ARGHHHHH!!! Car Shopping H3LL

[jluck]

Originally Posted by steve

I need a cigar and a beer!

It looks like we finally drove my wifes POC into the ground. Right now we are looking at "reasonable" and "practical" cars. Although 30-40 mpg does sound pretty good after driving my 10,000 pound V10 truck.

Whats the budget Steve? The wife and I are in the same boat. both our rigs are getting long in the tooth. But we did the reasonable and practical (USED CAR) route and ended up putting about 10K in repairs over a two year period. I am now leaning towards a brand new entry level base model car with warranty. something to consider. We are looking at the KIA soul or Honda fit type cars and with careful shopping without any sort of financing we should drive one home for 12K.
I do know it will be a nice financial safety blanket to just drop it off for repairs with out that dreaded call from the mechanic with the bill.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by jluck

Whats the budget Steve? The wife and I are in the same boat. both our rigs are getting long in the tooth. But we did the reasonable and practical (USED CAR) route and ended up putting about 10K in repairs over a two year period. I am now leaning towards a brand new entry level base model car with warranty. something to consider. We are looking at the KIA soul or Honda fit type cars and with careful shopping without any sort of financing we should drive one home for 12K.
I do know it will be a nice financial safety blanket to just drop it off for repairs with out that dreaded call from the mechanic with the bill.

Exactly. I am looking at Ford Fiesta (I have a contact at the local dealer that I trust, although I may be leaning away from it due to some preliminary reviews) Honda Fit, etc. Something in that territory.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by steve

Exactly. I am looking at Ford Fiesta (I have a contact at the local dealer that I trust, although I may be leaning away from it due to some preliminary reviews) Honda Fit, etc. Something in that territory.

Keep us (me) posted on what you choose. I will take any info I can get to render a decision. We wont be buying for a few more months...or more.

[OLS]

Originally Posted by steve

Exactly. I am looking at Ford Fiesta .

So was I when I got out of my Colorado 18 months ago. But as I drove past the dealership, I DROVE PAST
the dealership...the car was TINY and not very sharp looking. I read really good reviews on all the talking
points, but once I saw it, all it was was good on gas.

So I drove next door and picked out a NEW Chevrolet Cruze. A much better looking car and the same gas
mileage. HOWEVER, despite the fact that I might be experiencing truck withdrawals, I can't recommend
either vehicle anymore. I give the Cruze a 7 out of 10 possible stars. It is great to still be pumping the
same dollar amount of gas that I pumped into my truck, despite the fact that gas is MUCH HIGHER now!
But I am not in love with it. I CAN recommend the car my sister got, a Civic. Those new cars look great,
drive great, SIP gas and do it with more style than my Cruze. I don't OWN one though, and that'd tell the tale.
From outside looking in, I bet my Cruze looks good to people.

[hammondc]

Originally Posted by OLS

But I am not in love with it. I CAN recommend the car my sister got, a Civic. Those new cars look great,

Fr me, the civic is in the top 3 ugliest cars on the road now. Hell, even Honda admitted it. .

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by steve

Exactly. I am looking at Ford Fiesta (I have a contact at the local dealer that I trust, although I may be leaning away from it due to some preliminary reviews) Honda Fit, etc. Something in that territory.

Honda For My Vote!

[GTsetGO]

Originally Posted by longknocker

Honda For My Vote!

i am with this guy.

i have two hondas in the drive way right now and wouldn't have it any other way.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by longknocker

Honda For My Vote!

Toyotas aren't too shabby either, but I'm not aware if they have something that competes in the same market though.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by jluck

Whats the budget Steve? The wife and I are in the same boat. both our rigs are getting long in the tooth. But we did the reasonable and practical (USED CAR) route and ended up putting about 10K in repairs over a two year period. I am now leaning towards a brand new entry level base model car with warranty. something to consider. We are looking at the KIA soul or Honda fit type cars and with careful shopping without any sort of financing we should drive one home for 12K.
I do know it will be a nice financial safety blanket to just drop it off for repairs with out that dreaded call from the mechanic with the bill.

How many times do you incur warranty repairs in the 3 year/36k mile window? There's a reason why they only offer that in most cases, which is because there's virtually nothing that goes bad during that window. Also, there are plenty of good mechanics available that you can find through craigslist or whatever that aren't going to charge you $100/hour to repair as well and will allow you to provide your own parts (or buy discounted through them).

Look at the reliability of any make/model you're looking at historically and it'll give you some sort of idea what type of window you're looking at. My Avalon has ~ 103k miles on it and I think it has the reliability to get me another 100k miles without any significant repairs (unless I just jinxed myself). It's a 2005, but with laser cruise control, rain sensing wipers, heated/cooled seats, navigation...just what kind of new features would I get in a newer model until this one eventually craps out? Nothing.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by forgop

How many times do you incur warranty repairs in the 3 year/36k mile window? There's a reason why they only offer that in most cases, which is because there's virtually nothing that goes bad during that window. Also, there are plenty of good mechanics available that you can find through craigslist or whatever that aren't going to charge you $100/hour to repair as well and will allow you to provide your own parts (or buy discounted through them).

Look at the reliability of any make/model you're looking at historically and it'll give you some sort of idea what type of window you're looking at. My Avalon has ~ 103k miles on it and I think it has the reliability to get me another 100k miles without any significant repairs (unless I just jinxed myself).

The POC is a 97 that has topped 225,000 miles. I guess it is entitled to die.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by steve

The POC is a 97 that has topped 225,000 miles. I guess it is entitled to die.

Yes, unfortunately you held onto it just before you hit the major repairs. All I'm saying is that while there's that "good feeling" of owning a new car, do you think for a second buyers as a whole come out ahead?

Manufacturers charge a premium on something that shouldn't break down anyway and offer a warranty that doesn't really touch their reliability. All you're "betting" on by buying a new car with a warranty is what you're buying is a piece of junk to break down in that amount of time.