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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

#1813 of 1950 Re: Looking for some guidance [thegraduate] by backy Mar 31, 2009 (7:36 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 31, 2009 6:56 pm) I had a lot of fun driving a Genesis 3.8 on a test course. More than I would driving the likes of an Altima at least. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Mar 31, 2009 7:41 pm) backy (Apr 01, 2009 7:46 am) thegraduate (Apr 01, 2009 7:18 pm)
#1814 of 1950 Re: Looking for some guidance [backy] by thegraduate Mar 31, 2009 (7:41 pm)
Replying to: backy (Mar 31, 2009 7:36 pm) I haven't driven one, but everything I've read (and granted, it isn't a lot) talks it up as a big powerful car that ultimately drags its mirrors in tight turns.   I'd write more, but we're about to get a big thunderstorm, so laptop is getting unplugged!   Night all!   TG Replies to this message: backy (Apr 01, 2009 7:46 am) thegraduate (Apr 01, 2009 7:18 pm)
#1815 of 1950 Re: Looking for some guidance [thegraduate] by backy Apr 01, 2009 (7:46 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 31, 2009 7:41 pm) Definitely did not "drag its mirrors" and actually took very sharp curves (much sharper than real-word turns) amazingly well for such a big car. And in fact out-handled a CTS I also drove on the same course, and the CTS is supposed to be a better handling car.   Anyway, it's about the same size outside as the Altima (but bigger and much more luxurious inside), just a bit more $ than a loaded Altima 3.5, and in the same price ballpark as other cars being considered--but a LOT more power. So many choices!   P.S. try putting a battery pack in your laptop... then you can carry it around, and use it during a thunderstorm. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Apr 01, 2009 7:18 pm)
#1816 of 1950 Re: Looking for some guidance [asp123] by lch77 Apr 01, 2009 (11:07 am)
Replying to: asp123 (Mar 31, 2009 7:28 am) As others have stated, the cars on your list are very different. Also, posters have made additional worthy suggestions. My suggestion is for you to go to the Edmunds car selector and choose the criteria that are important to you. The guide will then list only those cars that meet your selected requirements. Consumer Reports has a similar service but you have to be a paid member of their online magazine in order to use it.
#1817 of 1950 Re: Looking for some guidance [backy] by thegraduate Apr 01, 2009 (7:18 pm)
Replying to: backy (Apr 01, 2009 7:46 am) P.S. try putting a battery pack in your laptop... then you can carry it around, and use it during a thunderstorm.   Haha, well, if you want to fit the bill for the $173 battery that Sony wants for this Vaio's new battery (it lasts about 30 minutes now that its worn out) I'll be happy to let you. Otherwise, I'll just use this bad boy when its plugged in!
#1818 of 1950 Altima 2006, 2007 or 2008? maybe Accord? by whitall Apr 05, 2009 (4:01 pm)
Helping my son make decisions. He will spend $12,000 to 15,000 on a used car. He really likes the Altima and can get a 2006 with mid-high 30,000 miles for about 12k. He can get a 2008 with mid 20,000 mileage for 15k+. These are all pretty entry level cars without upgrades.   I vote for the 2008 because it had warranty left on it and comes with lots of airbags and ABS. Some of the 2006's have ABS, but not side airbags. He is 19 and could care less about safety.   He will (without a doubt) be putting bigger rims on it, I've herad him mention 20's, 18's minimum. He WILL be putting in a sub, amp and head unit (wants some DVD thing). So there is no point in getting one with upgraded sound and steering wheel controls.   This stuff will void out parts of his warranty, right? Making the warranty on the '08 less of an issue.   Altima redesigned in 2007? Is that year one to stay away from? I had told him re-design years are usually bad. I have an 06 Murano that is great (really low miles though) and read horror stories on the early model years, that is why I am afraid of the 2007. SHould we be afraid of the '07? 2007 would give him a little warranty...I like the idea of him getting the "newer" design for value, but the '06 has a nice price! (most of the cars with good prices are fleet or rentals)   OR, he hasn't looked at the Accord. HOw does that compare safety wise, price wise? Replies to this message: backy (Apr 05, 2009 4:13 pm) thegraduate (Apr 05, 2009 5:15 pm) igozoomzoom (Apr 05, 2009 10:21 pm) igozoomzoom (Apr 05, 2009 10:43 pm) thegraduate (Apr 06, 2009 7:53 am) jayrider (Apr 06, 2009 7:06 am)
#1819 of 1950 Re: Altima 2006, 2007 or 2008? maybe Accord? [whitall] by backy Apr 05, 2009 (4:13 pm)
Replying to: whitall (Apr 05, 2009 4:01 pm) Accord will run a little more than a comparable-miles Altima. Safety-wise, the Accord got side airbags and standard ABS long before the Altima. The V6s even got standard ESC with the previous generation (in all Accords starting with 2008). But I guess that's a moot point, since you said your son could care less (sic) about safety. If you are able to change his mind on that, you could probably find a nice previous-gen Accord I4 with ABS and SABs under $15k. A V6 might run a little more.
#1820 of 1950 Re: Altima 2006, 2007 or 2008? maybe Accord? [whitall] by thegraduate Apr 05, 2009 (5:15 pm)
Replying to: whitall (Apr 05, 2009 4:01 pm) If it were me, I'd go with a 2006-2007 Accord. The bugs were all worked out by then, and 6 Airbags (Head Curtain, Front, and Front Side) with ABS are standard equipment on all models.   It received 5-star frontal crash test ratings from the NHTSA (an admirable 4-stars on the side crash test), and a "Good" rating on frontal and side crash tests from the IIHS.     The fact that this Accord is from the previous generation means it should be somewhat cheaper than if it were a current-generation model.   According to Kelley Blue Book, you should be able to get a 2006 Accord LX (4-cylinder, 5-speed Automatic) for $10k-$13k, assuming 60,000 miles.   A 2007 Accord LX (4-cylinder, 5-speed Automatic) with 30,000 miles should be in the $13k-$15k range.   The 2007 is identical to the 2006. LX models come with the power amenities expected in this price class (PW, PDL, A/C, Auto Up/Down driver's window, keyless entry with remote roll-down windows, 6-speaker CD, Cruise Ctrl, lighted vainity mirrors and glovebox, etc). You aren't paying for the alloy wheels that come on the uplevel EX trim level cars though, something to consider since he'll be getting larger wheels.   Hope this helps!
#1821 of 1950 Re: Altima 2006, 2007 or 2008? maybe Accord? [whitall] by igozoomzoom Apr 05, 2009 (10:21 pm)
Replying to: whitall (Apr 05, 2009 4:01 pm) The '07-'08 Altima and the '06-'07 Accord both have 5-star Frontal crash ratings and 4-5 stars in all other categories. The '06 Altima also has a 5-star Frontal rating, but side impact is only 3-stars.   According to Consumer Reports, the '07 Altima is more reliable than the '06, despite being the first year for the redesigned model. The '06/'07 Accord have the highest CR Rating for Reliability (Much Better than Average) and the Altima is 'Better Than Average'.   I definitely suggest taking a serious look at the Accord. For '06, they added the 'LX Special Edition' model which adds EX's alloy wheels, 6-CD changer and a few misc trim changes. Those SE models and the EX 4-cylinder are the best of the bunch. An LX V6 could also be had for under $15k, if you can find one.   I just bought an '07 LX V6 with 22k miles for only $16k. It's a Honda Certified Used Car, so that includes powertrain coverage to 7yrs/100k miles!
#1822 of 1950 Re: Altima 2006, 2007 or 2008? maybe Accord? [whitall] by igozoomzoom Apr 05, 2009 (10:43 pm)
Replying to: whitall (Apr 05, 2009 4:01 pm) A few other things I forgot to mention in my previous posting...   A lot of late-model Altima 2.5S models are former rental/fleet cars. You don't want to end up with one that's been abused, so it's best to steer clear of them. Honda doesn't sell to rental fleets, but it's still a good idea to pull a Carfax on any car before you buy it!   Besides the Altima and Accord, have you (or your son) considered the Ford Fusion? A 2007 (or 2008) model with V6 is well under your $15k budget. They also have a 5-star frontal impact rating and have been very reliable. The V6 isn't quite as powerful as the Altima or Accord's V6, but that could be a very good thing for a 19-yr old.   The audio modifications (especially a new head unit) may be an issue. The Altima and Accord have non-standard 'head units' that are integrated into the center control stack. See below-   Replies to this message: thegraduate (Apr 06, 2009 7:53 am)

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