Buying a new car - opinions welcome!

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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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My dad (yep, not me :() is looking for a new car to replace '97 Opel Omega / Vauxhall Something?. And yes, he's definetly getting a new car so please dont post any "duh buy used 500-series Beamer!!!" ...I've already suggested it, he didnt like the idea :D

Price should be around $30.000, 5-door, manual transmission and not an Opel/Vauxhall :) He wanted my opinion because I usually drive it more than him ;) So I thought to see what's AT'ers opinion.

Some models I've been thinking are: Toyota Camry XLE, VW Passat (Highline), Nissan Maxima QX (Luxury) (or is Maxima automatic-only???)...

Now, what's your favorite (doesnt have to be of those mentioned above!) and why?
 
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mztykal

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
6,709
48
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'02 Maxima SE.

Or a '02 Camry (don't know the trims)...

Both look great and the performance is there also. :)
 
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gopunk

Lifer
Jul 7, 2001
29,239
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no maxima can be automatic, i test drove one.

go for the maxima over the camry imho, i test drove both and there's no comparison.
 
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sMashPiranha

Senior member
Oct 15, 1999
580
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0
Either a Holden HSV VT GTS, or a Ford Falcon XR8. Grrr!!

Edit - Oh yeah, cause they're australian and both have big rumbly V8's
 
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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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<< no maxima can be automatic, i test drove one.

go for the maxima over the camry imho, i test drove both and there's no comparison. >>



"no maxima can be automatic" umm... err... so is Maxima available with manual transmission? :confused:

www.nissan-maxima.com is so crappy site it doesnt mention even that... or I'm just unable to find the info. I hate automatic :( ;)

But anyways... more opinions please :)
 
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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,026
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<< Either a Holden HSV VT GTS, or a Ford Falcon XR8. Grrr!!

Edit - Oh yeah, cause they're australian and both have big rumbly V8's >>



Hmm.. never heard of Holden and Ford Falcon :D

Those big rumbly V8's consume too much fuel :( With the fuel price of over $1 per litre, it's just too expensive...
 
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dave5317

Senior member
Jun 18, 2001
697
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I suggest the latest 2002 Maxima that generate 255bhp.This is the fastest maximas ever and beat any accor,camry,3 series at any time!This is big enough and looks real nice in SE version.Test drive it and u'll know!!
 
Zenmervolt

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
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Just because it hasn't been answered yet, yes the Maxima is available with a manual transmission, and though I have not driven a manual Maxima, I hear the tranny is very nice. I would personally look at a Honda Accord, but since that's not on your list and you are looking at more sporting options, I'd say that the Maxima is your best bet. And Ditto on the 2002 Maxima reccommendation, more displacement and more power and all the famous smoothness.

Zenmervolt
 
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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,026
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<< 5 door = 4 doors + hatch, ie wagon.

Correct?

Viper GTS >>



Correct, they're called 5-door since the hatch counts.
 
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lilnnjaboy

Senior member
May 1, 2001
478
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Get a SUV....whoooo...yeah YUKON BABY!!! Either that, if i had 30g's i would go for a Lexus IS300. Otherwise known as the Altezza.
 
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Viper22

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,607
0
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Well i drive a 2001 VW Passat GLX 5-Speed Manual Trans and i love it. Cost me just under $29K U.S so you will have a little left over for extended warranty or whatever. Car is definatly nice, fast as hell and has a great amount or Torque. Ride is smooth and it gets pretty good gas milage.

More info on them head on over to VWVortex.com and Club B5.com and read their forums. Thats where i got a lot of my info before i finally purchased the car. Also check out CarbuyingTips.com as they are a great resource of information when it comes to buying a car.

Viper22

PS: I Drive the Sedan version of the car, There is a Wagon Verion as well which a lot of people love.
PS2: I just noticed that your in Europe. I belive over there you can get a 6-Speed Manual with 4-Motion which is the All Wheel Drive Version.
 
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frizzlefry

Golden Member
May 14, 2001
1,711
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Subaru WRX wagon version is plenty fast. and that has 5 doors.

Or did you mean 4 doors? There's a 4 door version too ;)

There are 3 reasons why I like this car.
1) It's lower priced than competitors
2) It's damn fast
3) It's got 4WD
4)
There are 4 reasons why I like this car.
It's a quirky looking car :D
 



<< so is Maxima available with manual transmission? >>



Yup, its a 6 speed manual.

 
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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,026
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<< Just because it hasn't been answered yet, yes the Maxima is available with a manual transmission, and though I have not driven a manual Maxima, I hear the tranny is very nice. I would personally look at a Honda Accord, but since that's not on your list and you are looking at more sporting options, I'd say that the Maxima is your best bet. And Ditto on the 2002 Maxima reccommendation, more displacement and more power and all the famous smoothness.

Zenmervolt >>



Thanks for the info, now the Maxima is definetly on top of the list :)

I've been thinking about the Accord too, but there's just something in Honda's I dont personally like - not that they would be worse than any other, but it's just matter of taste :)
 
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ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
1
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Subaru Impreza WRX STi ;) I just love this car, but I think you're more into a Lexus IS 200 or somethin'... or an Audi A4?
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,344
126
So, do you need a 5 door or a 4 door? I don't think they make 5 door maxima's do they?

You're in Europe so you get all the cool cars :( Here in the states we get the wattered down non-functional 4 door sedans.
 
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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,026
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Ok sorry, my bad.

I dont mean wagon! :) We here in Finland just call it 5-door... for some reason we include the hatch as a "door". So you call it 4-door in US or...?
 
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MikeO

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,026
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<< if i had 30g's i would go for a Lexus IS300. >>



Damn, that Lexus looks pretty good :D I definetly have to do some research on that one, thanks for the tip!





<< Well i drive a 2001 VW Passat GLX 5-Speed Manual Trans and i love it. Cost me just under $29K U.S so you will have a little left over for extended warranty or whatever. Car is definatly nice, fast as hell and has a great amount or Torque. Ride is smooth and it gets pretty good gas milage.

More info on them head on over to VWVortex.com and Club B5.com and read their forums. Thats where i got a lot of my info before i finally purchased the car. Also check out CarbuyingTips.com as they are a great resource of information when it comes to buying a car. >>



Yep, that Passat is on the list, I've heard good things about it, it seems like just what we're looking for - and even looks good :)

And thanks for the site tips, gotta check those out!





<< Is the new Audi A4 under $30,000 in Finland? >>



The "cheapest" version is just below... so, either we would have to shove in more $ or have less features :(



And there's two votes for Subaru Impreza WRX, but dunno.. might be a tad too sporty/rallyish for my dad's taste I afraid.
 
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Flat

Banned
Jan 18, 2001
929
0
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I like the Alfa Romeo model in that price range. Also, Rover 75 is nice. Well Camry and Maxima are junk. Ford Modeo is better than Passat I think. New Audi A4 would be my top choice. AWD for Finn and a great piece of kit.
 
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