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Car questions

post #1 of 20
12/22/10 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
My Nissan Sentra just isnt doing it for me anymore. Its been a great car, but it was also my first car, and its starting to have some problems. Nothing too major since the engine was rebuilt two years ago. It has about 160K on it (when the odometer works...) and has some electrical problems. So now I am in search of something new to me! But I wanted some opinions!
I would love to find a convertible but we really dont need 3 2-seater convertibles in one house so that cancels out a lot of options! And I really dont like PT cruisers or Sebrings.
I want something reliable. And I know every car company has a few unhappy customers!
I dont want something too large!
I would like something AWD or 4WD, even though we dont get a lot of snow, it would be nice to have!
I want decent gas mileage!!!
Would prefer 2000 or newer.

Although during this I have realized it is extremely hard to find a manual car... which is what I am wanting! But I may have to settle!
I have been keeping my eye out for a decent priced Volvo SUV or Mazda SUV but havent been looking too hard. I will not be trading in my Nissan because I wouldnt get much at all for trade, and I have a friend willing to buy it for $1000. (And considering the paint is dull and it has some dings and issues I think that may be my best option!)

So any opinions?
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post #2 of 20
12/22/10 at 2:52pm
2011 Mustang 'vert Too bad it's not AWD/4WD
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post #3 of 20
12/22/10 at 2:57pm
I have a 2010 Chev Equinox. AWD great in the snow. Great gas mileage. has a cool back up camera. you see it when you back up in the rear view mirror. I have had it for since August 2009. I absolutely love it.
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post #4 of 20
12/22/10 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
Mmm I would love a new Mustang esp a convertible! But that doesnt quite work out! LOL!

I have kind of looked at the Chevy Equinox but have yet to find one I can afford!
If I were to buy a brand new car I would be getting a 2011 Kia Sportage or Mazda CX9(?)
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post #5 of 20
12/22/10 at 3:26pm
Since a Mustang becomes almost undriveable in snow, I'm not going to suggest that.
DH is on his (I think) 4th Honda SUV. He trades them off every time he gets them paid for, so I've actually lost count of how many he's had . He's bought nothing but Hondas since 1979, and has obviously been very happy with them.
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post #6 of 20
12/22/10 at 3:46pm
I recently bought a new car (SUV) when my last one was totaled in an accident. I test drove Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Nissan Murano, Chevy Trailblazer, Ford Escape Hybrid, Subaru Forrester and Subaru Outback. All were either AWD or 4WD.

The Toyota had the best fuel economy and was a spunky car for its size, but the tail gate opened sideways like a door, which didn't help me when I have to haul things in it. The Chevy's gas mileage was horrible and it handled very poorly on the road. The Nissan just felt too big. The Honda's back seat folded down in a way that I was limited for cargo. The Ford was just too expensive. That left the 2 Subaru's to choose from. I went with the Outback because it was more comfortable, drove better, and had more space inside. Plus the gas mileage isn't all that bad.
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post #7 of 20
12/22/10 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by libby74 View Post
Since a Mustang becomes almost undriveable in snow, I'm not going to suggest that.
Mine's going to be fun on Christmas if it snows in NC...and again when we take it to NJ in January But then again I used to drive an 84 Camaro Z28 with bald tires in the snow up there.

Hubby says the Acura MDX transmissions suck. But Honda and Toyota SUVs hold up pretty well.
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post #8 of 20
12/22/10 at 5:07pm
I just got a VW Tiguan in June but it's a bit pricey.

My other car is a Jetta (2001) TDI. The diesel gets fabulous mileage and the diesel engines seem to run forever. They are also manual transmission which I also like. I've never been disappointed in a VW product. I don't think anyone can beat that German engineering.
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post #9 of 20
12/22/10 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 
we came over the mountains from North Carolina into Tennessee in a horrible snow storm in a mustang.... I almost had a heart attack that night!!!
And then we came over the same mountain a few weeks back in the Honda S2000 with a tire trailer on the back in the snow.... cue another heart attack!

Gary and I have always only had imports so I will probably end up with one.
I will probably just go test drive a bunch and see what happens! I found a very pretty Volvo sedan driving to the store tonight, but it was behind a fence so I couldnt go look at it!
With me being so small (I'm only 5'1") I dont want anything too big! LOL!
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post #10 of 20
12/22/10 at 7:29pm
For my next vehicle, I want a Honda CRV or a Subaru Forester. I have a Honda Civic now and it's great (it has 235,000 miles!), but I always get stuck in the snow. So I definitely want a 4WD/AWD next time. Too bad they're so expensive! I can't find a decent one for under $16,000 (which is the price I'd like to stay under).
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post #11 of 20
12/22/10 at 7:49pm
If you want AWD, look at the Subarus.
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post #12 of 20
12/22/10 at 8:03pm
Thread Starter 
I do think Tiguans are sexy, but too much!
I have kind of looked at Subies, but they are so expensive! And if they are in my price range, around here they have been beat to death or have more miles than my nissan!
Although actually right now we are in search of a Subie with a blown motor if anyone knows of anyone that has one! It has to be manual though! Gary has an idea.... he wants to make an electric car... I am unsure, but whatever! LOL!

I test drove new sedans back in spring and fell in love with the 2010 Mazda 3! I drove that, a 2010 Kia Forte, and a 2009 Honda Civic. And I honestly hated the civic! It was more than either 2010 models and had less options! But I may have to go drive some of their SUVs cause I do love our S2000!
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post #13 of 20
12/23/10 at 4:22am
I'm am Explorer fan. I have probably the worst possible year haha 2002. My best adivce from the resident car guru never never ever ever buy a car that is the first year of changes.....like the 02 explorer that is by far the worst explorer made because it was the 1st yr for that body style etc.ten tons of problems are associated with it especially tranny problems. Your best bet is to find what style you want and get approx 2 yrs after that style was introduced because then the problems have been worked out.
My explorer doesn't get great mileage but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can haul stuff with it, its 4wd, franklin has tons of room to play and doesn't bug me up frton during car rides, I can 4 wheel thru the yard and not get stuck with a load of wood in the back. Basically its my number 2 bf haha it would be number 1 cuz it doesn't talk back lol but it doesn't bring in a paycheck it spends money so its number 2.
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post #14 of 20
12/23/10 at 5:43am
I just want to add that after driving it or a couple of weeks, I totally love my Subaru Outback. I'm terrified to drive in snow, and I was pushed into looking into them because it handles so well in bad weather. It is without a doubt the most stable car that I've ever owned. And even though the car I bought was worth double the car that was totaled, my car insurance actually went down because of all the safety features.

Which gives me another thought - you might want to find out insurance rates on different cars that you seriously consider. You should factor that into the cost of the car.
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post #15 of 20
12/23/10 at 5:51am
I've had my Mazda2 for about a month and I LOVE it. It's an itty bitty little car, but really doesn't feel small- in fact, I drove my other car, a 2004 Chrysler Sebring the other day and actually felt more cramped altho sitting in that seat that is practically molded to my behind was nice but so far, I'm ecstatic with my Mazda
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post #16 of 20
12/23/10 at 6:13am
Thread Starter 
Insurance will probably play a slight role in it, but anything I get will cause it to go up! Right now I pay $25 a month because I only have liability and anything I get that I have to make payments on I will have to get full coverage. I wish u could afford a wrx or an evo but u cannot! I am hoping to just find a good deal on craigslist and get something for under 8k. I did find an Audi a4 last night, but the ad was kind of vague so I didn't put too much thought into it.
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post #17 of 20
12/23/10 at 9:56am
I absolutely LOVE my 2011 Kia Sorento! Gas mileage isn't the greatest (avg 18-19mpg), but I would guess that the Sportage would be much better. I was rearended in my Sorento a month after I got it and I never felt a thing. My insurance went down $60/month from my Subaru too. I love this CUV!
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post #18 of 20
12/23/10 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pipersjo View Post
I absolutely LOVE my 2011 Kia Sorento! Gas mileage isn't the greatest (avg 18-19mpg), but I would guess that the Sportage would be much better. I was rearended in my Sorento a month after I got it and I never felt a thing. My insurance went down $60/month from my Subaru too. I love this CUV!
I found an 05 Sorento in my price range today on Craigslist. I may go test drive it next week! It was $7000 and had right at 100K miles but appeared to be in good shape!
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post #19 of 20
12/23/10 at 8:57pm
Most of the time you can find a outback in good shape that is 5-7 years old with 50-100K for 5-10K
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post #20 of 20
12/23/10 at 9:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharky View Post
Most of the time you can find a outback in good shape that is 5-7 years old with 50-100K for 5-10K
I dunno if I could make myself drive a station wagon looking car LOL!
On another note: Gary is buying a subaru... Im the one looking for a car and he finds one to buy....
I however fell absolutely in love with a silver Audi A4 on craigslist. AWD and $8K hmmmm
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