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Automotive News & Views Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous
15432 messages, Last post on Dec 06, 2009 at 4:44 PM
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Let's up the mood in here and play a game: What would you buy today if you had x dollars? You need a real daily driver. Let's make it hard and say you only have $7500 cash (just enough for options, not enough to make it easy). Before everyone says older Miata, let's also say it has to be driven year around (i.e. if you live in LA, a Miata may work, but in Wisconsin? Really?). What would you buy? Is newer with safety stuff important to you? Is older with 'character' important to you? What else? Looking forward to hearing people's choices... I hope this gives everyone another excuse to cruise craigslist soon 
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Replying to: mark156 (Nov 06, 2009 7:23 pm) My wife and I were in Yosemite a few weeks ago and had a disaster camping night and the next day, a RV suddenly made a lot of sense. Saw quite a few in the park with EU plates...mostly France. That's a haul!
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Replying to: tifighter (Nov 07, 2009 9:56 am) older Toyota 4Runner 1990-2002 older Jeep Wagoneer, for that money I'd have to find one in perfect shape Isuzu Axiom (I like the way it looks, they never sold them in Canada though) Audi Allroad, but I doubt I'd find a decent one for the money.
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Replying to: tifighter (Nov 07, 2009 9:56 am)
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Replying to: tifighter (Nov 07, 2009 9:56 am) My first choice would probably be some decent, middle-of-the-road 4-cyl sedan. Say, maybe as new/low-mileage of an Altima or Accord that I could find for $7500. However, I have a feeling that I wouldn't find much for that price. I just searched the local CL listings, for example, and found an '02 Altima 2.5S with 110,000 miles on it for $6,995, at a dealership. I'm sure Accords would be worse. I just have trouble grasping the idea of paying that much money for an 8 year old car with over 100,000 miles on it. I know cars tend to last longer these days, but not long enough for me to feel comfortable spending that kind of money. But, KBB lists this car at $7,069 retail asking price, so maybe it's in range. Plus, that $6995 is just an asking price. I know they'll take less. Maybe a lot less, depending on how bad they want the car gone. I dunno if there's anything in the domestics in that price range that would really turn me on. I found a 2004 Malibu LS sedan with 84,000 miles on it, 3.5 V-6, for $7400. In some respects, it's more car for the money...bigger engine, two years newer, 26K less miles. But if forced to choose, I'd probably go with the Nissan! I'll also confess that I like the 2001-2006 Stratus/Sebring sedans, but I don't like the 4-cyl they use in them, and the V-6 would be a bit thirstier than what I'd be looking for. I don't think the first Ford Fusions are old enough, yet to get into that price range, and I've heard that with them, the 4-cyl is kinda lame, almost like they were forcing you to spring for the V-6! Now I'm sure there's plenty of cool older cars I could find for $7500 or less, but I'm trying to think in terms of practical, fairly reliable daily driver...and for someone who has a more "typical" commute than my 3.5 miles!
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how about the 2000 Acura TL I bought last December. 1 owner, all dealer serviced, and just 146,000 miles. All that for $2,000. The other $5500 can go towards new struts and tires, and an emergency fund for in case the tranny dies! Seriously though, i would probably try to find something for 5-5.5K, and keep the extra as a repair emergency fund. |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Nov 06, 2009 9:01 pm) I think it's some kind of rule, or phenomenon: Whatever you want most in a used car (colors, options), you won't find. Holding out for Xenons, or Nav, stick, or SMG? You'll only find that in a color that you won't buy, or has high miles, or "issues". Come to think of it, the 4 cars I've owned with black interiors &/or exteriors have been the best cars I've ever owned. The '73 Mercury Capri with black interior that I had in FL, with weak/failing A/C, now that got truly brutal in the summers.......but a great car other than the scorch marks on one's bum.......(??) |
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Replying to: roadburner (Nov 07, 2009 10:33 am) Not an easy find, that's for sure. Everyone I have seen for years has had 175k+ miles and were nearly all automatic. |
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Replying to: boomchek (Nov 07, 2009 10:20 am) Isuzu Axiom (I like the way it looks, they never sold them in Canada though) How about a Grand Wagoneer? Now that could be cool, but they have appreciated in the past few years. Thirsty, no abs, no airbags, etc. But hey, they're timeless. Isuzu Axiom- you may have a hard time finding one of the seven they sold in the US  But seriously, I once had a 2nd gen Trooper, and it was a solid car. The V6 can be an oil burner, though. And I secretly like the VehiCross...
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I would expect to be able to find a nice Accord or a 98-02 GS300 with around 100k. Only problem is the only Accord and GS' in this price range have tons upon tons of iles on them with unrealistic owners. I found a 99 GS300 with 128k on CL for $8800 private party. The car has not had the 100k service and the owner is firm at $8000. KBB private party is $5500?!? I told him good luck. I found a 2002 GS300 with 65k for $13,200. private party excellent is $11,100. I'm not sure if they are negotiable but I refuse to overpay for a car. If I can't make this work I will go back to looking for a nice TL 6-speed or wait until a magic deal comes along on a newer car.
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