Help me select a new vehicle thread........

[Wanescotting]

I will need to get myself a new ride in about 6 months, I can probably afford about $300 per month for a car payment.

I have not looked @ new rides in about 4 years, so I need some ideas.

I could look myself, but I figured all of you ATOT peeps could tell me WHAT NOT TO GET, as well as what vehicle you own, and why you like it.


and please, no ford/chevy flame wars, I could give a sh*t less...................

 

[n0cmonkey]

Besides price, what are you looking for?

 

[Wanescotting]

cd player(should be standard) , comfort, and most importantly: A GOOD CUPHOLDER

 

[Gunbuster]

Mazda 3

 

[K1052]

Any money down?

 

[Wanescotting]

oh yeah, that would help....................hmmmm maybe about $1500

 

[K1052]

Any criteria to keep in mind? 2-door, 4-door, truck, no truck, etc...

What kind of driving do you do? Mostly city, highway, or mix?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Coupe, Convertibles, Sedan?

Seating for 2, 4, 5?

You need towing?

you need AWD?

you need hauling space (SUV/Truck) ?


A good choice right now seems to be the Malibu MAXX, heavily discounted the V6 models are around $16K. Great build quality and nice platform.


'04 and '05 Elantras are really cheap right now and at $9500 for a 5spd they are a great car. CAr & Driver ranked it there 3rd best compact car behind the Mazda 3.

I like the Focus ZX5 as well.

Should be able to get into a Mazda 6s 5spd, cloth, no moon-rrof for around $18K as well. Might stretch your payments to 60-months to get in at $300/mnth though.

 

[Wanescotting]

K1052
I am glad you are bringing this stuff up, I had not even thought about it.
I prefer a truck (I have a 2000 suburban atm, but I gotta let it go,leather seats and all),as I have gotten use to the 'burb

I will probably only drive to work and back on the highway

 

[Wanescotting]

oh yeah, it needs to be automatic, and I don't care about towing or cargo space, I do like a well laid out interior

oh, and 4 door if it is a car

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
oh yeah, it needs to be automatic, and I don't care about towing or cargo space, I do like a well laid out interior

oh, and 4 door if it is a car

Scion xB sounds liek the perfect vehicle for you

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
K1052
I am glad you are bringing this stuff up, I had not even thought about it.
I prefer a truck (I have a 2000 suburban atm, but I gotta let it go,leather seats and all),as I have gotten use to the 'burb

I will probably only drive to work and back on the highway

I just helps narrow up your choices.

In the price range you are looking at the Mazda 3 (as Gunbuster suggested) is currently a good choice. All the reviews I have seen have been good on it.

I am also partial to the Subarus, I like AWD, but they may be a little more price wise than you are looking to spend.

Watch out for rbloedow, he's trying to hit you with his Scion xB mind ray.

Though the Scion xT might be worth a look.

 

[TechnoKid]

$300 a month with $1500 down is going to be one long financing term. Try to put as much down as you can imo.

As for cars, A Subaru Imprezza 2.5RS is about $17,800 only about $900 more than a Kia Spectra5 at $16,900. Those are the two cars I've been looking at lately.

 

[Wanescotting]

I would put more money down, but I will be getting divorced soon, I gotta save up for an apartment, and furniture.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I would get a used car with that kind of monthly payment

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
K1052
I am glad you are bringing this stuff up, I had not even thought about it.
I prefer a truck (I have a 2000 suburban atm, but I gotta let it go,leather seats and all),as I have gotten use to the 'burb

I will probably only drive to work and back on the highway

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
oh yeah, it needs to be automatic, and I don't care about towing or cargo space, I do like a well laid out interior

oh, and 4 door if it is a car

Hmmm..... for this I'd suggest a Crown Vic or a clone like the Grand Marquis. It'll have the power you are used to (from the suburban), and a comfortable interior for commutes. Its especially great for interstate travel. Its also easier to work on since its v8/rwd. Not to mention they are known to last. Its worth a look.

 

[Wanescotting]

I would buy a used car, but this is the ONLY good coming out of a bad situation, and I intend to treat myself to a NEW CAR

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
I will need to get myself a new ride in about 6 months, I can probably afford about $300 per month for a car payment.

I have not looked @ new rides in about 4 years, so I need some ideas.

I could look myself, but I figured all of you ATOT peeps could tell me WHAT NOT TO GET, as well as what vehicle you own, and why you like it.


and please, no ford/chevy flame wars, I could give a sh*t less...................

Okay, don't get a ford or a chevy!

Buy Japanese! Best value for the buck!!!

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
K1052
I am glad you are bringing this stuff up, I had not even thought about it.
I prefer a truck (I have a 2000 suburban atm, but I gotta let it go,leather seats and all),as I have gotten use to the 'burb

I will probably only drive to work and back on the highway

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
oh yeah, it needs to be automatic, and I don't care about towing or cargo space, I do like a well laid out interior

oh, and 4 door if it is a car

Hmmm..... for this I'd suggest a Crown Vic or a clone like the Grand Marquis. It'll have the power you are used to (from the suburban), and a comfortable interior for commutes. Its especially great for interstate travel. Its also easier to work on since its v8/rwd. Not to mention they are known to last. Its worth a look.

I think the base price on the Vics is somewhere in the low to mid 20's.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
I will need to get myself a new ride in about 6 months, I can probably afford about $300 per month for a car payment.

I have not looked @ new rides in about 4 years, so I need some ideas.

I could look myself, but I figured all of you ATOT peeps could tell me WHAT NOT TO GET, as well as what vehicle you own, and why you like it.


and please, no ford/chevy flame wars, I could give a sh*t less...................

Okay, don't get a ford or a chevy!

Buy Japanese! Best value for the buck!!!

Jap cars are crap. So cheaply made with slow, low displacement engines. I would never buy one of those hunks of sh...

<---looks in driveway

...errr....

[whisper]except for Subarus[/whisper]

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Wanescotting
I would buy a used car, but this is the ONLY good coming out of a bad situation, and I intend to treat myself to a NEW CAR

well considering you can get more of a used car versus a new car, i'd seriously consider a used car

for example, $14k can buy you a NEW scion xB, or a USED 03' maxima with about 40k miles, with more than twice the horses and more room.

i'd get a used car.

 

[BadNewsBears]

The chevy colorado or gmc canyon ( i forgot which is which) might be in your price range. Inline 5 vortec. Good engine. S0me are just turning 75,000 with nothing but praise so far. The new sereis of vortech's are great product's.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Mazda3 or Scion tC.

I'd prefer the Mazda3, of course (see sig) The automatic also has a touchshift.

 

[OS]

I pay 285 a month for an 03 accord.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: OS
I pay 285 a month for an 03 accord.

If that's the case, you could afford any car at $300 a month depending on how long your terms are. My 04 is $429