So it looks like I need a new car

L

Larry T. Spider

1,000+ Posts
Well, soon at least. Mine is 10 years old and has a lot of minor stuff wrong with it. But, the engine is starting to make some crazy noises and its just about time for something new. I dont want to dump money into something that could go towards my new car. I got this car 10 years ago on my parents dime and it has served me well over the years with almost no repair costs.

Now, I need a new car (not immediately) and dont even know where to begin looking. Im not much of a car guy so I really dont even know whats out there in my price range. I would like to spend 20k-25k on a car or SUV.

What cars/SUVS would you recommend I look at? Any good places to start reading about the different options?
 
Edmunds has plenty of information. Also, consider a late model used vehicle. You can avoid the steepest part of the depreciation curve and still end up with a nice vehicle.
 
I'm a big fan of my VW Jetta TDI. Excellent gas milage but still has power.

You can buy a new one for 25K, but I bought my 2006 for 12K.
 
We're going to need more info. What kind of car are you losing? Kids? What's important: style, mileage, longevity?
 
Im losing a v6 camaro. Great for high school and ok for college. Not so much for an almost 30 year old...

No kids and the wife has an SUV so I dont NEED one but wouldnt mind having one.

Reliability and style are important to me. I dont drive much other than to work and back (10 miles) and wife works from home so milage isnt a huge concern. I really want something that will last me 10 years w/o problems.

Thanks for all the responses.
 
Cheap, reliable, commuter usually trends toward Japanese (and more recently Korean). Style trends towards European. European cars don't usually score as high with reliability although they are often great with mileage. I'd look at several car review sites and start sorting by price range, reliability, mileage, etc.
 
overstock on a car ? hmm new one on me. As far as the kind of car I have a friend who has had an accord for a long time, recently got totaled, got another accord. Swears by it.

check out the koreans, Optima, Sonata for sedans. nice cars.
 
My Accord, with original engine and transmisson, has 464,000 miles on it. I have had to replace the clutch once and tires a few times and it does use some oil. Will get back to you when reliability testing is completed.
 
smokin.gif
yes please get back to us when you go over a cool million miles.

I could testify about the engine Nissan put in their pickups, the engine was still okay, I had to replace the clutch and the Manual transmission went out before I totaled the pickup at 165,000
 
I'd get you a little sports car like a Acura RSX, minicooper S (if you are <6ft. VW aren't as reliable. Maybe a slightly used Nissan Z.
 
I drove a 91' Ford Ranger V-6, 5-Speed on the floor for 331,000 miles before I was t-boned crossing 1960/Eldridge. That truck would still be going to day if not for that accident. It was pretty much impossible for me to break the thing.
 
VW diesels are very reliable... maybe not so much the gas engines, though.

Maybe a used Acura TSX? They're sweet cars and get decent mileage for the power.
 
vw engines may be ok, but the rest of the cars can be dicey.

a few years back Consumer Reports called jettas the worst possible used car buy.
 
Accord, camry, sonata (although I just drove a sonata from Dallas to s.a. And back, I don't think I could own one for ten years but still a good car)
I'm a strong believer in Honda and Toyota but I will definately include a look at the vw jettta diesel in my next purchase.
It will be a long time before I trust American again, maybe never.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. I am a teacher and will have the summer off to test drive cars to really figure out what I want. Here are the cars that I plan on at least taking a look at.

Chevy Equinox
Ford Escape
Honda Accord and CR-V
Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Santa fe, and Sonata
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Camry (probably the 3.5L v6)
 
I would seriously do more reliability research on the ford escape hybrid, my mom owned one.....just saying.
 
Ford Fusion. Better reliability than Honda or Toyota. I have 2. Best car I've ever owned and I've had 3 accords since 1991. These cars have been bulletproof. 2010 Hybrid and 2006 SEL with the 3.0 Duratec V6.
 
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