Topic: I think I have it narrowed down to three choices....

[Hammy]

I had a guy come for a second look at the Pilot today and he is taking it to a garage for the once over on Tuesday.  I am thinking he might buy it so I need to figure out what I will buy.  As you may know my excellent deal on a 2007 Infiniti M35 fell apart due to a horrible Car Proof report   http://reports.carproof.com/main?id=T0%2bp1XW%2b8q2B41SIm%2fzErw%3d%3d

I am thinking I will go for the affordable sedan now and then go for the super car in four years when a lot of my other commitments will be taken care of.

So here are my three options at the current time:

1) 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS - 28,064 before tax - 5 year warranty, lots of options for the price, great fuel economy, 0% interest up to 6 years

2) 2012 Suzuki Kizashi S - 29,495 before tax - All Wheel Drive, great handling

3) 2011 Buick Regal CXL - 34,721 discounted to 27,046 before tax - Nice car, solid interior, 4 year warranty... but a Buick


What does everyone think? The Buick is nice solid car, I like the AWD of the Suzuki, I like the warranty, fuel economy  and interior room of the SOnata.

Thanks!

[Karumba]

It's up to you hammy. It looks like you've already been looking for an ideal car for a long time and you're fine with any of these 3. You've also listed each of their strengths - you''ll have to decide which one you like best and just pick that one. 

[mmret]

.....follow your heart.

[Hammy]

If I get either the Buick or SUzuki I will be one of the only people in the entire province driving one.... I like the thought of that.

[The Mighty Duck]

Is resale a concern? I feel like that would likely rule out the Suzuki, and maybe the Buick...

I like the Suzuki best, especially if you place a lot of value on AWD. The Sonata is a great choice, too. IMO both better than the Buick.

[mmret]

Might be the first time in history that a Hyundai came out on top in the resale category.

[Mike]

If I get either the Buick or SUzuki I will be one of the only people in the entire province driving one.... I like the thought of that.

Get the Suzuki and you might be one of the only people in Canada with a Kizashi!

[airbalancer]

get a pick up 

[Hammy]

Actually there a few years back all my neighbours started buying pick ups.... they all had young families.... it really confused me.  Then they all bought campers which they used 3 or 4 times a year.  To each their own but I don't look forward to being locked in a small room with my kids for hours on end!

[Jaeger]

The Suzuki would be the most fun to drive, I expect, as long as you can live with the CVT.  Resale value will likely suck immensely, so if you don't plan to drive it 'til it won't drive any more, give that some thought.

The Buick is solid indeed, and offers a nice balance between comfortable ride and good handling, but it sure is underpowered.  Only you can decide if it meets your needs in that respect, but the lack of power and the sleepy transmission combine for a drivetrain deal-breaker for me.

The Sonata in 2.4l form offers strong power, good fuel economy and a spacious interior, but isn't particularly sporty in the handling department.

get a pick up 

Yep - they ride better than a Rolls Royce and get better fuel economy than a Prius! 

Jaeger

[airbalancer]

The Suzuki would be the most fun to drive, I expect, as long as you can live with the CVT.  Resale value will likely suck immensely, so if you don't plan to drive it 'til it won't drive any more, give that some thought.

The Buick is solid indeed, and offers a nice balance between comfortable ride and good handling, but it sure is underpowered.  Only you can decide if it meets your needs in that respect, but the lack of power and the sleepy transmission combine for a drivetrain deal-breaker for me.

The Sonata in 2.4l form offers strong power, good fuel economy and a spacious interior, but isn't particularly sporty in the handling department.

get a pick up 

Yep - they ride better than a Rolls Royce and get better fuel economy than a Prius! 

Jaeger

and much better looking then a Sonata
My prius gets better mileage

[Oldsguy]

The Kizashi might be the best balance of fun and practicality given it is AWD, but Suzuki generally has crap dealers and they sell next to nothing in Canada, so who knows how long they will be here. The Regal is a much nicer car than the other one and has a measure of status. You need to drive all 3 back to back and decide.

[Julie]

.....follow your heart.

+10

UNLESS you think there's a good chance you'll want to change this car in 3-4 years.  Then resale is a factor when the car you're looking at may have poor resale value.  It's not the biggest factor though.  You want to be stuck in something you'll love for those 3-4 years.

[EV Dan]

On the looks of exterior and quality of interior alone I would get a Buick. (BTW does it not have GM's 160k km warranty?) If it rides as well as reviews suggest and is still German made, it would seal the deal for me, and it comes from a former Sonata owner. My second choice would be the Sonata, but there are too many of them out there, and it doesn't have the same cachet, IMHO. The suzuki would never make it to my list, for various reasons.

If I were looking for a perfect mid-size sedan today, only things with a marvelous Toyota 3.5 V6 or a Synergy Drive + Atkinson cycle if better FE is desired would make it to my new car list 

[Hammy]

I can lease the Regal at 0% which would take care of the resale value problem.

[initial_D]

I would go with the lease. Since a new vehicle will be purchased at 4 years' time, the resale value and the EASINESS to unload would be my priority.

[superukr]

I can lease the Regal at 0% which would take care of the resale value problem.

go for it, if you will decide to buy it out in the end there is room to lover your payment.
Suzuki - no for CVT
Sonata - no for to many of them, it is like new camry

[2latecrew]

I can lease the Regal at 0% which would take care of the resale value problem.

If you really are set on getting a fancy car in 4 years then it is one of the times a lease might make sense.

0% rate and I assume the residual is probably on the high side to help make the deal attractive. I'm guessing that the resale on any of those 3 cars in NL in 4 years really won't be particularly great. The Suzuki likely worst of all. I like the car but trying to unload the Suzuki in 4 years will not be pretty. Its a definite buy and drive till it dies kind of deal.

I prefer the Sonata to the Buick but once again in 4 years with the crazy number of them on the road and declining prices 0% finance etc it will depreciate heavily.

[safristi]

BUICK 'cos after 4 years driving an Olde Farts car ...even a 2016 Hyundai Accent will seem like a SUPERCAR.....

[Jaeger]

I forgot aboout the whole "cachet" thing.  If not seeing many of the car you are driving somehow makes you feel better about yourself, then the Kizashi should rank first, followed by the Buick.

Though to the extent that the choices others have made have any influence on your decision, you may want to ponder the rationale of avoiding a car that many have endorsed in the most meaningful way (with their own $$$) in favor of one which - in the case of the Suzuki - just about nobody seems to want.

Though as others have said - buying the one you like best is all that really matters.  And nobody here can answer that question for you.

and much better looking then a Sonata

Oh I am so (not) wounded!    Don't forget that pickups can also fly should traffic become too congested.  They will also mow your lawn and do your taxes.   

Jaeger