Originally Posted By Tiggirl I don't want to take over Davewasbaloo's topic but I'm looking for advice, too. I'm thinking of getting a new car. i just paid off my Kia and I was planning on keeping it around for a while but I've been having problems with it lately and they're not sure what the problem is... and I'm tired of dealing with it. So I'm toying with the idea of trading it in and getting a new car. I want an ecomomy car. I want something I can make payments on and not feel REALLY strapped for cash. Something smaller is ok as I'm short and have a hard time seeing over the hoods of larger cars anyway (don't laugh). I just started looking (online) and I like the look of the Nissan Versa. It comes with a lot of nice features and at a really good price but I haven't heard anything about this car. I've also never owned a Nissan so I'm not sure how their cars are in general. Any thoughts? Suggestions on other economy cars? Thanks! ~Beth
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I bought my daughter a Toyota Corolla in 2004 to go away to college with ( it was part of a deal- full athletic scholarship = car) - she picked it out and I can tell you for an economy car it is wonderful. It is a car you can put tons of miles on... still have plenty of room to be comfortable on a trip, and put in a nice stereo, wheel & tires and notbreak the bank. Resale is very good, and dependability excellent. She had her choice of about 10 venhicles I would have bought her and she chose the Corolla and tells me she made the right decision all the time. also excellent mileage...
Originally Posted By LacyBelle Is the Nissan Versa a new model? If so, I think I would shy away from that. First year models tend to have more issues and recalls on them. However, I did have a 1995 Nissan Altima for many years and it was a great car for me. vbdad has a great recommendation in the Toyota Corolla. My parents have always had great success with Toyotas. Low maintenance and long lives.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I've also never owned a Nissan so I'm not sure how their cars are in general. Any thoughts? << I used to swear by Nissans, but IMO since Carlos "Le Cost Cutter" Ghosn took over as CEO Nissan's quality has fallen below that of Honda and Toyota.
Originally Posted By friendofdd I don't have suggestions as to which car, but you might consider something used. Maybe a year old, with low mileage. It should still carry a warrantee and the original owner will have suffered the large depreciation of driving it off the new car lot.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Here is a thought: Toyota has a small Corolla base sports wagon called the Matrix. One thing about buying Toyotas, some dealers don't discount, they expect you to pay MSRP. Also, Toyota almost never has Rebates. Now here is a work around. Pontiac sells the Matrix, but they call it the Vibe. It is the same car, built on the same assembly line. But since its a Pontiac you can probably get it at Invoice price, plus there is a $1000 rebate on 2006 models. The only difference between the Vibe and the Matrix are aesthetics (dashboard, tail lights, grill, headlamps). Otherwise its the same body, engine anmd transmission. The Matrix will have better short term resale value, but if you intend to drive into the ground, that won't matter.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>It should still carry a warrantee and the original owner will have suffered the large depreciation of driving it off the new car lot.<< This will be especially true of brands other than Honda or Toyota.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Base Vibe's start at 16,000. If you can find a plain vanilla one, you should be able to get it out the door for 14K plus tax. A good resource for researching cars is www.edmunds.com. For reliability statistics pick up a copy of Consumer Reports annual car issue. Super markets seem to stock it year round and they might have it at your local public library.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Just beware of a year old car that is being sold. It could be a lemon. Some dealers sell what they call "program cars". These are usually one year old and are from one of the following sources: Rental car fleets Corporate fleets (executive cars, sales force cars). Other short term leases. These cars tend to be high on miles for a 1 year old car usually (20-30K miles) but often sell for 60% of the new car price.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Honda Fit.<< I would spend a little more and get a Honda Civic instead.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut I was going to say a Civic, but with their mile and a half long dashboard they chose for this model, it is an absolute deal breaker. For me anyways.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^I see what you mean: <a href="http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/honda/civic/100653381/photos.html" target="_blank">http://www.edmunds.com/new/200 6/honda/civic/100653381/photos.html</a># The Civic is being redesigned for 2007, which means Honda might have incentives on the 2006 model.
Originally Posted By friendofdd If you do go used, have a trusted mechanic check the car for you. It is a few dollars well spent.
Originally Posted By EdisYoda Interesting, both Moter Trend and Consumer Reports both rated the Civic as their best choice in it's class. Kind of surprised to hear that it's being re-designed once again since the 2006 model is a new design.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 the new Si hi po versions de out but the re ddoof the Civic was in 2006 - not 2007.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Honda or Toyota! Even Nissan is good too. (btw- Every April issue of Consumer Reports shows a very detailed grid of reliability on vehicles... and every time it shows American cars with big black circles! We STILL can't make reliable cars to compete with the Japanese.) And I wouldn't go down the road of any other Asian car manufacturer ... The others are all mediocre in reliability.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl Thanks for the advice thus far guys! Any thoughts on the Mazda 3? Mark's parents just bought his sister one. His dad's a "car guy" so I figure he must trust it. They look OK and it seems like I could get some decent features and remain around my budget. Has anyone had any experience with Mazdas? ~Beth
Originally Posted By friendofdd My D-I-L works for Mazda Cor. She drives a new Mazda abour every 6-9 months. She has had 2 Mazda 3s and loves them. Because of her special circumstance, changing frequently, I don't know how the reliability factor is. However, it is difinitely something you would enjoy driving.
