NEED HELP CHOOSING A NEW CAR

[Maverick2002]

The time has come for a new car. Not a used car. A new car.

The 1990 Taurus station wagon has to go. It's got about 250k, AC = broke, paint coming off, oil leaks, tape deck broke, power windows have a mind of their own, there's a 2sq ft hole rusted away in the trunk, etc. The other reason is that a few days back it died AGAIN, and frankly I don't think it's worth fixing.

I'll be the first to admit I don't know the first thing about cars. I could probably get away with $500/month payments though. I'd like something fast/sporty, in a range from $12-30k or so (again, I'm just looking around at models right now). I doubt I'll ever race it though I might take it out to a strip every now and then. And I don't care for any upgrades (aside from aesthetic body work) so that shouldn't be a factor.

I'd like some suggestions as to what to get, or at least where to start looking. It doesn't have to be a 2003 model if I can get a new 2002 for significantly less. How long does it usually take (in terms of research, etc) to drive away with a new car? I can allocate about 1-2 hours/day for this and I'm kinda in a fix since my Taurus is broken and I doubt I'll fix it. Though I don't want to rush and get some POS.

As you're reading this I'm doing some prelim research, but if you have any good links to resources I'd appreciate it.

 

[CraigRT]

Do you want another wagon? how about a Mazda Protege5?
You could get something like Nissan Altima 3.5 with 240 HP .. there's a car you atually wouldn't look silly in taking to the strip.
so many possibilites.. are you partial to any particular brands either??

 

[Maverick2002]

No, I don't want a wagon. That was my parent's car they gave to me. Just a 4 door sedan (is that the right term?). Jetta looks nice but I'd like to see some other variations. Thought I wouldn't mind a 2 door (coupe?) if it's worth it (Civic?). I don't really have any preferences, I want to see which cars are good/popular and what their pros/cons are (not just the car, but also the insurance, etc).

 

[Dark4ng3l]

350z

 

[CraigRT]

Sounds like you're looking for a sport compact or a small mid-size Sedan

how about a Nissan Sentra SE or SE-R, those are really nice... Civic SI coupes are pretty nice, but they're not very fast.
how about a Mazda Protege MP3?

also, seems like you're looking for an import... is domestic cool with you too?

 

[Maverick2002]

Domestic is fine, but import is preferable. I was told to stay away from Ford because of their brakes and I don't know if there are any good Chevys. I'm just looking around. Can you list pros/cons of each car you recommend? Any good sites to look at for advice/etc?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Maverick2002
Domestic is fine, but import is preferable. I was told to stay away from Ford because of their brakes and I don't know if there are any good Chevys. I'm just looking around. Can you list pros/cons of each car you recommend? Any good sites to look at for advice/etc?

Well what do you want, 2 or 4 door? Fast or better gas milage? will high maintaince cost turn you off??


If you want fast but 4 door, look at the Chevy Impala with the 3.8L v-6, fast and will not break the bank of payments or maintaince.
If you want 2 door look at the Pontiac Grand Prix(also can have the 3.8L V-6) or the Saturn SC2 DOHC 4 cyl, fast but gets good gas milage and the new ones look cool, and also it has NO TIMING BELT!!!.

But tell use what features you REALLY wnat and ones you don't.

 

[Ornery]

I drove in the school parking lot the other day, and saw what I thought was a Marauder. Turned out to be a 2002 Ford Crown Vic LX Sport in Black. The owner got it pretty cheap because his brother worked for Ford. He was going on and on about all the bells and whistles. Sport suspension, of course, but also the dual exhaust, 17" alloy wheels, console shifter, proportional power steering, height adjustable pedals... just on and on!

Might be worth a test drive. It's an Edmunds Editors' Most Wanted Vehicle for 2002. Also a Consumer Guide Best Buy.

 

[fjorner]

Maverick- I'm going to come out and say that unlike most of the people on this board, i don't hate domestics and I don't worship Toyota, Nissan and Honda. I would consider buying one, but since the reality of the industry has cars being assembled and made from an amalgam of parts, the line between 'domestic' and 'import' now only divides brand name recognition.

People may prefer certain brands or have bad feelings toward certain brands, but domestic and import as a delimiter of country of origin is pretty much bunk. Look at the VIN number... I believe if it starts with a 1 or 2 then 75% was made in the US. Most Hondas have a 1 or 2.

Now that THAT is settled, let me suggest finding yourself a good DEALERSHIP. I have grown a personal relationship with a salesman at a Chrysler-Jeep dealership and because of his personal and honest service, good deals, straight talk and ability to drop the sales pitch, I go to him. I drive a 2001 Chrysler Sebring, and love it. It's surprisingly huge inside. Smooth ride. More than capable V6 and it's not a gas-guzzler.

My father drives a 99' Grand Cherokee and my mother drives a 02 PT cruiser. Nothing but good service and good prices.

But before you buy ANYTHING, go find yuorself a good dealership. Saturn dealerships are known for very honest, very straighforward and friendly sales. And the service behind a purchase is just as important. No car is flawless and you WILL have to visit a service center. Don't let some high-school equivalency punk with a pony tail or some failed career woman in her 40s try to sell you the priciest thing on the lot.

 

[DougK62]

Cadillac CTS.

Has a great, unique look to it - but it's love it or hate it just like any good and original design is. Interior is a huge step in the right direction for GM. It's a blast to drive with the manual transmission.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Civic = crap (where have the double wishbones gone?)
Crown Vic = huge, bloated, boat crap

350z? It may be ugly IYO but fast and leet.

 

[UNCjigga]

Hmm, there are lots of good coupes and sedans to be had for under $20k. All I can say is, test drive the Kia Sorento while you're in the market...and let us know what you think!

 

[Ornery]

"Crown Vic = huge, bloated, boat crap"

Got any links, dipshit? Consumerguide and Edmunds disagree with you. As do your local patrolmen and corporate fleet and leasing services. Lot's of people are getting tired of unibody, FWD, one lung go-karts. That's why SUVs and trucks proliferate today. Yep, #1 selling vehicle in the country is the Ford F-150. Has been for twenty years! People are sick to death of your eensie, cramped econoboxes and "sport compacts". Not to mention the ones who meet an early death due to these eensie, cramped econo-coffins!

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"Crown Vic = huge, bloated, boat crap"

Got any links, dipshit? Consumerguide and Edmunds disagree with you. As do your local patrolmen and corporate fleet and leasing services. Lot's of people are getting tired of unibody, FWD, one lung go-karts. That's why SUVs and trucks proliferate today. Yep, #1 selling vehicle in the country is the Ford F-150. Has been for twenty years! People are sick to death of your eensie, cramped econoboxes and "sport compacts". Not to mention the ones who meet an early death due to these eensie, cramped econo-coffins!

Gimme a break... SUVs and trucks proliferate because they are the hip thing. Do you honestly think all those SUV buyers have any idea what a unibody is? I don't even want to know what kind of enthusiast reads Consumer Guide and Edmunds. You do know they also love the Camry and other automotive appliances right?

The only thing those relics have going for them is RWD, and it doesn't exactly make them handle like sportscars.
Sportcompact?? Have you been reading ricer magazines? A 350z is not a "sport compact". And a Civic Type R, or anything with FWD for that matter is not a sports car.

Maybe small cars wouldn't be "econo-coffins" if it weren't for all the status symbol SUVs?

 

[BCYL]

Nissan Maxima or the Altima... if you dont mind the cheap interior...

Or you can wait for another couple of months and take a look at the all new Mazda 6... That one looks good both on paper and in the pictures...

 

[tarheelmm]

God, I wish they still made the Pinto........

 

[Kelvrick]

The Mazda 6 is coming out soon. What about that? Its kinda sporty but it'll serve other functions well, too. Nissan Altima? Audi A4? What about an Infiniti G35? The Sedan is fugly, get the coupe. Just take a weekend and go out and test drive a TON of cars in your price range.

<== monkey dance

 

[ElFenix]

$500 a month? before insurance? for how long? if you're buying over 4 or 5 years that a lot of car, if you're leasing thats even more. don't get an SE-R though. they suck. slow and bad handling.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

<== monkey dance

you don't even have a reason for it! and monkey's don't dance!

 

[Tommy2000GT]

Mazada Mazadaspeed Protege5. It's cheap and comes with a turbo.

 

[Ornery]

"...if you have any good links to resources I'd appreciate it."

I thoroughly enjoyed collecting these:


1999 Ford Crown Victoria - Review by RON DRYSDALE

• "...Accelerate with great enthusiasm until the car is sort of slingshot-spit out onto southbound 59. Such antics are more typically undertaken in something like a Porsche, but they also provided my most edifying moment in the surprisingly-athletic Crown Victoria that I was driving that day. Simply put, the car remained flat and cornered like it was on rails."

Police aren't the only ones who like the Crown Vic By Clyde Noel

• "...the Crown Vic is becoming one of America's favorite cop cars. Police say the Vic is roomy, durable and easy to handle."
  
  "You can do just about anything with it, and it doesn't get away from you." said Noreen Sorg, Los Altos crime prevention officer.
  
  "Ford made changes in the Vic this year by redesigning the rear suspension for better stability and adding larger shock absorbers to reduce the body roll in hard cornering. Police requests influenced Ford to make the changes.
  
  Ford has improved its brakes and power steering, and there is a firmer feel to the quality of the ride than the Fords I have driven in past years. This enhances the sense of control without compromising the cushy ride quality that is part of the Vic's appeal."
  
  "...It has a number of luxury options that other cars in the class have, but Ford seems to have a better product with a quiet operation, outstanding safety features, smooth ride, decent power and that big-car feel."

2000 Ford Crown Victoria LX Review By: Larry Lefkowitz

• "...Steering is top notch, and though just a tad light, provides good road feel against moderate with smooth damping."
  
  "The steering is impressive for its positive feel. Given its size, the Ford could be expected to be difficult to corral but the nicely modulated steering makes for sure feeling reflexes and wonderful touch."

2001 Ford Crown Victoria by Robert Bowden (Aaron Gold's Notes)

• "America should never have given up on the full-size V8 powered sedan. Say what you will about these barges, but there's something to be said for the smooth ride and raw power offered up by the big Ford."

2002 Ford Crown Victoria reviews and buying guide Car Buying Strategies

• "...Crown Victoria?s smooth, comfortable ride begins with its rear-wheel drive and durable body-on-frame construction, contributing to Crown Victoria?s excellent towing ability."
  
  "The speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering varies the amount of steering assist based on the vehicle?s speed to provide excellent road feel. "

The 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Friday October 11, 2002

• " I must be getting old, because I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed my time in the Ford Crown Victoria."
  
  "The Crown Vic certainly delivers in the competence category. Thousands of police departments and taxi companies can't be wrong. Let's give the Ford Crown Victoria four stars on our one to five scale."

 

[dirtboy]

If you're looking to get a fast car, get a rear wheel drive car because front drive sucks!

 

[Deeko]

2003 Mazda 6. Sweet car, and only 16K! (or so they say it will be)

 

[notfred]

Ford Mustang GT or Subaru Impreza WRX

Both are in the $20,000 - 25,000 range, both are fast, fun cars.

 

[Evadman]

Maybe... a Maverick?