New Car Recommendations

[Psynge]

Well, my 11 year old subcompact hatchback with 135,000 died on me last Friday(again) and towed(again), glad I have AAA.

Which puts me in the market for a new car...seems like a time when there should be some good deals.

So I was wondering if people could chime in about any cars they would recommend or any that I should avoid like the plague. Looking for a commuter type car, so no SUV's ( gas will go back up again you know).
Thanks.


"Victory is in many advisors."
-Solomon

[eagle100]

I loved my Camry.

[fbty]

Everyone has their favorites... and choosing a car is like choosing a lover. It's a highly personal choice. But, choose wisely because hopefully it will give you years and years of pleasure!

My wife and I both bought Subaru's and enjoyed them every minute. Decent gas mileage, great handling, reasonable price, and best of all AWD to deal with the Wisconsin snow (don't know how bad it gets in MA).

My wife bought hers back in '95 and we still drive it everywhere with confidence. At 200K she still brags that she can get better gas mileage than mine (I've got one of the 6-cyclinder Outback sedans).

[(guest)]

I love my car

[pagirl]

Well, my 11 year old subcompact hatchback with 135,000 died on me last Friday(again) and towed(again), glad I have AAA.

Which puts me in the market for a new car...seems like a time when there should be some good deals.

So I was wondering if people could chime in about any cars they would recommend or any that I should avoid like the plague. Looking for a commuter type car, so no SUV's ( gas will go back up again you know).
Thanks.


"Victory is in many advisors."
-Solomon
I have a 97 Toyota Camry with 185000 miles on it and it is running great still! I get about 30 miles/gal... Love the car!

[TammyE]

I know you said no SUV's, but I've got a 2002 Honda CR-V and I love it. I'm going to drive that thing til it dies completely. It doesn't get bad gas mileage, as it's only a small SUV. My husband has a Honda Civic that gets about 30 miles per gallon. My CR-V is almost nine years old, and until just in the last couple of months, we've never done anything to it but oil changes, brakes and tires.

A couple of people gave you votes for Toyota Camrys. I've always heard Toyotas are just like Hondas and are very good cars.

[Nice]

I had some help (thanks brizz) picking out my car. I decided on a Honda Civic...and I LOVE IT! Yes, it has claimed the life of one blackberry, dragged me down a hill as I clung to a door...however with that being said...I STILL LOVE IT! Very good on gas. Reliable but I hope so, I purchased new.

Good luck!

[MomentOfPassion]

Well, my 11 year old subcompact hatchback with 135,000 died on me last Friday(again) and towed(again), glad I have AAA.

Which puts me in the market for a new car...seems like a time when there should be some good deals.

So I was wondering if people could chime in about any cars they would recommend or any that I should avoid like the plague. Looking for a commuter type car, so no SUV's ( gas will go back up again you know).
Thanks.


"Victory is in many advisors."
-Solomon


Just bought a Sonata and like it a lot.

[jmsmith12345]

If you are just looking for a commuter car, a Nissan Versa Hatchback is really about the best bang for the buck out there these days. Fully loaded (before taxes, tags, etc.), it is still under $20,000, has tons of features for a compact, and gets about 35 mpg. Hell, if you just want it nicely equipped, you can get in for under $15,000.

If you want to have even more fun, get a motorcycle. You can park it anywhere, it is super fast, and you get 40-60 mpg depending on the model. :D

[stellabelle]

I'm a big fan of Nissan's. The Altima and Maxima. Look into a previously owned car. A year old or less. Got the beast for half the price and only a year old. Then bought an extended warranty which paid for itself five times over.

[Krystal]

I love my VW Passat! Turbo engine to pass all the morons on the NY roads....great mileage, 32 mpg highway....its an awesome car!

[MSU]

Make sure you do NOT buy from the first dealer you go to. This is the best time ever to go to several places, get definitive quotes, and start your own personal bidding war.

But only get quotes for cars you really do want to buy.

The above choices are good, but I'd give Chevy a look, too. Honest!

[coug511]

I have a 2000 Chev Impala. About 210,000 miles on it, get s around 30 MPG and other than oil, tune ups, and tires and brakes, it has been very good. Nice riding too.

[scoobertina]

I know you said no SUV's, but I've got a 2002 Honda CR-V and I love it. I'm going to drive that thing til it dies completely. It doesn't get bad gas mileage, as it's only a small SUV. My husband has a Honda Civic that gets about 30 miles per gallon. My CR-V is almost nine years old, and until just in the last couple of months, we've never done anything to it but oil changes, brakes and tires.

A couple of people gave you votes for Toyota Camrys. I've always heard Toyotas are just like Hondas and are very good cars.

I am with Tammy on this one... I knew I liked you girlie!!! My 2000 Honda CR-V is awesome... I just went over 180000 miles on it.. the only complaint I have is that the key bob can't unlock the drivers door so I have to manually unlock the door... I maintain the car with regular checkups and she runs like a champ...

I have driven Hondas since my very first car... sorry but they are the best car out there... and when my CR-V dies I will be heartbroken... but I will get another Honday... now to find a sugar daddy to get me my dream S-2000.... ;)

[Kissie]

I have a 2005 Nissan Sentra...I love it..it has front wheel drive for when I go to MA in the winter....have never gotten stuck in the snow!!! Great gas mileage too!!!

[sweet]

Personally I'd recommend either a Toyota or a Honda. We've had a Toyota Camry and Corrolla and they got excellent gas mileage. I've had a Honda Civic before and that was a great little car too. Great money savers! I wish we could've kept either one of them, but we had to give up the idea of driving a car when our family started to grow.

[quietlylooking]

I have a Honda Pilot....love it..

[Psynge]

Wow, I appreciate all the responses!
I seem to be moving towards Toyota Yaris / Nissan Versa / Honda Fit. Yes I know all boring and practical, but I'll save the red convertible Corvette for my midlife crisis.

It is interesting, except for coug511, everyone recomends a non-american car, I have to admit with all the crap going on in Detroit, I'mnot sure I'd want to buy american right now. A factory warrenty doesn't do much good if there's no factory!

Oh the motorcycle is an cool idea, I have a class m liscense, but my experience is that by the time you get all the equipment and gear it costs almost as much as a cheap car... and the snow well I'm not brave enough to ride in that. But otherwise if I lived in the southwest, I'd do that in a heatbeat, alot more fun for sure!

[Rocket Man]

I took note that the american cars did not to do well in the thread. Of course I drive a Toyota and my wife has an Audi, but great autos. I really like the new Honda Fit, lots of room for hauling.

I have had three Corvettes and I still enjoy riding a Motrocycle better and they take up less room in the garage.

Good luck with what ever you buy.

[WandaRing]

The Transit system in Toronto is called The Toronto Transit...better know as Take The Car.

I think the questions you have to ask yourself are 1. what do I need the car for?
2. What kind of driving will I be doing....lots of highway or city driving? 3. How much can I afford? 4. Is it a family vehicle or just personal use? 5. Is there a special tax credit I can get if I buy a certain kind of car. 6. Is it cheaper to buy new or used? And the list goes on and on...Watch out for those gas eaters....the gas will go up again....best of luck!

[Rocket Man]

good comments, cost of insurance should also be a consideraton

My SUV does not get the best gas mileage but it really doesn't matter because I only drive it about 1000 miles a year. It sits in the garage 7-8 months per year because I am on a bicycle or scooter.

[dcowboy09]

I drive a Nissan Murano for work and love it.

[fever]

Make sure you do NOT buy from the first dealer you go to. This is the best time ever to go to several places, get definitive quotes, and start your own personal bidding war.

But only get quotes for cars you really do want to buy.

There are ALL kinds of strategies for the pricing part. I've taken to calling dealers w/in a radius of my home and taking directly with their Internet sales manager. I tell them exactly what I want and my best price, and ask them to beat it. Then I will tell them that I'll continue to make calls for the next 48 hours and let them know. I've even had success doing this by email, but I always verify the best price by phone, with a name.

Alternatively I'll go in at the end of the month (when quotas need to be met), at the end of the day to make my purchase. Last car we bought was on Dec 30 2004 and we walked into the dealership 15 minutes before they closed. In order to make the deal they need to keep the salesperson, sales manager, finance person and maintenance person around. 4 staff...they want to close it badly. We ended up there until 11 pm, but we got a great deal. They also take the pressure down for all the extras as soon as you start asking detailed questions that take up even more time.

As for my next car, I'm thinking it will be a hybrid...but it's a ways off. We're thrilled to own 2 cars outright for the moment!

[FizProf]

Scion XD: reasonable power and handling, good fuel mileage
just don't let one of your teenage children (or any other teenagers) drive it

[Rocket Man]

There are ALL kinds of strategies for the pricing part. I've taken to calling dealers w/in a radius of my home and taking directly with their Internet sales manager. I tell them exactly what I want and my best price, and ask them to beat it. Then I will tell them that I'll continue to make calls for the next 48 hours and let them know. I've even had success doing this by email, but I always verify the best price by phone, with a name.

Alternatively I'll go in at the end of the month (when quotas need to be met), at the end of the day to make my purchase. Last car we bought was on Dec 30 2004 and we walked into the dealership 15 minutes before they closed. In order to make the deal they need to keep the salesperson, sales manager, finance person and maintenance person around. 4 staff...they want to close it badly. We ended up there until 11 pm, but we got a great deal. They also take the pressure down for all the extras as soon as you start asking detailed questions that take up even more time.

As for my next car, I'm thinking it will be a hybrid...but it's a ways off. We're thrilled to own 2 cars outright for the moment!

+1 I bought a Audi last year on Dec. 30th and I can't believe how much I got them to come down. There are some awesome deals out there right now, wish I was in the market.

[ricky7160]

Cadillac, ther's no questioning the reliability of this car. I do without a couple other things to have mine. And it's the quietest ride you'll ever find for the money. It costs no more than some SUV's.

[LJ328]

I have a mazda 3 that I love. Got it brand new in 2007. The itouring and I added the moonroof and 6 disc cd player package as well.
My husband drives a BMW X5 that we both love. Maintenance can be pricey, but its a great roomie SUV.

were you looking for any specific type of car/truck/SUV?

[PowWhackIt]

Toyota Rav4 Limited, 6 cycl, loaded........even has a Blackberry on the steering wheel.....fun car to drive, got it with the Tow Package and can do light hauling. Good time to buy just about anything you want, Dealers are hungry for sales.

[OICurready4me]

I took note that the american cars did not to do well in the thread. Of course I drive a Toyota and my wife has an Audi, but great autos. I really like the new Honda Fit, lots of room for hauling.

I have had three Corvettes and I still enjoy riding a Motrocycle better and they take up less room in the garage.

Good luck with what ever you buy.

Three Corvettes? What years? I'm a big fan of the 'vettes in the 60's, especially the C2 series from the Mid 60's. Would love to have a '63 Blue split window coupe.

[learman3]

Well, I'd like to say buy american...all three can use as much help as they can get.

[Inapinch]

Just bought a VW Passat, second I have owned. I like the car very much, well made, good milage, plenty of room and it had a little get up and go

[Psynge]

Well thanks to everyone who posted, I read them all and learned a lot.
I decided against American cars, just because I feel the American Manufacturer's future is too shaky. I love to help American companies when I can, but my thousands isn't much compared to the 25 billion the government might give them.
I decided on a Honda Fit, seemed a good compromise between mileage size and cost.
I sent emails to about 10 dealers asking them for an out there door cost for an exact model. I then took the best three and bid them down. The price dropped $700 from initial bids to final cost. I then accepted the deal from the lowest dealer. It worked pretty well, but I now had 9 dealers calling and emailing me even after I told them all I had made a decision.
So one day after delivery I'm happy with the car, I just hate the process.
Thanks again to everyone's posts. I think it helped me in my quest.
So now, if any of you need a ride, give me a call.

[mrdiscreet]

Try to hold out until the gov bails out Detroit by giving $5-10k tax credits to buy

[siv7]

:sngOk you are hot...Is that you? Or an avatar?

[stellabelle]

Um, I definitely need a ride from you...calling...

So now, if any of you need a ride, give me a call.

[Rocket Man]

Three Corvettes? What years? I'm a big fan of the 'vettes in the 60's, especially the C2 series from the Mid 60's. Would love to have a '63 Blue split window coupe.

I had a 71 Stingray with the 270hp 350 with a four speed. It was a pretty cool car that I wish I would of kept. The second corvette was a 1980, white with T-tops. It was the year the spedo only read 85 mph and the engine was pretty low on HP. The last vette I had was a 1994 black one with a six speed, what a big change from the other two cars. I have a friend that wants to sell me his 2007 vette next year, but the way money is these days I don't think its going to happen.

I had a cousin with a 63 split with a 427, nice car. I also had another cousin with 69 427 tri-power. I love Corvettes.

[Rocket Man]

Well thanks to everyone who posted, I read them all and learned a lot.
I decided against American cars, just because I feel the American Manufacturer's future is too shaky. I love to help American companies when I can, but my thousands isn't much compared to the 25 billion the government might give them.
I decided on a Honda Fit, seemed a good compromise between mileage size and cost.
I sent emails to about 10 dealers asking them for an out there door cost for an exact model. I then took the best three and bid them down. The price dropped $700 from initial bids to final cost. I then accepted the deal from the lowest dealer. It worked pretty well, but I now had 9 dealers calling and emailing me even after I told them all I had made a decision.
So one day after delivery I'm happy with the car, I just hate the process.
Thanks again to everyone's posts. I think it helped me in my quest.
So now, if any of you need a ride, give me a call.

Congrats on the purchae, Honda makes a great car.