# Car search **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** mini\ **Created:** [April 8, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-search/63490 "2011-04-08T19:39:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hjmccarthy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@hjmccarthy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hjmccarthy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-search/63490/1 "2011-04-08T19:39:10Z")
I am looking for a fun, sporty mom of one vehicle - any suggestions? I have a Miata, which I love, but it really does not work with the baby. I am not a fan of station wagons or family vans. Really like the Infiniti FX35 - just not its price tag. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-search/63490/2 "2011-04-08T19:40:40Z")
Mazdaspeed3? Or, for better mpgs, Mazda 3? Or VW GTI? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-search/63490/3 "2011-04-08T20:37:36Z")
Wow. It’s going to be hard to get driving satisfaction moving from a Miata to a mommobile. Altima perhaps? Stp by the bookstore and pick up a Consumer Reports New Car Buyers’ Guide. That’ll show all the options out there, provide some good information, and you can test drive the ones that look good. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-search/63490/4 "2011-04-08T23:17:55Z")
For about 10 grand less than an FX35, you can get a Mazda CX-7 GT, which will be fun to drive. I’ve had one almost a year now and have loved every trip I make in it. Both AWD versions get about the same fuel mileage. I imagine the FX35 takes 91 octane, and I know the CX-7 turbo does, so that’s food for thought. Though there is a non-turbo version that’ll net a bit better economy and will run on 87. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-search/63490/5 "2011-04-09T02:40:59Z")
The Nissan Murano is similar to the FX35. Infiniti is the upscale version of Nissan. Have you looked at the Murano? The Murano S starts under #30,000. Be sure to give it a thorough test drive. Some folks aren’t pleased with the CVT transmission. But you might like it. Another possibility is the Mini Countryman. There is a review in this weekend’s USA Today. The Countryman S starts at $25,000 and the S ALL4 is about $27,000 to start. The reviewer liked its handling and room a lot.