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Sedans Help Me Choose!
1950 messages, Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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i have $2500 in rebates from my GM card that's expiring. my 93 nissan sentra w/180k miles has started giving me grief within the past 3 months. (battery/alternator/starter/and now it looks like i have to replace the flywheel, which was quoted at $700 at the dealer). Anyway, i've looked at the grand am, prizm, sunfire, cavalier. according to edmunds reviews, the prizm is the best of the bunch. But i would like your thoughts? THX ps- Edmunds review on the prism says 0% apr till 1/15/2002??? pps- anyway i can combine the $1500 cashback w/the 0% apr? |
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| The best car on your short list is the Prizm, and for a sad reason. It is primarily Japanese. The others are primarily American. That means the Prizm is more likely to be well designed, pleasant to drive, reliable and economical to own. If you study cars very much, the evidence is overwhelming that the Japanese are doing a better job than Americans these days with car design and manufacturing. That's the bad news. The good news is that American cars are definitely getting better, and so your chances of having a good experience with a Cavalier or Grand Am are better now than they would have been a decade or two ago. Good luck! | |
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Trying to stay under $30k, but a couple of my choices will probably be just over. This car would be mainly a commuter and some highway miles on weekends. Safety is paramount, but I'd like some speed and handling to go with it if possible. I guess my benchmark for comparison is my Jetta 1.8T. I really like the car overall, enough to consider another VW, but I may want to spend more and get something built better. VWs are nice, but not the pinnacle of quality control to be certain. Okay, anybody who's owned or test driven one of these, or just have strong opinions, I'd like to hear it. Thanks! -VW GTI: 180HP 1.8T or 201HP 24V VR6 (undecided) The new 24V six comes out in spring '02, and I like my 1.8T, but would like more punch and think a naturally aspirated six might be fun with VWs new 6-speed manual. Also the cheapest on the list at around $20k 1.8T, $22k VR6. -Volvo S60: Great looking car, reputation for safety. I'd keep the options list simple, with the 2.4L 168HP non-turbo 5-cyl & 5-spd. MSRP is $27125 -BMW 325i: Good reputation for build quality and handling. Rear wheel drive and balance supposed to give handling like nobody's business. Popular car, probably no bargains out there. With sport suspension and HK sound, leatherette probably still around $30k. -Saab 9-3: I don't know jack about this car. I've always liked the style of Saabs, and they're supposed to be safe. But they're obviously different than everything else out there, and Edmunds said they have mucho torque-steer. MSRP is $27995 for the 2.0L Turbo/5-speed with 205HP. -Audi A4 1.8T: 170HP 5-speed. I'm thinking this is just a nicely trimmed Jetta. Cool options like Xenons and Bose sound available though. MSRP $25500 Not sure build quality would be up there with BMW/Volvo/Saab. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!
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| I always wonder when I see such different cars being asked about. Grand Am and Prizm may both be sedans from GM but they are very different cars. What are your wants and needs? Do you need/want styling, driving/handling, passenger/cargo room or what? | |
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| anon70: I think the best GM small sedan is not on your list. It is the Olds Alero. It is similar to the Grand Am, but has a 5 Yr./60K warranty. The styling is very sharp in my opinion. I helped my daughter buy one last summer, and she likes it a lot. | |
| under 30k... I think that you are better off with a Passat since you are familiar with VW. I doubt that you can get a 325i for under 30k or an S60. | |
Just for fun test drive a 2002 Subaru Outback VDC Sedan -
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I would also consider saturns if eligible, as well as the olds alero, very nice style on coupe and sedan, although the grand am is aclone with lots of body cladding and wierd interior. The prizm is a safe choice too. Passat/Altima/camry/accord debate, I have a 01 passat and love it, such great comfort, style and handling, plus the warranty is improved, not the bland car the others are, and the interior much better, IMO than the new altima, which looks a little too pontiac inside. |
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| I don't know about the states right now but the GM Card is definitely available on Saturns in Canada. | |
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I'd like to buy a used Volvo, something under $3000, 10+ years old is fine. I haven't had a car (haven't needed one in the city) since my 72 Beetle. I wouldn't drive a bug or anything less than a Swedish Brick with all those SUVs bearing down on me. Japanese steel is pretty flimsy. Anyway, what's the best old volvo to buy for reliability and the least expensive to maintain? I'd like to spend as little as possible (who wouldn't?) but of course don't want to end up paying for it later. Thanks! |
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