New car

[eat_sleep_breathe_USC]

I want to buy a new car and had a few ideas, but wanted to ask something too while I was at it. I've been rolling between a VW Jetta, a Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Civic/Accord, or maybe something Ford or Chevy(currently own a Ford and no car smack on here...).

I kinda want a Lancer, but my Mom has never heard a good thing about Mitsubishi, so I wanted to know if someone owned one and had good/bad experiences with them.

If anyone has the new versions of these, let me know what you think of them and if there is an accesory that is really nice to have. Whatever I get has to have an Ipod jack.

[Cocky2001]

Buy a Nissan Maxima SE...I have one...have 230,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop for a new starter and a new window jack during that time...outside of routine maintainence (and I do most of those myself) it hasn't been in. The car has room, plenty of horsepower, and the SE version has a beefier tranny, cooling system, and suspension system.

Buy what you want, but for the money, there isn't a car on the planet that beats a Maxima SE...and Dr Bose...from MIT and from the speaker company that he owns...does the sound system...need I say more?

[MACXIMVS]

Nissan Maxima SE...I have one...have 230,000 miles on it.


man thats a selling point and you my friend take care of your car:clap:

but you also know i work on engines and i like it when people run them hot or without oil :thumbsup:

[usc90grad]

I kinda want a Lancer, but my Mom has never heard a good thing about Mitsubishi, so I wanted to know if someone owned one and had good/bad experiences with them.

I definately wouldn't buy a new Mitsibishi. Their value drops like a rock.

And you can never go wrong with a Honda....great gas mileage, very liable and excellent resell value.

[Drunkeneskimofo]

I think Honda makes a pretty reliable, fairly attractive car that holds its resale value very well. That being said I think an Accord is a much better car than a Civic.

I think VW is designing some pretty good looking cars right now but I've never even been in one so I don't know how they drive or if they're built well. I assume they probably are pretty decent nowadays having ties to Audi and such.

[22cocky]

Can't go wrong with a Honda

[womfalcs3]

Accord hybrid would be my choice. More room than a Civic, great fuel economy.

[FlorenceCock]

Whatever you buy please buy American. People constantly complain about the economy yet they go and buy vehicles made overseas. Just so you know that doesnt mean dont buy Nissan or BMW or any other make like that because allot of their cars are made right here in the US. Just look to see where the vehicle was made before you purchase.

[Dr. Cock]

Got a good bit of criteria to go by...

- New as in straight off the market or new as in new to you? In other words... "New" or "Used".

- What do you value the most? Are you a performance junkie? How big of a deal is gas milage and reliability? Would you rather have an awesome system or a turbocharger?

- Can you, or are you willing, to drive a manual?

- What is the max price range you are looking at?


From what it sounds like, a Scion tC wouldn't be a bad choice. They offer a lot for the price ($16k), including iPod connectivity, a very good stock sound system, an extremely nice airbag system including driver/knee airbags (mom should love that), and the overall design looks pretty decent, but that varies by opinion of course.

Gas milage and reliability are pretty good, and the engine is pretty solid and produces 162 lbs. of torque @ 4k RPM, which will offer some pretty nice pickup with the manual tranny. Slap on a turbo kit and it'll eat SRT-4's and have you running at least low 5s in 0-60. Of course, I doubt your mom would allow it as you could kiss the warranty goodbye in that case!

I also agree with Cocky2001 and support a Maxima as well. A Sentra can also be viable option if you are still looking for a sedan, and I came pretty close to getting an SE-R myself a while back. As for Honda's... screw em. I've got my reasons, but I am a huge backer of Toyota and Nissan (Supras, Spyders, and Skylines > everything), but putting my hatred aside, they aren't a bad choice economically.

[GotSpurrier82]

I have a Mitsubishi! 2003 Galant. I love my car! I've never had any trouble with it, other than usual wear-and-tear. It has over 100k miles on it and still going strong.

[eat_sleep_breathe_USC]

Thanx for the info guys. I'm looking at low 20s or high 10s but I didn't even think about a Nissan. I've been driving around a Ford Focus for about seven years and just need something new. I'm still looking for that first job with my major, but working enough hours to take a decent monthly payment with my part time job.

I've always loved VWs, but I'm real just trying to find something with some get up and go with a decent MPG. Since I'm still under my parents house (and my dad will be cosigning and assisting me in payments) they are putting a little say in.

[RGHoskins]

Dude stay away from the VW's. Particularly if you like to work on your car.....you WON'T want to work on the VW, but you'll find yourself having to....alot. Besides, do you really want a car for which replacement spark plugs are 28 bucks apiece? Have you looked at the Fusion? A brand new one should be pretty close to your price range and the V6 ones are quite fast. Even the 4 cylinder ones are very nice.

On another note, if you can drive a 6 speed, the Dodge Claiber SRT-4 is the fastest car built under 25 grand.

[Mecklenburg Cock]

VW's notoriously begin to burn oil at 30k to 40k. I had one that did this, and then my mother had one that did the same thing. These models were both post 2000 year models. The service manager told me that that was normal for a VW to begin burning a little more oil at that mileage. In my case, I went bone dry on oil inbetween scheduled oil changes. They said that was normal.

Honestly, the best car I ever had was a Honda Accord. You really just can't go wrong there. However, I would urge you to strongly consider looking at Consumer Reports and also checking out the MSN.com Auto section. They have great reliability reports and have pages of buyer write ups. I found the info to be extremely helpful.

[Drunkeneskimofo]

I had an accord for a while and was happy with it and the new interiors look much nicer than the one I had.

[Gamecock_Aholic]

A) get an eclipse! haha

B) jetta's are lady cars man!

[GotSpurrier82]

My friend has a VW and that thing is always in the shop.

[ShutTheSuccop]

I have had four accords and all I can say is that they are very dependable. Do not get a VW...they are always in the shop and you don't get a lot of car for your money.

[jdaniel]

Honda and Toyota are great cars and hold their value really good.

[RGHoskins]

Still pulling for the Caliber SRT-4 though :thumbsup: You WILL NOT get more "get up and go" for anything near the price.

[RbrewDawg]

I bought an Element for the Wifey(well soon to be yesterday) Roomy good on gas, dependable, and affordable

[garnetgolfr]

Buy a Nissan Maxima SE...I have one...have 230,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop for a new starter and a new window jack during that time...outside of routine maintainence (and I do most of those myself) it hasn't been in. The car has room, plenty of horsepower, and the SE version has a beefier tranny, cooling system, and suspension system.

Buy what you want, but for the money, there isn't a car on the planet that beats a Maxima SE...and Dr Bose...from MIT and from the speaker company that he owns...does the sound system...need I say more?

I have a 99 black SE with 145,000 on it. It's black on black with the 5-speed, Bose, sunroof, tinted windows etc... It is by far the best car I have ever had. The only problems I have had were the cv joints (every car has to have those) and the starter went out a month ago. Other than that, I put gas in it and change the oil and that's all it needs. I am going to hate to get rid of that car but I am definitely getting another Maxima SE. What year is yours?

[garnet4ever]

like Cocky2001 said ... get a Nissan, I've had plenty of cars and most of the Nissan or Infiniti ... I have a 2001 Infiniti I30 that has 170,000 on it and that is really just the Maxima, but it's still running strong ... the paint and finishes are still in top notch condition ...

[eat_sleep_breathe_USC]

For anyone curious as to what I chose, I got a really good deal on a 2008 Ford Mustang. I've only had it for a day but I love it. V6 4.0 L with leather seats and a 6cd/mp3/ipod capable stereo. I will throw a picture up if I get a chance.

[RGHoskins]

Congrats man. I used to sell S197 Mustangs. The new V6 Mustanfg is worlds apart from the old one, and they are actually fairly quick. What options did you get? the IUP is dope, and the pony package looks good if you change out the grille and foglights. Throw up some pics.

[eat_sleep_breathe_USC]

Sorry for the delay, but i've either been out of town or trying to get my camera to work. I just got a new computer and my digital camera will not upload pics to my computer right now...I did get the Pony Package, and the interior package. It looks really nice for a guy who just got out of college and hasn't grabbed a "real job" yet. It has these ambient lights at the cup holders and floor boards that gives it an extra bit of style to the car.