YACT: Car possibly totaled, need suggestions.

[Gooberlx2]

Thankfully, she's okay for the most part. Pretty nasty concussion giving her an unholy headache, and she's not allowed to drive or work for the next week. Can't focus on or follow light properly with her eyes. Of course, it doesn't help that she has chronic migraines and this'll be a doozy to get through. And then there's her aggravated fusion in her lower back. But, overall, she's lucky and I'm thankful, because it could have been far worse. *phew* ...nothing like getting a call on your work phone saying your GF has been in a car accident and taken to the ER via ambulance.

Also lucky because she was in my CRV, because I borrowed our mini for the day. But, it's looking pretty grim for the survival of my CRV. The body shop people are hinting towards a total loss (though no official word yet). So the guy's insurance will have to cut us a settlement check, and I'm guessing it'll be around $20K since the car was basically new - less some depreciation.

So I've been researching cars in case it is, in fact, a total loss. So...I'm looking in the $20K - $24K range. Sucks since I'll eat about $4K on what I actually bought the CRV for, and probably finance any remainder.

I've been considering:
- Mazda3
- Mazda6
- Scion tC
- Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe
- Any other suggestions ya'll might have


I'm reluctant to just get another CRV because I don't think I'll be able to afford the new style with the bells and whistles I'd like (plus no manual trans)...and the previous generation will be devalued once the '07s are on the showroom floors. I also think I'd rather something more sporty/car-ish.


My preferences are good power/MPG ratio, some utility-ness, manual trans, interior nice-ness (premium audio, etc...)

Any comments or suggestions? And any knowledge about current dealer incentives, rebates, etc... would be of great help.

Ugh....this is all just something I didn't need to deal with right now. I was very happy with my poor beaten and battered CRV.

 

[Toastedlightly]

new Miata?

 

[her209]

Saab 93

 

[tbike06]

Subaru Forester!

 

[iversonyin]

I would go with the Mazda3 Hatch GT. It fit your criteria very well. You should be able to get one ~$20k depend on the option you put on. But my vote goes to Mazda 3.

Either that or you looking at a Subaru. I don't see how the tC fit your list. No coupe has "utilitiness"

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: tbike06
Subaru Forester!

Gonna have to agree, i used to think they were ugly till the woman and i went to a dealership. I like the outbacks a little more though...

BTW, did i miss the part where you arent considering another honda?

 

[Baked]

The tC is hot.

<--- tC owner.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
I would go with the Mazda3 Hatch GT. It fit your criteria very well. You should be able to get one ~$20k depend on the option you put on. But my vote goes to Mazda 3.

Either that or you looking at a Subaru. I don't see how the tC fit your list. No coupe has "utilitiness"

Yeah, I know the tC doesn't fit in the utility area...but they're pretty slick looking and, from what I've seen online, pretty loaded for the price.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: tbike06
Subaru Forester!

Gonna have to agree, i used to think they were ugly till the woman and i went to a dealership. I like the outbacks a little more though...

BTW, did i miss the part where you arent considering another honda?

Yeah, I'm just not so sure it would be the best investment...or rather, not a feasible investment. Compared to the civic, I think I can get more car for the $$$ with other makes/models, And I don't think the new CRVs will fall in to my price range.

...plus no manual, and ever since I learned stick on my GF's mini...I've kinda fallen in love manual trannys.

 

[jagec]

Buy a practical used car, use the $16 THOUSAND DOLLARS you saved for something good.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: jagec
Buy a practical used car, use the $16 THOUSAND DOLLARS you saved for something good.

:-/ I don't want a practical used car. I want something I'll enjoy driving. I figure I spend enough time in my car, I wanna enjoy it!

 

[JonTheBaller]

Originally posted by: jagec
Buy a practical used car, use the $16 THOUSAND DOLLARS you saved for something good.

gross

 

[raildogg]

Honda Civic? Can't beat the gas mileage. The Matrix is a Corolla wagon basically.

I would go with the Mazda 3 but its mediocre on gas, so I would get a nice Honda Civic. Their interiors are nice. I'm also waiting on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI since the 2007 model got cancelled.

 

[Aimster]

2001 BMW X5 4.4 (basic model)

for...

$20,000.

If you calculate the gas mileage .. you only spend $2,000 more on gas a year (if you drive 25,000 miles year and with gas being $3.00/gallon).

So for an extra $2,000/year you can have a nice BMW over a Civic.

 

[JonTheBaller]

Originally posted by: Aimster
2001 BMW X5 4.4 (basic model)

for...

$20,000.

If you calculate the gas mileage .. you only spend $2,000 more on gas a year (if you drive 25,000 miles year and with gas being $3.00/gallon).

So for an extra $2,000/year you can have a nice BMW over a Civic.

Worst choice ever... the BMW is a poor excuse for a "truck".

 

[Baked]

tC's gonna get you a 3 some man, I'm telling you. Again, I'm a tC owner, ask me anything!

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Aimster
2001 BMW X5 4.4 (basic model)

for...

$20,000.

If you calculate the gas mileage .. you only spend $2,000 more on gas a year (if you drive 25,000 miles year and with gas being $3.00/gallon).

So for an extra $2,000/year you can have a nice BMW over a Civic.

Warranty on that thing? Why not buy a new car for the same price? It will be cheaper to maintain, better resale value, gas mileage, less headaches and of course, will be brand new. If you want the BMW name on your car, then thats another story.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Baked
tC's gonna get you a 3 some man, I'm telling you. Again, I'm a tC owner, ask me anything!

Chicks dig the new Civic taillights and its "cute" front grill.

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: JonTheBaller

Originally posted by: Aimster
2001 BMW X5 4.4 (basic model)

for...

$20,000.

If you calculate the gas mileage .. you only spend $2,000 more on gas a year (if you drive 25,000 miles year and with gas being $3.00/gallon).

So for an extra $2,000/year you can have a nice BMW over a Civic.

Worst choice ever... the BMW is a poor excuse for a "truck".

& what is your definition of a good "truck"?

 

[JonTheBaller]

Originally posted by: Aimster

Originally posted by: JonTheBaller

Originally posted by: Aimster
2001 BMW X5 4.4 (basic model)

for...

$20,000.

If you calculate the gas mileage .. you only spend $2,000 more on gas a year (if you drive 25,000 miles year and with gas being $3.00/gallon).

So for an extra $2,000/year you can have a nice BMW over a Civic.

Worst choice ever... the BMW is a poor excuse for a "truck".

& what is your definition of a good "truck"?

One that isn't a unibody, for starters.

 

[CTrain]

Of those choices, I'd take the tC.

 

[d3n]

Grease the wheels with the adjuster and have it totaled, it will never be the same. Leaks, rattles, bent frame ect..ect.

My vote is for a slightly used Volvo XC70 wagon.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: Baked
tC's gonna get you a 3 some man, I'm telling you. Again, I'm a tC owner, ask me anything!

Chicks dig the new Civic taillights and its "cute" front grill.

Ninja please, BMW headlights and double moon roof is where the action's at. 17" super low profile tires is off the hizzy.

 

[Aimster]

If it must be a new car..

I <3 the new Civic

The coupe is hot.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: d3n
Grease the wheels with the adjuster and have it totaled, it will never be the same. Leaks, rattles, bent frame ect..ect.

My vote is for a slightly used Volvo XC70 wagon.

Yeah, I think overall I'm hoping it is totaled. My GFs car was never the same after it was wrecked as well. If it's not and they fix it, then I'll probably see if I can sell it right away, and recoupe devaluement costs in a settlement with the guy's insurance co. So I guess I'll be in the same boat and needing a new car. I'm at work and can't quite check, but is there a gpsNav option in the Scion tC? I know there's one in the Mazda3...but then, I'm not so sure it's worth the $1,700 premium.