Help Me Choose!

Replying to: BMW540 (Jun 22, 2009 7:43 pm)

I'm 21, and for my first car I had a 6 year old car with 120k miles on it.
 
While I'm not saying something this old is necessary, I will say that there was some relief on both the part of my parents as well as on my part, because I didn't have to worry about dings, dents, and keeping a new car in new condition. I'm pretty nit-picky about my cars so having something that is worn (not worn out though) was kind-of nice when going to HS football games, local trips to the lake, and simply in the hazards of the parking deck at the mall.
 
I'd skip the "new" route; if you can afford a new Corolla, perhaps look at a 2 year old midsize car (Altima, Fusion, Accord, Sonata - Toyotas are too dull for even my grandmother, so I'm thinking your son won't care for it either) . Generally safer than compacts, they don't use much more fuel (my dad's 07 Civic got 37 MPG while following me up the interstate on a 300 mile trip; my '06 2.4L Accord got 35 MPG; we both had cruise control set).
 
Just a few thoughts from someone who was in that position not-too-long ago. By the way; I still have my old '96 Accord. It now has 195k miles on it, and gets used in my job as a courier where fender-benders and parallel parking follies occur... I plan to take it to grad school with me along with my 2006 this fall.

Replies to this message:
• backy (Jun 23, 2009 6:58 am)
• qbrozen (Jun 23, 2009 7:34 am)
  • BMW540 (Jun 23, 2009 5:26 pm)
    • backy (Jun 23, 2009 7:45 pm)
    • kathyc2 (Jun 25, 2009 6:38 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 22, 2009 8:37 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 22, 2009 8:37 pm)

Replies to this message:
• BMW540 (Jun 23, 2009 5:26 pm)
  • backy (Jun 23, 2009 7:45 pm)
  • kathyc2 (Jun 25, 2009 6:38 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 23, 2009 7:34 am)

Replies to this message:
• backy (Jun 23, 2009 7:45 pm)
• kathyc2 (Jun 25, 2009 6:38 am)

Replying to: BMW540 (Jun 23, 2009 5:26 pm)

Replies to this message:
• ronsmith38 (Jun 24, 2009 5:18 pm)

Replying to: BMW540 (Jun 24, 2009 5:07 pm)

Replying to: BMW540 (Jun 23, 2009 5:26 pm)

Replying to: jbbevel (Jun 14, 2009 6:09 pm)

jbbevel: Couldn't agree with you more..... Mazda 3 sport ( Grand Touring - most preferable) has it head oevr heels on the Subbie, the Corolla - No contest; . I test drove the Imprezza hatchback.Just Ok..... AWD is definetely a draw, but found it to be cheap plasticey in the interior. The Eleantra is very good, nice Warranty, Buyer's assurance, did lack some pep though...
 
I ended up getting a 2008.5 Mazda 3 s Touring (Mazda made too many variants in the model choices IMO - that must be the Ford influences). Made a great deal $16,950. I was really looking for a 2009 Mazda 3 s GT, none to be found on the East Coast in April. The 2010 was real appetizing, but it just came out: no discounts.

Replies to this message:
• jbbevel (Jun 25, 2009 2:52 pm)
  • jbbevel (Jun 29, 2009 12:56 pm)

Replying to: almatti (Jun 25, 2009 9:21 am)

Hmmm....
 
that's exactly what I'm down to deciding now. It's between the new car and the slightly used. It's hard because I really like the new 2010 Mazda's... but the 08 and 09's can be had for thousands less.
 
Thinking 2010 s Sport Hatchback with Bose/Moonroof at about 20K
or
thinking 2008/9 s Sport hatchback w/ less than 30K miles at about 16-17K.
 
 

Replies to this message:
• jbbevel (Jun 29, 2009 12:56 pm)