help me decide what car to buy!!

FAS284

Senior member
Jan 25, 2002
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my budget is pretty tight - no more than $19K. That said, I'm looking at either getting a new 2005 camry LE for approx $18K after rebates or a nissan altima 2.5 S for the same price. Feature-wise, it seems the camry comes out ahead, but both seem good.


What about GM/chrysler/ford - any midsize vehicles worth checkign out? Malibu has a bad safety profile but good prices.

The car I am really looking at is a 2004 certified pre-owned toyota camry SE (sunroof, etc) with 23K miles for $17,700.

Any advice and opinions welcome!
 

david46675

Senior member
Jun 9, 2005
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heh, funny you say this because those are the two cars that I was stuck on deciding between...eventually settled on the camry and so far i have no regrets!
 

FAS284

Senior member
Jan 25, 2002
843
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pontiac g6 was not on consumer reports' best buy list but i'll check it out now.
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
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slightly used altima 3.5SE, or at least a camry SE. i love the headlights and the more powerful engine on the SE.

btw unless you can get a G6 for really cheap, i wouldn't even touch it since it's not selling at all.
 

FAS284

Senior member
Jan 25, 2002
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lol at this point, I don't really care about looks on either car. just trying to decide which I should get.
 

RGN

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
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Altima all the way, the styling is better and I think Nissan designs cars with the American in mind, not the Japanese.
 

tami

Lifer
Nov 14, 2004
11,588
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i like the older altimas newer than the new ones. they were just so much nicer.
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
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Originally posted by: FAS284
lol at this point, I don't really care about looks on either car. just trying to decide which I should get.

the camry will definitely be more reliable, have a better interior, and have a higher resell value. the altima is a nice car but its interior and resell won't be as strong as the camry. however the altima has more power and IMO looks better.

so there, practically VS fun.

funny how you mentioned the sonata. if you can wait, i think once the new sonata comes out, you can probably scope up an older model sonata from a dealer really cheap. it's a great car too, but the altima and camry are certainly better.
 

EatSpam

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: FAS284
pontiac g6 was not on consumer reports' best buy list but i'll check it out now.

Consumer reports always tends to be biased against American makes. GM has topped JD Power's reliability ratings for '04. With the money you save buying GM, you can buy an extended warranty and quite a bit of gas.

My family has always had American cars...never left me stranded.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
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Camry.

<--- Lives close to Georgetown, KY where Camry's are made. Help KY's economy! :)
 

deejayshakur

Platinum Member
Aug 7, 2000
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both are too huge and unwieldy in the parking lot.

though it's still a bit larger that what i'd like, i say go with the accord (front and side airbags standard).

accord>camry SE>altima>all other camrys

edit: any reason you want a certified pre-owned camry? i'd spend some time looking for a used one that's in good condition. you still have the remainder of a 3 year/36k warranty i believe. it's a freakin camry, not a....
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
Originally posted by: EatSpam
Originally posted by: Engineer
Camry.

<--- Lives close to Georgetown, KY where Camry's are made. Help KY's economy! :)

Good reason to go Camry...

OT: I find it interesting that we are exporting Camry's to Japan because they are using their line (in Japan) to make the Prius. Ironic that they build the factory here and then export back....reverse psychology.
 

deejayshakur

Platinum Member
Aug 7, 2000
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Originally posted by: FAS284
accord has no rebates at this time. camry - $1250 ; altima - $1500.

right, but you can get an accord lx for $18065, according to carsdirect. if price is your only concern, i'd call up some dealers from your area, give them your bottom line, say that you're debating between a camry and an altima, and see what they say. can't hurt.