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Planning on buying my first NEW car...

I

Insane3D

Elite Member
Well, my '92 GT has been good to me, but after 14 years, it's going to become my project/fun car, and I'm going to pick up something new. I'm looking at mid-sized sedans with moderately powerful V6's that will have enough power to not make me miserable coming from a modified V8 Mustang. I'm also looking for a car that won't kill me on insurance, so anything that will fall into the sports car category like another V8 mustang or GTO, etc is out.

I like RWD, but for my new car, FWD or AWD is what I'm mainly looking at since it will make driving in these New England winters more bearable. Now, the car I REALLY want is a Legacy GT, but at $30k-ish, it's too much for me. I'd say $20-$25k is probably my high limit. My three choices I'm looking at now are the Mazda 6 S (Grand Touring), Pontiac G6 GTP (Sedan, not coupe), or possibly even a Solstice, although that would probably fall into that risk insurance category.

So, I know everyone here at AT has their opinions....let's hear 'em!

🙂
 
I'm sure you could pick up a certified used Legacy GT in your price range, with very low miles.
 
Saturn Aura?
the XR has a 252 HP 3.6 Liter DOHC 24 valve V-6 VVT with a six speed transmission
or for $4K less the XE has a standard V-6 with a four speed transmission
 
Originally posted by: Ryan
I'm sure you could pick up a certified used Legacy GT in your price range, with very low miles.
Click to expand...


True, but since I keep my cars for 10 years+, I'd prefer to get new this time...

🙂
 
I don't think the solstice really fits into the fwd/awd sedan catagory 😉. I'd check out the Ford Fusion since your already looking at the Mazda 6.
 
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I don't think the solstice really fits into the fwd/awd sedan catagory 😉. I'd check out the Ford Fusion since your already looking at the Mazda 6.
Click to expand...

I had a Mercury Milan Premium as my last rental, which I believe is the same car, and it was decent. However, Ford really has nothing that strikes me as attractive...

 
Originally posted by: FoBoT
Saturn Aura?
the XR has a 252 HP 3.6 Liter DOHC 24 valve V-6 VVT with a six speed transmission
or for $4K less the XE has a standard V-6 with a four speed transmission
Click to expand...

I'll check it out...not really a Saturn fan, although the Vue rental I had once had some decent pickup...
 
I still want to try to talk you out of getting a new one. As I've said on here before, I prefer to let someone else drive the first 10-20k off my car. Usually 20k miles will save you $10k, unless it's a roadster or something.

Good luck on finding what you're looking for though.
 
Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Mazdaspeed 6. AWD, cheap right now. Good power. Only drawback is the premium fuel.
Click to expand...

One dealer has a 2006 he's trying to sell me on, but like I said...that falls into the high risk insurance category, and I wouldn't be able to afford it.

That 109 in a 65mph, and the 100 in a 55mph are gonna stick with me for awhile...

😉
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I still want to try to talk you out of getting a new one. As I've said on here before, I prefer to let someone else drive the first 10-20k off my car. Usually 20k miles will save you $10k, unless it's a roadster or something.

Good luck on finding what you're looking for though.
Click to expand...

As I said, I bought my Mustang in '93 with 1000 miles, and I still have it and it runs awesome. I understand the depreciation, but I will be keeping it until it dies...selling it is not an issue.
 
Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Mazdaspeed 6. AWD, cheap right now. Good power. Only drawback is the premium fuel.
Click to expand...

that pushes his limit tho.. even after discounts. and the only one's i've seen at the dealerships have some ugly colors for leather.

and yeah.. how'd solstice fall into your choices 🙂

the mazda 6 has been a nice car for my mom. It has a nice kick to it, but dunno if you'll be happy w/ the power unless you're getting the 5 speed v6. The 5 door rocks tho... I wish I got it... probably would have been the same price as my mazda 3 at the time I bought it 🙁

however, I think it's still a bit too big for me. I will just do the insane and trade up for a mazdaspeed3......
 
Originally posted by: randomlinh
Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Mazdaspeed 6. AWD, cheap right now. Good power. Only drawback is the premium fuel.
Click to expand...

that pushes his limit tho.. even after discounts. and the only one's i've seen at the dealerships have some ugly colors for leather.

and yeah.. how'd solstice fall into your choices 🙂

the mazda 6 has been a nice car for my mom. It has a nice kick to it, but dunno if you'll be happy w/ the power unless you're getting the 5 speed v6. The 5 door rocks tho... I wish I got it... probably would have been the same price as my mazda 3 at the time I bought it 🙁

however, I think it's still a bit too big for me. I will just do the insane and trade up for a mazdaspeed3......
Click to expand...

Yeah, I should have added, any car I get MUST be a manual tranny...no automatic for me. That is another reason I'm not big on used...everything seems to be auto's.

As for the model 6 I'm looking at, it's their top end S Grand Touring model with all the goodies like leather, moonroof, ~220hp V6, 5-spd...and I think 18" wheels.
 
Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
From those 3 choices that you listed, I'd go with the Mazda (assuming the subaru is out of the price range)
Click to expand...

Thanks...

One thing that concerns me though is the 6 is supposedly going to be re-designed for '08, so I'd hate to get a '06 or '07, then find out I love the '08.

Another concern, but I think I'm stuck with it, is most of these cars now have those damn EDR's...

🙁
 
Originally posted by: Hyperlite
mazdaspeed 3?
Click to expand...

As I said before, the MS models will put me into that risky insurance category. Regardless, the 3 is way too small for me, and I just hate how they look...
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Hyperlite
mazdaspeed 3?
Click to expand...

As I said before, the MS models will put me into that risky insurance category. Regardless, the 3 is way too small for me, and I just hate how they look...
Click to expand...

Really? I understand the MS3 part, but I honestly can't tell much of a difference between a 3 and a 6 much of the time. I parked my 3 next to a 6 yesterday and it really wasn't much bigger. And they look very similar to me as well. Maybe i'm just crazy, i dunno.

Hell I remember when I first went to the mazda dealership to look at a 3. I was over by the 6s for a good while till I noticed the sticker saying they were 6s, oops.
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
The 3 and the 6 are really quite different IMO...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I also think that the 6 is one of the nicest looking new cars on the road. I really like the styling of it. If I had not bought my Mustang, the 6 was my next choice.
 
Well, I went to a Mazda dealer last night that had given me an online quote, and after being there for an hour, I never even got to drive anything because they didn't have a V6 5-spd. They did try and get me to drive a Mazdaspeed 6, but I wasn't interested because I'd want it too much after I drove it, and it's out of my price range, and insurance range.

I guess I'll need to go somewhere else...:\
 
Dealers around me are selling new Legacy GT's for under 25k + TTL.

I'llt oss out a '07 Altima SE for around $24k as an option. It will run circles around the Mazda 6.

 
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