How does one go about choosing a car?

[SithSolo1]

As a few of you already know, I don't drive yet. Well I've decided to for a few reasons; being DD for my friends, I HATE waiting on the city bus, I need to do something besides sitting in front of a computer all day, tired of bumming rides from my parents, help me in my efforts to get a girl(yes, I know not really), would make job choices a lot easier, and last but not least I get a new vehicle. Anyway, how do you choose what to get? I mean, I usually point to cars that I like based on their looks but thats stupid. I don't have a clue what I want, I mean lot at the cars I'm considering: Infiniti G35C, Audi S4, '04 F-150 FX4(yes, be amazed, I'm looking at a Ford), Nissian Maxima, Dodge Ram, etc the list goes on. As far as I can tell none of these have anything in common yet I like all of them nearly the same. Maybe I'm just stupid.

 

[Spoooon]

I think you're right.

 

[MacBaine]

Who's going to be paying for this car

 

[NeoPTLD]

What do you use the car for?
What kind of flexibility(i.e. snowy road, cargo) do you need?
what is your budget?

Find something that meets all of the above that you think is acceptable looking.

Finally, check the reputation on the car you picked. If it's horrendous, try to go with your second choice.

 

[RossMAN]

I look at two main factors.

Reliability and value.

 

[tweakmm]

If you are considering the S4, get the S4.

 

[amnesiac]

Well if part of the reason is to transport others (DD) then why the hell are you looking at a sports car? (Corvette, G35, A4)

 

[LAUST]

lol, how about a normal commuter box.. that list is all phallic symbols... if you NEED a truck then get a truck, don't just get one to have one.

going from riding the bus to an Audi S4.. gimmie a break

 

[fyleow]

Honda Civic

 

[Cooljt1]

you dont drive yet but want an audi? wtf? how old are you? if you can afford an audi you should know how to drive by then.

 

[SithSolo1]

I'm taking the Corvette of the list because its basically a pipe dream.
I live in the South, GA specifically so no snow. Since I live in the South a truck is perfectly common as a daily driver.
We're talking $35K or less so the S4 would have to be used. All of the cars with the exception of the Corvette have seating for 4 AFAIK so I could still transport multiple persons. I don't usually carry a lot of cargo but then again you never know when someone might ask you for help. I am 20 and thus far haven't had an urge nor need to drive so I haven't gotten a license. My father will be purchasing the vehicle. Originally he purchase a Ram Quad Cab for me but since I didn't drive he's been using it and now claims it as his. He has promised me a new vehicle shortly after I start driving.

Originally posted by: LAUST

going from riding the bus to an Audi S4.. gimmie a break

Why is this so hard to believe?

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
I'm taking the Corvette of the list because its basically a pipe dream.
I live in the South, GA specifically so no snow. Since I live in the South a truck is perfectly common as a daily driver.
We're talking $35K or less so the S4 would have to be used. All of the cars with the exception of the Corvette have seating for 4 AFAIK so I could still transport multiple persons. I don't usually carry a lot of cargo but then again you never know when someone might ask you for help. I am 20 and thus far haven't had an urge nor need to drive so I haven't gotten a license. My father will be purchasing the vehicle. Originally he purchase a Ram Quad Cab for me but since I didn't drive he's been using it and now claims it as his. He has promised me a new vehicle shortly after I start driving.

Originally posted by: LAUST

going from riding the bus to an Audi S4.. gimmie a break

Why is this so hard to believe?

it's not the believe factor, it's just silly. I think it's compensation is all to be honest

 

[SithSolo1]

One some level you're probably right If I want to get laid I'll get the G35C or the S4. Oh wait, its the South, the Ford or the Dodge will have the same effect.

I didn't even know what an S4 was until about 30 mins ago when I saw it while looking at the 3.0 A4s. I was looking at those because many people have stated that Audi makes good cars. I've had my eyes on the Infiniti for about a year, liked it more than the Z. I've been partial to Dodge ever since they made the Viper and well to tell you the truth I've hated Ford since I first heard of them. That said the new F-150 is some kinda sexy.

 

[fyleow]

Why not go for something cheaper? Look into a Passat/A4 Avant if you need room and cargo space.

 

[LordMorpheus]

This is easy:

Crown Vic with full cop package (some nuts on this board actually know which package that is)

You gotta get the chase bumbers, the spotlight, see if you can get a ligtbar for the top (isn't that illegal?) sirens, PA, radio, gunrack, the works. Best thing is this: someone gets in the back seat and they can't get out unless you open the door for them. And a nice roomy backseat it is, too . . .

 

[Krassus]

Picking a car can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. When i saw a 2nd gen Mitsubishi Eclipse, i fell in love with it. It just so happened that it had a very good stock (and highly modifiable) engine, and a great pricetag, so it'll be a natural choice come spring. If i were to analyze that decision, i'd have to say that i picked the car that had the right combination of looks and power for my taste. Some cars look good but lack the power, or vice versa, some have both but cost a fortune, this one has a fair amount of both and is affordable. So yeah, go with that. Start out with a class: decide if you want sports, luxury, etc. Then narrow it down to a few makes. Then go by priceranges: i.e. if you decided you want luxury, then chose acura, but can't afford their flagship sedan, get one you can afford.

 

[Krassus]

Wait, you're getting a car to drive your friends around? It's not often that people here will hear me resort to this, but you're STUPID STUPID STUPID. If i was near you, i'd slap you, i swear. I knew a guy like you once - he was even nicknamed choffeur behind his back. He constantly drove everyone around, and girls pretended they liked him for that very reason, but he never got any because they saw him for the sucker he was, and laughed behind his back. Its been five years since the last time any of us saw him and people still bring him up as the best example of a SUCKER we've seen in our lives. Get the car YOU want. Everyone else can go to hell. You have ONE life. Spend it doing everything possible to pleasure YOURSELF.

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: fyleow
Why not go for something cheaper? Look into a Passat/A4 Avant if you need room and cargo space.

Room for 3 passengers should be enough. The cars each seat 4 and the trucks can seat 5-12 people(6 in the bed). Truthfully I'd probably never need carry more than 3 people. Two things I know I want 1) power(granted car power!=truck power), 2) a Sun/Moon roof. I think #2 kills the Ram and #1 kills the Passat. A4 Avant? I have no need for a wagon.

It'll be a few months down the road before I get it, but I thought I should start looking now.

Originally posted by: Krassus
Wait, you're getting a car to drive your friends around? It's not often that people here will hear me resort to this, but you're STUPID STUPID STUPID. If i was near you, i'd slap you, i swear. I knew a guy like you once - he was even nicknamed choffeur behind his back. He constantly drove everyone around, and girls pretended they liked him for that very reason, but he never got any because they saw him for the sucker he was, and laughed behind his back. Its been five years since the last time any of us saw him and people still bring him up as the best example of a SUCKER we've seen in our lives. Get the car YOU want. Everyone else can go to hell. You have ONE life. Spend it doing everything possible to pleasure YOURSELF.

Driving my friends is a very, very minor reason and at most it would occur once a week(mainly on game days).

Originally posted by: fyleow
Honda Civic

You must have read my sig.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Why don't you drive now?

 

Mazda 6 S with sport package.

 

[dartworth]

WTF..........

 

[ElFenix]

trying to get a girl eh? well... the F150 has a bed already attached

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Why don't you drive now?

I've never had too aka my parents never forced it on me.
I've always had a ride from my parents or my friends, and when I didn't have those I had a bus that came every 20mins to my apartment complex.

I don't have that anymore. I hate asking my parents for a ride because it ends up being a 30min+ trip for them. I can't ask my friends because they have class at different times than me. I hate riding the bus because a) it only comes by once an hour where I moved to, and b) I feel stupid just standing out on a major road waiting on a bus while cars full of college students are zooming by. Yeah I know that last one is a stupid reason but it is one.


*sits patiently in the corner waiting for M4H to rip him a new one*

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Wait.. do you have a license?

 

[DigitalXtreme]

I presume Daddy Big Bucks will be paying your Insurance every month on any of those cars too ... right ? Because the insurance for a new driver, male, 20 yrs of age will be EXPENSIVE ...

But if U ask me ... my choice is the 2004 Honda Accord V-6 with 5spd Automatic ... U get the power of the 3.0 Lit 240hp VTEC V-6 along with the great gas mileage of 22/30 (city/highway) along with with 4 doors and Honda reliability all for around 25,000 dollars ...
Then take the other 10 grand and send it to me so that I can trade in my 99 Accord Coupe V-6 to get a 2004 model

just my 2 cents

DX