First post and like wonderboy, I just purchased a new vehicle after weeks of driving various models. My two previous vehicles have been a Bonneville SE that I had for 8 years (one of my very best and loved vehicles) and imagine that, just come out of a 1995 Transport van (with 3.8 engine).
I thought I might share this buying experience that turned out different from wonderboy's. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, jusy different.
The van had had it, another van was not necessary any more (long story) and so with gas prices flaring, I started looking but was not attracted to any particular model. Did a bit of research and started test drives.
I was looking for a "smallish car", BMW's and other such manufacturer's out of my price range, and with an assumption that small cars are better built overseas than by the Americans, I started test driving around in Nissans, Mazda 6s, Acura TSX, Hondas and Toyotas. One day my wife sees a commercial for the new Impala and asks me if I had seen/driven this one. I had not and decided to give it a shot a long with the G6. Compared to the other vehicles I had test driven, these models simply did not measure up to anything I had test driven. And I hasten to add, that possibly the "measuring up" is loaded with subjectiveness - I heard it said that 50% of the buying decision for a car is based on reason and 50% is based on your feelings.
Anyway, I ended up purchasing a 2005 Honda Accord EX-L. I had the dealer add tinted windows, a European style spoiler (you know, the small one), a front deflector, permamnent anit-rust protection (10year gurantee) and Sherlock anti-theft all for $31,000 + tax. I thnk I got a good deal but then I supoose we all do
What I found most most amazing (I guess the real car buffs will think I'm simply naive and that's Ok because I do not consider myself a car buff) was one of the last words I had with the salesman while test driving the model I ended up purchasing. I had gone back and forth between the 6-cylinder and 4-cylinder models and could'nt really decide and so I said:
"OK, I've decided. I going with the 6-cylinder model. Give me your best price on this model (the one I was driving)".
The salesman replied "You have to tell me which it is. The 6-cylinder or this one. You're driving the 4-cylinder".
And so I eyed the speedometer and I was doing 115km. I floored it, and there was lots more power left to release. So I ended up buying the 4-cylinder i-VTECH model.
I've had it for just over one month and LOVE every second of driving.
