Buying a new car.
 

If wanted to buy a car and price is a big factor which car would you buy?


This is what I am using to make my decision.

Must be < $17,000
Must last 10 years or 250,000 KM with any major repair required

I have looked a the Hyundi but I am not sure of how well they run after 5 years?
Honda, Mazda and Toyota are too expensive and the Echo is just ugly.
Domestic, wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole - looks good new but after 4 years you probably had to replace the engine, tranny and electrical system.

So I have picked the Nissan Sentra 2003 model with an automatic.

Can anyone offer another idea?

Thanks
Patrick

the nissan sentra is one of the nicest economy sedans out there, it would be my top pick. Im not a fan of auto trannys, but hey this is for you, not me...

Speaking from a bodyman/mechanic point of veiw i would go with the Hyundi or a Mitsubishi Lancer as my fist choices for under $17k. They are 2 of the most reliable cheaper cars you can buy right now. By the way a manual tranny will be cheaper to run and have less problems in the long run.

Clinton

i think you can get a VW for about that price.... a used one (97-ish) would also be accesible, with money left over.

From an engine point of view, something that runs diesel is a really good bet. Unfortunately, nobody sells a diesel at $17000 (before taxes ?).

I would have a chat with Titus and see what he can do for you. He works for a Honda dealer. The Sentra isn't bad, but it isn't too comfortable to drive over the long haul. Hyundai is a good bet.

Keep in mind that this year is a bad year for car dealers (everybody bought their new car last year....so demand is low). So, your best bet is to wait a bit and then bargain hard. If you are buying now, then the best time is 2 to 4 weeks before the tax deadline. The next good time is around August.

So, what are you driving these days ?

- Victor.

My vote goes for the Sentra. It's a very underrated car. I did alot of research on the Sentra when I was planning to buy a new car, and I was impressed. The only reason I bought my Honda instead was because I ended up not having enough money to buy a new Sentra, so I bought the Honda used.

Planning on keeping an import for up to 10 yrs - price for average repair off warranty :shock: Though I work in a domestic dealership some repairs for this are not cheap - especially eletrical, trans. But all that aside I would lean toward an import line if I was to buy new - I would prefer Mitsibishi or VW (the latter for a deisel application) Lancer or Golf. With a possible war insueing the price of fuel could & probably will reach a $1.00 + a ltr :( Warranty is something to keep in mind and along with what an exstended warranty costs. Ahh the feeling of signing that dotted line ............. :shock: :wink: :D :D
Ande

bah, buy a taurus, or a escort. as long as you don't abuse them they will last for ever (as with almost any car) what you wan't to look at is after warenty care, and having owned a nissan and a honda i can tell you the average repair is 3 to 5X the cost of a simular repair on a simular domestic car. another thing look for a lease return an then buy a extended warenty.. you can save thousands that way and get a exelent car.

I bought the wif's Taurus used with 92K milage, we have put another 50K on it and it is as good as the day it was made.

Steve

Also a good suggestion Steve 8) Just make sure you get it checked out and buy from a reputable dealer - yes buy the exstended warranty. As for the imports, yes I was hinting about not owning one off warranty. (was'nt I ?) :D
Ande

Thanks for the help. The reason I need to buy a manual is that my wife cannot drive a stick and I drive from Langley to Burnaby every morning. I currently drive a manual and it would be nice to use an auto, plus I have my 2nd child due in February. So if you have kids, having an automatic is nice.

I looked at the Dodge SX today <$15,000 and since I work for Ballard I am considered a Chrysler Employee and I get the employee discount. The car is about $3,500 less than the Nissan but form my experience people who own domestic cars seems to have more problems than Japanese.

My current car is a 93 Toyota Tercel with 285,000 KM, I have to rebuild the engine cause stupid me went 15,000 KM without an oil change. I just feel better with a Japanes car but I feel better with lower payments of a domestic or Korean.

I have checked several magazines and they don’t rate the Dodge Neon as a recommended buy but the Sentra does.

Can I safely say that regardless of which car I buy, unless it is a real known lemon, that as long as I do my oil change every 6,000 km, change the transmission fluid when required that most cars will last me 200,000 with out requiring a new engine or transmission.

I can tell you one thing, I have been researching this for over a month, test driving car after car and I feel sick to death about signing on the dotted line.

Why couldn’t I have been born rich instead of being so handsome?

:P

Another thing - I heard that the Dodge Neon (now called the SX) is the worst in its class for safety. Does anyone know of a website to check this out?

Again everyone thanks for your input, I really appreciate and need your advice.

Patrick

:D :D :D :roll: Sorry, just copying the wife when I make a claim like that. I had a site marked down for a site for car consumers, I'll check for it and let you know if I find it. 8)
Ande

Just go to the library and in the reference section look for the Lemon Aide books by Edmunds. Or his web site http://www.edmunds.com

I the online references are not as complete as the books. Edmunds pulls no punches.

I have a Sentra and I tell you, what a great reliable car, (knock on wood) I have 165,000km and so far the only thing that has gone on it was the alternator.

I had a hyundai just a few years ago, at 100,000km the distributor went, then the tranny then the block cracked, NOTHING was covered under warrantee, even the tranny that was serviced by them a mere 2 weeks before it went, they ( the dealership) blamed the tranny on me saying I added tranny fluid to it and wrecked it.

Over the long run, Nissan and toyota get my vote, my brother has a toy with 300,000km, just gets regular service done to it, my brother inlaw has two sentras, one has close to 400,000km and the other is about 2 years old, with less than 60,000km he doesn't spend money on repairs on either.

Mind you, a pick up truck can carry bigger tanks than a sedan... just a thought.

I think I will be going with the Sentra. I have researched until I am blue in the face and the Sentra meets most of my needs.

Thanks for everyones input.

Cheers,
Patrick