Buying a new car, need help please

[codyrapol]

I

 

[ashykat]

I personally don't feel there's anything smart about a smart car. There's not a chance in the world you could stand up to something bigger if you got in a wreck. I can't help but feel similarly about the mini. I recently got a new 2010 mazda3 for $16k. It's a good choice. You could get a better deal on an '08 or '09. I also used a Toyota Corolla for 10 years and racked up a ton of miles on it. It held up great, so I'd also recommend those.

 

[xcodyx]

check out Suzuki Reno. foreign cars are ftw i've learned. i drive one, and i love it. very zippy for traffic, i go about 370ish miles on a full tank. i tinted the windows and put some 17inch black rims on it. always getting compliments. people want to buy it all the time. and also, i've never seen another one on the road before.

 

[momoceio]

Hyundai is making some really nice cars lately. I have a '10 Sonata and it's a very nice car for the price...very comparable to the Camry/Accord. My friends fiance has a mini-cooper and has nothing but problems...and maintenance on them can only be performed at select BMW/Mini-cooper dealers.

 

[NYCHitman1]

I like Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas as well. Another car to look at could be the Scion xD.

 

[smacky]

Hyundai is making some really nice cars lately. I have a '10 Sonata and it's a very nice car for the price...very comparable to the Camry/Accord. My friends fiance has a mini-cooper and has nothing but problems...and maintenance on them can only be performed at select BMW/Mini-cooper dealers.

Well, that's to maintain your four year warranty and free maintenance. After that time they do become a liability, but for routine maintenance, you can do it yourself.

 

[Vihzel]

I guess I would recommend Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

 

[SoFLO]

I would recommend the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. Nice car plus can't beat Android integration with OnStar

2011 Chevrolet Cruze is the game changer the compact segment has needed for years | autoinsane

The Hyundai Sonata is another good choice. Very sleek and attractive. Hyundai is going to be the new Honda/Toyota.

 

[vbetts]

Coopers are ELECTRICAL hazards. I can't tell you how many I've seen that have had their full electric systems shorted out. Personally right now, I would get a Ford. Every damn Toyota model out there is going recall after recall, GM cars are okay but aside from really the Aveo there really is no small compact car from GM. I would never touch any 2001 and up Chrysler, so yeah...If not Ford, the Honda Civic is pretty decent. Or other viable solutions that I didn't list.
Mitsubishi Lancer- Low price for a sub compact car, starts off at a 5 spd manual, so you'd have to know how to stick it out with this one. Not hard to do though.
Honda Civic- You can get a hybrid Civic, but if you want small then look away because this thing gets bigger everyday!
Ford Focus- Probably the smallest I'll list aside the Aveo.
Chevrolet Aveo- Small, but very cheaply made.
Honda Fit- Drives pretty decently, big though.
Ford Fiesta- Fun little driver, hatchback like others listed.
Mazda 2- Not out yet, but basically just like the Fiesta.
Mazda 3- VERY dependable. Built pretty well, looks pretty good, but maintenance costs suck on it.

 

[smacky]

A used Nissan Sentra. People like those a lot as well.

 

[ultramodern]

2010 Honda Insight $17k
Honda : Insight: eBay Motors (item 230501766801 end time Aug-10-10 20:33:06 PDT)
or a hyundai sonata or something. Idk a lot about cars.

 

[mrqs]

you might wanna be a bit more specific about what you want from the car, but judging by your mentioning of the mini and the tutu fortwo, i'm gonna say suzuki swift / fiat 500

 

[smacky]

you might wanna be a bit more specific about what you want from the car, but judging by your mentioning of the mini and the tutu fortwo, i'm gonna say suzuki swift / fiat 500

Thankfully, we don't have Fiats in the states anymore.

Get a Dacia Sandero

Or this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-...rs_Trucks&hash=item1e5d551ea0#ht_20557wt_1167

You're gonna need to fit in in Cali. Plus, the color is just stunning.

Yours for $18K.

 

[J03]

I would recommend the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. Nice car plus can't beat Android integration with OnStar

2011 Chevrolet Cruze is the game changer the compact segment has needed for years | autoinsane

The Hyundai Sonata is another good choice. Very sleek and attractive. Hyundai is going to be the new Honda/Toyota.

I like this. Not for me particularly but for a small fuel efficient car its pretty nice.

 

[SoFLO]

Thankfully, we don't have Fiats in the states anymore.

Fiat is coming back into the US market with the 500. Fiat owns 20% of Chrysler with the option to increase up to 51% over the years. Chrysler is Fiat's new avenue back into the US.

 

[smacky]

Fiat is coming back into the US market with the 500. Fiat owns 20% of Chrysler with the option to increase up to 51% over the years. Chrysler is Fiat's new avenue back into the US.

Crap! I absolutely forgot about that transaction from a year or two ago.

So many sales from the Big Three the past few years. Volvo is now with Geely (sp.?)? They were with Ford when they were crap, but now that Ford's actually improved their image and quality, they sell Volvo to some Chinese company.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

My wife has a Honda Fit and it's been a great car so far. Great gas mileage, decent power and tons of room. The new Ford Fiesta is also a good looking ride.

The Civic is getting long in the tooth but you can't go wrong with Honda. The Toyota Corolla is a horrible choice. Not only has Toyota quality gone down but the Corolla lacks any dynamic driving experience like all other Toyota vehicles.

The Mazda 3 is also a nice choice. Maybe take a look at the Kia Forte and Soul as well. Good luck!

 

[shalemail]

Honda Accord or Mazda 3 /thread