YACT: best bang for the buck car model?

[glenn1]

As the title states. The idea is to give what in your opinion is the best bang for the buck car, not the most expensive nameplate (although your choice can be a luxury nameplate if you think it deserves it), defined by whatever qualities you deem important to make your selection. Feel free to consider new or used cars (or both), just please specify in your post which you're referring to

 

[bolido2000]

new or used? Maximas are good as used cars because depreciation is high.

 

Taurus. There are millions of them on used car lots everywhere, and there's a good chance one of them was a quick 24-month lease that was cared for gently. Plus, their resale value drops like rocks.

 

[m2kewl]

TSX

 

[PlatinumGold]

Hyundai Sonata. decent car, Great Warranty, Good quality. VERY good price. can't go wrong.

 

[glenn1]

new or used?

Your choice (please specify in your post). I would be surprised if someone thought the same car represented the best bang for the buck both new and used, as most of the better known nameplates (Toyota, etc) tend to enjoy a premium price at resale.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Taurus. There are millions of them on used car lots everywhere, and there's a good chance one of them was a quick 24-month lease that was cared for gently. Plus, their resale value drops like rocks.

I agree, they may not be sexy or fast but you can buy them cheap and they will for the most part be good car for quite a while.

1-2 year old cars for 50% of retail prices with factory warranties, low miles, and all the blandness you could ask for.

 

[DrPizza]

Most bang for the buck??

I'd have to say any car that costs $250, passes inspection, and still runs well. There are plenty of them. You can easily get 1 if not 2 years of life out of them. Insurance = minimum required, who cares if a tree falls on them or a river washes them away in a flash flood... not worth the extra premium. That works out to about $10 per month over the life of the vehicle.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Lincoln Town Cars. Roomy as all get-out, good highway mileage, comfy, practical, cheap to fix.

ZV

 

[Ornery]

A used domestic, specifically Ford's Panther platform:

• Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002
  
  • A rolling example of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," philosophy, the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis twins continue to be the vehicles of choice for taxi companies, police departments, retirees and families who want a large, comfortable sedan without having to spend the big bucks on a luxury nameplate.
  
  Value is the story here, as well.
  
  • After spending several weeks behind the wheel of this big Merc and its sister in the Ford product lineup, the Crown Victoria, our elders have earned newfound respect for the wisdom of their automotive preferences.
    It's fairly obvious why the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis are smart choices. The cars are, most importantly to our staff, fun to drive.
  
  What's with kids these days? I guess there are some things they'll just never understand.
  
  • But the original "pony car wars" actually signaled the end of the muscle age ? an era that had its genesis with a slew of big-engined, full-size hardtops and sedans.
    
    That's right, fast family-size cars started it all. Big Chevy Impalas, Pontiac Bonnevilles, Buick Wildcats, Ford Galaxies and Plymouth Furys ruled the roads. They touted huge, powerful V8s ? the fabled Chevrolet 409. Poncho's (Pontiac's) hot 421 and Buick's 401. Ford's venerable 406. And Mopar's 413.
  
  Who Needs a Minivan when Lincoln Offers a Trunk this Big?
  
  • Truth be told, we did not expect to like this Lincoln, which obtained an unsavory nickname concocted by a groomsman. Still, after living with the Town Car for ten days, we came to appreciate the comfortable interior, the huge trunk, the V-8 power, and all the little luxury conveniences. Driving this Lincoln made us wonder how big rear-drive cars fell out of favor with the American public.
  
  An enduring, endearing tradtional.
  
  • It is, as they say, a lot of car for the money.
  
  1992-2002 Ford Crown Victoria: Consumer Guide Best Buy
  
  • Handling and stability are fine for a big sedan. The base suspension absorbs bumps nicely, yet doesn't wallow or float past pavement swells.
  
  Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1998
  
  • It's hard to believe, I know, but this big four-door handles surprisingly well. Even the base suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road bruises... The truth is, you don't wallow and float in a Crown Vic, at least not to the extent you might think.
  
  Jedlicka Reports
  
  • Virtually all American family cars were downsized and switched from rear- to front-drive in the 1980s to lighten them so they could deliver higher fuel economy without losing much?if any?interior space.
    
    But guess what? New large domestic cars with rear-drive will be introduced in the not-distant future. Engines and transmissions have become far more efficient, and American automakers know that a rear-drive layout?common with upscale European cars such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz?gives better weight distribution and balance. The result is sharper, more stable handling.
  
  Review by RON DRYSDALE
  
  • Such antics are more typically undertaken in something like a Porsche, but they also provided my most edifying moment in the surprisingly-athletic Crown Victoria that I was driving that day. Simply put, the car remained flat and cornered like it was on rails.
  
  Edmunds Used Car Best Bet
  
  • Ever wonder why police departments and taxi companies use these "old-tech" V8, rear-wheel-drive sedans? Because they're basically bullet-proof. Really, could a car have a tougher job than serving cab duty in New York City? Or cruiser duty in Los Angeles? Not only that, but these traditional American full-sizers are also very comfortable to ride in, have plenty of luggage capacity and are cheap to keep in light of their low maintenance requirements and commendable fuel efficiency (highway ratings are as high as 25 mpg). They also have very good crash test scores.

Just buy it, and drive it, and drive it, and drive it...

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Taurus. There are millions of them on used car lots everywhere, and there's a good chance one of them was a quick 24-month lease that was cared for gently. Plus, their resale value drops like rocks.

I bought my 2000 Taurus SE (with 65K miles at the time) in early 2003 for $4,700.

I've been driving it for over a year now (it's got 73-74K miles now), and it's never been in the shop or had any problems. It's been a solid car for me... well equiped as well as dirt cheap with the insurance, and overall a good daily driver.

 

[acemcmac]

Mazda hatchbacks. When they break or wreck, you just throw them out like a stained button down shirt.

 

[RossMAN]

2004 Hyundai Elantra GLS

Brand new
Can be had for around $9,300 using a loss leader ad or some serious haggling
Excellent warranty
With proper maintenance it should last a while

There are quite a few Honda, Ford, Subaru, Mazda, and Nissan fanboi's here but when it comes to V A L U E it's hard to beat the Hyundai Elantra. If you can afford around $13,500 I would consider the Hyundai Sonata.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

are you looking for a car or truck? anything that says toyota on will last dern near forever, but are cheap when used, I agree with the 250 guy, if you just want something to get you where you're going for the least cash that's the ticket, but buy 2 if one breaks down you have a spare car. drive it till it falls apart.
edit: remember friends don't let friends drive kia's.

 

[ElFenix]

are the hyundai warranties transferable?

 

[tweakmm]

5-Speed 4th generation Nissan Maxima.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong
are you looking for a car or truck? anything that says toyota on will last dern near forever, but are cheap when used, I agree with the 250 guy, if you just want something to get you where you're going for the least cash that's the ticket, but buy 2 if one breaks down you have a spare car. drive it till it falls apart.
edit: remember friends don't let friends drive kia's.

gotta be the first time anyone has ever said that

 

[andylawcc]

yeah, Hyundai Elantra
or the upcoming Scion tC (if they stick to the current MSRP)


also, for performance wise, I really a used V8 Camaro/Firebird is hard to beat. (assuming it is in okay condition)