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Help Me Choose!

1950 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#1686 of 1950 Re: After 30 + hours solid research... [perna] by sincraft Apr 09, 2008 (5:23 pm)
Replying to: perna (Apr 09, 2008 10:39 am) I'm p!ssed.   I broke down today and told the dealer nearest to us with the car washed fine imperfections all over that we wanted the car IF they could wash it again properly thus removing the bug goo, dirt on the wheels / front grill etc. And have a detail guy go over it an hit some of the trouble spots.   That's all I was asking for.   The salesperson calls me back and says his manager is telling him that they no longer are offering me the deal, they don't want to work with me.   Yesterday I asked for another measly $100 off which would take this car down to $300 under invoice. They blew us off. Hard.   So I'm writing a letter to Nissan. I write them when I have good experiences, but rarely write about the bad ones because I've already moved onto trying to solve the problem at hand. I will however make an exception for these folks. I stopped using their service dept for the same reason, horrible service. I later saw one of the asst service manager guys at another dealer I was doing computer work for, and he said that the owner and manager force their hands to do alot of shady things there.   Then you talk to the dealers around and they have NO idea that the CA emissions cars that are being sold in like 19 states now get 1 mpg less! They actually believe the sticker is correct. Those EPA guys already butt heads with the tree huggers, if they labeled the stickers at 1mpg less they would be DEAD. It's fear that is keeping us a nation from moving ahead due to political correctness. Hey I want clean to breath air, but I don't want to be lied to about MPG nor do I want to pay for a hoax which has been disproving in almost every country by scientists far superior to ours that AREN'T being paid off like ours are.   *gets off soapbox*
#1687 of 1950 Trying to decide... by bfluegie Apr 19, 2008 (9:50 am)
I’m looking for a new (to me) ride. I don’t have to decide just now, but probably sometime in the next couple of months. What I am considering is a (probably) pre-owned BMW 325xi (maybe a 330xi if the deal is right, but I’m not too sure I want a turbo), G35x (I have VPP so I might go new for this), Audi A3 or A4 (I like the A3 better but they’re hard to find in the northern IN vicinity), Acura TSX or maybe TL, but it’s larger and I don’t like it as much. I might consider the Altima coupe as well, but not the sedan. While I like the sedan styling more than the Accord or Camry, I don’t like it as much as the Infinity, and the Altima sedans are everywhere. I don’t want to put my car away for the winter, so I prefer all wheel or front wheel drive. That leaves out the Infinity G-coupe (sigh) and the BMW 3 series coupe. I know several people who drive the G coupe and they either garage it for the winter or get adequate but not great driving with winter tires. I prefer the security of good winter handling. I haven’t completely ruled out a small SUV or crossover, but after 8 years of driving an Exploder I’m ready for a more responsive ride. I joke about the Explorer, but with the exception of an unfortunate “Bambi” incident I have never been left stranded. No significant repairs other than normal wear and tear either. It’s just 10 years old and it is time to move on to something else. As long as I’m moving on, I want to add some fun. I won’t be racing or pushing for maximum speed, but I do like the feel of a car that you don’t have to slow to a crawl when going around a curve. I suppose I want to feel like I am part of a driving system rather than the occupant of a vehicle.   I would consider a 2006-2007, maybe a 2005 as well. I know the Infinity was a new model in 2007 but I like the previous model as well. The BMW was a new model in 2006 and I don’t know anything about the 2005. I might be overlooking something else as well, so any suggestions for additional cars to consider (or avoid) are welcome. I’m considering a manual in the BMW or A4 but I didn’t like the manual in the ‘07 TL I drove (the clutch seemed to have a very tiny “sweet spot” and it didn’t help that the salesperson sneered a little when I lurched on a start). I don’t know if the TSX would be any better. The G35X is only available in an auto. Manual vs. auto isn’t a big factor for me so I probably wouldn’t rule out an auto BMW or Audi either. Since I’m going to continue getting older and creakier, the auto might be a smarter choice, just not as much fun in the pre-creaky years. Replies to this message: kyfdx (Apr 19, 2008 11:50 am) bfluegie (Apr 19, 2008 12:12 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 20, 2008 9:06 am)
#1688 of 1950 Re: Trying to decide... [bfluegie] by kyfdx HOST Apr 19, 2008 (11:50 am)
Replying to: bfluegie (Apr 19, 2008 9:50 am) One note... The 330xi is not a turbo....   The only turbo is the 335xi, which came out in 2007... Replies to this message: bfluegie (Apr 19, 2008 12:12 pm)
#1689 of 1950 Re: Trying to decide... [kyfdx] by bfluegie Apr 19, 2008 (12:12 pm)
Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 19, 2008 11:50 am) Thanks. I must have been thinking of the 335xi. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Obviously my research is far from complete...
#1690 of 1950 Re: Trying to decide... [bfluegie] by kdshapiro Apr 20, 2008 (9:06 am)
Replying to: bfluegie (Apr 19, 2008 9:50 am) I know several people who drive the G coupe and they either garage it for the winter or get adequate but not great driving with winter tires.   I would garage my Ferrari during the winter not my G. I drove a RWD 330 in the snow for a few years with all seasons. It wasn't great but I limped along. I now own an AWD turbo that when it snows, says: "Let me at it".   Seems to me you need to get your priorities in order. What's more important, body style or drivetrain, manual or auto? If you decide AWD is the way to go and is most important, everything else will fall into line.
#1691 of 1950 Civic Hybrid vs. Civc vs. Fit vs. Prius by crutnacker Apr 20, 2008 (10:11 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 24, 2008 8:12 am) I'm trying to decide what I might get when I'm ready to deal. Here's what I'm interested in:   The Honda Fit -- I'm impressed with the amount of interior space in a small space, I like Hondas, and it's different than the ubiquitious Civic. What I worry about most is getting killed in the thing.   Honda Civic Hybrid and Civic -- I loved my 95 and 98 Civics and like the idea of owning a Hybrid to get better gas mileage. But I also have read of issues with the Civic Hybrid, and I'm not sure the regular Civic thrills me enough.   Prius -- I like the fact that it is different looking, has far more options (and colors) than the Civic Hybrid, and apparently is roomy inside. But I don't think I could get as good a deal as the Civic Hybrid.   The car would primarily be a commuter car, but given gas prices, might become the primary car on weekends when my wife, six year old, and I go places.
#1692 of 1950 Car for Mom by lawhitmire Apr 21, 2008 (9:25 am)
I am looking for a new sedan for my mother. She is 75 years old and is under 5' tall. She is retired and drives mostly around town (busy intersections) but occasionally she will travel distances 4-6 hours. Are there sedans that are gears for senior citizens as well as for a short person. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Apr 21, 2008 10:51 am)
#1693 of 1950 Re: Car for Mom [lawhitmire] by thegraduate Apr 21, 2008 (10:51 am)
Replying to: lawhitmire (Apr 21, 2008 9:25 am) The Ford Taurus SEL is a big, comfortable car that comes well-equipped in base form, and should be had for $20k or so. You can check it out here on Edmunds.com, or at www.fordvehicles.com. No, this isn't the rental-fleet Taurus you remember seeing for years previous!   I mention this car specifically because it has "Command Seating" that has chair height that is notably higher than most sedans; probably a mix between a minivan and regular sedan in height. It has safe, if not sporty handling, and a compliant, quiet ride.   Power pedals are also something she should look into, as they are only a $120 option on this car, I believe. They'll bring the pedals closer to her feet, allowing her to sit further back from the steering wheel, and airbag.   It also has a 263 horsepower V6 which isn't quite as smooth as that of an Avalon, but for the price, it delivers excellent power and economy (18/28 EPA) for the money, and should be good for those long trips.   I don't know what the budget is here, but this car is a real bargain, and should be inexpensive to maintain.   By the way, I have two Hondas, so I'm not a Ford salesman or anything, I just think this would be a car you should consider adding to your (her) list.   Take care, and keep us posted!   TheGraduate   *PS - The Mercury Sable is the same basic car as the Taurus, but offers different styling, if she doesn't like the look of the Taurus.
#1694 of 1950 Re: Comfort, Power, Bang for the Buck [thegraduate] by moocow1 Jun 09, 2008 (4:50 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 23, 2008 8:44 pm) I totally advocate avoiding first run models of almost any car with a full redesign. It's just too many things are still being learned during production and affecting all the electronics in the car. They don't usually get things down until the 2nd or 3rd year imho. Now if it's just a freshening, that should be fine, but to me the best time to get a Genesis is probably 2010 or 2011.

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