Time for a new(er) car, need some feedback from owners

[NFS4]

because a cherry 5th gen accord is better than a newer one. Cheaper insurance, lighter, better gas milage.

Like I said, my Camry is the virtual equal of a 5th gen Accord so why would I go buy something of the same vintage? It has been extremely reliable, relatively fuel efficient (about 29MPG highway), and a joy to work with. But I'd just like something a bit newer.

If I wanted to get an older Accord, I'd look for one. But I'd prefer a newer model vehicle. Right now, I've narrowed it down to the Protege, Civic, and Corolla. I honestly don't use all the space I have in my Camry and going to something that is smaller and more fuel efficient is more of a fit.

I'm checking out '01 Protege's in my area online at CarMax and they're running about 11,000.

 

[gogeeta13]

Originally posted by: NFS4

because a cherry 5th gen accord is better than a newer one. Cheaper insurance, lighter, better gas milage.

Like I said, my Camry is the virtual equal of a 5th gen Accord so why would I go buy something of the same vintage? It has been extremely reliable, relatively fuel efficient (about 29MPG highway), and a joy to work with. But I'd just like something a bit newer.

If I wanted to get an older Accord, I'd look for one. But I'd prefer a newer model vehicle. Right now, I've narrowed it down to the Protege, Civic, and Corolla. I honestly don't use all the space I have in my Camry and going to something that is smaller and more fuel efficient is more of a fit.

I'm checking out '01 Protege's in my area online at CarMax and they're running about 11,000.

bah! stick with the camry then! Just wait till you get a better job and have more money.

 

[vi edit]

NFS4 - don't know if you'd be interested in it, but I've seen lightly used Protege 5's (the cool little wagons) going for ~15k.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
NFS4 - don't know if you'd be interested in it, but I've seen lightly used Protege 5's (the cool little wagons) going for ~15k.

Yeah, the Protege 5 is sweet Little bit more space than I really need, but I like the looks of it.

 

[bolido2000]

bah! stick with the camry then! Just wait till you get a better job and have more money.

 

[adlep]

Well, I would like to suggest a car which is not on the list, but it is on my list....
Available on March there will be a new, better looking Subaru WRX wagon on sale.
You asked for a practical car, and that is why I am suggesting a wagon, you can load plenty on cargo to it and it is fun as hell to drive.
Think about it.
I had an opportunity to test drive 03 WRX, and it is very fast, much faster than my lame 96 DX Civic...
He he highway, 3rd gear, 4500 RPM's, TURBO.....And here I fly...
This is the car I am going to get after my graduation this year..
The STI is cool too, but it is too sporty for me, and too expensive ($34.000)
Edit: picture
Edit2: pictture2
Edit: Ups, I just noticed that you dont want to spend more than $15.000....
So just 4get about the WRX option, although you might be able to get an used one for $18.000

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Personally I would just run the Camry into the ground if you just plan to get another boring economobile. I understand your concern about losing resale, but you will lose even more by trading into a newer used car.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito
Personally I would just run the Camry into the ground if you just plan to get another boring economobile. I understand your concern about losing resale, but you will lose even more by trading into a newer used car.

I'm not trading in. I'm going to sell it outright. If I trade in through a dealer, I'll get r@ped.

As for boring, the Protege is FAR from boring.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Since you said no Nissans (WHY???? :|), I'd suggest a 01 Protege.

Great freaking cars..the best car in its class right now. Get the 2.0L model wih a 5-spd for some zoom zoom. An auto 1.8 would be fine as well.

But then again, a '97 Maxima SE fully loaded would be a better deal..especially a 5-spd...be cheaper to buy as well..but since you said no Nissans...

But seriously, a Protege freaking kicks ass. Oh and it has a great interior (high quality and attractive looking) too since your into that.

 

[CraigRT]

Anyway, I'm looking at a few cars to "trade up" to (NO DOMESTICS, NO NISSANS)

well then there is NOTHING good in your choices..... I cannot help.

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: Yield

Anyway, I'm looking at a few cars to "trade up" to (NO DOMESTICS, NO NISSANS)

well then there is NOTHING good in your choices..... I cannot help.

I know... HOORAY for fanboys!

A Contour SVT is more than practical, reliable, and sporty for under $15k. But NOOO lets cry about the blue oval on the front of it.

 

[N8Magic]

Brandon,

You and I don't often agree about cars, but i'd have to recommend: Mazda Protege5.

You should be able to get a new one for $15K.

 

[N8Magic]

Bump to help out NFS4!

 

[NFS4]

Well, I can't make it to the Mazda dealership today as I had hoped I'll try to go tomorrow. My car is due for an oil change in about another couple hundred miles or so. I'll check out the '03 Corolla LE while they are servicing my Camry.

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: vi_edit
NFS4 - don't know if you'd be interested in it, but I've seen lightly used Protege 5's (the cool little wagons) going for ~15k.

Yeah, the Protege 5 is sweet Little bit more space than I really need, but I like the looks of it.

Those are some cool looking little wagons. A guy at work has one (got his for a steal too) and it's fun to ride around in. I know what you're saying about the joys of a small car, my Sentra could park itself, got fantastic mileage in its earlier years and was very fun to drive all things considered. And I realize you said you don't use all the space you have now, but I personally don't feel there's THAT much difference/benefit between the space savings my Sentra had over my wife's Accord (which has a surprisingly crappy turning radius) to justify downsizing at the point you're at. Just my $0.02, but I kind of fall into the 'drive it into the ground and save your money in the meantime' camp. Your mileage might be getting relatively higher now, but assuming you've taken fairly good care of your Camry and don't drive like a lunatic all the time (which seems to backed up by your previous comments) that Camry should still give you plenty more years of reliable service with little more than regular maintenance. But I certainly understand the itch to upgrade a bit (that's probably how 90% of the computer junkies arrived here in the first place.)

 

[Vortex22]

I have a 98 Civic and I've never ever had any kind of problem with it... ever.

 

[Ryan]

Hmmmm - yummy : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2401815614&category=6326

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Rent

Originally posted by: Yield

Anyway, I'm looking at a few cars to "trade up" to (NO DOMESTICS, NO NISSANS)

well then there is NOTHING good in your choices..... I cannot help.

I know... HOORAY for fanboys!

A Contour SVT is more than practical, reliable, and sporty for under $15k. But NOOO lets cry about the blue oval on the front of it.

haha!!
yeah I like those SVT's alot.
but apparently those cars are very expensive to fix.. that true?

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Rent

Originally posted by: Yield

Anyway, I'm looking at a few cars to "trade up" to (NO DOMESTICS, NO NISSANS)

well then there is NOTHING good in your choices..... I cannot help.

I know... HOORAY for fanboys!

A Contour SVT is more than practical, reliable, and sporty for under $15k. But NOOO lets cry about the blue oval on the front of it.

Yep, the blue oval sucks a big one.......

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Rent

Originally posted by: Yield

Anyway, I'm looking at a few cars to "trade up" to (NO DOMESTICS, NO NISSANS)

well then there is NOTHING good in your choices..... I cannot help.

I know... HOORAY for fanboys!

A Contour SVT is more than practical, reliable, and sporty for under $15k. But NOOO lets cry about the blue oval on the front of it.

I don't like the Contour. Never have, never will. Cheesy interior = bye bye!

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Rent

Originally posted by: Yield

Anyway, I'm looking at a few cars to "trade up" to (NO DOMESTICS, NO NISSANS)

well then there is NOTHING good in your choices..... I cannot help.

I know... HOORAY for fanboys!

A Contour SVT is more than practical, reliable, and sporty for under $15k. But NOOO lets cry about the blue oval on the front of it.

I don't like the Contour. Never have, never will. Cheesy interior = bye bye!

I don't think it's that bad....

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
NFS4 asking for suggestions on cars??? I think Hell needs to call the furnace repair guy!



First off, I'd try and sell my car outright. You'll have ZERO problems doing that, and you'll get a good $1000 over trade in on it. Second, assuming you get $4500 or so out of your current car, how much extra are you looking at putting out?

I barely got into this thread before I had to comment. You will NOT have zero problems selling a car outright at this time. I don't care what kind of car you drive or what kind of condition it's in. This is a bad time to be selling a used car. With the flood of low financing offers on new cars, the used car market has dried up. I know people who had cars for sale for several months, and they ending up dumping the car for far less than blue book just to get rid of it.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4
Well, I can't make it to the Mazda dealership today as I had hoped I'll try to go tomorrow. My car is due for an oil change in about another couple hundred miles or so. I'll check out the '03 Corolla LE while they are servicing my Camry.

That was 4 days ago? Any new updates?

Honda is advertising 1.9% financing on new 2003 Honda Civic's or $28.60 per $1,000 financed. I'd say you can bargain your way down to $15,000 for a nicely equipped 2003 Honda Civic LX.

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