Car opinions please!

texas*princess · #1 03-01-2006, 12:55 AM

I've narrowed down my new car search to 3 models....what's your fav?

Right now I'm looking at the Mazda RX8, Nissan 350Z, & Pontiac GTO.

I'm leaning towards the RX8 b/c I like the mini door to the back seat

georgewallace3 · #2 03-01-2006, 01:11 AM

BMW 5 series, Mercedes C class, Jetta, Volvo S80, Jeep Wrangler/Cherokee, Tahoe/Yukon..............acceptable sororstitute cars.

Tom Earp · #3 03-01-2006, 01:35 AM

"HONDA"!

Have Had 4.

That is all!

Well, $, and Resale does count!

James · #4 03-01-2006, 05:41 AM

Depends on your income, try not to finance a car that exceeds your ability to pay cash for.

New cars are always bad, going for something 5 years old will save you a lot of money and they ahve already taken the biggest hit of depreciation.

I know millionaires who have never bought a new car.

Price your insurance before you buy the car also . . some states are outrageous.

I have seen way too many people in and out of college bite off a hefty car parpayment cause they wanted a glittery new toy.

That payment owns you. That payment means that you can't take a few months off work if you need to, or if you are fired.

With a high payment you work just to drive.

kddani · #5 03-01-2006, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by texas*princess
I've narrowed down my new car search to 3 models....what's your fav?

Right now I'm looking at the Mazda RX8, Nissan 350Z, & Pontiac GTO.

I'm leaning towards the RX8 b/c I like the mini door to the back seat

I love the Mazda RX8, someone near me in my complex has one in black and I love it.
I'm not a fan of the Nissan 350z. It's a looks like a skittle to me somwhat.
Not familiar with the GTO as much.

I do have to somewhat agree with James. I love my car but wish I had something with lower payments.

And depends on what's important to you. For me, I wanted something small but not fugly from a style point, and something good on gas mileage that has a good track record and a high resale value. Hence my Acura RSX.

SigmaChiGuy · #6 03-01-2006, 09:54 AM

If you want it to last long, and expect a GOOD warranty - DON'T buy American.

valkyrie · #7 03-01-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SigmaChiGuy
If you want it to last long, and expect a GOOD warranty - DON'T buy American.

Agreed.

DeltAlum · #8 03-01-2006, 12:43 PM

Unfortunately, I concur.

AlphaFrog · #9 03-01-2006, 12:46 PM

I'm sort of nervous to see how long mine will last. I not only bought American, but I bought the first year of the model - It's a 2004 Chevy Aveo. But I really like the car, it gets good gas milage, has low payments, and I have a platinum plan on it. Plus, it was actually manufactued in Korea, which makes me feel a little better.

Rudey · #10 03-01-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SigmaChiGuy
If you want it to last long, and expect a GOOD warranty - DON'T buy American.

Too bad that's not true.

Asian cars have had a huge amount of recalls lately. Add to that the fact that American manufacturers own parts of Asian and European manufacturers (ie some of the models out now are actually relabled imports) and combine that with problems that are minor as opposed to major engine shutdowns (meaning if one car is ranked a tad bit more dependable it's only because a radio button didn't stick and not because a company issued a major recall).

-Rudey

DeltAlum · #11 03-01-2006, 01:03 PM

Interesting survey. Unfortunately, my personal experience doesn't match it.

We have three American built cars at the moment and have just a lot of little problems -- along with one or two major ones over the course of owning them.

We've also owned several Japanese cars and were able to drive them much longer with many fewer repairs.

Maybe the "Detroit Iron" is getting better.

ETA, where are the Chrysler products on the survey?

Rudey · #12 03-01-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Interesting survey. Unfortunately, my personal experience doesn't match it.

We have three American built cars at the moment and have just a lot of little problems -- along with one or two major ones over the course of owning them.

We've also owned several Japanese cars and were able to drive them much longer with many fewer repairs.

Maybe the "Detroit Iron" is getting better.

I don't know the model, make, year of your car. It could all be different.

Plus given your experience, you should know that when Jap cars came onto the market they were nothing but undependable rust buckets. It took time to build that quality reputation. Those reputations change.

Plus you drove European sports cars which had to have been awful in terms of repairs. Even now, when I wanted to buy my car I was deciding between Audis, BMWs, and Landrovers - a lot of their models have horrible quality issues. I ended up with a Ford.

-Rudey

kk_bama · #13 03-01-2006, 01:26 PM

I love my 4Runner! 2002 sport edition.

Before that, I had a 97 Honda Accord for high school and most of college. Very dependable. I like the new Accord coupes.

Rudey · #14 03-01-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum

ETA, where are the Chrysler products on the survey?

Most dependable
1 Lexus 139
2 Porsche 149
3 Lincoln 151
4 Buick 163
5 Cadillac 175
6 Infiniti 178
7 Toyota 194
8 Mercury 195
9 Honda 201
10 Acura 203
11 BMW 225
12 Ford 231
13 Chevrolet 232
14 Chrysler 235

Least dependable
1 Kia 397
2 Land Rover 395
3 MINI 383
4 Volkswagen 335
5 Isuzu 331
6 Daewoo 318
7 Audi 312
8 Suzuki 292
9 Jeep 289
10 Saab 286

-Rudey

DeltAlum · #15 03-01-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
Plus you drove European sports cars which had to have been awful in terms of repairs.

They were tough, but not as hard to get parts and service as they were reputed to be. There were pretty good dealers in Columbus. And, I was a kid then, so I really didn't mind that the heaters barely worked and the Lucas distributor caps and other electrical parts seemed like they were made out of paper mache' and would quit operating sometimes in the rain.

It was a surprise that you had to add 10 weight oil to the SU Carburators every month or so.

My first Austin Healey Sprite had a piece of plywood instead of a floorboard in the passenger side. The car cost a princely $850 used.

One of my favorite old lines is:

Q) Why do the British drink warm beer?

A) They all own Lucas refrigerators.

On the other hand, you could fill the gas tank with "high test" gas for less than $2.00.

But, boy were they fun. Great days!

ETA -- the second list is different than the cut and pasted one. Are they different years?