New Car Buying Experience

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necine

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2005
3,631
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Elantra? G5? Mazda 3? What do you think?

I might buy used too. I'm going tonight to look.

I'm looking for cars in the "cheap" category.

In Response to This Thread

UPDATED: Test Drive - Ford Focus
I went to test drive a ford focus. Man, i didn't like that car. Plus, I couldn't get it anywhere near 11K. Which I assumed I could before going there. It'd be a steal if I could get it at that price. But the focus is out. Tomorrow I'll test drive some other cars. I'll keep u guys updated.

UPDATED: Test Drive - 2005 Pontiac G5
I went to the Hyundai dealership with the intention of test driving the 2007 Elantra's. However, I've determined that a new car is really out of my budget, considering I want my payments at 200/mo with 2500 down. I go there and I'm looking at the used cars. I see this sweet Pontiac G6 w/ Alloy Wheels. I ask him how much it is... he said 14k. We go back and forth a little over the price, and I ask for a test drive. We test drive it, and I liked the car. We look at some other vehicles that I didn't really like, and then went back to the G6. We decided to run some numbers. He seemed to not wanna budge below 14k. So we ran the numbers at 13.5k, and they seemed better. But he didn't seem to understand I want to pay 12.5K. I told him I might come back Saturday.

Car Stats:
2005 Pontiac G5 GT Sedan
1 Owner
26k Miles
Moonroof
Upgraded Sound System
Remote Start

I've done a little research and it seems that people are buying this car at around 12.5k based on Edmunds. I'm going to print this report out and bring it on Saturday.

 
N

necine

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2005
3,631
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0
Originally posted by: supafly
Out of those three, ATOT will tell you the Mazda 3.
Click to expand...

It's not really out of those 3... just that class of car. I guess I should post a poll or something.
 
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mb

Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
2
71
Originally posted by: DougK62
What price range? That'll be more helpful.
Click to expand...

Well the 3 cars he listed have starting MSRPs of ~$14k to $15k.
 
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Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
2
71
Of the three cars listed, the Elantra seems like a better deal (cheaper, longer warranty, slightly better mpg, but less HP).. the Mazda3 or G5 seem like more fun. I guess you'll have to do some test driving and decide what aspect is more important.

Text
 
T

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,037
132
106
Could just go to a Ford lot and see if they are still selling the Focus for just a hair over $10k. If you just want a nice back and forth economy car its kind of hard to beat that deal.
 
R Nilla

R Nilla

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2006
3,835
1
0
The uber-economical Honda Fit?

If you're including used cars then there are about a bajillion cars in that price range. It all depends on what you're looking for in your next ride. More details would help people narrow it down.
 
N

necine

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2005
3,631
0
0
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Could just go to a Ford lot and see if they are still selling the Focus for just a hair over $10k. If you just want a nice back and forth economy car its kind of hard to beat that deal.
Click to expand...

oooo good idea
 
Pegun

Pegun

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2004
1,334
0
71
I wouldn't suggest buying a Ford personally, but i do have a thing against them after owning a '92 mercury sable. The Elantra I have is a wonderful little car. It feels like a sports car especially with the suspension i have on it. LMK if you have any other questions about it. Pics in my sig.
 
AnonymouseUser

AnonymouseUser

Diamond Member
May 14, 2003
9,943
107
106
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Could just go to a Ford lot and see if they are still selling the Focus for just a hair over $10k. If you just want a nice back and forth economy car its kind of hard to beat that deal.
Click to expand...

Hell yeah! One of my local Ford dealers has lots of nice cars. They also have a lot of Fords!





Mazda3, ScionTC, Civic...
 
N

necine

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2005
3,631
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Test Drive - 2005 Pontiac G5
I went to the Hyundai dealership with the intention of test driving the 2007 Elantra's. However, I've determined that a new car is really out of my budget, considering I want my payments at 200/mo with 2500 down. I go there and I'm looking at the used cars. I see this sweet Pontiac G6 w/ Alloy Wheels. I ask him how much it is... he said 14k. We go back and forth a little over the price, and I ask for a test drive. We test drive it, and I liked the car. We look at some other vehicles that I didn't really like, and then went back to the G6. We decided to run some numbers. He seemed to not wanna budge below 14k. So we ran the numbers at 13.5k, and they seemed better. But he didn't seem to understand I want to pay 12.5K. I told him I might come back Saturday.

Car Stats:
2005 Pontiac G5 GT Sedan
1 Owner
26k Miles
Moonroof
Upgraded Sound System
Remote Start

I've done a little research and it seems that people are buying this car at around 12.5k based on Edmunds. I'm going to print this report out and bring it on Saturday.
 
I

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
81
Originally posted by: necine
Test Drive - 2005 Pontiac G5
I went to the Hyundai dealership with the intention of test driving the 2007 Elantra's. However, I've determined that a new car is really out of my budget, considering I want my payments at 200/mo with 2500 down. I go there and I'm looking at the used cars. I see this sweet Pontiac G6 w/ Alloy Wheels. I ask him how much it is... he said 14k. We go back and forth a little over the price, and I ask for a test drive. We test drive it, and I liked the car. We look at some other vehicles that I didn't really like, and then went back to the G6. We decided to run some numbers. He seemed to not wanna budge below 14k. So we ran the numbers at 13.5k, and they seemed better. But he didn't seem to understand I want to pay 12.5K. I told him I might come back Saturday.

Car Stats:
2005 Pontiac G5 GT Sedan
1 Owner
26k Miles
Moonroof
Upgraded Sound System
Remote Start

I've done a little research and it seems that people are buying this car at around 12.5k based on Edmunds. I'm going to print this report out and bring it on Saturday.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't bother with the Edmunds report.
I'd just wait the dealer out. The longer it sits on his lot, it's depreciating.
Tell him flat out 12.5 or no deal he'll eventually come around I'd think.
 
H

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
3,090
0
0
Originally posted by: necine
I've determined that a new car is really out of my budget, considering I want my payments at 200/mo with 2500 down.
Click to expand...

Don't shop by payment, precalculate your loan stats (or even get the loan before) and negoitate by purchase price/OTD price with the dealer. Shopping by payment enables them to sneak stuff into the price.

 
N

necine

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2005
3,631
0
0
I went to another shop tonight. Nothing seems to be going right. I find a car in my price range, and it doesnt have the correct safety features.... so my insurance shoots through the roof. NJ SUCKS! I hate this state. I'm going to have to buy a car with what little cash I have on hand and use public transportation to get to school/work for a while. Jeez... this sucks bad.
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
I guess the Mercedes S600 Sedan I just paid cash for would be out of your league??
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
Originally posted by: necine
Test Drive - 2005 Pontiac G5
I went to the Hyundai dealership with the intention of test driving the 2007 Elantra's. However, I've determined that a new car is really out of my budget, considering I want my payments at 200/mo with 2500 down. I go there and I'm looking at the used cars. I see this sweet Pontiac G6 w/ Alloy Wheels. I ask him how much it is... he said 14k. We go back and forth a little over the price, and I ask for a test drive. We test drive it, and I liked the car. We look at some other vehicles that I didn't really like, and then went back to the G6. We decided to run some numbers. He seemed to not wanna budge below 14k. So we ran the numbers at 13.5k, and they seemed better. But he didn't seem to understand I want to pay 12.5K. I told him I might come back Saturday.

Car Stats:
2005 Pontiac G5 GT Sedan
1 Owner
26k Miles
Moonroof
Upgraded Sound System
Remote Start

I've done a little research and it seems that people are buying this car at around 12.5k based on Edmunds. I'm going to print this report out and bring it on Saturday.
Click to expand...

So uh...did you test drive a G5 or G6? It's equally mentioned in your post...two different cars...
 
SearchMaster

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
114
106
Originally posted by: Scouzer
Originally posted by: necine
Test Drive - 2005 Pontiac G5
I went to the Hyundai dealership with the intention of test driving the 2007 Elantra's. However, I've determined that a new car is really out of my budget, considering I want my payments at 200/mo with 2500 down. I go there and I'm looking at the used cars. I see this sweet Pontiac G6 w/ Alloy Wheels. I ask him how much it is... he said 14k. We go back and forth a little over the price, and I ask for a test drive. We test drive it, and I liked the car. We look at some other vehicles that I didn't really like, and then went back to the G6. We decided to run some numbers. He seemed to not wanna budge below 14k. So we ran the numbers at 13.5k, and they seemed better. But he didn't seem to understand I want to pay 12.5K. I told him I might come back Saturday.

Car Stats:
2005 Pontiac G5 GT Sedan
1 Owner
26k Miles
Moonroof
Upgraded Sound System
Remote Start

I've done a little research and it seems that people are buying this car at around 12.5k based on Edmunds. I'm going to print this report out and bring it on Saturday.
Click to expand...

So uh...did you test drive a G5 or G6? It's equally mentioned in your post...two different cars...
Click to expand...

I had the same thought but I have to figure it's a G6. They just started selling the G5 in the U.S. within the last year and it's an '05 model, so unless it came from Canada, it's got to be a G6 right?
 
O

otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
mazda 3 is actually based on the focus chassis,

im not entirely sure what focus you get over in the US, ive seen pics and it looks like an awkward mix of the MK1 and MK2 euro focus. the mazda 3 is based on the MK2 euro focus platform, it came out before the Mk2 focus mind, and subsequently the MK2 focus does actually make a better job of the chassis. having said that, the 3 does look better inside and out imo
 
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