Buying a new car.

BCReefer · #1 01-31-2003, 08:05 PM

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

#2 01-31-2003, 09:15 PM

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...

CHEAPREEF · #3 01-31-2003, 09:29 PM

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

Quinn · #4 01-31-2003, 09:35 PM

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

reefburnaby · #5 01-31-2003, 10:37 PM

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.

Son Of Skyline · #6 01-31-2003, 11:36 PM

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.

andestang · #7 02-01-2003, 12:47 AM

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:

Ande

StirCrazy · #8 02-01-2003, 01:37 AM

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

andestang · #9 02-01-2003, 01:55 AM

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 ?)

Ande

BCReefer · #10 02-01-2003, 04:45 AM

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