Help me spend $25,000

[PCHO]

I know this is goign to be a biased medium to ask this question but screw it, might as well do it anyways.

I am in the market for a new car. I am completely undecided as to what I want to get as of right now. Just for some background information I am 6'5" so I need something with ample leg room. I drive in and out of San Francisco every day so it is going to get a lot of mileage. I have no loyalty to one brand nor any predjudice against another. I would like a four door as I am rarely the only one in my car and I am looking to spend in the area of $25,000.

There it is, please post your thoughts! Also only one request, if you could post your reasons behind your recommendation it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jerboy]

<< I know this is goign to be a biased medium to ask this question but screw it, might as well do it anyways.

I am in the market for a new car. I am completely undecided as to what I want to get as of right now. Just for some background information I am 6'5" so I need something with ample leg room. I drive in and out of San Francisco every day so it is going to get a lot of mileage. I have no loyalty to one brand nor any predjudice against another. I would like a four door as I am rarely the only one in my car and I am looking to spend in the area of $25,000.

There it is, please post your thoughts! Also only one request, if you could post your reasons behind your recommendation it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. >>




Get something used. A new car will get bloody depreciated if you put alot of miles like taht.

 

[Spike]

go for a Metro!!! J/k, I don't have any real preference because I cannot afford a car right now anyway. One of my favorite cars are the Volvo S60's, but they cost about 28k new I think. I hear they are very reliable and very safe (duh!) Other than that I do not know much about them, so I apologize for that. I am much better at reccomending computer stuff to buy

 

[777php]

Nissan Altima or Maxima?

 

[KK]

Ford Taurus, save yourself 5 grand.

KK

 

[PCHO]

<< Nissan Altima or Maxima? >>



I think the Maxima might be a little too high for my budget, I've heard good things about the Altima though.

 

[Freejack2]

For a new car, get a Honda Accord.

For used cars can't beat domestics though.
Take for example a Saturn L300.
New 2002 is $20,920
Used 2001 is $14,828 dealer and $13,045 private party
That's $6000 cheaper dealer used than a new one and $7800 cheaper private used than a new one.
Might be best to get it from the dealer with an extended warranty though. That way they give you a loaner if your car breaks down.

Even by the time your done with any extended warranties your still saving $5000 over a new one.

 

[Eli]

Definately go with a nice Honda.

 

[Muadib]

Take a look a the 2002 Acura TL. The 2003 models are out now, so you should be able to find one for 26-28k.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Ford Crown Vic

They are a lot of car for the money. You can pick up real nice ones for as little as $20k and as big as they are there should be plenty of leg room for you and your rear seat passengers. The drivetrain has been around for awhile and has shown to be pretty reliable. The only real downside is they arn't very cool but people will get out of your way since they will think your a cop .

I think they get 26mpg highway which isn't to shabby considering its a v8 and big.

 

[Phunktion]

Go get a used Saab 9-3 (Viggen if you can afford it)..

They are almost always religiously maintained because most Saab owners are hardcore fanatics, have all the features (pure luxury), comfy for the tall (the seats in the car are amazing, it's too hard to explain), fun to drive (make damn sure you at least test drive one even if you're not believing it's your type of car because you will after you drive it), and chick magnets (they especially dig the unique location of the ignition switch).. and if they are anything like my '86 Saab 900, which they are, they last forever..

Edit: get the two door convertible if you really want style.. but the four door versions still look awesome..

2000 models retail for around or under $25000 including the Viggens.. and they already depreciated by half by that point so putting high miles on them can't do too much more damage..

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

I second the Altima or Maxima suggestion. Also check out a used Acura CL, that should be in your price range as well.

I like the look of the Altima, you can get a 4 cyl or a 6 in it. Got car of the year by some magazine, can't remember which. The Maxima I believe has a 255 hp v6. I drove my cousins to take him to the airport, and it rode beautifully, really impressed by it. I don't have too much experience with the CL, but I like the look, and Acura=honda, so the reliability can't be that bad.

 

[ZeroBurn]

i'd spend a couple extra bucks and pick up a 350z, not that my import/flashy car teenage mindset means much

 

[PCHO]

<< Definately go with a nice Honda. >>



I have ben looking for information/pictures/anything on the new 2003 Accords. Can anyone give me a hand? I would love a Honda for the reliability, resale, etc but I want to see what the next offering is going to be like.

 

[kerokeroppi82]

I thought the 2003 corolla's didnt look too bad. Might be a lil below your price range though, but extra money is always good

 

[PCHO]

<< Take a look a the 2002 Acura TL. The 2003 models are out now,so you should be able to find one for 26-28k. >>



Have definitely been lookng long and hard at the TL. I was trying not to go above $25k but one never knows...

 

[Miramonti]

I've got a couple tall friends, one 6'5 and one 6'7 and believe it or not their prefs are volvos because of the legroom. The newer ones are much 'cooler' than the older daddymobiles too. The S40 starts at about "23k" and the S60 is listed starting at "27k".

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

don't spend 25000 on a car.... paypal it to all the members on atot

 

[poopaskoopa]

1994 RX7. Spend the rest on maintenance .

 

[Spike]

Like I said before, go with the volvo S60

 

[Rallispec]

definetly go with the nissan altima. its a great car.. nissans rock.


<< 1994 RX7. Spend the rest on maintenance . >>

LOL!!!

 

[yobarman]

A new Ford Mustang. I'm also 6'5" and when i drove this car around, it had plenty of leg room for my height(with the seat pretty far back of course) give it a test drive, you'll love it.

 

[punkrawket]

do you have to have a brand new car..... i say get a used "relatively" new car (new to you right?) and save yourself some money

spend 15-20k on a good vechicle

 

[QTPie]

An Accord should be fine.
If your budget is $25K, then you might check out cars around $22K, $3K will go on license fee, tax, options, etc.
A friend of mine wanted to buy a car around $22K, but he ended up spending $30K out of the door for his new car.

 

[dbzwukan]

geez, was going to post "develope a crack habit" without reading the entire messages...

well, if you're going to put a lot of miles on it, might as well get a fuel conserving vehicle.
how 'bout those hybrids?