Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Mazda swapped out the rear pads & rotors today on our 3s to quelch some noise back there. Hopefully they got it right.
Cheers guys!!!
The Sandman
This is one of the things I haven't understood when buying a 1 year old car from a dealer. I've seen a local dealer asking $17,000 for a used 06 Civic LX with 20K miles.
Reading this board, we know people paying similar amount for a new 07 Civic.
So what's the logic in asking the $17,000 on a 1 year old one?
I think the rationale is, hey it's a Honda,it's gonna go 150k miles. If I can save a few thousand over new, I can make it up over the long run.
I like buying used because you can get great deals on domestics. It is rare to get the numbers to work on a used Toyota or Honda over a new one.
I'll keep looking. Thanks
1) 4 Doors
2) Under $20k
3) Preferably under 50k miles, but I'm somewhat flexible here
It will primarily just be me driving the car, but it does need enough room in the backseat for a couple of car seats, when the occassion calls for it.
The main problems are a) the large number of sedans in the price / mileage range I am looking at, and b) it has to be fun to drive. I LOVE to drive. I'm looking for something that can meet my basic needs, but will let me drive how I want to - whether it's just cruising around town doing errands, or a little spirited (read: insane) freeway driving. I'm a big jack rabbit starter type, so if the acceleration is ho-hum it won't do. Safety is definitely a concern as well. When I do have the kids and am driving extremely sedate and cautious, it would be nice if it didn't fall apart should the worst happen.
Anyway, thus far I am leaning towards something like an BMW 330i. Edmunds says the thing takes off like a bat out of hell, and is fun to drive, so it sounds like it might just be my cup of tea. However, as I mentioned before, the options in that price range for used sedans are so broad that there may be some other real gems out there I am missing.
Does anyone have any experience with sporty sedans that can highlight some vehicles I should look into when I go to buy? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Q - does it HAVE to be four doors? Otherwise, I'd suggest a Celica GTS with stickshift. Seriosuly fun and economical choice. Closer to $12-14K used.
I'll definitely look into the IS though, thanks!
A few other choices to consider:
- Cadillac CTS. Get one with the 3.6 engine. Good value for the money and a beautiful car. Should have enough left over to extend the warranty as well if you want(16-18K)
- LaCrosse CXS. This has Cadillac suspension and the same 3.6 found in the CTS(just tuned better for city driving). was *WAY* better than any Chevrolet or Pontiac sedan. Cheap, too - I'm seeing 2006 models for sale, used, for under 20K.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=215614277&dealer_id=57662681
That's a 2007(!) - so a 2006 is well under $20K. I usually recommend used entry-level luxury, but this is an exception since it's essentially a new car)
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=212322538&dealer_id=41261062
Ex-rental, but wow, that's cheap.
Used Volvos are also good. The S60 is a fine car. Saab 9-5s are also good as well(9-3 isn't as nice).
The IS300, as mentioned, is nice as well. Very good car. IMO, it handles and drives lighter and better than the ones that replaced it.
I also was impresed with the C-class. A Certified 2004 C230K Sedan(as opposed to the coupe) is a nice car and will leave enough left over to get a good extended warranty. Drives great, looks great, and well under $20K(closer to 15-16K). Dark Blue is gorgeous, btw. They factory tint the windows a light blue as well - best used car I've sat in a long time.
As I have always said, the driver MUST always test drive a vehicle before purchase. Personally, I have never noticed that to be a problem. Neither has my father.
However, your mother may have problems with it. I would sure check it out prior to purchase.
Everybody has to feel comfortable in their personal drive.
The Sandman
the IS300 would be fun, but i would imagine that has a smallish back seat. if you're gonna need to fit car seats, the altima would suit you better.
good luck!
-thene
(a) AWD
(b) some height/elevation to the driving position, she is petite
(c) high level of safety
This will be a commuter car for herself alone, so space for more than a driver isn't a factor. No need for top performance. Money isn't really a factor either.
Thanks.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
But based upon her size, it's hard. The RAV-4 is nice, but it's no car - feels very truck-ish. The IS300 and Class are nice, too, if a bit pricey(and with Mercedes you need to get one with basically nothing but leather on it to save yourself a lot of electrical gremlins).
But for just myself? A RX-8, a Miata, or maybe a used S2000 or Boxter would be at the top of my lists. Heh, :P
Something more normal, though, would be a Scion TC or a Celica GTS. Nice car and while the rear seat is useless, the front is very good. The used Celica, though, is great for smaller people IMO(myself being one of them), is fun, quick, and looks beautiful in the light blue/silver paint. It would push a lot of happy buttons for most women.
And they both are dirt cheap to maintain compared to most of the other cars out there. Maybe $15K for a mint considion GTS or $18K or so for a new Tc.
that knocks out most of your suggestions
-thene
If money really is no issue, the Volvo XC wagon is pretty nice. Not a big fan of Volvo reliability though. Super safe though.
The vehicle that my wife is replacing, is a Forester. It was OK (neither bad not great), but she'd like something a little classier.
I was originally thinking of an Audi A3 or Volvo V50 with AWD ... but no heightened driving position in these.
She likes smaller vehicles so I then thought about an Acura RDX, which sounds OK although it is more on the sporty side and she would never be utilizing those extra HP.
I'm now thinking a Honda CRV with all the trimings (leather heated seats, XM Radio, etc). The only negative is the ho-hum factor of the non-luxury brands.
The only quetion would be the reliability because it is so new.
In my opinion, the interior has a very sharp and "BMW-like" feel to it, the 4 cylinder engine has ample power and good fuel economy. The Outback also has a better ride than the Forester.
Just a thought....
Doug
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Or, what about the X3?
I have only driven one X3, and it had been in an accident, but it didn't do much for me either. Was fairly quiet and peppy though.
My vehicle is a Highlander and this serves as the family car. Again, my wife's vehicle is strictly a weekday commuter (15 minutes there and 15 minutes back on side streets) ... no weekend use.
The Lexus RX is too much of everything for such a task.
Given AWD and height ... a small SUV would still appear the best solution. That leaves the Honda CRV, or the Acura RDX if I want to spend more cash (BMW dealership is very far away, so X3 is a good choice but not an option).
A Land Rover LR2 will fit right in between a RDX and a X3 in price range with the same or more features depending on the options you pick.
It won't be out till april though and most likely there is not a Land Rover dealer any where near you.
JMO, I believe that safety is of paramount importance when driving in commute traffic. I would suggest looking at the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute web site for crash safety results.
My wife drives a Pilot to work and I drive an RX 330. And I really believe in 4 doors. I have seen many accidents where 2 doors were a barrier to quick exit of the vehicle in case of accident/injuries.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than January 31, 2007 with your daytime contact information and a few words about your experience.
Again, a used IS300. Beautiful car. Handles like a Volvo, is as reliable as a Toyota, and has just enough luxury in it to feel not like a typical commuter-box.
The Sandman
- I pay $200 a month on my current car. I would like to keep about the same for payments.
- I think I am just about even on what I owe on current loan and the value of the car as a trade in.
- I will have about $1,500 to put down on a car.
What can I afford, and of that what would be best?
I would like something good on mileage and would consider a hybrid if I thought I could afford it.
I have been researching Aveo, Yaris, Vibe, Civic, and Corolla. New and used. If the car is used, I only want it if there is going to be less than 30,000 miles on it. That was about what the prizm had when I bought it, and that leaves a good amount of life in the car for a few years.
Mostly I am looking forward to a nice vehicle. I'm not talking Lexus, lol. Just from having a prizm which is a great car, but with manual windows and a basic interior. It would be nice to have the feel of a newer car. I really like the look of a yaris, but wonder if I will be able to afford it.
I know around tax season dealers often have the double your refund deal. I filed my taxes already, but wonder if I should wait for one of those deals. Is there a certain time of year (hopefully soon) when dealers tend to have a certain promotion, annual or otherwise?
I would also like to keep payments to 60-66 months tops.
Thanks for any advice!
60 * 200 = 12,000 - 1,500 = 10,500
66 * 200 = 13,200 - 1,500 = 11,700
So, those are the "out the door" (OTD) numbers you are shooting for.
You could probably get a new Aveo in that price range, but I suspect that it will be more like the Prizm (interior wise) than the others.
Which means that you'll probably have to go used to get the price you are looking for.
Come back next year!
My advice it to hold onto the car for at least another year. You've got the meat of the interest paid off and are now primarily paying off the principle. Sell it privately in a year with maybe 2k of the warranty left. This will look attractive, if transferable, to a future buyer.
Anything else is a used car, because in reality:
48 months(talking used here)*170(other $30 is interest on the loan)=8160. Now, $8000 can get you a fine used car, but at the end, you'll have a $4000 car most likely and also all the bills for maintainence and such.
That's about $200 a month either way.
Edit - though you should definately hang onto the BMW while the warranty lasts.
Among all of the cars produced the world over, you own one of the most reliable. This car should give you good service for as long as you own it. Pay it off and bank your monthly payment amount for awhile to build up your next down payment. Whatever repairs you'll have to make (likely few, maybe none) after 100K will cost you way less than $2400 per year.
There are some rust spots, and a dent/scrape from backing into a pole (opps.), but it is minor. On the back left of the bumper with some red paint from the pole on it. The back red light casing is cracked a little but the light still works. That is the worst of it. With the good condition of my car (except for a couple of cosmetic blemishes) warranty and mileage, how much are you saying the value should be? Just wondering so I can keep that in mind.
I understand everyone saying wait. I probably should. I just want a new car so bad! lol. I guess that is the best thing for now. At least until I hear some unbeatable deal like 0% interest and like $2,000 cash back. lmao.
Thanks again!
--------------------------
Zero,
I have only bought used so far. I watched 'An Inconvenient Truth'. It made me realize that the American auto industry is just not in the business of making hybrid cars and cars with better gas emissions and mileage a top priority. Until they do, I plan to look to foreign cars myself. As for the cars you mention, I would just look them up here at Edmund's and check out the reviews. User's here put their reviews right with the car.
My other 2 cents you may not need but I will give them in case they may be of use to you. When I went to buy the car I wanted, I had my set limit, a needs list and a want list. The needs were non-negotiable. The wants were nice, but would not make or break me buying a particular car. With any dealer, I held firm that if they did not meet my price, or said a price that was more, I would thank them and walk away. It seems hard at the time, but remembering that the car I want IS out there, gives me the power to walk away. They need me, not the other way around. Also, I absolutely test drive a car I am intersted in, check out buttons, sit in the back seat, open the trunk, etc.
Finally, I never would not allow myself to say yes to a deal until I have left the dealership and gone home for a night. Leaving the dealership to consider the deal is huge. For one, you can come here and ask others if the deal sounds good. You can re-check msrp's and prices that others paid.
It is probably the most important car buying rule that I have made for myself. Never buy a car the same day you see it for the first time.
I'm personally a dork, so I will likely make a checklist to fill out for each car that I look at. This will help me to not forget to check anything and remember later what it had of my needs and wants, price etc. Then I will be able to compare them. Maybe even take a pic of each. Sounds like a lot of work, but at how much a car costs, I'm willing to do the leg work for a better deal!