New Car Time :(

[blahblahblah]

Well, my life sucks right now. My car is a 1987 Chevy El Camino (affectionately known as "Fools Gold" to my friends) and has recently set fire to my wallet. So much so that it is almost cheaper to buy/lease a new car than to keep on fixing it. So I am 90% sure that I will be buying a new car in the next week or so.

The problem is I need to make a decision on what I car I need to buy. I have a couple of requirements that I need for my new car.

1) It must be extremely reliable
2) Get really good gas mileage
3) Be under 16,000 USD
4) I don't care about style
5) Performance is not important. I am fine as long as it moves.
6) It is comfortable to drive
7) Automatic only.

Basically I just want the car to get me from point A to point B without being terribly expensive.

I am an accounting major so I can figure out how if leasing or financing is better, but I need help on what car is the best for my situation. I think I have either narrowed it down to a Honda Civic or Scion xA. Those both appear to be relatively cheap cars that have some nice feature. Both have good gas mileage. I haven't kept up with cars or anything, so I though maybe some of you HL2.net forumites could help me out.

Any suggestions/recommendations would help me out a lot.

Thanks.

 

[Asus]

Probably not a popular suggestion but it meets all that you said.
A Saturn. Good on the card insurance as well.

 

[Neutrino]

I doubt it's much help, but I think subaru's are one of the best cars out there right now. My roommate has a Subaru Impreza and it's been extremely good to him. I don't know what kind of gas mileage it get's compared to the civic, but it is quite small and is quite reliable in my opinion.

But I'm not sure how much they cost. It's probably more than the civic or scion though so that might be a point against it.

 

[CptStern]

Well, my life sucks right now. My car is a 1987 Chevy El Camino (affectionately known as "Fools Gold" to my friends) and has recently set fire to my wallet. So much so that it is almost cheaper to buy/lease a new car than to keep on fixing it. So I am 90% sure that I will be buying a new car in the next week or so.

The problem is I need to make a decision on what I car I need to buy. I have a couple of requirements that I need for my new car.

1) It must be extremely reliable
2) Get really good gas mileage
3) Be under 16,000 USD
4) I don't care about style
5) Performance is not important. I am fine as long as it moves.
6) It is comfortable to drive
7) Automatic only.

Basically I just want the car to get me from point A to point B without being terribly expensive.

I am an accounting major so I can figure out how if leasing or financing is better, but I need help on what car is the best for my situation. I think I have either narrowed it down to a Honda Civic or Scion xA. Those both appear to be relatively cheap cars that have some nice feature. Both have good gas mileage. I haven't kept up with cars or anything, so I though maybe some of you HL2.net forumites could help me out.

Any suggestions/recommendations would help me out a lot.

Thanks.

just bought a second car 2 weeks ago ...honda civic lx ...I'm very happy with it ..had a Prelude a few years back, cant beat Honda for quality. The only other car compareable in it's class is Toyota carolla ..but I like the civic better

Neutrino, I have a subaru Forester and it's an excellent car. The imprenza was $4000 more than the civic or I would have bought it

 

[joule]

Mini Cooper.
If you can afford it, get the Mini Cooper S.
Now that is my favorite car.

 

[Tinneth]

Nevermind

 

[Neutrino]

Neutrino, I have a subaru Forester and it's an excellent car. The imprenza was $4000 more than the civic or I would have bought it

Ah thank you, couldn't remember the price. Ya, I know a few people who own either the outback or legacy as well and they all like them quite a lot.

 

[blahblahblah]

Saturn - I'll look into that. My parents own a Saturn. :O

Subaru - To expensive

Mini Cooper - Possible option. A little bit more than I want to spend, but I love the looks of the Mini Cooper's. Have to check them out.

Stern - What do you like about your Civic LX?

 

[DreamThrall]

I just recently bought a 2002 VW Golf GLS for $12,900. My buddy just bought a 2004 VW Golf TDI GLS for $17k... awesome cars, if you can find a decent dealership

 

[TheOriginalEvil]

I heard the scions are really nice.

 

[Pressure]

Honda Civics last a really long time and don't have many problems. My sister had one from 1995 with 160,000+ miles one it and we had no problems with it until she totalled it lol.

 

[Hazar]

Get a Saab.

They're reliable, safe, good gas milage, etc. . .

And don't get a new one either.

 

[TheOriginalEvil]

Get a Saab.

They're reliable, safe, good gas milage, etc. . .

And don't get a new one either.

Now saab, I have heard, have tons of problems.

 

[ZeeM]

Now saab, I have heard, have tons of problems.

Now Saab, I have heard, are teh ownage and n 1 when comes to safety.

Anyway, I would suggest you buy a German car :bounce: :cheese:
Yeah, like VW or an Opel maybe? It will last for your whole life

 

[McFly]

I doubt it's much help, but I think subaru's are one of the best cars out there right now. My roommate has a Subaru Impreza and it's been extremely good to him. I don't know what kind of gas mileage it get's compared to the civic, but it is quite small and is quite reliable in my opinion.

But I'm not sure how much they cost. It's probably more than the civic or scion though so that might be a point against it.

lottsa munsey

 

[blahblahblah]

Well, I've done some more research and the Scion is looking really good. It has everything I want for a price that nobody can beat.

I'm going to visit a Scion dealer and Honda dealer tonight.

Keep the comments coming though, still need input on what to buy. I want to buy the best car possible (within my price range).

Later :imu:

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

blahblahblahblah, spend $4k more for a SRT4...that shit is hot..quick for a $20k car too. Might be able to find a 03 for $16k too

If not, get a civic or scion, both get great gas mileage.

 

[CptStern]

Stern - What do you like about your Civic LX?

it gets 400 km to a tank (sorry dont know the imperial equivilant)
reliability - oil changes are at every 8000 km whereas Chevy sunfire was 5000 km ..it's a honda, it'll last over 200,000 km
resale value was $2000 more than Chev sunfire
it's roomy, has lots of head room (i'm 6' 2") ..very comfortable
big trunk (opens to backseat), lots of legroom
peppy, quiet and handles well

oh and it's a honda ..they make quality cars

 

[SnowBall]

I voted civic. My grandma has a 98 civic and that thing has NEVER had a single problem. Great car and amazingly reliable. Hondas are good cars.

 

[blahblahblah]

The Scion xA is an impressive car. For $15000 I can get a Scion xA with everything I want (ABS, side airbags, cd player, power doors/locks, alarm, great gas mileage, etc). An equivalent Honda Civic is at least $17000. I want to check about the reliability of a Scion a bit more though.

Thanks for the info about your Civic CptStern. :Cheers:

Thanks for the suggestions about different alternatives though.

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

03 SRT-4, trust you would have fun with that car...You'll never want a non-turbo car then

 

[DreamThrall]

The Scion xA is an impressive car. For $15000 I can get a Scion xA with everything I want (ABS, side airbags, cd player, power doors/locks, alarm, great gas mileage, etc). An equivalent Honda Civic is at least $17000. I want to check about the reliability of a Scion a bit more though.

Aside from the fact that the Scions are butt ugly (the xB is a big fugly box with wheels... the xA is the MINI's ugly ripoff cousin), I would never take my chances with a first year model. They've always got all the bugs in them (EXCEPT THE MINI!!!!)

Go with something well established, like the civic, or a jetta/golf... and don't buy an american car if you want it to work after you hit 100k miles

 

[RMachucaA]

You can find ex-rally cars on the net like a 93 corolla WRC for around 16 grand, AND they come with parts! AND you can leave everyone in the dust!.... that my friend is a sweet deal.

in all seriousness, if you want something that feels like a social condom, get the civic.

Otherwise go with any other make... Mazda's and Nissans are all good, and dont feel like a social condom.

 

[Darkknighttt]

geta a honda civic, then soup it up!

 

[EvilFoxBat]

geta a honda civic, then soup it up!

no. If you just want a good daily driver, Id say go with the civic. Just dont do he's suggestion

 

[No Limit]

Don't listen to anyone here, go out and buy a Nissan Maxima. With 16K you should be able to find a 2002 and newer which are simply amazing cars. I had a 97 Maxima before I got my 99 Cobra and not once did I have a problem with it. The 2002 and newer models have 260 Horses under the hood and are 6.6 seconds 0-60; and still get very good gas mileage. Basically these Maximas are a lighter version of the Z car (same engine).

As a former Maxima owner I need to get you to at least test drive this car, you will be amazed. The Maxima is probably the most under-rated car (at least for younger people) and you will be amazed at how great this car is.

If you don't like the Maxima (you are crazy) you should try the Altima. However, with the Altima you should look for one with the 3.5 engine (kind of rare).

 

[CptStern]

financing on a used car is about 8% ...you can get a new lease for 1.9 %

 

[blahblahblah]

I'm pretty close on making a decision. After calling my insurance company, it is substantially cheaper to get a Honda Civic Sedan. Now, I have to figure out if I want the Value Package, or bite the bullet and get the LX edition.

 

[Neutrino]

I'm pretty close on making a decision. After calling my insurance company, it is substantially cheaper to get a Honda Civic Sedan. Now, I have to figure out if I want the Value Package, or bite the bullet and get the LX edition.

Good luck with with the decision either way.

 

[CptStern]

LX, get the lx ..has all the power options, bigger tires and rims, air, nicer interior, matching paint for handles mirrors etc, and the resale value is higher than the SE

 

[joule]

Mini Cooper!

 

[No Limit]

Dear god man, did you at least look up a Maxima? It will probably cost you around the same as a Civic and those 2 cars aren't even in the same class.

 

[blahblahblah]

Dear god man, did you at least look up a Maxima? It will probably cost you around the same as a Civic and those 2 cars aren't even in the same class.

A 2 year old altima (with 30 K miles) is the same price as a Civic Sedan LX that is brand new. Sorry, but I can't afford it to accidentially break down this year. Money is awfully tight.

Mini Cooper!

Two Words: Premium Unleaded I would love a mini, but it is out of my price range by 3 grand.

~~~

Thanks for the advice and support CptStern and Neutrino. :Cheers:

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

Blah, get a 97-98 Civic, then with the rest of the money get a b16a2, b18c1 or b18c5 a fun little car to play around with when you're bored

 

[Mr_W]

Get a Chevy Impala. It's a nice car, those round tail lights look like engines on some sci-fi space ship. A Mini Cooper sounds nice too.

 

[TIIMMYY]

Keep your crap car and try and get on 'Pimp my ride'!

 

[CptStern]

so blahblahblah what did you end up getting?

 

[No Limit]

A 2 year old altima (with 30 K miles) is the same price as a Civic Sedan LX that is brand new. Sorry, but I can't afford it to accidentially break down this year. Money is awfully tight.

:Cheers:

Well a 2002 is still under warranty. I think people blow the whole "I dont want it to break down" thing way out of proportion. I've had at least 8 different used cars in the past and I only had a problem with one car which was a Ford and was around 8 years old when I got it. I see it like this; you can drive a new crappy Civic (IMO) or you can drive a much nicer used car for the same price. Since a car is something you will have for a long long time I would prefer to go with the used car option. All you have to do is take the car to a mechanic before you buy so everything checks out. I don't want to sound all forceful though, it is your choice and feel free to do as you wish.

 

[CptStern]

used cars are ok if you pay up front ...if you're going to finance a 2 year old car it doesnt make much sense (in some cases) because the interest rates are much higher than a new car

 

[blahblahblah]

so blahblahblah what did you end up getting?

It's looking like a Honda Civic Sedan VP. It only has a CD Player, Alarm, AC (need that one in arizona :imu, and tinted Windows. For only $250 a month (60 month loan :x).

That $250 a month seems like a good deal, but it really isn't. I spent an 1 hour last night reversing those numbers and they are trying to put it to me (its basically MSRP with 3.9 APR, no real deal like they promised me). So I am going back today to put it to them.