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Hey guys. I'm having trouble getting started on figuring out the right car for me. I wanted to get some advice from you guys on how you go about discussing what should be purchased.

I need a car for:
1) commuting (under 30miles a day)
2) decent fuel efficiency
3) I take some 1-2 long road trips a year. I drove from NJ to NH this year so far and will be driving from NJ to Florida for the Necro.
4) I can put down around 5k for the car and my trade in (2002 hyndai elantra) trades in around 3k. I can afford on top of my current loans max $300 a month and I have extremely good credit...

Thoughts?

Well, I work at a bank. So I kinda know about loans and car dealerships. I would suggest either a Ford or Honda (Ford's the only American car company that's going to be alright and Honda was doing quite well last time I checked). The keys to getting a good deal are:

1) Take the car to an independent mechanic, find out exactly what will need fixed
2) Find the NADA value of the car you are interested in. Kelly Blue Book is a load of crap designed for car dealerships to screw the buyer/seller. NADA value is what the bank will base any loans off of. It's also what car insurance companies use.
3) Subtract the potential repairs (even if they don't HAVE to be done right away) from the NADA value and offer the dealership that amount. I guarantee that it will be several thousand less than they are selling it
4) Be prepared to walk away. Dealerships count on impatience. They are dying to sell cars right now though, so just wait for a price you like
5) NEVER BUY A NEW CAR!!!! They depreciate in value by about 25% as soon as you drive it off the lot.
6) Don't get a loan from anywhere that has your APR above 7.5% and above (that's if the car is newer than 2000, which I'm assuming it is)

That's about it. I guess I didn't narrow down the search at all, but I should have just saved you loads of money,

I bought a Honda Fit back in Jan '08 - my first new car, traded in an audi for $7k + $9k cash - and have really enjoyed it. Great gas mileage, zero problems (beyond stuck A/C button, but that's pretty random), and a lot of value for $16k. Do some research and you'll see both how superbly the fit rates and how satisfied we fit owners are

Whatever you end up doing, good luck out there. It was certainly stressful for me, but I knew what the dealer MSRP was for the fit - even if there's very little mark up on what they'll tell you vs what they paid - and so the only haggling was over my trade-in.

Also, I sprang for the fit sport, $1k or so gets you a LOT over basic. Not sure what has changed in the 2010 version, but I'm sure it's still packed with value.

- Salvage

wow thanks! I've never heard of NADA... i was using KBB.... :( i'll have to check this out.

If you want a new car, I don't think you can go wrong with getting a new Honda, any model.

I drive a VW Jetta myself. I love them so much that my past 2 cars have been Jetta's. Good mileage, loads of fun to drive, transmissions tend to fall out around 60k if its from mexico (german ones don't seem to have this issue). I got one pre-60k miles and bought a new tranny and then bought the next one at 80k and have put 70k on it since then with no issues.

Thoughts?

My Honda Civic is ~3 years old now, and it's still going strong and can usually get more than 300 miles on a tank (more than 400 if driving highways for long periods of time).

Keeps its value pretty well to boot.

Hondas hold their value for about 10 years.

Mmm, ducatis are indeed mighty fine machines. Would love me a monster, if it weren't for the $$$ and that they're built for tiny people

- Salvage

I can't in good conscience recommend buying a new car, you'll be happier if you buy a low mileage, quality used car in the long run.

However, buy a new car last year is exactly what I did, with a financial situation about like yours. I bought a Honda Civic SI, and not only is it fuel efficient, but it is a lot of fun to drive, and has a surprising amount of cargo space for a small car. I haven't had trouble with maintenance either.

Frazzled I like the duccatti... and the the accessory package. Although it looks like it comes with an extra tranny (Doesn't it look like Ellie has man hands??)

but really.. Bikes aren't really my thing... I've had a few people I know die on them since NJ is so damned crowded.

I hear a lot of votes for hondas and such.... How do you guys feel about the mini?

Well my first car was a 2001 GMC sierra truck. Got it brand new at 17 years old. Biggest waist of money ever. Thing was a lemon. So many problems...gmc dealership had horrible customer serivce...that vehicle was just poorly made. Kept it for about 7 years...until i finally made the decision to sell it in 2008. Picked up a used 2001 Mazda 626 LX. 39k miles. I have just loved this car. 4 cylinders so great on gas. Comparable to a civic..but less money. Everything about it i love.

@ the mini...very expensive is all i can say.

Minis are over-priced, a fiat 500 is a nice alternative, especially if you get one the abarth versions, they're sweet as a nut. Never, ever get a mini clubman, those things make my eyes puke.

I'd pick up a Mazda 3, or a Mazda 6. They are great cars, especially the 6, which my wife owns.

Finding a used Pontiac Grand Prix is also a good thing. Nobody really makes a better engine in the world (for a car) than that GM 3.8 Liter V6. I would take that engine over ANY Honda, everyday.

Get a Honda or Toyota only if you have no soul and don't care what you drive. They are dead weight.

Get a tank. You'd never get caught in traffic again.

buy a plane there not that expensive
like 40,000-50000
cheap really

garret wrote:buy a plane there not that expensive
like 40,000-50000
cheap really

Helicopter would be more useful for commuting.

just buy a transformer
it can turn into anything

I have a Mustang GT 2006... Pricey but l love it. Special ordered brand new direct from the factory and put some after market effects under the hood.

G

Whatever car you get, it must be red.


I think you know what comes after that.

Cheese Elemental wrote:Get a tank. You'd never get caught in traffic again.

METAL BO-

Nofasse 'Eadhunta wrote:Whatever car you get, it must be red.


I think you know what comes after that.

Damnit!