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Feel Conflicted about Car Purchase? Consider Readers' Advice - READ ONLY

39 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2007 at 5:01 PM

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#1 of 39 Feel Conflicted About Car Purchase? Consider Readers' Advice by hpmctorque

May 24, 2007 (5:16 am)

On the one hand you're daring yourself to go for that SUV or sports car. As the "why not?, what the heck!, and you only live once" arguments swirl in your head, they're tempered by your voice of reason, which cautions you to be more practical. You're stuck, are devoting a lot of energy and time to your purchase decision, but are not reaching a clear decision. What to do? Maybe your fellow readers, who don't have an emotional stake in your decision (but have their own biases, of course), can help you with your decision. Just describe your dilemna, and evaluate the comments and suggestions of your fellow enthusiasts.

#2 of 39 Next time... by andre1969

May 24, 2007 (7:03 am)

I'm in the market for a new car, I know I'm going to be facing a dilemma. I want to try a small, economical car. The only problem is, I've been raised on pickup trucks and full-sized cars and still sometimes get the mindset than anything smaller than an Intrepid is a compact!
 
I guess I just don't know how to "do" small cars! I've thought about just taking the easy way out and getting a Civic. I've sat in them at auto shows, and find them to be pretty comfy.

#3 of 39 Re: Next time... [andre1969] by fezo

May 24, 2007 (7:13 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (May 24, 2007 7:03 am)
Have you ever thought about a Mazda 3? Well thought out little things.
 
I think they are technically bigger than a Civic but you never know how that translates into sitting comfortably behind the wheel until you try it.
 
This would be more of an issue for you than it would for me. Cars are never too small for me - some are too big.

#4 of 39 Next time (andre1969) by hpmctorque

May 24, 2007 (7:20 am)

In a previous message you indicated you like the new Altima 2.5. While the Altima is a midsize, by the current definition, it is smaller and more fuel efficient than your Intrepid 2.7. Since you're agreeable to the Nissan brand, it might make sense to evaluate the new Sentra, and even the Versa. I understand the Versa has very generous rear seat leg room, but, of course, driver's seat comfort, which is an individual thing, is a requisite. You might conclude that the cost of ownership savings between a Sentra or Versa over an Altima wouldn't be a worthwhile tradeoff, but if you're not opposed to considering the Civic, then it makes sense to check out the Nissan small cars too.

#5 of 39 Re: Next time... [fezo] by andre1969

May 24, 2007 (7:33 am)

Replying to: fezo (May 24, 2007 7:13 am)
Have you ever thought about a Mazda 3? Well thought out little things.
  
I think they are technically bigger than a Civic but you never know how that translates into sitting comfortably behind the wheel until you try it.
 
I remember sitting in the Mazda3 at the auto shows when it first came out, and being pretty impressed. It felt pretty roomy up front, but the back seat was very tight IMO. It's not all that often anymore though, that I'm hauling a full load of backseat passengers around, so while I appreciate a car that has a comfy back seat, I don't consider it as important as I used to.
 
Isn't the Mazda3 a bit of a guzzler though, compared to something like a Civic or Corolla? Oh, on the subject of the Corolla, I've never been able to get comfortable in my uncle's '03, although I was able to tolerate it enough to drive ~115 miles up to PA in it once. However, one thing I noticed is that the nicer trim levels of Corolla have an adjustment that lets you ratchet the seat cushion down a bit in the back, giving it more of an angle. My uncle's car doesn't have this. From what I've noticed sitting in them at auto shows, that little ratchet adjustment makes a huge difference in comfort.

#6 of 39 Mazda by fezo

May 24, 2007 (7:39 am)

Yeah, your basic Mazda 3 with an automatic gets 26 mpg / 34 mpg. OK but there's better out there.

#7 of 39 Re: Next time (andre1969) [hpmctorque] by andre1969

May 24, 2007 (7:41 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (May 24, 2007 7:20 am)
While the Altima is a midsize, by the current definition, it is smaller and more fuel efficient than your Intrepid 2.7. Since you're agreeable to the Nissan brand, it might make sense to evaluate the new Sentra, and even the Versa.
 
Yeah, I really sat up and took notice with the latest iteration of the Altima, which is EPA-rated at around 26/34 with the 2.5/CVT combo. In contrast, the old 2.5/4-speed in the previous model was rated at 23/29 I think, while my Intrepid is 20/29.
 
I've sat in the Versa and Sentra, and they're not bad little cars. Oddly though, it almost seems like Nissan put a bit MORE effort into the Versa than they did the Sentra. It's hard to put into quantifiable terms, but the Versa just seemed a bit nicer IMO.
 
Anyway, hopefully this purchase will be a while off. My Intrepid has about 131,000 miles on it and still seems like it's got plenty of life left in it. In the past I've always liked Chryslers, but I don't really care for a lot of their current offerings. Not too crazy about the Caliber. If I'm going to get something that small I want better fuel economy. And I don't care for the new Sebring/Avenger, either. I still like the 300 and Charger, but next time around I just want something a bit more economical.

#8 of 39 Well... by iluvmysephia1

May 24, 2007 (9:29 am)

that's the whole fun of it, that being researching new cars on the net and on paper and in person, and taking in the information and figuring up your own personal situation and then making an informed decision on all of that. I love the whole process and don't even loathe the buying process at the dealer! OK, it's stressful, but let's just say I like it more than my wife does.
 
I have found that my own research and test driving means a whole lot more than what another person's opinion is on their experience(pretty much a DUH!). I often disagree with auto writers, though, after they have test-driven a car and given their best summation of it. So it is a very, very personal thing.
 
Or, I just don't place value on the particular item that this person does. I have noticed that the main magazine report for the consumer in America has done a very poor job in the past of reviewing my historical favorite, Kia, and their vehicles. They have not gone to the trouble of even putting an up-to-date picture of the MY rig they're writing a review about. I'm not saying they practice this type of thing, but I have found it to be true. If you have any of their mag's from around the fall of '02 look for their Kia Spectra review. They show a 1998-2001 model era Kia Sephia picture when Kia had designed a brand new body design(a lot of the internals didn't change that much, true)and that was a whole lot of the fun of reading about the new Spectra, seeing the new body design. They went down like a Zeppilin made of Led on that particular dumb decision. Spikes. And those hideous circles. Yikes. That is one magazine that really needs to be read with a grain of salt IMHO. I think this opinion of Kia is changing yet I find that I read their magazine in a fog because of all the same blather that didn't change for so long. They've basically not earned any credibility with me.
 
I would say this. Do all the research you can(on my latest purchase, a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS w/CVT and the Sun and Sound package, Rally Red in color, I spent literally dozens of hours...maybe more =;) researching and studying every little tidbit I could get my hands and mouse on)and feel free to test drive as many times as you need before buying.
 
I just feel that, yes, life is really pretty short, and cars are being built much better these days. They're there, waiting for you to try them out. But don't just bow to family pressure when shopping. Research and study as much material as you can and drive, drive, drive.
 
I love cars!!

#9 of 39 Re: Next time... [andre1969] by lemko

May 25, 2007 (8:04 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (May 24, 2007 7:03 am)
If I had to get a small car, I'd get something small but nice like a Cadillac CTS.

#10 of 39 Re: Next time (lemko) by hpmctorque

May 25, 2007 (7:46 pm)

The CTS is small compared to other Cadillacs, and compared with the other cars you've owned, but it's closer to midsize, at least in terms of its outer dimensions and weight.

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