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Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
1145 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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I am really having a hard time even deciding what cars I should look at, and I need some help from some savvy car shoppers. I am turning in a '05 Pacifica, which I really liked except for horrible gas mileage and big rear end. I have a budget of $12,000 for the car itself (plus WI taxes/fees). Here are my requirements: comfortable for my frame (6'2", 350), sedan, automatic trans, not a base model - but no need for premium features (leather, etc.). Cars I have driven to date include: 2008 Chevy Malibu (too small), 2007 Chevy Impala (was okay, but didn't get me excited), 2008 Ford Taurus (I like, but probably out of price range). I would like to test drive: 2008 Mitsu Galant, 2008 Chrysler Sebring. Anything else I should consider? |
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Replying to: TWoP_Fan (Dec 28, 2008 6:31 pm)  It's got a 3rd row as well for add'l passengers. I've got 3 kids w/ one still in a carseat. Peeter
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am) I'm surprised there are so many mid-sized '08s in your pricerange. I would never have guessed. How about a Grand Marquis? Brand new those can be discounted almost to your price limit, if you go easy on features. although you didn't say what kind of mileage you actually want out of your vehicle. We got 17-18 mpg in our Pacifica, so we were quite happy to now be getting 21 in our XC90. |
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am) The Ford 500/Mercury Montego might work for you - it's the basically the same as the new Taurus except with a smaller engine. An '06 Buick Lucerne might also fit you well, or if you want to look older the Park Avenue might work. |
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am) |
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am) You could also consider an older Volvo S80; someone mentioned the S60, which is probably too small for you (the S60 is only slightly larger, if any, than a 3-Series) I think at $12,000 you could get into an '03 or an '04; S80s don't hold their value too well. What about a 2007 or 2008 Dodge Charger (or its corporate cousin, the Chrysler 300)? It's not terribly expensive, a full-size, they're available EVERYWHERE, and with Chrysler on the ropes, you could probably swing a pretty good deal on a used one. Or, if you want to spend a few grand more, you could get a brand new one, although it'd be a stripper SE model with the underpowered 2.7L engine (I've seen some advertised in the $16,500 range) Haven't seen a Galant recently enough to judge it, and I'd stay away from the Sebring if at all possible. Just... no. |
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Hello everyone, I am hoping for a little bit of advice regarding which makes and models of vehicles I should be looking at. I am looking for a fuel efficient, reliable, used small car that I can drive for many many years. Reliability is probably the most important factor to me in this purchase, with fuel efficiency coming second. I do probably 50% of my driving on the highway, and 50% in the city. I do live in the NW and get a bit of nasty weather during the winter so handling and traction are also something I need to consider. I "need" - something small, fuel efficient and reliable that I can drive for hundreds of thousands of kilometers. I would really like - cruise control, power windows/locks, I'm thinking I'd prefer manual transmission due to better fuel efficiency and price (new), but I'm finding with my looking that most used compact/subcompact vehicles are automatics and the ones with manual transmissions do not have lots of extras like cruise control. (I've been looking at newish, low milage subcompacts) Forgot a vital detail . .. . I'm willing to spend up to $15 000. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) I would recommend a set of dedicated snow tires for winter driving regardless of what you buy. They really don't cost much more in the long run and the improvement in traction is drastic. Might save your life. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) A lot of new cars get as good or better mpg with the automatic. Whatever you save on the price you may lose that and more when you sell. Manuals are a lot harder to sell in the US. I always had manuals but bought an auto this time, one reason is the gearing on manuals now seems to be designed for "racing" in most cases. In my car the engine rpm is about 25% higher in the top gear of the manual vs. the automatic. Fifth gear in the automatic was almost equivalent to fourth gear in the manual. Is your preference new or used? In some models (eg. Civic) I think $15K may mean used, while for some others you may get a new for that price. Honda and Toyota also typically have the problem that you don't save much with a used one...though maybe things are different in the current market. Ford has been showing improved relibility and may give you more for your money, I think you could easily get a new Focus for $15K. Hyundai is another one that seems to be moving up in the reliability rankings and offers good values plus the long warranty, you might look at a new Elantra. |
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Replying to: CdnRdr (Jan 14, 2009 12:19 am) Nissan Versa S w/ power pack, ABS pack, and cruise = $14,985 msrp ... $13,723 TMV Scion xD comes standard with all that = $15,320 (both msrp and tmv) Honda Fit Sport (again, all standard) = $15,940 msrp ... $15,516 TMV |
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