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Used Vehicles Best Values

948 messages,  Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Values, Certified Used (CPO)


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#610 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by smittynyc
Jan 03, 2007 (6:57 pm)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

Honest answer? None of them, if it were my eleven large.
 
The potential repair bills on the Euro makes are frightening, and in all likelihood, the WRX and Lancer have most likely been ridden too hard and put away wet. The Focus is just too little to be carting a kid around in, imo.
 
Gun to my head, I'd take the Saab, if only because of the safety record. I wouldn't take the Audi if you gave it to me for free.
#611 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by british_rover
Jan 03, 2007 (7:14 pm)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

Yeah I kind of agree. Those year Audis are bad as the 1.8T is basicly a throw away engine.
 
The saab might be ok as the 9-5 from that year is much better then the 9-3.
 
Ford hatchback is bad with a baby seat but a 5 door hatch or wagon would be pretty good if you can find one.
 
VW ehhh too hit and miss from a reliablity standpoint. If you can find a good one with records you might be ok.
 
BMW same as the VW with some records and a good inspection by a BMW specialist might make it ok.
 
Subaru if it wasn't beat on could be ok as 100,000 something miles on a subbie boxer motor isn't anything except for the turbo so want to have that looked at.
 
Lancer ehhh I would pass just cause it looks like the guy who owned wanted to have a EVO but couldn't afford it so it probably kind wailed on.
#612 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by lilengineerboy
Jan 03, 2007 (7:50 pm)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

Subarus have 225 stock,so either that guy is FOS or the car has been modified all to hell. A modified car with 100k is not a good idea.
Mitsubishis are totally worthless from a resale point of view and offer a lot of value. A base motor Lancer with an auto trans is not the stuff dreams are made of.
The VW with the base engine is pretty (relative) reliable, has ABS standard I believe, and is kind of fun to drive (handles good, not so fast off the line though).
For 11k, you should be able to find a reasonably low mileage '02-'03 Civic sedan stick (EX has sunroof and ABS) and I would encourage you to go with something like that. If you want a Focus, get a 4 or 5 door. You should be able to get real close to new for 11k.
#613 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by erics6
Jan 03, 2007 (8:40 pm)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

Might look at a Forester too. Easy to load and unload the kid since it sits higher. I'd also second the 4/5 door Focus. Unless you don't mind the maintenance and associated costs I'd stay away from the European brands.
#614 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by lightwave25
Jan 04, 2007 (4:32 am)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

Thanks for your replies.
 
So far I'm hearing Civic, Forrester, or Focus ZX5.
 
Is there anything else that you might recommend?
 
BTW, I only threw the Focus in there because it was my old car and I found it while browsing. I did have fun with it though. I traded it for an 05 Altima, which my lease is up.
#615 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by qbrozen
Jan 04, 2007 (6:56 am)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

i only clicked on the bimmer and subie, because that's all i would look at in that list. Both seem overpriced. As others have suggested, I'd avoid a high mileage WRX. Too risky. A bimmer can be a good purchase, but I think you could do better for the money.
 
how old is the kid? A rear-facing car seat won't fit comfortably in a compact sedan, unless you and the spouse are quite short (meaning your seats would be way forward).
#616 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by smittynyc
Jan 04, 2007 (7:05 am)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 04, 2007 4:32 am)

I can strongly second the Forester recommendation, as long as you can stretch your budget to buy/finance new. Even with the naturally aspirated 2.5, it's got plenty of pep (esp w/a manual) and it is perfectly willing to be thrown hard into a curve. It's unstoppable in bad weather.
 
It's about as safe a car as you can get at its size/weight -- five star crash ratings across the board, IIHS gold pick, etc. The back seat is smallish for big people, but you'll have plenty of room for a rear-facing carseat, and the flexibility of a wagon-style cargo area.
 
Subaru was offering $1500 cash back on the base 07 model in December, which indicates you can get them for cheap. They haven't announced January incentives yet, though. In any case, with a little looking around you could probably land one w/a manual for 18.5 or 19 plus tax and fees. The base model comes pretty nicely equipped, too.
 
I wouldn't be as enthusiastic about buying one used, though, just because they really aren't a bargain that way. I just traded in my 04 Forester for an 07 Legacy. The dealer listed the Forester at 15.9 and it was gone in 48 hours (I don't know what the actual transaction cost was). It had low-ish miles for the year (33K) and was in good shape, but when you can get a brand-new one for 3-4K more, that's the way to go, imo.
 
You'd probably have to go back to a 2000-2002 Forester to get into the 11K range, and while those are nice vehicles, they did have a wide-spread head gasket problem.
 
Hope this helps.
#617 of 948
Re: Which one? [smittynyc] by lightwave25
Jan 04, 2007 (7:12 am)
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Replying to: smittynyc (Jan 04, 2007 7:05 am)

That does help, but I'm not a big fan of the Forrester's looks. I also just looked into some Corrola S, Protege, and Sentra. I'm really not sure where I should go so that I'm only spending about $250 per month.
#618 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by kirstie_h HOST
Jan 04, 2007 (7:34 am)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 04, 2007 7:12 am)

The vehicles you just mentioned in your last post are FAR more sensible choices for your $11K, in my opinion. Those are small sedans with very reasonable reliability records, parts & service readily available at standard costs (unlike the Audi/BMW selections), and they get decent gas mileage as a bonus.
 
If you're on a budget and looking to control costs, you are MUCH more likely to do so with the above choices than any on your original list.
#619 of 948
Re: Which one? [lightwave25] by erics6
Jan 04, 2007 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: lightwave25 (Jan 04, 2007 7:12 am)

02-03 Protege 5 is a good choice. Easy to pick one up for $11k or less. My 02 has been super reliable. Sporty little hatchback with plenty of room for a car seat. My teenage daughters fit fine in the rear seats, and one of them is taller than me. Corolla is a good choice but spendy, kind of like the Subaru. Used car value is too high. I think the recent Sentra had a few reilability issues. I like the Mazda becuase they are undervalued. You can pick them up cheap but they are as reliable as the other Japanese brands.

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