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Sedans Midsize Sedans 2.0
13141 messages, Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
I know this isn't probably the Forum this belongs in, but I wanted to get advice quickly and this thread gets a lot of hits. I've narrowed the choices to two cars, both Impalas, for my 17 Year Old Son's first vehicle. The first one is located at a Chevy dealership in which my next door neighbor has been a Mechanic at for many years. It's a 2003 Impala base model with just under 78,000 miles on it. It is a one owner trade that was purchased from this dealership new. The exterior and interior are flawless. It was listed at $7800, but have told me they would sell it to me for $6800 which is right on what Kelly Blue Book says it should be. The second one is at a dealership about 25 miles from my home that sells anything from New Chevys to Toyotas. I've had no dealings with them in the past. They have a 2005 Impala with 78,390 miles on it that they were listing for $7995 which is what KBB states it might be listed at, but have agreed to drop the price to $6995 because it is the end of the month and they want to move units as the Salesman stated. It is also a one owner "local trade" and it appears to be in very good condition. It has Anti-Lock Brakes where the first one does not. It seems like a no brainer because of the safety issue of ABS and it is two years newer, but I don't have the connection that I have with the first dealership since my neighbor works there. In fact, the salesman just called me a while ago to tell me that my neighbor is taking it out for a test drive and checking it over for me. I had asked my neighbor to take a look at it for me when he got a chance. This neighbor has serviced both my older kids GM products since the oldest bought his first car in 2000. He does it on his own time on saturday mornings only asking money for parts, but we always give him cash. Of course, he would work on either car we get for my Son as long as it is GM. I would appreciate any suggestions or comments to help in this decision. Thanks in advance.
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Replying to: mtnman1 (Jun 30, 2009 9:33 am) In general I think inexperienced drivers should have ABS, period. Ask your insurance company! |
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Learning to drive in a big RWD car will give them tremendous driving experience and they will be able to drive anything anywhere after that. They are also less expensive, safer and cheaper to repair. All newer CV, and Grand Marquis also come with ABS and Traction Control. 2000 and newer have 5 star crash ratings too. Here is the best part, they get the same MPG as the impalas do. Insurance is also cheaper on them and they can be had for $4000 in very good condition.
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Replying to: acdii (Jun 30, 2009 10:55 am) |
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Replying to: mtnman1 (Jun 30, 2009 9:33 am) |
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Replying to: acdii (Jun 30, 2009 10:55 am)
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Replying to: mtnman1 (Jun 30, 2009 5:00 pm)
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Replying to: elroy5 (Jun 30, 2009 8:04 pm) Also, whoever said there was no mileage difference in the Grand Marquis and Impala is dead wrong... 16/23 for the Mercury, 19/29 for the Chevrolet with the 3.4L engine, 18/27 for the bigger 3.8L V6 in the uppel level Impalas. That's quite good for the torquey motor.
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Personally, I own an 08 Accord LX which I am very happy with however I wish I had gone for a higher trim. With deep discounts and some fresh faces on the scene I've considered trading up and the Fusion is a strong contender as I like the looks, the price, and SYNC is a big draw for me. With a few notable exceptions aside, this segment is very good overall, with each doing various things better or worse in shades of gray. That's why the decision is so hard. Off my list: Altima: Dislike the looks, don't find the "drive" any better then it's competitors. Sonata: just not my cup of tea Jetta: Too small for the price imo. TDI Wagon would make me cave on size, but the premium price and lack of incentives kills it. Passat: premium price Galant/G6/Aura/Chrysler-Dodge: old stuff, not interested Waffling: Malibu: Local dealer is toxic but the car seems ok, I'd like to check it out Camry: I'm a Toyota Truck guy, but have never loved their cars, I find their interiors confining as they always use a very high center console which my fat self doesn't fit well. Need to drive one again, my buddy just bought a black one with tan leather and it's very nice looking. Legacy: Love that I can get a wagon but they are everywhere up here and I just don't like the current version, as much as I've tried. Maybe the next-gen will be better for me. Top of the heap: Fusion: Love Sync, looks, price, lots of local dealers. Wish I could get leather, HIDS & the manual. An SE 4cyl/6spd with the Sun n' Sync package is pretty close though. Accord: Love our LX, and EX-L 4cyl would be perfect. Exceptional local dealer. Just wonder if I want the "same car" again. Mazda6: Nearest dealer is almost an hour away, the model I want is a unicorn ('09 6iGT-manual... no GT manual for '10)
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Replying to: sporin71 (Jul 08, 2009 7:26 am) Monochrome Appearance Package Includes a unique finish on IP spears and center stack, Body Colored Grille, 18" Machined Aluminum w/Painted Pockets, Rear Spoiler, Unique Cloth Front Bucket Seats Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel & Shift Knob Appearance Package Includes a unique finish on IP spears and center stack, Chrome Grille, 18" Machined Aluminum w/Painted Pockets, Rear Spoiler, Unique Cloth Front Bucket Seats, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel & Shift Knob Pricing should be available sometime in the near future for the trim level pkgs, I'm glad to see true alloy wheels will be available for SE model Fusions as opposed to the fascia covers on SE models now. |
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