Your next car purchase...realistically.

[DidlySquat]

Originally posted by: PandaBear

Originally posted by: DidlySquat
Agree about Saab but I guess you don't understand that buying a car is all about value, so even if saab is not the best when they're throwin $5K rebates and 0% at you and your payiment is lower than on a corolla (another "high end car") than you have to realize it's better than paying three times as much for a BMW.

Alright kido, value or not it is my first car passed down by the family when my dad got a new car 10 years ago, why should I get rid of it if I am happy with the way it is. FYI I buy my car with cash, always has and always will, because I CAN AFFORD TO DO IT.

I have nothing against Saab, just something against you, and the way you judge people by the kind of car they drive and laught at what they want to buy when they retire their car. Do I understand the handling limit of my car? Sure. Do I know it doesn't have side airbag? Sure. Do you really think side airbag will protect you in every single scenario and you will never die in an accident? If you want to be alive no matter what kind of crash you are in, get an old volvo or a Hummer.

If you want side airbag, you can just get a camry or accord, or even a civic. Why are you getting a Saab? Your logic doesn't make any sense.

I never said Corolla is a high end car, it is a utility car that I use to transport people and cargo. I was driving this thing every other week from SF to LA with 3 other people, the 1.6L and 3spd auto tranny handle fine and is not burning a drop of oil. Well, the struts were shot and I replaced it with my dad at home, ride good again. Same goes for the AC condenser, replaced it with my dad and have the mechanic charge it up. Same goes for oil pan gasket.

The thing is, I spend enough effort to keep this car in excellent condition that my carpool buddy want me to sell it to her, and the car is in better condition than your typical 4 year old used car. If I do not have a house right now to put the car in, why should I buy it NOW? The logical thing to do is to use it as a beater until I get a place for a nice car, right?

ROFL, are you one of those who think that paying cash up front for a car saves you money ? Sorry for using a bad word, but anyone that doesn't understand the concept is a little slow.... do you understand that instead of paying cash, you can take a loan which you pay interest on, but at the same time you can keep the money you saved (by not having to pay it up front) and invest it ? The profitability of this depends of course the interest rate you pay on the loan compared to the after tax returns on your investment, but in many cases you can get a pretty low APR, so your investment returns should be higher. In these cases it makes more sense to NOT PAY CASH UP FRONT. In fact, raryly is there a big difference between paying cash or taking a loan, so in most cases it's actually more convenient to take the loan rather than having to withdraw money from your savings, etc. And btw, I can purchase an Porsche 911 with FULL CASH PAYMENT UP FRONT if I wanted to....

 

[igowerf]

I'm hoping to get a Lexus IS in a few years. I just got a Mazda 3 hatchback that I'm very happy with though.

 

[zylander]

Current car: 1996 Nissan Maxima

Next car: between a 95 240sx, a 93 RX-7 or a 03 WRX

 

[SilentZero]

Whenever the new M3 comes out, I will have it.

 

[andyandyandy]

im looking for a 65 parisienne or a 73 pontiac trans am. Good price. GREAT CAR. cabages... i want that 65 impala

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

After buying and still making monthly payments on my first car, I can say if and when I do pay it off I will be driving it to the ground. Being a Japan made Honda Prelude I have a feeling the body is going to get shot to hell before the engine dies on me.

I am one of those person who likes to do preventative maintenance. I don't like the idea of the battery or alternator dying on me and leaving me stranded.

I prefer to waste my money on holiday road trips than on another vehicle. Unless some miracle happens and I suddenly meet someone, get married, and kids come out of nowhere. I am young and selfish and don't like to be tied down to obligations, financial or otherwise.

 

[dmw16]

01-05 Corvette z06

or

03-04 SVT Mustang Cobra

 

[Lumathix]

Current car: 2003 Audi A6

Near future: Something cheaper. I love the A6, but I need to get real.

 

[Linux23]

I have a M35x, but I wan't to get a home in the next couple of years so for my next car, I may be forced to go with

*GASP*


a Toyota:Q

 

[Doboji]

Originally posted by: DidlySquat

Originally posted by: PandaBear

Originally posted by: DidlySquat
Agree about Saab but I guess you don't understand that buying a car is all about value, so even if saab is not the best when they're throwin $5K rebates and 0% at you and your payiment is lower than on a corolla (another "high end car") than you have to realize it's better than paying three times as much for a BMW.

Alright kido, value or not it is my first car passed down by the family when my dad got a new car 10 years ago, why should I get rid of it if I am happy with the way it is. FYI I buy my car with cash, always has and always will, because I CAN AFFORD TO DO IT.

I have nothing against Saab, just something against you, and the way you judge people by the kind of car they drive and laught at what they want to buy when they retire their car. Do I understand the handling limit of my car? Sure. Do I know it doesn't have side airbag? Sure. Do you really think side airbag will protect you in every single scenario and you will never die in an accident? If you want to be alive no matter what kind of crash you are in, get an old volvo or a Hummer.

If you want side airbag, you can just get a camry or accord, or even a civic. Why are you getting a Saab? Your logic doesn't make any sense.

I never said Corolla is a high end car, it is a utility car that I use to transport people and cargo. I was driving this thing every other week from SF to LA with 3 other people, the 1.6L and 3spd auto tranny handle fine and is not burning a drop of oil. Well, the struts were shot and I replaced it with my dad at home, ride good again. Same goes for the AC condenser, replaced it with my dad and have the mechanic charge it up. Same goes for oil pan gasket.

The thing is, I spend enough effort to keep this car in excellent condition that my carpool buddy want me to sell it to her, and the car is in better condition than your typical 4 year old used car. If I do not have a house right now to put the car in, why should I buy it NOW? The logical thing to do is to use it as a beater until I get a place for a nice car, right?

ROFL, are you one of those who think that paying cash up front for a car saves you money ? Sorry for using a bad word, but anyone that doesn't understand the concept is a little slow.... do you understand that instead of paying cash, you can take a loan which you pay interest on, but at the same time you can keep the money you saved (by not having to pay it up front) and invest it ? The profitability of this depends of course the interest rate you pay on the loan compared to the after tax returns on your investment, but in many cases you can get a pretty low APR, so your investment returns should be higher. In these cases it makes more sense to NOT PAY CASH UP FRONT. In fact, raryly is there a big difference between paying cash or taking a loan, so in most cases it's actually more convenient to take the loan rather than having to withdraw money from your savings, etc. And btw, I can purchase an Porsche 911 with FULL CASH PAYMENT UP FRONT if I wanted to....

Are you sure you're old enough to drive? You're not claiming your daddy's Saab as yours are you, c'mon spill the beans whose name is on the title?

Seriously though... stop looking at a car as an investment... it's not... an investment appreciates, a car depreciates. When you buy a car for value, all you're really doing is trying to spend less money on your vehicle. Thus the analysis of what car your buying is still simply a question of how much money you want to SPEND not INVEST in your car. Sure all the things you mentioned come into play in determining how much your REALLY spending. But when it really comes down to it, you must decide what you really want for your money, and how much you're willing to spend to get it.

In your case, you felt like a Saab was offering you the most that you wanted for your money... we all laugh at you because in our minds here, we fail to see what wants you were satisfying by getting a Saab. To the majority of the people responding here... we think that you could have done much better for the money you're spending. Yet you sit here and bash other people for their choice in car. To me it seems really hypocritical.

But then again what more could we really expect from an infant like you.

-Max

P.S. I really hope you're a child... because if your not... I'm amazed by your utter immaturity.

 

[RU482]

used 2000 or newer Lesabre or Bonneville (for the size and comfort)
or maybe an econobox Corrola or Civic (for the mileage, 35MPG or better on the highway)
meh, probably just another $1000 car

 

[RU482]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/car/144570938.html

one to consider looking at
don't be afraid of the mileage. these cars commonly go to 500K without major work

 

[railer]

It's not like an american motor where the block expands and effectively becomes useless

My what an ignorant thing to say. And those Japenese moters last forever, don't they! And no one I know has ever had a problem with a new Toyota seizing up! Really!


Anyway, as much as I hate the "American cars suck" herd mentality in here, the wife is looking at an 06 Eclipse. Why no Eclipse love in this thread? That is one of the nicest looking new cars on the road. Now if Mitsu can stay in business for a few more years...

 

[WT]

I just drove home a loaded '05 Kia Sorento today. I traded in a '97 VW Passat and I also have a Toyota SR5 pickup thats being privately sold. The SUV fit the bill as far as meeting all of my practical needs:

1) 4WD for bad weather driving
2) More room than any similarly priced SUV
3) Every option (remote start, 6CD changer, towing pckg)
4) Leather interior so no worries as far as kid spills

Gas mileage is my only negative, with around 18mpg being the best I can hope to obtain, but as I live 3.5 miles from work, that was not the most important criteria to be met. At just a tick under 21k (3,500 trade in) I am satisfied I did the best I could for the money. As far as other vehicles, I looked at both the Toyota Rav4 (29k) and the Honda Pilot (32k) and decided they were just too damn high for my income.

 

[R3LIC]

Current: 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo - this thing is a dream. AWD, AWS, ECS = OMG ! For Sale btw

Next: ????? (I'm an impulse shopper)

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: cobalt

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
My Mate has the M3 TENT SMG. Cab & SMG, what a waste

Indeed.

Coupe + 6sp manual!

Koing

Why 6sp manual over SMG? My friend has an '04 M3 coupe, all carbon fiber body, SMG. That car flies, pure race car, like its supposed to be.

All carbon fiber body. LOL.

 

[zanieladie]

I dunno...something that can haul my family around...I have a 1999 GMC Suburban now. Gas guzzler.

Given the way people drive, I don't think I will buy a NEW vehicle next time around though...

 

[T2urtle]

currently i have a fully loaded 98 Nissan Maxima with 80k on it.

I'm looking for a second car in the summer, either a weekend car/ project car, or a Smaller pick-up truck and use my maxima as a project car.

What i'm looking into right now are

Tacoma's and Frontiers
91-93 Toyota MR2 Turbo
88-91 Toyota Supra Turbo
91-93 Nissan 240SX Hatch

So far those are what i've been looking into. I guess all in all its based on what cars i find at the time and i've set aside overall $5000 for the car, that would include price for car and possible w/e repairs i need to do to it right off the bat to get it into a good solid running condition. Before i start tearing thigns apart.

 

[Geomagick]

Current 1998 BMW 328i Coupe

Future BMW E46 M3 or E39 M5 can't quite decide which - will get sometime next year.

 

[ohmide]

Current - 2005 Saab 9-2x

Future - Still thinking.

 

[LeadMagnet]

With a wife, 2 kids, 2 cats, and a dog - I see a cheap 2 year old minivan in my future to replace my wife's supertanker sized Ford Expedition.

 

[Nerva]

currently: toyota camry '93

in 3 month: audi a4 or vw passat, spanking new

 

[BMdoobieW]

Current car: 2005 Mazda3s
Next car: something with AWD/4WD, ala Subaru Forester Turbo, some other Subaru, some other small 'ute, Mazda Cx-7...to be purchased at the end of my Mazda3s's 3-year lease

 

[PClark99]

next purchase will be a mini-van for the wife.

In about 3 yrs I will probably get a Frontier King Cab.

Then about 3 yrs later a new Mustang GT.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Current cars: 2005 Mazda 3S and 1992 Mazda Miata.

What happens next totally depends on my next living situation and if I need a car. If I end up moving to DC, the Miata will likely be given to my dad. The 3S may be sold. If so, I'll attempt life without a car or posssibly buy a new Miata.

But I follow a different philosophy than most people here I bet. I bought my MZ3 with cash. Since January 2005, I have been saving $400/month for my next car. The plan is to buy a new one with cash every 5-7 years. So, I'll buy the best car I can for $34K I suppose when the time comes. I just don't believe in throwing money away via an auto loan. You end up paying so much more for the car in most cases. Similar with a lease. You spend $400/month for say three years, that's like $15K, but when you return the car at the end of the lease, you have nothing to show for that $15K.