Topic: Totalled 2009 Altima - replace with ???

[Spec5]

Hey guys,

So need some advise, my dad took a Chevy Pickup T-Bone so the car is a write-off. He seems mostly interested in sticking with another Altima but I'm trying to get him to look at the Sonata as well as the optima. Any arguments I can use to support my suggestions? Altima is rated extremely high by CR which he highly values but I'd like for him to at least give the others a look. Features he wants include: heated and power front seats, heated mirrors (and windshield if possible), backup camera would be nice to have.

[wing]

What's the budget there is so much to chose from!

[Spec5]

He's got about $6k to put down for a down payment but he's a nickel and dimer so I think he wants to try and stay below 30 - preferably 28 (which is pretty much what initial quotes were from Nissan up here to replace his 2.5S with convenience package) - I believe he paid 26 for his '09.

[Fobroader]

The awesome warranty that Kia and Hyundai have should be a big bonus. 

[Jaeger]

So many strong choices in the midsize segment these days - with a bunch of new / updated entries since '09.  I'd encourage him to try a good sampling of what's out there.  If he still likes the Altima best, then he's made an informed choice.  But it now ranks among the senior citizens in the class.

Jaeger

[Spec5]

So many strong choices in the midsize segment these days - with a bunch of new / updated entries since '09.  I'd encourage him to try a good sampling of what's out there.  If he still likes the Altima best, then he's made an informed choice.  But it now ranks among the senior citizens in the class.

Jaeger

Ya, well, he's 69 so if the shoe fits...

Thanks for reminding me about the warranty - I keep taking that for granted but he'll LOVE that!

I think he'd like to stick with something 0% financing or 0.9% at the most - you'd be surprised how many cars that rules out.

[Fobroader]

So many strong choices in the midsize segment these days - with a bunch of new / updated entries since '09.  I'd encourage him to try a good sampling of what's out there.  If he still likes the Altima best, then he's made an informed choice.  But it now ranks among the senior citizens in the class.

Jaeger

Ya, well, he's 69 so if the shoe fits...

Thanks for reminding me about the warranty - I keep taking that for granted but he'll LOVE that!

I think he'd like to stick with something 0% financing or 0.9% at the most - you'd be surprised how many cars that rules out.

Used M5 man, nice, reliable grocery getter for a senior citizen 

[CanuckG35]

I guess a $41k Altima Coupe is outta the question eh?    

A Kia Optima EX sounds it would make a good choice for your Dad and would be within his budget.  Obviously the best thing to do would be get him to test drive the Sonata, Optima, Fusion, Altima, etc and see what he likes best.  

Btw, I hope he wasn't hurt in the accident.  

[Jaeger]

The Koreans will be tough to beat in features for dollar, and generally have pretty aggressive financing offers.

Jaeger

[Fobroader]

The local Kia dealer here is offering some smoking deals on their whole lineup.....almost makes a Soul irresistable!

[tortoise]

There's also some SERIOUS discounts on the Mazda6 and Ford Fusion.

[mmorriso]

2009 Altima

[vdk]

The awesome warranty that Kia and Hyundai have should be a big bonus. 

That's nice. Too bad my buddy's Forte needed a hood alignment within the first 5,000kms and he had to pay out of pocket as apparently it was his fault the car came like that.

Sounds to me like they're being cheap, whereas VW has spoiled me with thousand and thousand of dollars in warranty work.

[CanuckG35]

The awesome warranty that Kia and Hyundai have should be a big bonus. 

That's nice. Too bad my buddy's Forte needed a hood alignment within the first 5,000kms and he had to pay out of pocket as apparently it was his fault the car came like that.

Sounds to me like they're being cheap, whereas VW has spoiled me with thousand and thousand of dollars in warranty work.

That's a LOT of warranty work.  Doesn't sound like a car I'd want to own out of warranty. 

[Fobroader]

Yeah.....why would you need thousands of dollars of warranty work?? That would scare me than paying $50 bucks...once.

[rrocket]

Get a dart board.  Put pictures of all the mid-sizers on it.  Throw a dart.  Any car the dart hits will be good for your dad.

[vdk]

The awesome warranty that Kia and Hyundai have should be a big bonus. 

That's nice. Too bad my buddy's Forte needed a hood alignment within the first 5,000kms and he had to pay out of pocket as apparently it was his fault the car came like that.

Sounds to me like they're being cheap, whereas VW has spoiled me with thousand and thousand of dollars in warranty work.

That's a LOT of warranty work.  Doesn't sound like a car I'd want to own out of warranty. 

Oh I'm not that stupid. But they did pay $3-$4000 for the mechatronics unit in the DSG to be replaced, $600 for the timing belt because it sounded like it was rubbing on something, 2 cv joints were squeaking and replaced, rear cupholder which I broke, coil pack etc. Not once did I hear, we won't cover this. Hell, I have my own technician who always works on the car. At least they stand behind their products, in my experience.

Yeah.....why would you need thousands of dollars of warranty work?? That would scare me than paying $50 bucks...once.

What scares me the most is that Kia would not pay the $50.

[rrocket]

I'd gladly pay $50 once a year than deal with all the Audi/VW stuff.  Seriously.

[rsxca]

New Passat??
Subaru Legacy??
If I was looking in that price range I'd see if I could hold out until the new Fusion released.

[rrocket]

CPO Lexus ES350.  No brainer.