Topic: Need advice... cheap, reliable, good on gas

[Shnak]

Well here it is, I might be able to sell my new Golf TDI to a friend of a friend. So, I need to prepare a plan in case that happens.

I've decided that my car isn't where I want to put 30% of my budget every month. That means I'm looking to keep my payments as close as possible to 200$/mth, but will stretch to 300$/mth if it makes sense.

Of course, I need something that's confortable for a big guy like me (6'3", 225lbs).

That means either leasing something like an Elantra, Aerio, Focus, etc. Or maybe something 2-3 years old, preferably a Toyota/Honda for their reliability.

If I could lease a new Matrix/Vibe/Corolla for ~250$/mth, that'd be great. Anyone knows if that's possible? I haven't checked into that possibility at all.

What would you do in my situation? Keep in mind reliability please. Any suggestion is appreciated...  

(Message edited by Shnak on November 15, 2004)

[wing]

Buyer's remorse Shnak?  That was quick!

Echo Hatch (if you fit), $250 a month lease with 0 down.  Not much else in that range I would get.

[Mdxtasy]

I don't think there are a lot of choices for the $200/month route.  It would be more realistic to get into the $250-$300/month payments if you are looking at something new to lease.  If you are buying, those sort of payments get you into a car that's going to be under $10K and probably 5-6 years old.  Reliability might be a concern there so the best thing is to get into a new starter car by leasing and putting little down.  

Ford Focus
Honda Civic...bare bones for 276.43 tax in before dickering.
Toyota Corolla...bare bones can probably be done for the similar monthly as the Civic.

If you want to go lower, Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent/Elantra would be a good place to start.

[Shnak]

James, it's a combination of many things... frustration over rattles/creaks that only seem to get worse with weeks, high payments, and medium and long-term reliability that's starting to scare me. But mostly, it's the high payments.

I'm thinking leasing a new Elantra might be my best bet at this point. But then again, all those stories of finanlinx or whatever the name of their leasing company isn't all that great.

So maybe leasing a Civic or Corolla might be a good idea. Echo Hatch/Aveo/Accent are too small, I don't think I would like going up to New Brunswick (~10 hour drive) in those cars...

[wing]

Shnak there is a 2000 Civic on leasebuster for $80 a month for 7 months with a $9000 buyout.

You would probably get the best bang for the buck by doing a lease takeover.

[wing]

Check out this.
http://www.aadaleaseexchangenetwork.com/

[wing]

I think all listings on aada's site are from Ottawa.

[Shnak]

oh cool, thanks for that link James!

[jeeper]

Shnak hve u already tried to fit into the new Kia Spectra? Seems to be an interesting pkg for me...might be worth a look.

[Shnak]

Well it looks like the potential buyer was just that, potential. I guess he decided that he'll just buy a new one instead as he's more interested in the GL model, and don't care for the phatbox system I have installed.

Oh well... back to having those damn rattles fixed. I have an apointment wednesday morning at another VW dealer... maybe they'll be more competent and actually fix things.

[Mdxtasy]

Unless you put a fair chunk on a downpayment on the VW....I see very little incentive for people to take over your lease.  They can get into a brand new VW for similar payments.  

[Shnak]

I know Mdx... which is why I would need to give something like 3-4000$ cash to the person that'd take over my contract. And that is a little too much at this moment.

I think my new plan is to try to get all/most of creaks/rattles fixed, and live paycheck to paycheck to make the payments until either I get a pay raise, or that I get another oportunity to trade-in or sell the car to someone willing to take it off my hands.

Oh well, it's a learning experience. I knew when I signed the contract that things would be tight, but I went with it anyways because I really wanted the car. It's just a little too tight at the moment. Maybe things will get better in a few weeks/months.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I'll definitely keep those in mind if/when I need to switch cars.

[wing]

Install loud stereo, proceed to crank it, you won't hear the rattles

[Mdxtasy]

Kraft Dinner.

[safristi]

Shnak & Cheese ?

[barrie1]

Whine and Cheese maybe.

[Roadrunner]

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Snank, you're killin' me man.  

Just get something you can stick with, because you'll almost always lose money when buying and selling cars (unless you pick up the first, or know how to fix 'em up).  

Try an Echo hatch (my knees don't fit well). I don't fit well in Corolla either, head room wise. Base Mazda3 I'd pick. We've had great luck with Hyundais - had 5 in the family (2 Tibs, 2 Accents, 1 Elantra) and all but 1 were trouble-free ('99 Tibby). Parents just bought an '04 Elantra 2 months ago with 0% 72mth financing. Not a bad car.

Personally, I recommend just pimpin' yourself on the streets of Quebec. That should bring in what?.. an extra dollar or two?  ;)

[Shnak]

thanks for the post Siraqua, but I'll be keeping the Golf for a while. I'd lose way too much money by selling it right now, and besides, other than the few rattles/creaks, I love the car a lot! Yeah its expensive, but I still make the payments, so it's all good. I just wish I can eventually have those rattles fixed... they're annoying the hell out of me. And it's not fun to not being able to enjoy a brand new car to its fullest and always think about noises coming from all over the place.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I'm driving to Montreal on the week-end of the 4/5th. Are you in Ottawa?

I'd really like to hear these rattles of yours...

Too bad about it though. I know I can't stand buzzes, rattles, creaking, and other 'noises' in cars.

EDIT: Yeah, just checked on MapBlast. I've been to Ottawa, but hadn't remembered Hull is now Gatineau.


(Message edited by sirAQUAMAN64 on November 24, 2004)