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Need car advice

P

Panakk

Senior member
My 1996 Accord got broken into. CD player and CDs got stolen. Ignition system (behind steering) is phucked. Sick of my Honda getting broken into. This is the second time in the past 5 months.

Now, I'm thinking of so many different cars and I'm trying to get good reviews from them. Are they any sites other than Edmunds or ConsumerReports to get honest reviews on these vehicles. These are the cars I'm looking at (in no order or preference)..

1. 2003 Chevy Impala LS
2. 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
3. 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD
4. 2003 Subaru Outback/Legacy
5. 2003 Isuzu Trooper
6. 2003 Nissan Maxima SE
7. 2003 Infinite I35

I'm pretty open to suggestions. Don't suggest an Acura, Lexus, Toyota or Honda.
 
Why does your specific car keep getting broken into? Is it riced in any way? Wouldn't a new car be more prone to having it broken into than an older car?
 
My vote would go to the Subaru or the Maxima/I35.

Just beware - if you get a Maxima or an I35 with the HID's they are prime targets for theft as well.
 
Originally posted by: amdskip
Why does your specific car keep getting broken into? Is it riced in any way? Wouldn't a new car be more prone to having it broken into than an older car?
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There's just something about Honda's/Acura's & Toyotas in some parts of the country that they have this giant STEAL ME sign. Insurance rates are reflective of it as well.
 
I live in a really affluent neighborhood. It's a suburb of Kansas City in Kansas. It's got nothing to do with the location at all. My car was the first car to be broken into since the opening of my apt complex over 2 years ago. My car is stock and the only expensive thing in my car apart from my CDs is my Nakamichi CD player. They didn't just want the stereo, they wanted the car too (ie the broken ignition).

 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
My vote would go to the Subaru or the Maxima/I35.

Just beware - if you get a Maxima or an I35 with the HID's they are prime targets for theft as well.
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I guess the I35 and Maximas are out of the question. Leaning towards American made for the cheaper insurance.
 
After my Acura was stolen, I drove a Subura Outback station wagon for about a month. It was an okay for a heavy car with a large four cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. I would have like it more if it had a standard transmission and\or the flat six Subaru builds.

What is your budget?
 
Originally posted by: Panakk
I live in a really affluent neighborhood. It's a suburb of Kansas City in Kansas. It's got nothing to do with the location at all. My car was the first car to be broken into since the opening of my apt complex over 2 years ago. My car is stock and the only expensive thing in my car apart from my CDs is my Nakamichi CD player. They didn't just want the stereo, they wanted the car too (ie the broken ignition).
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just wondering, if it were such an affluent neighborhood, why do you guys not have parking lots or garages?
 
Originally posted by: Dr Smooth
After my Acura got stolen, I drove a Subura Outback station wagon for about a month. It was an okay for a heavy car with a large four cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. I would have like it more if it had a standard transmission and\or the flat six Subaru builds.

What is your budget?
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I am going to try and stay below $20K
 
Originally posted by: Panakk

1. 2003 Chevy Impala LS
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My dad's got a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo, 90% the same car. Car is huge, feels huge, and makes you feel like you should drop an anchor when you're done. Mechanically it's been pretty solid (~70k miles thus far), but the interior seems to be just falling apart (and he babies it). Parts seem very overpriced (especially for GM), but labor tends to be rediculous as they seem to have designed it not to have been worked on. Also seems to be many oversights in the car (no trunk light?)

2. 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
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Pretty good choice IMHO. I'd prefer a Cherokee Classic, but that's purly just personal preference.

3. 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD
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I've never been impressed with anything Ford. Yes they did quite a few 'innovations' in the 2003 model, but to me they seem less like 'bleeding edge innovations' and more like 'finally, it's about time'. I still can't get over the Ford name, as the build quality just has never impressed me. They really belong in the same category as Hyundai or Kia IMHO.

4. 2003 Subaru Outback/Legacy
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Another good choice IMHO. More car-like body/chassis is much more suiting to the 'average' person's needs. Won't be nearly as likely to roll over, has probably BETTER poor-weather handling (less weight, smaller tires, AWD, etc.) than an SUV. Plus you have nearly the same amount of interior space. I can't really comment on Subaru's build quality has I haven't had the chance (yet) to inspect or work on one in person. I would also consider the Forrester while you're at the subie dealer.
5. 2003 Isuzu Trooper
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I don't know enough on this vehicle to comment
6. 2003 Nissan Maxima SE
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I don't know enough on this vehicle to comment
7. 2003 Infinite I35
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I don't know enough on this vehicle to comment
I'm pretty open to suggestions. Don't suggest an Acura, Lexus, Toyota or Honda.
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I see every one of your choices has a 2003 sitting in front of it? Why limit yourself to only new cars? For about the price of any of those SUV's you can get a (pre-obsessed over) AWD Porsche 911 in MINT condition (which believe it or not handles GREAT in the snow, just no trunk space). I'm guessing you probably don't want a 911, but just an example of what else is out there. Want something a little bigger? How about a used AWD BMW 3 series (328xi?), well within your price range, and BMW quality.

Anyways, in the end, just test drive as many cars as you can, and keep your options open. In the price range you're looking at there is a TON of quality vehicles out there. Don't settle for 2nd best!
 
I'm looking at purchasing a car that has warranty up to 70K miles. This way, if anything breaks down, I'm not screwed. That's why, the Jeep Cherokee seems intriguing.
 
I'd go for a ~2001 Maxima... like a 20th anniversary 2k1.. they rock. Or an I30 of the same era. (I just like the 3.0L alot) and the 2k1 Max's don't have the HID's that just love to get stolen.
 
First thing you need to do is decide if you want a sport utility, a car or a hybrid (something in between).

Test drive all of those cars on Saturday.. Take a new notebook with you with criteria (like initial impression.. driving positions, height of ride) and jot things down.
By Sunday, you will hopefull know what you're after.

If it's a car you're after and you're willing to spend in the price range of an Infinty I35/Maxima SE, i envy you.. lol
Either of those cars nice looking.. and i bet they are a great ride
 
You could stop putting expensive aftermarket stereo's in the car for one. Or if you really can't part with those, start removing the face plate whenever you get out of the car. The stereo is useless without the face plate right? It's probably the same person stealing your stuff every time too. He's learned how to break into your car easily and that you've always got nice things in there for him to steal. Get a decent alarm on it or something. Even better, stake it out for a while and watch to see who's checking out your car. They have to be checking it to see if there's anything good to steal.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
My vote would go to the Subaru or the Maxima/I35.

Just beware - if you get a Maxima or an I35 with the HID's they are prime targets for theft as well.
Click to expand...

 
Originally posted by: Cal166
Originally posted by: vi_edit
My vote would go to the Subaru or the Maxima/I35.

Just beware - if you get a Maxima or an I35 with the HID's they are prime targets for theft as well.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Though i am a little partial to the subaru myself, i vote for the subaru or maxima. The AWD with the Subaru is very handy at times and its just another feature that you don't have to think about that will work for you all the time. Maxima's are nice and quite luxurious (SE or GXE models) and ride very comfortably. I guess it depends on how you use it.
 
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