car instead of a pickup plus enough room for carrying stuff, get a CUV (Forester, CX5, CRV, etc.). At 1.5M, you have a lot of options to choose from. If you can extend your budget a bit, you can have a CUV with the engine of the WRX which allows you to scoot faster than a Civic RS while still comfortably seating 5 and room in the back for golf bags, luggage, grocery, etc. I am happy camper with Forester XT.
Thanks for the suggestions! I prefer a comfortable ride and I'm usually by myself so looks like the Everest is not for me. I will also check out the other car models that you've suggested. Thank you so much!