What car should I buy

[RadiclDreamer]

Ok, Im 25 and have been driving my 93 bonneville for 7 years and its got 210k miles on it and is time for replacement. I have a wife and child so Im not looking for anything super fast or flashy, I just want something thats as close to or below 20k as possible (I want my payments $400 or less per month, perfect credit)

So far I've been looking at the Astra from Saturn, the Jetta from VW and the matrix from Toyota. My biggest desires in order of wants

Best warranty that I can find
AC
Cruise Control
Auto Tranny
CD
Power Windows are nice but not 100% required

I've had really good service out of my wifes 2003 Saturn ION2 that we bought new, the dealership has been superb in dealing with all problems that have come up. My only reservation with them is the warranty is only 5 years/60k miles and they seem to be pretty underpowered (most were 138HP)

So, oh motorheads of AT. Recommend me a ride and tell me why. Like I said I loved my wifes saturn, but I dont hold brand loyalty so anything within price range and dealer availability will be considered.

I also should note that Im going to buy between now and 6 months, depending on finances.

Thanks!

 

[MovingTarget]

I'm assuming that you are looking for vehicles of a particular size/class: compacts. If that is the case, you might also want to take a look at the focus or a sonata. If you are going for mid-size, I'd take a look at the new Malibu or Impala. My fiancée has an 07 Impala, and from what I've seen it would make an excellent car for somebody with a family (lots of space, plenty of power, decent gas mileage, very refined look/feel). However, those are a little pricier than you might want.

 

[iamwiz82]

I'd say pass the Astra for the Aura if you can accept a sedan. The Astra is new and it's selling very well. You won't see much discount nor any rebates.

FYI, our 07 Aura XR was just about $20k, fully loaded. It's a great car and you can't beat the price.

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I'd say pass the Astra for the Aura if you can accept a sedan. The Astra is new and it's selling very well. You won't see much discount nor any rebates.

FYI, our 07 Aura XR was just about $20k, fully loaded. It's a great car and you can't beat the price.

Agreed. Go with the Aura.

 

[Jumpem]

Honda Fit.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
, I just want something thats as close to or below 20k as possible (I want my payments $400 or less per month, )

So far I've been looking at the Astra from Saturn, the Jetta from VW and the matrix from Toyota. My biggest desires in order of wants

Best warranty that I can find
AC
Cruise Control
Auto Tranny
CD
Power Windows are nice but not 100% required

Sounds like you are a down-to-the-earth fellow. From $400 or less monthly payment w/ Zero down, you are most likely looking into 17K vehicle before Tax and License.

Just in case you aren't looking for "style", you might still able to find a new 2007 Accord for that price.

Or

All New Matrix/ Corolla is coming, so you can wait till the summer and score better deal w/ "2008 model"

As for VW.... it is nice looking car, but don't know if their reliability has improved?

or

If you are happy w/ your wife's Saturn, then it is also good idea to get something you are already familiar or comfortable w/. OPEL/Saturn Astra seems to have great review in Europe, so I figure, it is also great choice. However, as many reviews state...

"Saturn Astra has the potential to be the best American-branded small car on the market. Otherwise, it'll be another close-but-no-Cohiba attempt to knock the Civic off its mantle."

So you might also check into Civic.


Edit: I forgot to say... personally, if I am looking for a car that will last me another 210K miles, then I will try to hunt down that new 2007 model accord.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Pontiac G6? Nothing special on the whole, but cheap, good gas mileage, and solid powertrain (100K warranty on 07 & newer models).

 

[Arkaign]

Best Warranty?

I'd say go with a Hyundai. They're really nice, and with the 100k warranty, you can drive it for a while and then trade-in for another later. They've really gotten much better, and are more reliable than Mazda/Suzuki/Kia/VW and about equal with GM/Nissan/Ford. Not quite at the Honda/Toyota level, but hey, what do you want for the $$$?

Seriously, go test drive one, you'll be surprised I bet.

EDIT: Check out the Hyundai website. You can get a fairly loaded Sonata SE (think something bigger than a Corolla, smaller than a Camry), with a 234HP 3.3L V6, for $21k.

 

[warmodder]

You might like the mazda3. I'm not sure if you can swing a 6 for that price, but my cousin has one and it's nice too. Of your picks I would take the jetta, because I like the styling, and I'm not scared off by reliability issues. (Time will tell on the new models I suppose).

Also, you could look at the cobalt. It's small which seems to be what you like, and reasonably good looking.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: warmodder
You might like the mazda3. I'm not sure if you can swing a 6 for that price, but my cousin has one and it's nice too. Of your picks I would take the jetta, because I like the styling, and I'm not scared off by reliability issues. (Time will tell on the new models I suppose).

Also, you could look at the cobalt. It's small which seems to be what you like, and reasonably good looking.

You need to read this thread. $4k for routine maintenance stuff

VW FTL.

Mazda3 is alright, but $$$ for a small car.

 

[SearchMaster]

The Ford Fusion has some nice incentives on it now, you could pick up a pretty loaded one for ~$17K. I think it's on the same basic platform as the Mazda6 so it should be reasonably sporty for a 'family sedan'.

 

[Arkaign]

That's not a bad suggestion at all on the Fusion. Check with the dealer for the incentives and warranty info. Be sure and test at least 3-4 different cars until you find one that's 'right'.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
The Ford Fusion has some nice incentives on it now, you could pick up a pretty loaded one for ~$17K. I think it's on the same basic platform as the Mazda6 so it should be reasonably sporty for a 'family sedan'.

Not to mention it's been rated the best mid-sized sedan over the past year, beating the camary and accord. It's also on Consumer Report's Highly Recommended list.

It's one of the few "winners" that Ford sells.