Is midsize sedan justifiable if you don't have a family?

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Jul 8th, 2021 7:44 pm

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Jul 4th, 2021 11:43 pm

Blustreak [OP]: Member; Mar 31, 2011; 456 posts; 423 upvotes; Cambridge, ON

Jul 4th, 2021 11:43 pm

Is midsize sedan justifiable if you don't have a family?

It's just my wife and I, we already have a midsize SUV, 2nd car (Mazda3 Sport) needs replacing. Can I justify the increased purchase cost and insurance of a midsize sedan over a compact one, when it's going to be predominantly occupied by driver only? I was in a Malibu rental recently, and sooo much roomier than the Mazda behind the wheel. I didn't realize how cramped I was until next time behind the wheel of my own car.

So is driver comfort a reasonable excuse to go up a class, even though the pass/rear seats will likely never get occupied?

Buying things you don't need is what RFD is all about.

68 replies

Jul 5th, 2021 12:08 am

Beneful1: Deal Addict; May 21, 2015; 1260 posts; 877 upvotes; Sarnia, ON

Jul 5th, 2021 12:08 am

Why not. It's your money, your life, drive what you like. I replaced my Mazda 3 in 2015 with a Forester and I can count on one hand how many times I've had a passenger(s).

+16

Jul 5th, 2021 4:48 am

notenoughsleep: Deal Fanatic; May 22, 2003; 8886 posts; 5747 upvotes; Vancouver

Jul 5th, 2021 4:48 am

Buy whatever makes you happy. I have a 2yr old daughter and drive a subcompact and have 2+2 coupe on order. Who says I need to drive a SUV/minivan just because I have kids?

+2

Jul 5th, 2021 6:13 am

mxthor3: Deal Addict; Oct 1, 2015; 3004 posts; 4333 upvotes; Barrie, ON

Jul 5th, 2021 6:13 am

Buy what you want. I drive a sedan, rarely have people in the back but the rear seats gets used all the time for random stuff.

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 6:20 am

kr0zet: Deal Fanatic; Jan 16, 2011; 7205 posts; 9218 upvotes; The NORTH

Jul 5th, 2021 6:20 am

When I was single I use to drive a lot for business. Bought a Buick Allure for the comfort inside and the comfortable ride. Was probably my second favorite vehicle I have ever owned.

As for your mid-sized SUV, imma guess its actually a CUV so your already driving a sedan with a little more ground clearance. What's the problem with a second sedan just a little closer to the ground.

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 7:01 am

rkjredflag: Deal Addict; Aug 10, 2015; 2043 posts; 912 upvotes; Elgin, ON

Jul 5th, 2021 7:01 am

Driver comfort is very important. Worth a few $ for sure.

Jul 5th, 2021 7:32 am

Menace: Deal Fanatic; Jun 8, 2003; 8616 posts; 973 upvotes; Scarborough

Jul 5th, 2021 7:32 am

Do it. If you have a kid in the future, the car will still be comfortable with baby seat...etc. Forget about kids stuff, you still drive a roomie car.

Jul 5th, 2021 8:29 am

skeet50: Deal Fanatic; Jan 15, 2017; 5433 posts; 5627 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 5th, 2021 8:29 am

Driver comfort is the number one reason why we select our vehicles.

Jul 5th, 2021 10:48 am

AlicW93740: Sr. Member; Sep 25, 2018; 954 posts; 1950 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 10:48 am

What mid size are you looking at? Certain compact sedans is almost on par with older mid size sedans in terms of size and comfort. Civic, Jetta, to name a few.

Before you speak: THINK
T = is it True?
H = is it Helpful?
I = is it Inspiring?
N = is it Necessary?
K = is it Kind?

+4

Jul 5th, 2021 11:04 am

Blustreak [OP]: Member; Mar 31, 2011; 456 posts; 423 upvotes; Cambridge, ON

Jul 5th, 2021 11:04 am

kr0zet wrote: ↑ When I was single I use to drive a lot for business. Bought a Buick Allure for the comfort inside and the comfortable ride. Was probably my second favorite vehicle I have ever owned.

As for your mid-sized SUV, imma guess its actually a CUV so your already driving a sedan with a little more ground clearance. What's the problem with a second sedan just a little closer to the ground.

'17 Santa Fe, which is my wife's primary, and gets used on the weekend to ferry around my SIL and nieces. I've not had to do this with the Mazda yet, and don't anticipate it starting with the next vehicle either.

Buying things you don't need is what RFD is all about.

Jul 5th, 2021 11:05 am

tim-x: Deal Addict; Nov 8, 2005; 3232 posts; 2833 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 11:05 am

All depends on value

-What value does the extra comfort offer you? How much extra comfort is there for you in a mid sized?
-Whats the mpg value that you'd be losing? Going from a civic to an accord isn't a huge loss in mpg, but going from a civic to a 5 series certainly is.
-What's the added up front cost difference?
-What extra utility if any will the mid sized vehicle bring you over a compact in the future?

Make a list of intangibles vs added monetary costs and weigh your options.

I was in a similar boat. Sold my truck for more than I paid - have 3 kids and a newer minivan as a primary vehicle. Decided on a corolla hybrid as a secondary vehicle due to cost efficiency over say a midsized car like a camry hybrid. The extra 10k upfront wasn't worth it to me as I didn't feel the camry offered that much more space or future utility than the corolla. Myself and two kids can fit comfortably in the corolla, and for anything more we'd always be taking our minivan. The added cost just wasn't worth it to me. However the extra cost might be more than worth it to you. Good luck in your decision. Drive a lot of cars to see what works for you.

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 11:05 am

Blustreak [OP]: Member; Mar 31, 2011; 456 posts; 423 upvotes; Cambridge, ON

Jul 5th, 2021 11:05 am

AlicW93740 wrote: ↑ What mid size are you looking at? Certain compact sedans is almost on par with older mid size sedans in terms of size and comfort. Civic, Jetta, to name a few.

2022 K5 GT vs. 2022 K3 GT (sedan or hatch, haven't narrowed it down yet)

Buying things you don't need is what RFD is all about.

Jul 5th, 2021 11:28 am

gr8dlr: Deal Expert; Sep 1, 2005; 19428 posts; 14401 upvotes; Markham

Jul 5th, 2021 11:28 am

You're generalizing that ALL smaller vehicles are smaller up front and ALL sedans are bigger up front. That's not the case. You could look for a smaller vehicle with more interior room....they actually do exist if you want to look for them. Perhaps other larger ppl or ppl who know larger ppl perhaps can chime in with smaller vehicles which have large interior space.

https://www.autobytel.com/car-buying-gu ... rs-131228/

If you just want a midsize sedan that's fine too.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 11:44 am

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13919 posts; 8616 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 11:44 am

As much as I haded my 2014 Sentra, and sedans/hatch/coupes in general, I will say I was always impressed with how much interior and trunk space Nissan crammed into that little thing. Felt as big as my 1997 GTP.

Jul 5th, 2021 11:54 am

esoxhntr: Deal Addict; May 17, 2012; 3180 posts; 2177 upvotes; ontario

Jul 5th, 2021 11:54 am

why feel the need to justify anything? if you want a mid-size sedan get a mid-size sedan. life's too short to be worrying about justifications.

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 12:04 pm

Xtrema: Deal Guru; Sep 1, 2004; 10454 posts; 10152 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 12:04 pm

Go test out all the sedans before you make a decision. I am not sure what year of Mazda you got but everything has gotten bigger recently and I have driven that Malibu (2017 but it's basically the same car until it get retired in 2024) as a rental and I'm surprised it's still categorized as mid-size but the comfort level and space seems to be full size to me.

Space vs cabin design make a big difference too. You may find today's Civic, Sentra etc will have more space than your old Mazda.

Insurance may not be that much different as compact/cheap cars tends to have high rate due to it often landed in the hands of inexperienced drivers and higher loss rate.

Jul 5th, 2021 12:06 pm

DarkMasterMX: Deal Addict; Oct 4, 2006; 2925 posts; 245 upvotes; Burlington

Jul 5th, 2021 12:06 pm

I was a single dude driving a Mazda 6 long before I had a wife and kids. The ride comfort and space was more important to me than anything else.

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 12:10 pm

angryaudifanatic: Deal Addict; Nov 10, 2018; 4606 posts; 5118 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 12:10 pm

I think people are well aware of my vehicle purchasing decisions and typically I am the only person in the car (99.99%+). Large sedans have a purpose, and it's not because of hauling things around. Think, comfort, etc.

For legal topics and discussions, the opinion, guidance, and thoughts provided are my own and are not considered to be legal advice, in any manner.

+2

Jul 5th, 2021 12:16 pm

gh05t: Deal Fanatic; Sep 16, 2004; 9779 posts; 2041 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 5th, 2021 12:16 pm

Also depends on your size as well.
Really hate seeing over 6 feet plus 250 lbs men in fiats and mini coopers.
Saw a young guy with a big afro in a mini cooper this week.
He looked ridiculous as he was obviously cramped.
Not sure of height but this afro was touching the roof and he definitely had some pounds on him.
He was also going through a Tim Hortons drive thru.

Jul 5th, 2021 12:38 pm

Rob_EV: Deal Fanatic; Sep 10, 2008; 9732 posts; 8452 upvotes; Kitchener

Jul 5th, 2021 12:38 pm

gh05t wrote: ↑ Also depends on your size as well.
Really hate seeing over 6 feet plus 250 lbs men in fiats and mini coopers.

I'm 6'1" and 200+lbs. I took a Mini Cooper S EV out for a 2-day extended test drive a couple weeks ago and it was quite spacious (at least for front seat passengers). I wouldn't want to put anybody with legs in the back, it seemed pretty useless for rear passengers.

My wife drives a sub-compact BMW i3 and at 6'1" tall, I can sit comfortably in the back seat with lots of leg room and head room even with a 6' tall person sitting comfortably in the front seat. Inside space isn't always represented by outside dimensions (definitely not in the case of the i3).

+2

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