Finally getting a new car

[Kyonye]

So I went out today, and looked at some vehicles. Heading out tomorrow to see more. So far I have seen, and got price quotes for

2008 Saturn Vue


2008 Honda Accord


2008 Honda Ridgeline (if I choose to get this, it would be an '04-'05 model)


2005 Nissan Pathfinder


2004 Nissan Murano


I'm not done looking. I am heading back out to the Honda Dealership tomorrow, and hitting up a Mazda dealership. Tuesday I go back to test drive the Pathfinder (which is at the top of my list, at the moment). As you can see, I like more spacious cars. Besides the Ridgeline, none of them are too big. Each of them will be around $20g. The Accord and Pathfinder are both Consumer Reports picks. I am looking at the Mazda6 tomorrow but if it doesn't have good room in it, then I have no reason to bother with it.

If you guys have any info on those top cars, then do post up. I am looking for hard facts about these cars, not opinions. So if you have experience with the cars, please tell me.

[Corrosion]

Check out the 01 - 03 Acura CL-S



I have one and I couldn't be any more happier.

Gets 25 - 30 MPG and has a 260 hp V6 to boot.

Insane list of standard features includes Xenon HID lights, heated seats, BOSE sound, etc. etc. (the only factory option was a spoiler and navigation).

And finally the price:

a good one with less than 60000 miles can be found for under 15,000.

[Rbstr]

Those are all used or CPO, except for the Vue and Accord? Depending on how long your planing on driving the thing, you might want to look at a new car in the 20k range, there are some cool options.

What are you looking for, more specifically? Performance, utility, economy?

Also: Besides the HP numbers, sizes and prices for things, it's hard to get hard facts about cars, Everyone has their opinion, even economy greatly varies depending on the driver. The way one car "drives" might be awesome to you but crappy for someone else.

From the car forum I frequent (www.thecarlounge.com, who are notoriously harsh on any car that doesn't weigh under 2000lbs, have over 300hp and is rwd) holds the GM Lambda SUV's (Saturn outlook, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave) in good regard. The new Vue, though on a different platform, is part of that generation of vehicles. I "hear" decent things about it.

The accord is a soulless snooze fest, an appliance no more, but that may be what your looking for, so I dono, give us more to go on.

[Kyonye]

I am leaning towards the Pathfinder, because it has a 7 passenger seating, V6, 275hp, 300+ pounds of torque. I need something that can tow my atv, and something that will hold lots. Gas mileage doesn't matter to me. Consumer Reports rated the Pathfinder a good choice, and they tend to go along with what I'm thinking. The model is 2005 with 30,087 miles on it. It is fully loaded (just doesn't have leather seats, which is ok with me because I don't care for leather) and 4WD. I'm test driving this Tuesday so hopefully it goes well. I know they are desperate to sell cars, because right now with the economy the way it is, and everything panicking... they don't want to buy new cars. It was listed at $21k, he brought it down to $20k before even sitting down with me, or looking at my credit score or anything. I know I can work him down to $18k, seeing as they were pretty desperate.

As far as the Vue and Accord, the Accord is brand new (my uncle works for a Honda Dealership so I can get a great price on anything new), and the Vue was an Enterprise Fleet car so they bought it back. It has 13,000 miles on it. It is the 4-cylinder model with 175 hp, but I know it is the torque that matter when towing.


And to Corrosion: Thanks for the car choice but I am not a coupe type person. They are just too small for me.

[Kam]

If you look at the Pathfinder, the new ones are crap. The 03 was much nicer and they are everywhere. It had 240 HP, can seat 4 passengers, and has 265 torque. Also it doesn't handle like an SUV at all, you can take turns at 50 and be absolutely fine. I love it.

[LimpBIT]

Ide go with the accord but thats just me. Seems most practical and they dont look half bad

[Baneblade]

I'd shop CarMax for whatever it is you buy.

[Electrofreak]

Not that I'm biased or anything, but I think you should get a used Dodge Magnum RT AWD (hey, what a coincidence, that's what I drive!)

Should be able to get one for around 18k, the model is no longer in production (due to Chrysler restructuring) so dealers are trying to move inventory to make room for new models like the Challenger.

340 HP, 400 lb/ft torque, always on AWD, seats 5, room in the back for whatever, will tow your ATV like a champ. Only real downside is it's less than incredible interior styling. I love mine to death... it can do anything.

[Mag-Mower]

Mazda 3s are nice.

[Kyonye]

Originally Posted by Mag-Mower

Mazda 3s are nice.

They are very nice, just too small for my taste. I was looking at the Mazda6, which has a little more room, but I still really don't know what I want. I just keep on looking.

[Rbstr]

If you like the wagon/hatch idea, but want more space, how about a Audi Avant in the A6 variety? (or even an Allroad?)

You get AWD, performance, comfort, and utility. I doubt it'd have hard time pulling an ATV.

A Twin Turbo V6 Allroad (247hp) should be findable at 20k

[MattxMosh]

I'm in the car business, and people I know recommend some older trailblazers for decent mileage and strong towing and good prices, but Ive never personally driven one. I hear the interiors are kinda weak unless they are they "2SS"s which still isnt that great but has (06-08) the 6.0 vette engine with 390 something of torque and hp. And the other options have a 5.3 @ 300 foot pounds of torque. the inline 6 is okay I guess, but if you tow a heavy load its lacking. 03s are about 9k, with new ones at about 25k.

But even though owning an suv im not an suv guy.

Couldnt hurt to look I guess.

Either way, Im drunk and thats what Ive heard tonight while drinking. But shopping around is always good.

[Hamma]

Trailblazers aren't bad, drove one this past summer.

[Kyonye]

Originally Posted by MattxMosh

I'm in the car business, and people I know recommend some older trailblazers for decent mileage and strong towing and good prices, but Ive never personally driven one. I hear the interiors are kinda weak unless they are they "2SS"s which still isnt that great but has (06-08) the 6.0 vette engine with 390 something of torque and hp. And the other options have a 5.3 @ 300 foot pounds of torque. the inline 6 is okay I guess, but if you tow a heavy load its lacking. 03s are about 9k, with new ones at about 25k.

But even though owning an suv im not an suv guy.

Couldnt hurt to look I guess.

Either way, Im drunk and thats what Ive heard tonight while drinking. But shopping around is always good.

Thanks for the info...

I don't even know why you tell us now that you are drunk.. Common Knowledge at this point.