starting new car search

[Spexxvet]

Thanks for all the info.

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

You might consider the (Honda) Civic Hybrid. My mom drives one and she's loved it since day one, and a friend of mind in California bought one specifically for the gas mileage and says he usually gets 450-500 miles from a tank (though I don't know how many gallons the tank holds.)

Much of my driving is highway. Hybrids don’t really help highway mileage, do they?

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I like my Hyundai Sonata, 2 years old and 55k miles. No problems at all. 6 cylinders make vroom vroom go passingly.

I have a friend who is on his third Hundai. I was thinking about one of those, too.

Originally Posted by glatt

What do you need room for? Instead of starting by looking at cars, you should start by looking at needs.
...
Look at your needs and go from there.

My wants and needs differs, just a little. My ultimate vehicle doesn’t exist. That would be a large, four-door, powerful, roomy, cool-looking, luxury car with 4WD on demand, great gas mileage, low maintenance, and a $12,000 sticker price.

Originally Posted by dar512

I don't understand this motivation. You don't say that there is anything wrong with the Saturn and it's only got 95k miles on it. Why not drive it until it dies? You could put some money away for the future.

Is there some unwritten rule that American families must always have auto loan debt?

The Saturn will probably need some substantial work soon. Little things that I’m not taking care of will turn into big things soon enough. Some of my motivation is that I’m tired of the clutch, the smallness, and not having some of the niceties found in most cars. I purchased the Saturn based solely on commuting needs – it doesn’t have power windows or locks, only has two speakers, I’ve really been roughing it for six years. Timing is also an issue. I’d like to only have one monthly payment – I want the new car to be paid off before the van needs replacing.

Originally Posted by lumberjim

Spex, i don;t know what you know about me, but I'm a finance manager for a big Nissan dealer in NJ, and if I can be of help with questions regarding current interest rates, warranties, or whatever, send me a PM, or email me at gmail. ( same name...it was available! whooda thunk it?)

Thanks. I work in Jersey, so I may take you up on it. Cock!

Originally Posted by Griff

How about a new Monte Carlo if you're going bigger?

I don't remember if you're a bigger guy, but personally I'd get into a smaller vehicle. We're really happy with our Impreza, but we need AWD here in the winter, your roads are probably better. I'm driving an Echo for gas mileage (44mpg) right now but honestly its handling/size scare the crap out of me. I rode in the Toyota hybrid when I wrecked my bike and really liked the roominess and it has good pick up. I've always liked the VW Jetta but the Passat is appealing due to the AWD.

I like the looks of the Monte Carlo. The Impala is basically a 4-door version of the MC. I am a bigger guy, and with kids, a 4-door is preferable. An Echo might be too small. I’ll check out the Impreza.

Thanks, again.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

The Saturn will probably need some substantial work soon. Little things that I’m not taking care of will turn into big things soon enough. Some of my motivation is that I’m tired of the clutch, the smallness, and not having some of the niceties found in most cars. I purchased the Saturn based solely on commuting needs – it doesn’t have power windows or locks, only has two speakers, I’ve really been roughing it for six years. Timing is also an issue. I’d like to only have one monthly payment – I want the new car to be paid off before the van needs replacing.

My first car was a 93 saturn sl twin cam. When we got it (my sis and I) it had 170k miles on it. Before that it had had no substantial work, and while I owned it I had to fix the alternator, and a fan about $170 altogether. The odometer stopped working around 260k miles and it still runs well enough...we passed it onto my aunt. My next car was a Saturn and I was wrecked by a semi. I went home from the hopital that day w/ a prescription for pain pills and would've been just fine if it weren't for the injuries i suffered due to being rear-ended. They are safe, reliable and get good mpgs.
Saturns are worth getting...you might want to get a new car to fit your needs better, but I would still stick with Saturn...hopefully I'll be getting my new-used Saturn today!