Posted by GA/Atty on 10/17/08 5:42pm
Msg #267615

Buying a New Car

And I thought I would supplement my research with your input, as many of you, like me, spend significant time driving from point A to point B and back again.

I am primarily interested in mileage, reliability and comfort on those days when I have to drive to 3 or 4 different closings in various counties.

Lots of dealers have 0% financing deals and other incentives right now. I am thinking about a Corolla or a Camry or an Accord. Maybe I'll even get crazy and go with a Prius or something. I am used to driving my Durango though so I might need something a little roomier.

Anyway, if anyone has shopped around recently and has any suggestions or info on a model I ought to take a look at, I would appreciate it.

Reply by Calnotary on 10/17/08 6:53pm
Msg #267620

I will go with the Accord. Lots of room, good reliability, good mileage make sure the VIN number starts with a J and not a 3. I will not recomend or I would not buy a hybrid just because by the time you break even for the price difference on a regular car you have to drive it a few thousand miles in order to just break even. Or hey how about a VW Jetta Diesel? That one you can get almost 50 mpg after you have drove it a few thousand miles. Or a Civic GX. Natural Gas in my neck of the woods is around 2 dollar per gallon. The GX has a 4K dollar tax rebate and the VW has 1.3K dollar tax rebate.

Reply by DeluxeMobile on 10/17/08 7:00pm
Msg #267621

You might want to consider a Ford Escape... My husband decided to go with the 4 cylinder instead of the 6 cyl to save on gas. They do have a hybrid version but we decided a 4 cyl was a better buy in the long run. It won't be as roomy as your Durango but it'll be roomier than a Camry or Prius.

He's had it since 05 and absolutely loves it We've put over 200,000 miles on it already due to the business... We've only had minor repairs and one recall for a headliner on the car. It's been a good car for us. He's already said that he'll rebuild the engine before buying a new car and when we're ready to buy we'll most likely get another one.

Hope this helps some! Good luck!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/17/08 7:21pm
Msg #267622

We bought a 2007 Accord in April

28mpg around here - we love it - midsize car, very comfortable...

Reply by PAW on 10/17/08 7:41pm
Msg #267624

Both my mother-in-law and my wife have Hyundai Accents. They are comfortable and affordable, get just over 28 mpg around town and 32+ on a trip. You can't beat the warranty. Just as an FYI, I've been a MoPar guy most of my life (for family and business) but switched to Mazda about 10 years ago. I still have my Mazda MX-5 Roadster and won't part with it. But the past couple of years, I have been extremely impressed with the Hyundai line, especially with the Sonata and Accent.

Reply by jba/fl on 10/17/08 7:56pm
Msg #267628

I have a Prius and love it. Others find it roomy etc. and the ride is good. But the hype about 60mpg is just that: hype. I can average overall 47mpg and if I really pay attention get 50-52.

I am now driving at my new job a Corolla. My co-driver is tall, long legged and finds it comfortable. I find it comfortable, peppy and have been watching the gas mileage, but since I don't know if I am the last to fill it, I can't report until later next week. Just filled up today, reset all the counters and will be the only one driving for next 3 weeks. I will be happy to report back.

All things considered: I would not repurchase the hybrid for a couple of reasons. One being that the methods used to make the battery are not ideal. I would prefer something cleaner on the production end, which I didn't know at the time of purchase, though I probably would have bought it anyway. I have really enjoyed it.

Just can't beat a Toyota---JMHO

Reply by Vince/KS on 10/17/08 8:00pm
Msg #267630

Bought a Toyota Corolla almost two years ago and have not regretted it. I bought the LE for the added stuff, but with a manual shift. It gets over 40 mpg on the highway and about 35 mpg around town. Have had no problems with it - but it is light and it takes getting used to being blown around a bit by winds and truck drafts.

They raised the horsepower some last year and have no idea how that has affected the milage or drivability, but is likely nearly the same.

You'll have a lot of folks asking you questions about yours at a gas station - well, at least I did. Many driving typical road cars are envious of the milage and seem to like the overall comfort. I considered a Prius, but decided that I tend to keep cars for awhile (5 to 10 years typically) and don't want the expense of replacing all that "technology."

Reply by Linda Juenger on 10/17/08 8:48pm
Msg #267632

All the replies make me feel really really bad. All of you are trying to be energy efficient and help the environment and are saving money buying like you are. But driving a car makes me feel like I'm in a go cart. Give me the BIG SUV. The bigger the better. Will be trading my Trailblazer extended this spring and looking at the Enclave or the Escalade. Chevy has a new SUV with a 3rd seat and will also check that out. I will give up 4w drive, leather seats, entertainment system or any other fancy stuff I don't need, but you'll never get me away from the 3rd seat. I can fold down all my seats and can haul as much stuff as a pick up. Already looked at the Chrysler Town n Country van where the 2 middle seats swing around and face the back seat. A table pops up and I can close a loan inside my van. Not a whole lot of room, but its workable for a short time. It's easier climbing up to get in than to squat down to get in. I hate getting in and out of a car. I'm not a tall or heavy person either and in relatively good shape. My father in law (rest his soul) had written down every new vehicle he bought in his life in a notebook and how much he paid for them. I believe there were 64 if I remember right (could be 84) just can't remember at the moment, but a lot. Amazing.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/17/08 8:54pm
Msg #267633

No comparison....my Gran Prix was dying a slow death

got 18mpg at the time, my husband's truck gets 12-15mpg....car gets 28mpg...no contest....

Kept the truck for hauling trailers full of hay and the horse trailer but it stays parked for the most part - the car is our family car and it's what I use for the business.

As they say Linda, to each his own. My husband and I, at this point, don't need all those bells and whistles...just need a good solid vehicle under us that's not going to cost us a fortune to run and maintain.

Reply by LKT/CA on 10/17/08 9:25pm
Msg #267634

Volkswagen Rabbit.....28 mpg.....very reliable.

Reply by NCLisa on 10/17/08 9:33pm
Msg #267641

I bought a Pontiac Vibe (a Toyota in disguise)

and love it!! It is the Pontiac version of the Toyota Matrix, the little station wagon version of the Corolla with the Corolla engine. I get 31 to 36 mpg. I've had a lot of cars, and this is one of my favorites. It's got tons or room and is really comfortable. We actually slept in it one night last winter when our horse was collicing, we needed to check on her every hour. We slept well, except for the cold. It also holds a lot of cargo, if I'm in the area of our feed store for a closing (feed store is 50 miles round trip from barn), I can get about 500 pounds (that is ten 50lb bags)of horse feed in the car, and it still drives great. My parents have had camry's for years, they loved them, I don't care for them. I'm not much for a sedan.

I love my Ford F150 pickup, but it gets only 12mpg on a good day. I don't drive that much!

Reply by Philip Johnson on 10/17/08 9:50pm
Msg #267644

I've got a 1973 VW Thing

It's not the most comfortable nor is it the car I drive all the time, but damn it is fun in the warm months.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/17/08 10:07pm
Msg #267645

Re: Buying a New Car n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/17/08 10:07pm
Msg #267646

Re: Buying a New Car n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/17/08 10:07pm
Msg #267647

Re: Buying a New Car n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/17/08 10:11pm
Msg #267649

Oops, sorry about that n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/17/08 10:10pm
Msg #267648

Whatever you decide on ...

Rent one first and live with it for a few days. It does add some cost to the purchase process, but that is a lot better than buying something and then finding out it doesn't work for you. There are also several websites where you can get some feedback from people who have owned various vehicles for thousands of miles .... You can Google those.

Reply by Gary_CA on 10/17/08 10:30pm
Msg #267653

I prefer to finance mine myself.

New car? What's a new car?

I've been stewing about a Lincoln Towncar for a while now. Got kinda serious about a couple. 30-40k miles, still under warranty. Perfect condition. I'll pay about $12-15K when I finally pull the trigger.

Not $48,900! Hell no.

They wouln't take my check for it, though my financials look better than Ford's at the moment... So I'll go get 'em a pile of Benji's.

Then tney'll try to tack on another $500-$800 for extended warranty and pre-paid oil changes. And a couple hundred for some BS about etched body parts that'll give me $10,000 if it ever gets stolen. That'll be a short conversation.

I like your idea about a Toyota, good ride. I wouldn't be afraid to look at stepping up to the Avalon either. You spend alot of time in it.

Not saying get an old car... just let some other sucker eat the first $30,000 or so of depreciation and get a car that you can't tell from new.

Don't worry about getting something bigger and nicer... you can buy a helluva lot of gas with thirty grand.

By the way an old car's not so bad either... I've been looking at a 64 Caddy lately. But then I'll have to depend on my 99 Buick a little longer. Bought it August '07 for $5300 with 57,000 miles... it's still running perfect now at 84,000 (I drive it a little more than the old lady that traded it in.)

Reply by jba/fl on 10/17/08 10:57pm
Msg #267654

Following in Gary's footsteps: We bought a Toyota Corolla many years ago from Avis or Hertz; had 10k in mileage, gave us all the repair records, etc. It had been part of a fleet...saved the depreciation. Funny thought: we went to the dealership at the same time, told them of the other car, hoping to get a better deal from them, but they just kept on saying trade in, 10k a lot, blah, blah blah until I finally pointed out that we would be putting 40k per year so after 2 years that 10k wouldn't matter much. Our dumb as rocks salesperson just couldn't wrap her mind around this - got it for $6 or 7k, sold after 150k miles for $4K - good usage and value.

Self-financing best way to go too, gotta agree w/that.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/17/08 11:41pm
Msg #267656

Never loved a car before. Downsizing, to the deceptive

smallness of smart car with its truly usable space and electronic connectivity, has proven affordable, cost-effective, safe, fun, and completely satisfying.

<cue Ray Charles', "Just For a Thrill>

Can't hurt to check it out, to just test drive one.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 10/18/08 12:34am
Msg #267661

Happy with my Camry 4 Banger. No problems. Good

mileage for a full size, comfortable.
Test drove the Prius, but felt like an electric roller skate and
could not get a sun-roof.
Bought in early 2007 when gas was a lot less.
May consider a hybrid next time around.

Reply by Sarah/CA on 10/18/08 2:01am
Msg #267663

I have the Camry Hybrid...love it!

I get between 35-41 mpg average but when we are really careful, we have gotten up to 50. It is roomy and comfy too.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 10/18/08 6:59am
Msg #267665

I'm on my second Subaru Outback Wagon, just traded the old one in. I had 175,000 miles on it with no major repairs so I bought another. It's the most dependable auto I've owned. Good luck

Reply by EastTxNotary on 10/18/08 7:41am
Msg #267667

Ok, gas mileage, comfort, etc. What about the most reliable car for country roads? You guys know what I'm talking about...when the BO gives directions like "go down the dirt road till you see 2 cattle guards, once you've crossed them you'll have to go through a little gully and back up the hill". I'm still driving my LeSabre, avg 27 mpg, almost 200K but I can "hear" and feel the toll these roads have taken on it. Any suggestions from that standpoint?

Reply by MW/VA on 10/18/08 12:00pm
Msg #267679

I've heard that the Camry Hybrid is fantastic & a little more car for those who feel the Prius is too small. I wasn't quite ready to pay the additional hybrid prices, and bought an '06 Kia Sportage (6 cyl).

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 10/18/08 1:48pm
Msg #267683

***I'm still driving my LeSabre, avg 27 mpg, almost 200K but I can "hear" and feel the toll these roads have taken on it. Any suggestions from that standpoint?***

ETNot, are you sure you were headed to signings in that LeSabre? My guess is that after you've been back on a logging road or two in those East Texas Piney Woods, it wouldn't be real estate documents you'd be hauling out. I suspect a little sniffing around would detect the unmistakable aroma of fresh-cooked 'shine emanating from the capacious trunk of that LeSabre.

Nowadays, you got to turn a buck where you can.

Reply by Les_CO on 10/18/08 12:30pm
Msg #267681

Re: Buying a New Car/

http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/hi-band/swf/l0_rollsroyce.html

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 10/18/08 1:58pm
Msg #267684

Re: Buying a New Car - Saturn Aura...

I just bought a new Saturn Aura ('08) and love it! It's roomy and comfy, has onstar (love that too), fully loaded, sunroof, XM radio, 6disc player, etc. The body is Cadillac and the engine is Cadillac Northstar. Good gas mileage (around 20mpg in town driving) 30+ on the road. I paid $28K out the door.

GM had (still has???) cars at employee pricing.

Reply by Kathy Fletcher on 10/18/08 4:18pm
Msg #267690

Re: Love the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

I have the toyota Hybrid. Make sure you get the navigator and of course the dual temperature control thermostats. Gets between 35-40 in town!!! Big, big savings on gas.