YACT: Which Cars should be on my List

[JMWarren]

I'll be buying a car in the next year and would like to compile a list of likely models to look at and research.

I've got about 10,000 (+tax) CDN to spend.

I've been looking at 2000-2003 Maxima and Altima

What are your suggestions? Can be domestic or import.

Should be decent on gas, would prefer a manual.

 

[EyeMWing]

I got my '02 Focus sedan (with an auto, a manual would've been cheaper) for US$10k. Prettymuch the best buy in that price range - you'll get it LOADED, and quality/reliability is similar to imports, but the imports hold resale much better and thereby you won't get as much gear - and it's not a frickin' Cavalier, either. Mine gets 30MPG, despite being rated for 26.

 

[Caesar]

Maxima

 

[Colt45]

how big?

Jetta TDI i'd get, with gas being $1.18 and all...

 

[JMWarren]

I'm kinda concerned about VW's reliablility. The Maxima is very reliable and when I'm ready to buy 10,000 should buy a nice example. Downside is that it takes premium.

Nissan's seem to depreciate faster than other imports.

 

[JMWarren]

Bumping for the Night Guys to have a crack. I'm pretty stuck on the Maxima, I really havn't found much else that worth looking at, Prove me WRONG!

 

[Reckoner]

Maxima

 

[sniperruff]

it'll be hard for you to find a post 00' maxima for $10k USD... let alone CAD.

an altima or elantra is more realistic and easy on the gas.

 

[raildogg]

Honda Accord 1999-2002 can be easily had for that price. If you're lucky, you can even find a nice V6 model. If not, a decent gas saver would be a Honda Civic, post-2000 range. I saw a few 2002-2003 Nissan Altimas for about 10,000.

Would like a nice Subaru wagon? If so, you can find them in the pre-2000 range.

 

[JS80]

The new Jaguar XK8

 

[MikeMike]

spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

 

[JMWarren]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
it'll be hard for you to find a post 00' maxima for $10k USD... let alone CAD.

an altima or elantra is more realistic and easy on the gas.

I've already found a couple dozen around ten with 80,000-100,000 KM on them in my area. I'm not buying for 8 months or so...it really shouldn't be an issue by then. We do get cars cheaper up here for some reason.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

:thumbsup:

Fit might be the most fun car in that price range. At least according to reviews. It also has nice storage space, nice quick moves.

A used Corolla is nice too, although I think its too boring.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

since he's in canada, isn't the toyota yaris on sale there? i think the yaris is a better car since it's cheaper.

prizm's are good too. i almost bought a 02 off-lease with 48k miles for $5k from a dealer last year.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

since he's in canada, isn't the toyota yaris on sale there? i think the yaris is a better car since it's cheaper.

prizm's are good too. i almost bought a 02 off-lease with 48k miles for $5k from a dealer last year.

yaris IMO is a POS compared to the Fit.

i honestly could never picture myself in the Yaris, the Fit is amazing.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

since he's in canada, isn't the toyota yaris on sale there? i think the yaris is a better car since it's cheaper.

prizm's are good too. i almost bought a 02 off-lease with 48k miles for $5k from a dealer last year.

Actually no, the Yaris is not as exciting as the Fit. A recent comparison showed the Fit to the best of the sub-20,000 hatchbacks. Better acceleration, much better handling, quicker, sportier, better looking.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: JMWarren
I'm kinda concerned about VW's reliablility. The Maxima is very reliable and when I'm ready to buy 10,000 should buy a nice example. Downside is that it takes premium.

Nissan's seem to depreciate faster than other imports.

I'd be somewhat concerned, but being that the TDI is a diesel, the engine shouldn't be a problem reliability-wise.

 

[JMWarren]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: JMWarren
I'm kinda concerned about VW's reliablility. The Maxima is very reliable and when I'm ready to buy 10,000 should buy a nice example. Downside is that it takes premium.

Nissan's seem to depreciate faster than other imports.

I'd be somewhat concerned, but being that the TDI is a diesel, the engine shouldn't be a problem reliability-wise.

Just the electrical system.....but I guess a diesel doesn't need it to run, only to start.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: JMWarren
I'm kinda concerned about VW's reliablility. The Maxima is very reliable and when I'm ready to buy 10,000 should buy a nice example. Downside is that it takes premium.

Nissan's seem to depreciate faster than other imports.

I'd be somewhat concerned, but being that the TDI is a diesel, the engine shouldn't be a problem reliability-wise.

Many VWs have other problems besides engine. Talk to VW owners and they'll tell you how much it costs to keep and maintain their car. I would buy a new VW like a GTI or a Jetta, or even a Passat, but I'm not too sure about a used VW.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

since he's in canada, isn't the toyota yaris on sale there? i think the yaris is a better car since it's cheaper.

prizm's are good too. i almost bought a 02 off-lease with 48k miles for $5k from a dealer last year.

Actually no, the Yaris is not as exciting as the Fit. A recent comparison showed the Fit to the best of the sub-20,000 hatchbacks. Better acceleration, much better handling, quicker, sportier, better looking.

but the yaris is a bargain commuter, and add less than $1k to the fit and you get a civic DX, which is all around better than the fit except for the roominess. they should sell stripped version of the fit.

 

[JMWarren]

I appreciate the suggestions for the new cars, but I just don't see the point on a limited budget. Let some one else buy it and have it depreciate like crazy. I'll have as much time as necessary to shop and find the right one. I've also got a wholesale buyer who will take me a the auction's and buy for me at wholesale if I find the right one there (he's bought cars for my parents for years). I'd really like to stay away from an econobox. I've got access to the tools to do my own work.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
spend 13k + tax and get the Fit.

or find a Chevy Prizm for about 7k.

since he's in canada, isn't the toyota yaris on sale there? i think the yaris is a better car since it's cheaper.

prizm's are good too. i almost bought a 02 off-lease with 48k miles for $5k from a dealer last year.

Actually no, the Yaris is not as exciting as the Fit. A recent comparison showed the Fit to the best of the sub-20,000 hatchbacks. Better acceleration, much better handling, quicker, sportier, better looking.

but the yaris is a bargain commuter, and add less than $1k to the fit and you get a civic DX, which is all around better than the fit except for the roominess. they should sell stripped version of the fit.

except the Fit outhandles the Civic, hell it outhandles the Z06 by 6mph in the slalom. and i bet the Fit will receive better crash test ratings than the Yaris.

anyways, sit in both (fit/yaris) and you will see the yaris is one HELL of a cheap vehicle compared to the fit.

 

[raildogg]

Some econoboxes are better than others and not all of them feel, drive like their price might suggest. Test drive one and you'll see. But I do understand your point of buying a nice used car rather than a brand new cheap car.

 

[JMWarren]

I've never understood new cars. Once I've got a solid job I still can't see buying a new car. Why not buy a porsche a few years olds rather than a new vette?

It just doesn't make any sense to dump so much money into an asset that depreciates like crazy.

 

[Aimster]

$10,000? Maxima