non tech question on buying a car.....

[Gibson486]

I am gonna buy my first new car, but I got to thinking about the price. I originally wanted to get a 3 wagon, but at 19K it is close to the max (20K). I was gonna bite and buy but then I thought that maybe I'd be better off saving 2 or 3 grand and getting something cheaper (a tc or a Rabbit). Have any of you bought a car because it was cheaper? I mean, the tc and the Rabbit are not bad cars at all and I can picture my self enjoying both of them (I was actually gonna buy the Rabbit before I decided 3). All these cars are in my price range, but it's just that feeling that I could save money. Has anyoen here bought a cheaper car and regretted it later on?

 

[iamwiz82]

Every car I have purchased specifically for price I have regretted.

I'd buy a slightly used 3 if I were you.

 

[vi edit]

Looking at your choices, you want function (wagon/hatch) and a bit of engaged driving with a leaning towards German.

You are about $500 outside of a brand new VW GTI and could probably pick up a used '06(new style) for around $18k. At that point I do not feel that you are buying a car that is a great combination of the other cars you listed. A hoot to drive, great gas mileage, good options/creature comforts, and a Euro style and ride.

You are facing the classic new vs. used dilemma. Less car and the new car smell and a warranty or more car and possible inherited problems for the same price?

 

[desy]

A couple grand isn't worth worrying about, 2 g over 10 years of ownership is $17 a month difference to drive what you want . . . .

 

[Sunrise089]

GTI is probably the most overrated car for sale today. It will be terribly unreliable more than likely, and is heavy and slow. It DOES have a nice interior, but so does the Rabbit. The GTI made it's reputation because it was light and cheap. Now it's the most expensive and one of the heaviest players in the class.

OP - Mazda3 is the best all around car. The tC is great, and perhaps a bit sportier if you don't mind the loss of some space. The Rabbit looks the most expensive and has a nice interior, just make sure you buy new for that warranty.

One more thought - if price is such a concern, why buy new?

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
GTI is probably the most overrated car for sale today. It will be terribly unreliable more than likely, and is heavy and slow. It DOES have a nice interior, but so does the Rabbit. The GTI made it's reputation because it was light and cheap. Now it's the most expensive and one of the heaviest players in the class.

OP - Mazda3 is the best all around car. The tC is great, and perhaps a bit sportier if you don't mind the loss of some space. The Rabbit looks the most expensive and has a nice interior, just make sure you buy new for that warranty.

One more thought - if price is such a concern, why buy new?

I think the GTI is overrated also. I am not really concerned about speed anyways, which is why I looked at the Rabbit. The Rabbit is pretty close to the most expensive, but that is the 4 door version. I would not mind having 2 door version, however. As for its interior, it is very nice. It's plain, but it works very well.

Price is not that much of a concern. It's just a thought that went through my mind.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Sunrise089

OP - Mazda3 is the best all around car. The tC is great, and perhaps a bit sportier if you don't mind the loss of some space. The Rabbit looks the most expensive and has a nice interior, just make sure you buy new for that warranty.

the tc isn't really all that sporty, i've heard. it's based on a toyota sedan with the rear chopped off.

the mazda3 has a bit of a whiz-bang interior.

 

[Sunrise089]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Sunrise089

OP - Mazda3 is the best all around car. The tC is great, and perhaps a bit sportier if you don't mind the loss of some space. The Rabbit looks the most expensive and has a nice interior, just make sure you buy new for that warranty.

the tc isn't really all that sporty, i've heard. it's based on a toyota sedan with the rear chopped off.

the mazda3 has a bit of a whiz-bang interior.

Ehh....all three cars fulfill the "feel a bit more sporty than the normal cars in the class" goal. None of them are a MINI Cooper S. The advantage of the Scion is that IIRC it's engine is fairly torquey for the car's weight (since it normally motivates a Camry). That plus the coupe profile may offer a bit of a sporty look and feel, even if the handling is the worst of the three.

PS - EDIT: Figured it out on my own.