Author Topic: What to buy??? (Read 3424 times)

karebear · « **on:** September 20, 2005, 08:12:04 pm »

I am in the market for a new car ... my lease on my 2002 Honda Accord Coupe ends in two weeks. Deciding on how to proceed next is becoming a nightmare. I am seriously looking at the 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 SE .. I know, smaller engine than my V6 but with gas prices the way they are, I think a smaller engine will suffice. I want to preferably lease again .. no more than $400/month and with no downpayment (48 months). Any suggestions as to what else I should be looking at as well?

wing · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:13:03 pm »

Welcome to the forum.

What type of car are you looking for? 4 door sedan? There are lots of choices from the new civic / mazda 3 to the new Sonata.

karebear · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:21:32 pm »

Thanks

Definitely 4 door sedan this time .... I cannot go for the Civic's cause they are not going to be released in time (I have heard anything from October to December for a release date) ... I did consider the Mazda 3 GT sport but interst rates for finance and lease are too high for the 06 models and surprisingly, insurance quotes were the highest for Mazda 3s (compared to Civic and Nissan Altima which actually came in the cheapest). I did not even consider the Sonata ... not sure about Hyundai...

wing · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:24:49 pm »

Definetely take a look at the sonata it is very well built I would have no reserve buying one. And the warranty is excellent, being a lease there isn't really any reason not too (assuming you like the car).

Interesting to hear the mazda 3 has high insurance rates I did not realize that.

karebear · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:34:12 pm »

I think any car with the word "sport" in it automatically hikes up insurance rates ...

goray · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2005, 09:00:59 pm »

Civic release @ Oct 4, 4 door, and coupe.
Accord Release after weeks from Civic's
SIR release @ Dec/ Jan.

so there you go.

IMO, why not buy an 05 accord coupe for cheap now.

froggy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2005, 09:04:45 pm »

Quote from: karebear on September 20, 2005, 08:21:32 pm

... I did consider the Mazda 3 GT sport but interst rates for finance and lease are too high for the 06 models and surprisingly, insurance quotes were the highest for Mazda 3s (compared to Civic and Nissan Altima which actually came in the cheapest).

Surprising, as I was shopping for the Civic and the Mazda3, the insurance was chepaer for the 3 (it was the Sedan GS though) Mind you, it was a $100 per year difference.
What about a Mini? (unless you need more space)
G6, an 05 4 cyl accord?

JD · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2005, 10:10:19 pm »

I second the suggestion that you check out the Hyundai Sonata.. It's been rated #1 in Comparo's versus the Accord and Camry, as well as #1 in reliability.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2005, 12:03:47 am »

I'm not sure if it's feasible, but if you want to wait and see the new Civics, could you rent a car for a week or so? It would cost, I know, but you might like the Civic enough to warrant it?

Of course, if you end up not liking it, you're out some good money. Maybe something to consider, at any rate.

Other than that, I would second the Sonota and the purchase of an 05 Accord. I especially like the Accord, and imagine you be right at home in one.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2005, 12:15:12 pm »

The 2.5 is a big 4-cyl, and not all that fuel efficient next to a modern V6.

Sonata is a great car - worth a look just to cover your bases and to be even more sure of your final purchase.

karebear · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2005, 03:18:17 pm »

I should have been more specific when I said Civic .. cause I was looking into the Civic HYBRID. I checked out the Prius Hybrid as well but it's beyond my price range. The 2006 Civic Hybrid is apparently much cheaper this year but once again I would have to wait until Dec/Jan.

Not looking at the 05 Accord merely cause I feel like a change ... however I will definitely check out the Sonata.

HEre are my choices at the moment:
2006 Altima 2.5 Special Edition for $423/month with 0 down but about $1000 on delivery
or
2005 Altima 3.5 S for $388/month with 0 down and $444 on delivery.

Which one would u go for?

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2005, 03:45:56 pm »

Why go Hybrid when the Civic itself is so dang good and fuel efficient? I wouldn't, and especially not unless I lived right DT or communited in stop and go everyday.

As for your Q, is that really a Q?

3.5 ALL THE WAY!!!

mr_meow · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2005, 09:48:22 am »

stay away from the sonata its untested - remember never buy a car in its first year of production - you are the test pilot - so never know what this car will be like - it may be a complete dog - then again it might not - do you really want to find out - although you might like spending time getting it fix - because it won't cost you being a least car - just your time.

If you worried about gas prices - then get a Corrolla - its describe as baby Camry.
.

karebear · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2005, 11:39:30 am »

I have to agree with "Meow" about staying away from the Sonata. I test drove it yesterday and it was a good ride ... smooth, handles well, looks so much like the accord from the outside ... everything was good about it but I am still hesitant about being the guinea pig. I don't have time to spend in repair shops etc so I prefer going with a well-known, reliable car. Most likely going with the Altima 3.5 S ...

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2005, 05:16:42 pm »

Quote from: Meow on September 22, 2005, 09:48:22 am

stay away from the sonata its untested - remember never buy a car in its first year of production - you are the test pilot - so never know what this car will be like - it may be a complete dog - then again it might not - do you really want to find out - although you might like spending time getting it fix - because it won't cost you being a least car - just your time.

If you worried about gas prices - then get a Corrolla - its describe as baby Camry.
.

I believe he said that he would be leasing the car anyway, so whatever happens to go wrong with the new Sonata would most likely be covered under warranty. First year that a car is in production is a not a reason to fully dismiss it, especially when it's being leased. Not sure what hyundai's warranty's are like, but i think they have some of the better ones in the business

wing · « **Reply #15 on:** September 22, 2005, 06:03:29 pm »

I agree bullit, I said the same above, who cares if your leasing??

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2005, 08:26:30 pm »

5 years 50 000 km comprehensive, 10 years/100 000 km drivetrain, I believe. If you're on a 2 year 25 000 km/yr lease or something I wouldn't hesitate.

toolatecrew · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2005, 09:08:57 pm »

I would guess that if you were seriously considering getting another Honda the dealer would probably work something to extend your lease on a month y month basis . Maybe HSG could shine in.

As far as leasing, new models and any glitches covered under warranty. it has some validity but I speak from experience when I say its not as good as it sounds. I leased a 2005 Volvo v50 one of the first ones in my area. I'm on service visit #13 (and scheduled service should be 2 x per year) and counting. having to run your car into the shop, not driving it and living with annoying defects is no fun even if covered under warranty.

The quality of Hyundai has been quite improved some I'm not down on the Sonata just warning that warranty takes the cost away but not the pain.

JD · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2005, 10:09:08 am »

Don't listen to these irrational Hyundai haters...

Hyundai's Sonata has won the Popular Mechanics Award for the safest vehicle on the road
Hyundai's Sonata has been named the most reliable car in inital quality.
Hyundai's Sonata has been named the better car, as compared to segment-leaders, the Accord and Camry

Don't worry about what these idiotic haters spew... They still think it's 1982

And don't worry about being a 'guinea pig'. The people here who worry about that are old and remember the days of a "Friday Car" and how it took years for slow moving car manufactures to repair glaring errors in new models.

If you look at the statistics from the last decade, more recalls occur after the 5 year mark on new cars then before... Just look at Ford and Toyota, recalling mid-late 90's vehicles this week.

From your little review of your testdrive, karebare, it sounsd like you reallyl iked the car - Don't pass up something you like because a few old, not-with-the-times Hyundai haters scared you $:-\$

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2005, 04:52:18 pm »

Well Toolatecrew's sentiments are 'hatin' they're facing reality and karebear has already said that there isn't the time to be wasted in the dealership getting "free fixes". Absolutely Hyundai has made itself an incredible reputation for quality lately and I sure as hell am rooting for the new Sonata to be as great a car in the long run as it appears so far. But, the truth is, nobody knows for sure if the new Alabama plant will be able to work bug-free in screwing these things together. Just think of the poor guinea pigs that bought Mercedes ML320's when they first started being produced in Alabama!

Author Topic: What to buy??? (Read 3424 times)

mr_meow