Slickdeals is community-supported.ย  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Forum Thread

Landers may need a new car

18,933 670 October 3, 2010 at 01:53 PM in Autos
I really didn't want to purchase a new vehicle, but the fact that my car may cost me about 1/2 or more than the value of it to repair and I own it outright, I may end up j ust buying a new one.

I'm looking used, but not opposed to new if the price is only a little bit more than what it would cost for used.

I'm looking to try to stay in 7-10k range, but could go a little more if the car was newer and the cost was only a couple thousand more and I could keep my monthly payments reasonable.

I'm looking at maybe Mazda 3 or similar. I'd like a Sedan, but am open to a small SUV. I don't want a coupe since i carry my hockey gear with me a lot and transporting that in a smaller coupe is inconvenient.

Any suggestions on vehicles to look at?
Add a Comment
Reply

102 Comments

View Forum Thread

Your comment cannot be blank.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Feb 2004
Eat a rock!
> bubble2 13,790 Posts
459 Reputation
mrlaugh
10-03-2010 at 03:11 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:11 PM.
Quote from Landers :
Thanks. Smilie I'd consier a toyota as well if the price was reasonable.
I wouldn't LMAO

we just got new ford fusion hybrids at work, I have been very impressed with them so far, but new that's blowing your price range, and I don't know what older models are like. also, the main reason I liked it was because I drove to Houston on a Tuesday, drove around each day, and back to Austin on Friday, and didn't have to fill up until I got back into Austin, got over 500 miles on one tank of gas.
Reply
Joined Jan 2006
Piece of work
> bubble2 18,933 Posts
670 Reputation
Original Poster
Landers
10-03-2010 at 03:12 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:12 PM.
Quote from mrlaugh :
I wouldn't LMAO

we just got new ford fusion hybrids at work, I have been very impressed with them so far, but new that's blowing your price range, and I don't know what older models are like. also, the main reason I liked it was because I drove to Houston on a Tuesday, drove around each day, and back to Austin on Friday, and didn't have to fill up until I got back into Austin, got over 500 miles on one tank of gas.
No on the toyotas? Work needed and such, or another reason?
Reply
Joined Aug 2010
Permanently Banned
> bubble2 3,549 Posts
129 Reputation
coulditbeSatan
10-03-2010 at 03:14 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:14 PM.
Quote from Landers :
Looks like a hatchback station wagon to me. laugh out loud I like Hyundai, but I definitely don't like that one. laugh out loud

Thanks for the helpful post though. I've been poking through KBB already.
If you go used then you might want to try Consumer Reports service for checking the reliability of the make/model you think you want. I used that to help my sister and her husband decide on their car last year. I forget how much it was (~$25) for a 3 month subscription to check as many cars as you want. Final step is the Carfax.
Reply
Joined Mar 2007
Password: โ€ขโ€ขโ€ขโ€ขโ€ขโ€ขโ€ขโ€ข
> bubble2 20,914 Posts
1,646 Reputation
redmaxx
10-03-2010 at 03:14 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:14 PM.
Quote from mrlaugh :
I wouldn't LMAO
Iagree I had a Pontiac Vibe (read: Toyota Matrix) and it was extremely underwhelming. The interior materials quality as no better than the Chevy that I had before it, and in some cases worse. The engine and transmission were weak and unrefined and I had to rev the hell out of it to get any power. It had to go in for a fair number of repairs too.
Reply
Joined Jan 2006
Piece of work
> bubble2 18,933 Posts
670 Reputation
Original Poster
Landers
10-03-2010 at 03:15 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:15 PM.
Quote from coulditbeSatan :
If you go used then you might want to try Consumer Reports service for checking the reliability of the make/model you think you want. I used that to help my sister and her husband decide on their car last year. I forget how much it was (~$25) for a 3 month subscription to check as many cars as you want. Final step is the Carfax.
Carfax most definitely.

Quote from redmaxx :
Iagree I had a Pontiac Vibe (read: Toyota Matrix) and it was extremely underwhelming. The interior materials quality as no better than the Chevy that I had before it, and in some cases worse. The engine and transmission were weak and unrefined and I had to rev the hell out of it to get any power. It had to go in for a fair number of repairs too.
Thanks!
Reply
Last edited by Landers October 3, 2010 at 03:16 PM.
Joined Feb 2004
Eat a rock!
> bubble2 13,790 Posts
459 Reputation
mrlaugh
10-03-2010 at 03:17 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:17 PM.
Quote from Landers :
No on the toyotas? Work needed and such, or another reason?
well, my corolla has been less than good luck for me. had to replace the engine and engine computer, thankfully both under warranty. the computer is now a recall, although mine failed over a year before the recall, and it was a well known problem then. the tires were also crap, and considering how much more than say, a ford focus, it cost me, I'm not sure what I gained in quality or reliability.
Reply
Joined Jan 2006
Piece of work
> bubble2 18,933 Posts
670 Reputation
Original Poster
Landers
10-03-2010 at 03:19 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:19 PM.
Quote from mrlaugh :
well, my corolla has been less than good luck for me. had to replace the engine and engine computer, thankfully both under warranty. the computer is now a recall, although mine failed over a year before the recall, and it was a well known problem then. the tires were also crap, and considering how much more than say, a ford focus, it cost me, I'm not sure what I gained in quality or reliability.
Good to know. Appreciate it man.
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Jun 2004
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 27,804 Posts
541 Reputation
Pig
10-03-2010 at 03:19 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:19 PM.
I assume you are looking for a used car? Thumbup

Have you considered the Honda Fit? (Yeah it's a hatchback but seems like a damn practical car)

How about a Sonata? You should be able to get a 2007 base for around 9K. I'd say accord but you probably won't get a late model accord for your budget and it's best to stay within budget if you have one set......
Reply
Joined Jan 2006
Piece of work
> bubble2 18,933 Posts
670 Reputation
Original Poster
Landers
10-03-2010 at 03:20 PM.
10-03-2010 at 03:20 PM.
Quote from Pig :
I assume you are looking for a used car? Thumbup

Have you considered the Honda Fit? (Yeah it's a hatchback but seems like a damn practical car)

How about a Sonata? You should be able to get a 2007 base for around 9K. I'd say accord but you probably won't get a late model accord for your budget and it's best to stay within budget if you have one set......
I did think about the Sonata. Definitely one I'll be looking into. Hyundai's quality has definitely improved in recent years.

Honda Fit.. meh. Not exactly my style.
Reply
Joined May 2004
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 3,443 Posts
Deal Hound
10-03-2010 at 04:42 PM.
10-03-2010 at 04:42 PM.
Quote from shuriken :
seriously. i hate those square cars. laugh out loud
I was starting to think I was the only person who hated those refrigerators on wheels.
Reply
Joined Jul 2004
i inspire travel
> bubble2 92,688 Posts
36,041 Reputation
Pro
Deal Hunter
serra | Staff
10-03-2010 at 04:46 PM.
10-03-2010 at 04:46 PM.
mazda 3's are so cute, i could see you in it Blush
Reply
Joined Dec 2004
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 22,408 Posts
12,231 Reputation
shuriken
10-03-2010 at 05:02 PM.
10-03-2010 at 05:02 PM.
Quote from Deal Hound :
I was starting to think I was the only person who hated those refrigerators on wheels.
the only real selling point is that they are spacious compared to alternatives. however, they have just about everything else going against them: aesthetics, high drag coefficient due to it's shape/frontal area (maybe compensated a bit by the back) i.e. horrible aerodynamics, can't off-road as easily compared to other suv's, etc. laugh out loud

Quote from serra :
mazda 3's are so cute, i could see you in it Blush
this is your cue that 3's are bordering feminine... Big Grin
Reply
Last edited by shuriken October 3, 2010 at 05:03 PM.
Joined Jan 2006
Piece of work
> bubble2 18,933 Posts
670 Reputation
Original Poster
Landers
10-03-2010 at 05:04 PM.
10-03-2010 at 05:04 PM.
Quote from shuriken :
the only real selling point is that they are spacious compared to alternatives. however, they have just about everything else going against them: aesthetics, high drag coefficient due to it's shape/frontal area (maybe compensated a bit by the back) i.e. horrible aerodynamics, can't off-road as easily compared to other suv's, etc. laugh out loud



this is your cue that 3's are bordering feminine... Big Grin
And they're still a reasonably priced vehicle that IMO really don't look all that feminine. Dontknow To each their own. Think what ya want.
Reply
Joined Dec 2004
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 22,408 Posts
12,231 Reputation
shuriken
10-03-2010 at 05:10 PM.
10-03-2010 at 05:10 PM.
Quote from Landers :
And they're still a reasonably priced vehicle that IMO really don't look all that feminine. Dontknow To each their own. Think what ya want.
yeah, i looked at a few bodies and they don't look too bad/feminine. the only mazdas that have ever really caught my eye are the rx series, especially the rx7's w/veilside fortune kits. drool
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Jan 2006
Piece of work
> bubble2 18,933 Posts
670 Reputation
Original Poster
Landers
10-03-2010 at 05:11 PM.
10-03-2010 at 05:11 PM.
Quote from shuriken :
yeah, i looked at a few bodies and they don't look too bad/feminine. the only mazdas that have ever really caught my eye are the rx series, especially the rx7's w/veilside fortune kits. drool
I really like the RX-8, but it's well out of my budget.
Reply
Page 3 of 7
Start the Conversation
 

Popular Deals

Trending Deals

More Autos Deals & Discounts

Link Copied

The link has been copied to the clipboard.