We Bought Two New Long-Term Test Cars

I'm really hoping it isn't an eos. You guys really need a jeep GC in the garage, so my guess is on that.

A ford focus maybe

A used Bentley and I' really hoping for an Acura NSX.

$22k = Focus Titanium? or SE with sport package.
$35k = JCW Mini convert? or decent used Boxster? or loaded Wrangler?

One has to be a 200 convertible. Probably the $35K one. The other, Focus or Elantra maybe? Is the new Accent out yet?

Actually the more I think about it the more convinced I am that the Wrangler Rubicon is the $35k convertible. They seemed to enjoy the Wrangler they tested recently, and they're still mourning the sale of the Raptor.

Agree on some previous posts:

Convertible probably some form of Wrangler @$35k

Probably a Focus @$22k mark although I don't see them getting the Titanium at that price. Not that you can't, but Edmunds seems to want to get all the bells and whistles and would shoot the price over the mark. Was trying (hoping) to price out a Subaru Impreza at that price, could be done I suppose.

Camaro Convertible & Ford Focus

Used Boxstres can be had for well under 22K, I know, I have been looking! These prices are pretty exact, so I'm guessing they are both new cars. One is an Elantra Limited.

My guess for the non-convertible is the Hyundai Elantra.

Ford Focus/Hyundai Elantra and Chrysler 200 Conv?

Okay, now I am thinking 200 convertible rental cat special (i.e. stripper) for 22K, and either Explorer or Durango for $35K.

Focus and a Wrangler.

So many cars that would be great to see in the fleet are being mentioned here -- Focus, Elantra, Explorer, Durango...even the 200 would be interesting to read about.

You have until Tuesday -- get all of them.

I'm gonna go Chrysler 200 convertible, and 2012 Focus Titanium, Hatchback style.

The $22k one is a Focus, I was hoping for a Cayman S or a Boxster S, used, but I don't see IL shelling out $35k for a used car, judging from their past actions. Hope I'm wrong.

focus and camaro V6 convertible.

It is not going to be a used car. They still have the used 911, not going to get another until they get rid of the Porsche. The only new convertibles on the market are Camaro (too soon after having their other one), Nissan Morono Cross-Cadaver (or whatever that hideous monstrosities name is) and 200. The Nissan is too expensive, so that leaves the 200. MSRP is from 25K to 32K for it, so they either got gouged on a top end one, or got a stripper for a couple of grand under sticker.

hybris says:

Focus and a Wrangler.

Ditto. A sedan and a truck (Buick and the Raptor) recently wrapped up.

I'll laugh when they turn out to be a Miata and a Subaru Tribeca.

One serious suggestion - 90% of cars tested are bought/borrowed new and 10% are fairly old used cars (2002 or older: Corvette, M3 are 2002, others are older).

How about buy a used car that was previously tested new, and test it for 12 months? How would a 2006 BMW 330i fare after 5 years of driving? How would the battery hold up on a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid?

Focus or Elantra and Wrangler.

Focus and 200 'vert. Calling it now.

A 200 'vert was my first thought, but does it cost $35K?!

I'm hoping for a Focus or Elantra. The long term fleet is lacking in the compact category with only the Cruze and Jetta. And I think the Cruze is due to be sold soon, right?

wow I'm stumped... The 200 would have to be a car given to them... I can't see them spending money on one of those. They only spend their own money on very popular cars or just released cars. So they either bought a used converible and I guess a crew cab pick-up truck with basic options or they got an Elantra Limited or Focus SEL and a Camaro or Mustang convertable... But they have had an SS Camaro and currently a Mustang GT...

I'm guessing that the convertible is a 1 or 3 series. After all, you are finally down to one bmw...

If one is a Focus, it better not be an SEL with it's boring "POWARSHIT" dual-clutch auto. I test drove one recently and it was pure nutsack. The only Focus for the "enthusiast" is the 5speed SE (even S) with or without the Sport Package. The SE 5speed I test drove was an honestly fun car and I'd like to read about the day-to-day experience with it before committing one to my garage.

I see correct manufacturers flying around (yes, i'm being vague on purpose)... and they're both "New" - not "new to us".

I'm going with a Murano Convertible that the dealer gave them just to get it off their lot.

And...Dodge Avenger.

And before you ask, I didn't look up the prices beforehand. I like to have fun.

Hyundai Elantra Limited and Camaro Convertible 2LT.

I would highly recommend you start giving away those plastic edmunds.com cars for winning the caption contests.

@greenpony: They're really old. I had to borrow them from people's desks to take the photo. I don't think we have any new ones. -- Donna

My guess is the lower priced car is a Wrangler stripper model, and the higher a F150 w/Ecoboost

I wanted to guess Infiniti G25 but the hints kind of knocked that off the list. And others were right--if this was bought and not loaned there is no way they are going to be seen in a 200 convertible. And since there already was/is a Camaro/Mustang it does not make sense to go there.

Hopefully a Hyundai Elantra for the $22k car; it's a candidate for my next car.

Ford focus or elantra for the $22k
and Camaro Convertible is the other one my guess :/

Oh! Please answer my prayers and let it be a Chrysler 200!
...not.

Whatever happened to the old Bentley or other old piece of ridiculousness you guys were looking to get for LT?

The 22k I'm going to guess a beatle the 35k I'm going to have to think on 1 series convertible? Probably not

This is the BEST post ever! We are all reduced to fanbois!

Unfortunately:

I'm guessing EOS. You people got VW on speedial - and seem to think we still care about VW.
I'm also guessing Murano 'vert. If the Juke is irrelevant enough that you felt the need to bother with it, the even-more-useless Murano 'vert is likely high up on the list too.

Camaro convertible would be fun to read about for a year. Boxster/Cayman would be inspired choices.

reading above comments, chrysler 200 and/or wrangler would be great choices. hope one of these makes it.

itd be awesome if you guys got an s2000 or the nsx as used long term test cars >.<

New Beetle Turbo for $22.5k and/or the new Eos Convertible for $35k. Not completely certain of either vehicle, but they fit the profile.

Subaru Forester for 22.5K and Jeep Wrangler for 35K.

I recently researched the Forester for mother in law purchase and it is an amazing vehicle. Picked it over the Rav4, CR-V, Escape, etc... Never thought I would be caught dead in one but excellent build, features, reliability, content, and value.

Subaru's just don't fit any "mold" that most enthusiasts are comfortable with but they are so practical as to win you cognitively over. I am an enlightened BMW, Porsche, Lexus and Mercedes owning, brain washed enthusiast.

Dodge charger

Both cars are new because of the not round numbers (even an engineer like me would not sell his car for **,402$.

22k$ car : Hyundai Veloster

The only other recent inexpensive new car you do not have is the Focus, and a SE hatch with sport pkg and little else could fit that price. I still think it's a Veloster though.

35k$ 'vert: more puzzling, but you "need" another off-road toy, so a 2012 Rubicon with the new Pentatstar engine would fill the "void" quite well.

Focus for 22K, Say bye to the Buick.
Wrangler unlimited pentastar for 35k, Raptor replacement.

Maby a...

Stripper Comaro V6 or a Mustang V6
With an Explorer or Durango.

I think Focus and Wrangler are the best guesses so far.

I vote Volkswagen EOS for convertible and Ford Focus.

I gotta agree with blueprint1 on the Veloster, but maybe I'm just hopeful. It's the new car I want to read about the most. How much closer is it to the Honda CRX than the CR-Z? My guess? Substantially closer.

Let me guess,

You people at insideline haven't bought a car yet and right now looking at the comments for something new. :D

But seriously, I'm thinking the convertible would be something 2nd hand so either a first generation Porsche Boxster or BMW z3.

I hope the other one is a Chrysler 200 sedan. It would be nice to know the difference between owning a Hyundai Sonata (ex Long Term Test car) and a 200.

Maybe a Chevrolet Camaro Convertible perhaps?

Well its probably a Fiat 500 Convertible because that's new and they don't have the convertible yet. The other vehicle is probably the new Jeep Wrangler because they just did a test on it and its got a new engine so it seems like its a pretty good choice.