I'm in the market for a new (or newer used) car in the next 6 months
or so.  I like the looks of the Jetta and the Passat but I would like
a list of other cars that have a similar look and feel (or are just a
plain good design) to make an informed decision.  Please include
domestic cars as well.  I would like the prices to be at the level of
$30,000 or lower (preferably in the $20,000 range).

---

Request for Question Clarification by omnivorous-ga on 16 Apr 2003 13:30 PDT

Are you in the U.S. or another country?

Hello.

Based upon the size, specifications, and price range of the VW Jetta &
Passat, I have located a number of comparable small-to-midsize sedans
for your consideration.

Just to give you a general idea of each car, I'm going to present some
basic information in the following format:
1) Make / Model
2) Length
3) Base price
4) Useful web site

I'll start with the Jetta & Passat just for comparison purposes.

VW Jetta
Length: 172.3 in
Base price:  $17,675
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/volkswagen/jetta/100163123/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Volkswagen*

VW Passat
Length: 185.2 in. 	
Base price: $22,325
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/volkswagen/passat/100161574/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Volkswagen*


Based on the specifications of the Jetta & Passat, I'm going to limit
my list to 4-dr sedans of comparable base price ($16,000-$30,000), and
comparable size (170"-189").

Okay, here we go...


Acura TSX (early 2004 model)
Length: 183.3 in
Base price: $26,990
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/acura/tsx/100278146/standard.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..7.Acura*


Audi A4
Length: 179 in.
Base price: $25,760
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/audi/a4/100172077/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Audi*


BMW 325i
Length: 176 in.
Base price: $28,495
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/bmw/3series/100180616/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.BMW*


Ford Focus ZTS
Length: 174.9 in. 
Base price: $16,285
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/ford/focus/100083575/specs.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..8.Ford*


Honda Accord
Length: 189.5 in. 
Base price: $16,260
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/honda/accord/100146093/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..15.Honda*


Honda Civic EX
Length: 174.6 in.
Base price: $17,520
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/honda/civic/100178491/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Honda*

Hyundai Sonata
Length: 186.9 in. 
Base price: $16,024
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/hyundai/sonata/100188028/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Hyundai*

Infiniti G35
Length: 186.5 in. 
Base price: $28,345
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/infiniti/g35/100074359/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..15.Infiniti*

Mazda 6
Length: 186.8 in. 
Base price: $19,050
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mazda/6/100195194/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Mazda*

Mercedes C230 sedan
Length: 178.2 in. 
Base price: $28,710 
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mercedesbenz/cclass/100215562/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Mercedes-Benz*


Mitsubishi Galant
Length: 187.8 in.
Base price: $18,322 
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mitsubishi/galant/100184122/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Mitsubishi*

Oldsmobile Alero
Length: 186.7 in.
Base price: $18,645 
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/oldsmobile/alero/100093207/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Oldsmobile*

Pontiac Grand Am
Length: 186.3 in. 
Base price:  $17,695 
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/pontiac/grandam/100082479/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Pontiac*


Saab 9-3
Length: 182.5 in. 
Base price: $26,525
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/saab/93/100162767/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Saab*

Subaru Legacy
Length: 184.4 in. 
Base price: $20,020
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/subaru/legacy/100159736/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..15.Subaru*

Volvo S40
Length: 177.8 in. 
Base price: $24,585 
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/volvo/s40/100178546/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..15.Volvo*


Volvo S60
Length: 180.2 in. 
Base price: $27,055
Useful web site: edmunds.com
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/volvo/s60/100194321/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.specs.leftsidenav..15.Volvo*


search strategy: browsed edmunds.com

I hope this helps. Best of luck with your new wheels!