What is the best new car for under $21,000?

[rnmcd]

What is the best new car for under $21,000?

I realize "best" is very subjective but feel free to tell me what you think is the best deal under $21,000.

My story is that my car is definitely dead. The cost to fix it is just not justifiable considering its age and mileage (and the strong possibility that something else will go wrong).


By the way, has anyone ever purchased a car over the 'net? If so, do you recommend it and which service did you use?

Please inform me.

Thanks, rnmcd

 

[Windogg]

Honda Accord LX. Reliable, well loaded, and very economical to own. Don't let people give you the BS "But they are the most stolen car......" Of course there are a lot stolen, there are just alot of them around. No surprise that Rolls Royces, Bentley, and Ferraris are on the bottom of the list. Check it out.

You'll come in under $21K even after all fees and taxes.

Windogg

 

[bcterps]

My personal choice would be a Honda Accord EX, you should be able to get one for $19-20k or so if you bargain hard enough. Or if you get the 2000 model maybe you can bargain even more. Its a rock solid practical car that will last you at least till 200k miles if you take care of it. Of course if that's not what your looking for then pick something else. It all depends on your needs. Also for $20k, the Ford Explorer Sport is a nice all weather vehicle, but it may be a bit small for you, again it all depends on your needs (what you are gonna use the car for, where you live, how hard are you gonna drive it, etc.)

--Ben

 

[StageLeft]

Can you squeeze a V6 into that accord for that price?

A brand new prelude would be around that price to I think.

You could also get a brand new Volks Wagen GTI VR6 - VERY nice car. May not be as large as you're looking for but its beautiful and very fast.

What are you looking for? Speed, luxury, what?

 

[BigSmooth]

Not sure what kind of car you're looking for, but for 4-door sedans, the Accord is a good choice, but I would also look in to the Nissan Maxima and the VW Passat. Both can be had for around $21K and both are excellent cars.

If you want an SUV, take a look at the Nissan Xterra or the new Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape.

 

[woodie1]

I used the net to purchase a new Acura this month from a salesman I never met until closing. I got a price that no dealer would give me in person. I would recommend it to anyone who will take the time to do the necessary legwork. I found that each of the buyers services has different prices for each part of the country so I cannot recommend any particular one for your area.

If you would like more detail on my experience e-mail me.

Good luck.

 

[Josh]

Go-Kart

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Nissan Maxima GXE - I'm sure you can get it for around $20K. The Maxima mated with the 5 spd will be loads of fun to drive...and practical for when you got family/friends in it.

 

[Ultima200]

There is no all around best car, it really depends on what you want........

 

[StageLeft]

Ah How could I have forgotten - the Maxima is great. You want large? Its got it. Want power? Its got it (0-60 of under 7 seconds). Want quality? It has that. Looks? Got it.

 

[Pete]

For that price, an Accord/Camry/Maxima will probably be your best bet. If you don't need that much room, you might want to go with a Sentra and save some cash. If you can move up some, an Acura 3.2TL seems to be a great price/performance car. Last I checked, ~$26,400 for a fully loaded car, with the only option being a DVD-based satellite navigation system. The Infiniti I30 is probably in the same price range, and the latest model looks very good.

Woodie1, what kind of a deal did you get? I'm in NY, but I'd like to know what web sites you checked, etc.

 

[StageLeft]

the only option being a DVD-based satellite navigation system.

Something I think we all can use

 

[woodie1]

I was going to get the TL 3.2. You can't beat the price for the level of equipment. Instead I fell for the 2001 CL Type S. It ain't no Bimmer but for the money is a blast. Out the door with taxes, tag, and all the other crap they charge you for I paid $31,039.50. This was an Autobytel dealer where the price is "fixed" too high. However, at the end of the month the salesman called and said they had a lot full and what would I pay. The rest is history.

Sites where I searched:

http://www.autosmartcat.com/
http://aff.carprices.com/default.htm
http://cars.com/carsapp/national/?srv=parser&act=display&tf=/index-default.tmpl
http://www.carsdirect.com/
http://www.dealernet.com/
http://driveoff.com/index.jsp
http://www.giggocar.com/
http://www.greenlight.com/default.jsp
http://www.invoicedealers.com/step1.asp
http://carpoint.msn.com/home/New.asp?
http://www.autobytel.com
http://www.autosite.com

I may have missed some but these will get you plenty of info. Generally I found greenlight to be the lowest in most markets but not all.

 

[loup garou]

Thank you so much woodie! I'm soon to be in the market for a car around $30k, so I was just about to post asking about sites for research. You must've read my mind!

 

[dl]

for 21, Maxima GXE is your choice...

not loaded.. but it'll be the best ride, bar none.

 

[woodie1]

werk-

You're welcome.

woodie

 

[4824guy]

IMHO---Pontiac Grand Prix GT

Looks and feels great, not a bad price, good value.



(Save American jobs, buy American if possible.)

 

[Sybren]

Not to start a flame-war, but that comment about saving American jobs was unecessary. IMO, the smart buyer will start buying American cars when the car makers start making a product that lasts more than 50,000 miles. Until then, foreign cars it is for anybody that needs something to last. Why support an industry that makes a poor product?

 

[woodie1]

Well said Sybren-the Acura TL & CL are built in Marysville, OH, and you can tell. The build quality is nothing like my Japan or German built cars. My parents had a US built Accord and its quality wasn't the best either.

 

[GroundOO]

ahem, may we not forget the era of REAL cars! You have a wide variety of choices in the 60's-early 70's era that won't have any V6 in it. If I was rating the best for under 21k I would go with a '67-'74 E-Series Jag (don't know the years). It shouldn't take too much looking to find one at this price if you know where to look, but thats a whole new thread. Also my dad has a '64 Nova SS, only $2400 with a bad tranny and dented fender. Probably $7k good. Very light and sporty. Oh but you want a [gag] new car [/gag] if you absolutely have to buy new, get a Camry, I have a '92 (first year of new body style) and it's sweet. Make sure to get the V6 and XLE packages. (gives it a v6 and Sunroof, etc.)

Chris

 

[Soybomb]

<< Not to start a flame-war, but that comment about saving American jobs was unecessary >>


Not to start a flame war, but some people are easily influenced into thinking that domestics are unreliable and imports are the opposite. I have yet to have one person actually be able to give me any hard proof of this being true in general. Most people either use consumer reports as proof (yeah thats a really unbiased publication....rofl), or &quot;Uncle harry had a taurus and it sucked, but his maxima was great and never needed work.&quot; Bah

Anyway before I go into a rant give us a better idea what you want. Personally at that price I'd be looking for a Jeep Wrangler maybe since it has 4wd (I like to rock climb and it snows here), and its a door less convertable for the summer......

 

[glen]

Wait a second.
You are saying that even though an American company might make a second rate car, I should still buy it? That is F*cked up! Why isn't it that they just start making a better car? I know if I made a second rate product, I would not expect YOU to buy.

Also, almost no car is made in one country.
Also, don't some Japanese own stock in FORD?
Also, don't some Americans own stock in Toyota?

 

[rnmcd]

I'm just looking for reliability. I'm not much of a sports car fanatic.

I do prefer a mid-size (or greater) sized auto.

How do you feel about the Buick Century?

 

[perry]

The Century is a nice car, my mom has one. Rides like a land yacht tho. It doesn't have any balls in the corners. The engine is pretty smooth, but needs a few more HP. She's had it for just over a year now, and no problems. You'll have to get a stripped down model for $21,000 though, IIRC.

Try looking for a leftover 2000 Ford Contour SVT. 2.5L V6 making 200HP, leather, 5 speed ONLY, 16&quot; wheels with BFG gForce T/A KDW tires, awesome suspension. The car is just a blast. If you're interested, PM or email me. I just happen to run the Contour mailing list, so I can get any info you want/need, and can probably even track down one in your neck of the woods (limited production car). You should be able to find em for right around 20-21k with no problems.

 

[dc]

buick century... yuck.