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Looking for new car, don't know anything

B

Borkil

Senior member
Hi, I have an old hand me down 98 saturn that leaks and keeps dying on me.

So I've decided that it's time to get a fairly nice/newer car. However there are soo many different manufactures and models. I have no idea where to start or anything.

Can you guys recommend me some different cars?

Requirements:
Budget - 22,000 to maybe 25,000
Interested in 4 door, though i am open to 2
good mpg
not a death trap 😛
reliable and not super expensive to maintain
New or lightly used

Also where are good places to search for used cars?

UPDATED :
how much does tax add? i'm assuming around 10%? but just go with before tax.
looking at automatics,
FWD/RWD/AWD don't have an opinion. is it worth getting one over the others?
More Midsized.

Age: Early 20's
Driving style: moderate? (sometimes i drive aggressive but usually i'm a calm easy driver)
climate/location: midwest right now, though in few years maybe west coast or southwest(texas) depends where i get a job
 
Last edited:
Buy a new car - resale values on used cars are still very high -

Next question is:

FWD or RWD or AWD
Manual or Automatic
Luxury
Technology requirements
Compact or Midsize

Once you have a list of 3-6 cars you really like on paper and by reading reviews online - go to the dealer and test drive - long test drives. Adjust the seat & mirrors, sit in the back seat, open the trunk, use the stereo & technology. And decide which one you want to buy.
 
xanis said:
A Chevy Cruze Eco is in your price range, might want to look at that.
Click to expand...

IMG_0952.jpg
 
First you need to figure out what kind of driving you will be doing, also, what kind of driver you are.

Some people love driving appliances that is anemic, some people like driving to the edge of their capability.


age group. this will make a difference on insurance.

climate. Do you need to consider driving in the snow.
 
Last edited:
how much does tax add? i'm assuming around 10%? but just go with before tax.
looking at automatics,
FWD/RWD/AWD don't have an opinion. is it worth getting one over the others?
More Midsized.

Age: Early 20's
Driving style: moderate? (sometimes i drive aggressive but usually i'm a calm easy driver)
climate/location: midwest right now, though in few years maybe west coast or southwest(texas) depends where i get a job
 
disappoint said:
IMG_0952.jpg
Click to expand...

22 to 25 will get you a 996 with about 70k on the dial. Not what the op is probably looking for probably.


22 to 25k gets you so many things these days. While I would not reccoment buying at carmax I would say heading over there and driving a dozen or so cars would be really good for you OP.


Get an idea of what you like. Drive everything from a prius to a g35x. See what gets you going. You will be surprised though that many 10 and 15k cars would probably be just fine for you.
 
Ford focus? There's a ton of cars in the range you're looking at. It really depends on if you're looking for an A to B car or something more fun.
 
You can get a new Prius C, Focus, MZ3, Cruze, Jetta, Passat, Golf, Corolla, Camry, Mustang, Fusion, Civic, etc, etc, etc. What do you think is a nice looking car? Open to hatches?
 
Borkil said:
Hi, I have an old hand me down 98 saturn that leaks and keeps dying on me.

So I've decided that it's time to get a fairly nice/newer car. However there are soo many different manufactures and models. I have no idea where to start or anything.

Can you guys recommend me some different cars?

Requirements:
Budget - 22,000 to maybe 25,000
Interested in 4 door, though i am open to 2
good mpg
not a death trap 😛
reliable and not super expensive to maintain
New or lightly used

Also where are good places to search for used cars?

UPDATED :
how much does tax add? i'm assuming around 10%? but just go with before tax.
looking at automatics,
FWD/RWD/AWD don't have an opinion. is it worth getting one over the others?
More Midsized.

Age: Early 20's
Driving style: moderate? (sometimes i drive aggressive but usually i'm a calm easy driver)
climate/location: midwest right now, though in few years maybe west coast or southwest(texas) depends where i get a job
Click to expand...

New cars (including left overs) in your price range that are mandatory viewing. Pay attention to rebates\special offers and you might be able to get them out the door under 25K

Ford - Fiesta, Focus, Fusion
Honda - Fit, Civic, Accord
Nissan - Altima
Toyota - Corolla, Camry (Prius MAYBE)
Scion (a sub of Toyota) - TC, XB
Subaru - Imprezza
Chevrolet - Sonic, Cruze
Hyundai - Elantra, Sonata
Kia - Soul
VW - Golf, Jetta, Passat

Skip Mitsubishi and Suzuki -

Get the state tax to figure out how much that will add.
Are you financing or paying cash?
How many miles do you expect to drive a year?
 
pauldun170 said:
New cars (including left overs) in your price range that are mandatory viewing. Pay attention to rebates\special offers and you might be able to get them out the door under 25K

Ford - Fiesta, Focus, Fusion
Honda - Fit, Civic, Accord
Nissan - Altima
Toyota - Corolla, Camry (Prius MAYBE)
Scion (a sub of Toyota) - TC, XB
Subaru - Imprezza
Chevrolet - Sonic, Cruze
Hyundai - Elantra, Sonata
Kia - Soul
VW - Golf, Jetta, Passat

Skip Mitsubishi and Suzuki -

Get the state tax to figure out how much that will add.
Are you financing or paying cash?
How many miles do you expect to drive a year?
Click to expand...

Don't forget Mazda. There Mazda3 sedan's and hatches are pretty popular/competitive.

Of course if OP is looking for some fun don't forget the speed3 :awe:
 
xSkyDrAx said:
Don't forget Mazda. There Mazda3 sedan's and hatches are pretty popular/competitive.

Of course if OP is looking for some fun don't forget the speed3 :awe:
Click to expand...

Completely forgot about M3.
Based on the OP post...I'd steer him towards more tame cars.
 
Dodge Charger meets all your requirements. And it actually looks good and is fun to drive. Get the new v6 with the 8 speed tranny. Great acceleration, go 75mph at 1200rpm 34mpg.
 
nerp said:
Dodge Charger meets all your requirements. And it actually looks good and is fun to drive. Get the new v6 with the 8 speed tranny. Great acceleration, go 75mph at 1200rpm 34mpg.
Click to expand...

Are you referring to the 2012 model? I thought about suggesting it, but the SE is at the top of his budged, and the SXT is way over.
 
Another vote for the Chevy Cruze. Comfortable ride. Silent. Good mpg. Very safe (check its safety ratings) and IMO it looks very good. Give it a test drive.
 
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