car shopping

[Jmmccutc]

well now that the check came for the totaled car, i'm out doing a bit of shoppingany suggestions, i have liked my two saturns but i wanted to hear you alls opinion...i'm thinking of stepping up full size truck...but the car was awesome on gas...

 

[350DRIVER]

If it were me I would go with either a Dodge Ram or a Toyota 4 Runner. You can get them at a pretty decent and fair price if you get one that is 2-4 years old. I was never impressed at all with the Saturns atleast from a "looks" standpoint. Yes they are good on gas but that is about it in my opinion. I think the design of the Ram is pretty sharp and that would be my choice if I were buying a truck.


3 5 0

 

[kevdog]

Buy a new H2. They look cool and drink lots of gas.

 

[350DRIVER]

Buy a new H2. They look cool and drink lots of gas.

The H2 is by far the sharpest on the road in more ways than one, doubt he would splurge for one though. I drove one a few weeks back and fell in love with it.


very impressive ride-


3 5 0

 

[Jet_Dreamer]

bmw

 

[gdub]

Honda

Gotta go with a Honda.

Good on gas, nice looking, and neat features.

Also doesn't hurt that they have a high resale value.

JMHO.

 

[Jmmccutc]

bmw

i did see a 328ic that caught my eye...1996, and about $5k...

 

[flyifrvfr]

I would by a motorcycle!!

 

[flyifrvfr]

just kidding, I would buy a lot of crack and have a all night party. Maybe go to vegas and let the check ride on the craps table. If you win it will be big, if you loose the crack will help you forget it.

 

[TRLpilot]

car - honda civiv; good on gas, inexpensive, dependable, hold their resale value

truck - toyota prerunner; V6 power, decent gas, dependable, hold their value

 

[JB74]

i did see a 328ic that caught my eye...1996, and about $5k...

For 5k, it is probably a turd (over 100k miles, ragged out).

A truck is a good idea, if you have a use for it. I have a GMC 3/4 ton and it SUCKS gas (about 8-10 mpg). It is awesome for towing the boat though. A truck will keep its value if you don't beat it up.

Good Luck

 

[Dash8]

jm, drove a mazda 6 a few times as a rental, seems like a pretty decent car, zippy ok on mileage, not too bad lookin

 

[pilotman2105]

Avoid Hyundais (not to be confused with Honda) like the plague. If you look at a Hyundai too much, it will dent. Overall, a very cheaply made car...

 

[huncowboy]

bmw

ditto...

Except for very many BMW drivers it is a love/hate relationship lately. Before I was laid off from my good paying job, LOL, I managed to jump into a nice 3er last year. I am in the service with it all the time, and it only has 18k on it from zero (just scheduled my 8th "unscheduled" service visit). So far all covered along with the service but I can see how this could become a disaster after one is out of warranty. I am heading toward an Audi dealership for an A4 to replace our 2nd car soon. Before, I thought of getting another 3er. But because of all the problems I won't. I mean that is a lot of money for a car that is as predictable as Win 95 was. Plus bimmer is coming out with new 3ers in 2005, so IMO it is not the right time to get one... especially not another new introduction model.

Go to a board like:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46/

and see how many people complain about their problems. It is very sad but hardcore BMW lovers are turning their back lately (not to talk about the "ahead of its time" design ideas). If this goes on, in a few months I think I will qualify for the FL lemon law. If I do, I will use it and get two A4s.

But if you want to buy a cheap and nice car with low fuel consumption (I guess you don't) check out the Jetta 1.8T. I had one (only the 2.0) and loved it. Awesome little car for cheap, the only problem is that both the Golf and the Jetta is going to be replaced kind of soon, I think one in 2005 and the other in '06?... not 100% sure.

just my 0.02 about cars...

 

[Jmmccutc]

looks like another saturn...mom and dad say "they keep you safe" i can see their point, since i did total two in the lst 6 months...they are helping me cover some cost so i guess i gotta go with it...at least this one is fully loaded...

 

[sqwkvfr]

A lot of Saturn owners that I talk to are very loyal and end up buying another Saturn.

I'm a Honda man, but I think you'll be just fine.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

Honda can't be beat, especially w/ what's going on in the Middle East.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Saturn is a good reliable basic car...

just plan on keeping it until it dies, because they are at pits at keeping thier value. Nothing is worse.

 

[CSY Mon]

Bought a 2004 Silverado few weeks ago, V6, stick, basic truck.
Love it.
Paid $4K below sticker, final price was $14,590.00

Getting 16.7 MPG, but that could change, too few miles on it too say for sure.

Cheaper to insure than a car, plus ya have room in the back for tons of beer and bimbos.

 

[dmspilot00]

just plan on keeping it until it dies

Or is totalled

 

[mrmarcus81]

Acura

 

[Jmmccutc]

Or is totalled

you neve know i am sort of on a roll...lol

 

[jethro562]

Get a new ford mustang cobra. Best bang for your buck. 400 hp supercharged v8 for about 30 grand, cant beat it.

 

[BoDEAN]

Mazda 6S Manual

 

[saltyswede]

SAAB 95 34k but it has 6k of discounts

 

[lymanm]

...

If you want a truck but want good gas, I think Ford has a new hybird Explorer, supposedly in the 35-40MPG range. But it's new and if you fit the typical profile of flightinfo members living a modest means, then it's probably too expensive.

 

[cargoflyr69]

Why is it that my 500 dollar '88 accord crashpad car has seats more comfy than my 5 million dollar aircraft?

 

[ShawnC]

ditto...

Except for very many BMW drivers it is a love/hate relationship lately. Before I was laid off from my good paying job, LOL, I managed to jump into a nice 3er last year. I am in the service with it all the time, and it only has 18k on it from zero (just scheduled my 8th "unscheduled" service visit).

That's unusual my 1995 3 lasted 140k mikes on it before it need it's first major service (replacing the ball joint). Other than the consumables and a new sound system, not much was put into the car until then.

 

[Airpiraterob]

honda has made bulletproof vehicles since they started after the war. one look at their competition record proves they dont do anything half-a$$ed. acura is the same car, and those have extremely good resale value too.

my sister had an 83 accord. automatic. lasted for 283,000 miles before it just started getting too many parts replaced.....that was an 83!! all it needed really was a new body to go on the mechanicals as the body wore out first....she replaced it with a 94 civic hatch. and has had ZERO problems with it since. i mean ZERO! just plugs/wires/oil change...and thats it. still has it. unless you abuse it, you cant kill it. look at those rice burner kids. they torture their cars and the cars take it. cant go wrong with the cars people turn to when they want something to last under punishment and still get them to work.

imagine what a nice 98 accord or civic would get you. good ride, bulletproof reliability. awesome on gas. and pretty good handling.

although the '02 and newer Ford focus zx3 is reliable and actually handles better than the civic. (verified by a few magazine tests)
the pre '02 models were problematic with recalls and what not. i drove a 4 door '02 on a road trip recently and honestly.....i'd really think about buying one....once my S-10 dies. the big 6 is nice but i'm getting tired of -20mpg. in the city.

 

[7B2]

Just get a piece of sh!t car for cheap.
If it dies, just get another one.