Buying my first car...need opinions

[gear02]

Hey guys! Since you people have a lot of opinions, here's several to ponder.

1. Pick a car out of the following list (and ONLY from this list):
a. 2002 Honda Accord Coupe V6 EX
b. 2002 Honda Accord Coupe I4 SE
c. 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5S

Here's my reasoning: I like the reliability of Hondas so I'm sticking to it. I hate hate hate the sedan since they look so generic so I'm going with the 2 door coupes. Btw I know Honda is doing a redesign on the sedans for 2003, but I can't wait till Fall, I need one in June. Now, I love gadgets in cars, but more importantly, I need automatic transmission, AC, and a couple other stuff. I chose the SE because it has a good blend of features at a cheap price. I figure I can get it for around $19,000. However, I love all those features in the V6 EX, especially leather. The V6 EX is the fully loaded Accord, and I figure to get that for around $23,500.

So is leather and features worth $4000? I've talked to some people and they said that it's not the leather I should want, but the V6. If I want to keep this car for 6-7 years, the V6 will do wonders with durability. Apparently, according to friends, in an old 4 cylinder car, it will not pick up well. However in a old V6, it will accelerate and pick up quite nicely. Getting V6 should be a plus, even if I won't feel it for a few years.

With the Nissan, it's kinda of a stretch. I know it won best car of the year and it's a heck of a deal. $18,000, large car, many features. However, I know that the resale value of Hondas are much better than Nissan. On the flip side, I'm afraid of the insurance for the Honda to be really high. So what do you think?

2. I'm thinking about buying my car through Priceline.com. The way it works is that you place a bid for a specific model and trim level of a car, with you choosing which colors you will accept. Priceline will assign you a rep and send your offer to all the authorized dealers in the county(ies) you choose. If one accepts your offer, the dealer will send you the VIN of the car you bought. Then you go to the dealer on an agreed upon date (within 14 days) and sign and pay for your car. Priceline doesn't release identities to the dealer until a purchase has been agreed upon. Priceline charges $50 to the buyer upon sale, but in several states they cannot. So in Virginia, the place I'm getting the car, they can't charge me anything. If the dealer screws you over by changing the car or the terms, Priceline charges them a fine and you're not obligated to deal with them. If you change your mind, you're fined $100.

To me, this sounds like an amazing service. I really hate dealing with car salesmen. I generally think they are all scheming and dishonest, even when they try to be honest. I never feel comfortable talking to them, and that's not good especially when dealing with such a big (and flexible cost) purchase. With this system, I don't waste my time talking to salesmen and get the price I wanted to pay for in the first place. What do you think?

3. Can someone tell me what the insurance will be on the V6 EX Honda Accord?

4. Any suggestions on anything (car model, pricing, etc.)

Thanks guys!

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

<< Apparently, according to friends, in an old 4 cylinder car, it will not pick up well. However in a old V6, it will accelerate and pick up quite nicely. Getting V6 should be a plus, even if I won't feel it for a few years. >>


Your friends are stupid. A I4, probably maintained, will run just as good 4-5 years after you bought it.

Buy the car you can afford and like the best. Simple as that.

 

[blahblah99]

I'd pick the Accord V6 Ex first, then the Altima 2.5S, and finally the Accord I4 since my thing is the car has to be somewhat luxurious and have power.

WHy not pick up the Altima 6 banger?

 

[RossMAN]

I pick the 2002 Honda Accord Coupe I4 SE, it's just as reliable as it's higher priced V6 cousin plus costs less.

 

[gear02]

Well that person was speaking out of this own experiences so it may not be applicable to every car.

Here's a new ballpark:

Should I lease instead? I'm going to be fresh out of college with loans to pay off.

 

[PsychoAndy]

IMHO, honda inline 4's are just fine

i get 29 MPG in town on my 1.6 with 134,000 miles

 

[freebee]

Choice A seems the best. Nothing wrong with an I4, but Honda V6s are some of the best in the world. It has more power, its smoother, but it gives the car a bit of a nose-heavy feel compared with the 4. There is no power issue with the 4 cyclinder as you mentioned. If its maintained, it will run just as well old as it will new. The $4000 is worth it if you are going to keep the car. Those extra features you will grow to appreciate the more you drive it, and in the end it will help resale value.

There are some nissan fanatics on this board that will strongly urge you to purchase a maxima or altima, but given your choices, the ex coupe seems to be the best.

Insurance costs with the coupe will vary. In some companies, they will charge the v6 coupe model as a sports car. In that case, the 4 cyc may be the better choice.

Buying services are a good way to buy cars if you hate car dealers. I was going to be a car salesmen, and yes, most are dishonest. Leasing is only a good choice if you drive fewer miles, you want a new car every few years, and/or you can't afford to finance it.