i'm graduating next month and will be a doc.. hence image car, though I don't need such a hotshot image car. I would probably hold off lexus/acura for another 4-5 years and for now, settle on the following choices:
camry hybrid with navigation/leather: $30K but good gas mileage and ~$2K tax credit as well.
solara SLE 4cyl with navigation/leather: $25K
accord EX 4cyl with navigation/leather: $25K
mazda cx-7 with nav/leather ~ $29K .. no reviews as it is just released
civic hybrid with nav $23K + tax credit, but somewhat slower than a regular 4 cyl, small, boring, no leather, nothing fancy.
lexus/acura/etc - pre-owned can be had for <$30K but bad mileage, premium gas, premium insurance, and expensive maintenance is not worth it, not at least until i make serious money.
VW jetta or passat TDI .. i'm seriously entertaining this idea but hasn't VW gone down the drain? I don't know how bad their reliability is now and i've heard jetta is nothing but a corolla with some faux chrome grille and more options. i have no idea how diesel prices are going to be but if TDIs really get mileage comparable to hybrids, it might be worth looking at if diesel prices stay at or below unleaded prices. of course, diesel can tend to be more expensive than premium at times..
no american brands.. not worth it. from personal experience, don't feel like they are reliable enough.
based on these preferences, can anyone suggest other ideas? thanks!
cliffs:
i basically have four options:
1) new hybrid, expensive but with long term savings
2) new 4 cyl car, cheaper but with normal savings
3) used expensive car.. possiblity cheaper but long-term expenses
4) new/used vw TDI - cheap/expensive but with possible long term savings (based on diesel prices)
camry hybrid with navigation/leather: $30K but good gas mileage and ~$2K tax credit as well.
solara SLE 4cyl with navigation/leather: $25K
accord EX 4cyl with navigation/leather: $25K
mazda cx-7 with nav/leather ~ $29K .. no reviews as it is just released
civic hybrid with nav $23K + tax credit, but somewhat slower than a regular 4 cyl, small, boring, no leather, nothing fancy.
lexus/acura/etc - pre-owned can be had for <$30K but bad mileage, premium gas, premium insurance, and expensive maintenance is not worth it, not at least until i make serious money.
VW jetta or passat TDI .. i'm seriously entertaining this idea but hasn't VW gone down the drain? I don't know how bad their reliability is now and i've heard jetta is nothing but a corolla with some faux chrome grille and more options. i have no idea how diesel prices are going to be but if TDIs really get mileage comparable to hybrids, it might be worth looking at if diesel prices stay at or below unleaded prices. of course, diesel can tend to be more expensive than premium at times..
no american brands.. not worth it. from personal experience, don't feel like they are reliable enough.
based on these preferences, can anyone suggest other ideas? thanks!
cliffs:
i basically have four options:
1) new hybrid, expensive but with long term savings
2) new 4 cyl car, cheaper but with normal savings
3) used expensive car.. possiblity cheaper but long-term expenses
4) new/used vw TDI - cheap/expensive but with possible long term savings (based on diesel prices)
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