Please Help Me Choose My Next Car!

In My Humble Opinion
1

I hesitated to post this, but I’d really like some relevant opinions from the Teeming Millions. But I feel like I have to start with disclaimers.

Yes, I know a lot of people are doing well with less. Yes, I know there are other ways to spend/invest my money. Yes, I know that some people will think it’s ridiculous to spend this amount of money on a car. Yes, I know that some of you (pick one or more): could not afford this; would not buy a car for this money if you could afford it; and/or will think less of me for spending my money this way, regardless of whether you can afford it or not.

Yes, I know I’m a complete idiot (pick one or more): to consider buying new as opposed to used; to consider buying instead of leasing (or vice versa); to finance a car; and/or to consider buying [insert brand of car you personally hate].

I admit it all. I’m a bourgeoisie loser. But if you’re with me so far . . . .

Okay. What car would you suggest I buy? Here are the parameters:

Budget is around 30K. Much more than that will stretch me more than I like.

Sedan, please, preferably coupe, though I will consider a four-door. Not interested in an SUV. Probably not interested in a “sports car” unless it’s subtle enough that I’m not slapped by the irony every time I, a quiet 39 year old woman, try to get in it.

I do a lot of driving, like 30K miles a year, most of it on the highway.

Things I care about: Low maintenance; decent gas mileage; good resale in 5-10 years; comfortable 'cause I drive a lot; looks good.

Things I don’t care about: New or used, though “used” must be gently enough used that it still feels new to me; foreign or domestic; engine size, so long as it can whip around a semi on the highway; extraneous things like color, number of cupholders, etc.

Suggestions? Please? And thanks. :slight_smile:

2

Sounds like you’re looking for a Honda Accord Coupe. They should be shoveling the 2008 models out the door right now for any reasonable offer, so your timing is good. Hondas have outstanding resale value and a track record of reliability, and the current model coupe actually looks great, too. 30k should get the job done.

There’s one solid suggestion for you!

Good luck!

~fig

ETA: Here’s a link: Honda Accord Coupe

3

Saturn AURA. I have driven A LOT of cars and this is the best one I have EVER driven. Good gas mileage, looks like a million bucks, low maintenance, takes 87 octane as opposed to premium fuel, AND you’ll come in under budget with even the most expensive model. Did I mention I love this car? If you are going to be doing some comparison shopping (and you should), put it up against the Accord and the Camry. They both feel sluggish in comparison.

Plus you won’t have to haggle over price or anything! :slight_smile:

4

Jodi - there is a saying, "Once you experience German engineering there is no turning back.

I drive a Volkswagen now - downgraded from a huge truck. I love it. And I think a quiet 39 year old woman would love a Passat or Jetta. Low Maintenance, the 08’s are flying of the lots so the deals are great and the mileage is fantastic…especially the smaller ones. And they look cool too!

Do you like the Prius? I’ll plug the green car as much as I can as well.

5

Generally speaking, you are going to get the most car for your buck with a lightly used car of a less popular luxury brand.

Volvo, Jaguar, SAAB, or Lincoln would fit the bill. The problem with all of these brands is that while they are physically just as good as more popular ones, their public perception isn’t, and on premium cars, perception is everything.

6

I’m awfully fond of my Honda Civic 4 door. It’s not the little econo-box you remember. Disclaimer: I like small cars; the Civic actually is larger than I’d prefer, but its other qualities overcome that.

Zippy, comfy, 36mpg highway (or get the hybrid for better mileage), low maintenance. Well within your budget, even loaded.

Resale is high enough that when my 2006 got totalled (by someone else), insurance paid everything down to where I got a brand-new car for the same amount I owed on my old one. (That’s one reason I got it new - when I’d looked for ‘gently used’, I wasn’t saving much.)

I got creamed from behind (appx 50 mph into my car stopped dead on the road) and shoved into the car in front. My poor baby crumpled like an accordion - but the passenger compartment was completely intact (no glass broken, doors all still worked) and I walked away with nothing but nasty bruising and a slightly misaligned rib, both from the seatbelt. That’s part of the reason why I bought another just like it.

I guess looks depends on your personal opinion. I like 'em, and I did have people tell me what a great-looking car it was when I first got one. (There weren’t very many of the new model out when I bought my first one.)

They do make a coupe version, which are even better looking IMO, it just didn’t fit for me.

7

Cadillac CTS. Fun, not a run of the mill car, halfway decent mileage, fun to drive, roomy, stable cornering, fun, available in some really scary engine combos (LS6 Corvette engine, anyone?) which are really fun, uses the same Getrag transmission you find in Beemers, Bose stereo, it’s fun to drive, looks like a million bucks for not much, fun, Motor Trend REALLY loves the '08, and did I mention how much fun it is?

I drove one of the first CTS’s built, before they were available for sale, when I worked for GM and even back then with the less than monster engine the thing was so much fun to drive I didn’t want to give it back after the weekend. I took that thing out on Clackamas county back roads which are twisty, bumpy and potholed and I tried to make the back end break loose to no avail. Fairly gnarly onramp sweepers taken at 80+ mph and it felt like 35. The car looks understated and nicely European, but they’re pretty damned inexpensive when you start comparing them to German cars. Seats five with plenty of leg and head room, looks like it does zero to sixty in a month but it’s considerably faster than that even with the lowest end engine available. Pick up one of these lightly used as a lease return and you’ll be digging on it. Not horrendously expensive to repair, either.

8

30k? Get two Honda Fits! You can joust 'em!

9

Mini Cooper! You could even get a loaded convertible with what you want to spend. The resale value is excellent. They are subtly stylish, and if you choose a base model they get ~36 mpg combined city/hwy, and I have heard some claims of 40 mpg hwy. The oil changes are free for the first 3 years if you buy a new MINI. They basically take care of all the maintenance for three years, and the dealer even washes it when you bring them in for anything.

I really love my MINI. It is the funnest car to drive and it isn’t a generic looking car that blends in with all the other cars out there. I had a Jetta prior to this and it bored me to death. MINI’s are fun!

10

I vote for an Accord, newer model. The new ones look sporty (especially with the spoiler and other body options) but not overly - just don’t look so “blah” like a lot of cars out there.

A friend of mine bought a Scion tC when they came out a few years back. He drives a LOT, and like a maniac, and I can’t recall him having one issue with his car ever. Might be too sporty for you but I think it’s a cute car (his is purple/maroon with that sparkly like paint so it looks pretty in the sun) and it’s roomier than it looks and has good zip for a 4 cylinder.

11

I kind of like the S40 model Volvo. It’s not bad looking for a sedan, starts at 24K and gets 20 city/28 highway. Plus, you know it would be a super safe car.

The Mini Cooper is a nice looking car, but personally, I wouldn’t buy one unless it was the CooperS, and IIRC it takes premium fuel. (the website isn’t cooperating so I can’t check)

Otherwise, a Civic or Accord would be a wise choice.

12

I also vote for the Honda Accord coupe, principally for the new model’s great looks and the brand’s bulletproof reliability. You’re going to need it driving as much as you do.

13

I am a huge fan of Subarus. Great cars, great resale, built around a AWD system, rather than having one thrown onto a car that was designed without one.

The WRX is a great car that is fun and sporty without being pretentiously so, more of cute. Of course if you have no need for AWD then it’s probably just a gas waste you don’t need.

14

Hyundai.

15

Don’t buy a VW. Build quality has dropped off severely over the last 10 years, although nobody seems to know why.

I suggest a BMW 3-series. You pay a bit extra for snob value (though you’ll still be under budget), but it’s a truly excellent car.

16

The 3-series starts around 33k, and that’s for the least powerful engine and fewest options. Also, I disagree with the VW comment. Their quality is far better now than it was in the '90s, and although they can’t compete with Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, or even GM for build quality, they are nowhere near the back of the pack.

17

Missed the edit window. I retract my “nowhere near the back of the pack” comment about VW above. JD Power puts them darn near last on their 2008 brand dependability list. :o

18

Doh. You’re right about the 3-series.

I stand by the VW thing, though. I’m not basing it on personal experience, since I haven’t so much as ridden in a VW since 1992, but on JD Power and the like: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/2007-Volkswagen-Jetta/Reliability/

ETA: What you said. :stuck_out_tongue:

19

I drive a 2002 VW GTI, am a car guy (it’s the 337 edition), and keep tabs on the annual JD Power rankings. VW’s are great cars to have under warranty but riskier once you’re out from underneath the umbrella. Since you’d be out of warranty with any new car within 2 years or so, reliability is key.

Toyota and Honda (and their premium brands Lexus and Acura) have long been known as the leaders in reliability. My wife has a 1st year (1997) Honda CR-V with 195,000 miles on it and it still runs like a top. I had an Acura Integra and a Honda CRX with similar reliability.

RNATB, you’re living up to your user name with your BMW comment - the cheapest 3-Series sold in America starts at $32,700, and BMW is notorious for nickel and diming you for each and every option.

This morning I’d like to add the Acura TSX - it’s a sporty sedan that doesn’t guzzle gas and definitely gets you around in style. The base model is under $29K and comes very, very well-equipped.

20

I bought my Volvo S40 in December 2006 (it’s a 2007) and I love it. Quite deeply, actually. It’s VERY comfortable - the seats are quite fantastic (heated lumbar support makes me happy!) It’s very well powered (it has an inline 5) and with the exception of the Vipers and Ferraris on the street I can leave pretty well anyone in the dust.

The dash is nicely layed out with all of the controls about where you would want them to be - within easy reach. I’ve been very pleased with the stero although I don’t exactly crank Iron Maden or anything.

It’s quite cute and sporty (for a sedan) - there are some pics here: http://www.valentinevolvo.com/Showroom/2009/S40/ModelHome.aspx?lng=2. I got mine equiped with the sport package which includes the sun roof (moon roof?) and 17 inch tires which I highly recommend - it makes the handling very responsive. Breaking is solid - I’ve never had any worries at all even with crazy Calgary drivers (and they are REALLY crazy).

I’ve been quite pleased with the gas mileage although my speedo is in Kms and I’m afraid I can do that sort of math in my head (to convert it to MPG).

Mine is black - I have seen them in white and red which both look REALLY cute even though I usually hate white cars. They also come in some sedate gold-y type colours.

As far as negitives - mine doesn’t have an iPod jack which is mildly annoying - I will certainly get it in my next car. Also, the visibility is poorer than in other cars that I’ve driven; however, I got used to it very quickly.

I would say it at least merits a test drive - nicely equiped (eg: sport package, turbo if you’re into that although mine doesn’t have it and still has excellent pick up) will be right around your budget.

If you want something slightly larger you could consider the S60: http://www.valentinevolvo.com/Showroom/2009/S60/ModelHome.aspx?lng=2

I have never had any issues with trunk space and the Mr. and I camp quite often (with tents and coolers and whatnot).

Ok, I think that’s it for my glowing review - I’m sure Rick will be along to back me up. :slight_smile: