Thinking about buying a car - Page 2

gldstwmn · #16 06-29-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

I've had my car for about 7 years now (it's 8&1/2 years old) and I'm thinking of getting something else. I like it, it runs & looks great, but it's a 2 door & not really practical anymore as far as the dog, fam & other stuff go. It's a Monte Carlo.

I'll be selling my car myself - I refuse to let a dirty dealer screw me out of $1000 or more to trade it in. I'm thinking of a smaller SUV (shut up, Diss) - I like the Jeep Liberty, Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn VUE, etc. Used, preferably 2003 or 2004 (I'd go 2002 if the miles are low & it's in good shape.)

Any advice? Recommendations? Warnings? I've heard the VUE has lots of problems, so I'm leaning away from that. Jeep does a really thorough check on their "certified used vehicles" but I hear the Liberty is not a smooth ride. I've heard great things about the Buick Rendevous, but eh.

Well, I do know that GM is doing the employee discount thing. Personally, I financed my car through a credit union and bought it on ebay for $5000 below blue book. It worked out quite well. It's still under warranty for another three years and the scheduled maintenance is covered by the manufacturer up to 30,000 miles. SUV's are going pretty cheap right now. I'd still advise against most of them. They have a high center of gravity and roll too easily and are just not safe in my book.
Good luck to you.

gldstwmn · #17 06-29-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayley

I drive a Hyundai Elantra, and based on how much I love my car, my mom got a Santa Fe. It's totally cute, really affordable, the gas mileage is better than a lot of similar models, and the warranty is great.

People don't necessarily think quality when they hear Hyundai, but I love my car, and at 50,000 miles I've yet to have a SINGLE problem with it (knock on wood).

Actually, I've heard that the Elantra is supposed to be pretty good.

golddustwoman77 · #18 06-29-2005, 10:15 AM

I had a Honda CRV which I loved and never had any problems from. We sold it to my husband's mother, and it is still going strong no problems. I have a Ford Explorer now, and my mom, dad, and brother have all had Explorers or Expeditions. None of us have ever had problems with any of them, and they lasted us a long time.

skcin · #19 06-29-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEATHER&LACE64

Paula, thought I would give you my two cents~~~ Buy "American" because if you buy foreign you could wait a week or more for parts if your car should break down.I've worked as a parts consultant for 20 years for a GM/Pontiac/Mitsubishi Dealership and I see the ins and outs all day long. Having had several Import lines over the years turned me off completely. They are hard to deal with and take forever to get parts.I personally have always had Chevys.Everyone has their own feelings on cars-everyone has had different luck. I just wanted to give my inside opinion

if ya have any question, I would be happy to answer or find out info for you

That's a good point. Hubby does a lot of the maintenance on our vehicles too, and he's worried if I buy foreign he won't be able to work on it.

skcin · #20 06-29-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

BMW now makes a really affordable SUV. Has anyone heard anything about these?

Really affordable? For who? I'm a nurse, dude, I can't afford a BMW!

Thanks, though!

irishgrl · #21 06-29-2005, 02:49 PM

I have a Jeep Cherokee Sport, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. its NOT good on gas tho so I am looking for a commuter car and I think either Toyota or Honda is the way to go, especially Honda, they get good gas mileage and they hold their value better than most any car Ive seen (in my job I have to do Kelly Blue Book lookups and I am constantly surprised at how much those cars are worth even as the years roll on!)

diamondsnake · #22 06-29-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tynan88

BMW is an excellent brand of car, and the x3 and x5 are very good SUV's. I wouldn't touch one though, cost way too much.

I thought there was a new BMW SUV where the price was really cut down?

diamondsnake · #23 06-29-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

Really affordable? For who? I'm a nurse, dude, I can't afford a BMW!

Thanks, though!

Okay, I just checked. There SUVs start at $30,000... I guess what I meant to say is that for BMW they're affordable! There SUVs used to start at $50,000, so when you compare you are really getting a good deal! LOL

skcin · #24 06-29-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

Okay, I just checked. There SUVs start at $30,000... I guess what I meant to say is that for BMW they're affordable! There SUVs used to start at $50,000, so when you compare you are really getting a good deal! LOL

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmkay.

More affordable compared to some other Beemers yes. I'll give you that.

Stephanie · #25 06-29-2005, 06:37 PM

I have a honda accord for many years, never any problem. Time for a new one, and I have looked at Honda and Acura. Mostly foreign parts, assembled in america. In terms of best buy for your money, the accord is great.

skcin · #26 07-08-2005, 02:28 PM

OK, I just had to pour $670 into the Monte

. It's my own fault, had I had it checked out months ago I wouldn't have needed the shocks AND mounts replaced.

It's time to really start looking for something else while I can still get some $$$ for it.

skcin · #27 07-15-2005, 02:16 PM

Not that anyone cares, but it looks like the Jeep Liberty is out of the running. The motor is kind of loud & whiny. Mark doesn't like - are you ready for this - the dashboard.

There's almost no dash, it kind of drops straight down & this annoys him, apparently. Little details like cupholders & cubbies are usually my thing. Weird.

The Hyundai Sante Fe is looking better & better, but they're hard to find used cuz people like them & don't sell them often.

So, OK. That's that.

darklinensuit · #28 07-15-2005, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

Not that anyone cares, but it looks like the Jeep Liberty is out of the running. The motor is kind of loud & whiny. Mark doesn't like - are you ready for this - the dashboard.

There's almost no dash, it kind of drops straight down & this annoys him, apparently. Little details like cupholders & cubbies are usually my thing. Weird.

The Hyundai Sante Fe is looking better & better, but they're hard to find used cuz people like them & don't sell them often.

So, OK. That's that.

I agree with him, the dashboard can be a factor.

- Jake

littlecricket2 · #29 07-15-2005, 02:30 PM

All I know is, the next car I'm going to get will hopefully be a hybrid. My ex (with whom I'm still friends) has a Toyota Prius and it's effing awesome (and obviously gets great gas mileage). I'm pretty sure there are some hybrid SUV's out there, aren't there? I know the hybrids are currently expensive, but I'm hoping that my current car (a '99 Chevy Prism) lasts me long enough that by the time I want to buy a hybrid, they'll be cheaper and there will be more available to choose from (like maybe even fuel cells?).

Also, the savings you get on gas may eventually offset the extra cost of the hybrid anyway, even at their current prices.

GardenStateGirlie · #30 07-15-2005, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

The Hyundai Sante Fe is looking better & better, but they're hard to find used cuz people like them & don't sell them often.

The Kia dealership my parents bought their SUV from had two that were used (from trade-ins). Try researching on the internet through dealerships to see what they have in stock