Car advice-
 

Anyone else look at how many cars are out there and just wanna beat your head against a wall? Or throw a dart?

I mean really!

My '99 Pontiac Montana is in the shop all the time it seems- driving me nuts. And now, as the cold weather comes in I start having heater/radiator troubles. BLEAUGH!

I want a new car. My car guy told me Hondas and Toyotas are in the shop the least (in his experience) so I started looking at what they have to offer and right now I am leaning towards an Accord.

I have kids but I am so over the mom-mobile thing. I loved driving a smaller car- and I have not heard a single bad thing about the Honda Accord yet.

Any advice? Knowing what to look for, what to avoid, red flags, green lights and other useless metaphors?:p

Looking at this one in blue. New, 2008 model.

Price $21700



This blue in fact-

accords are very decent and historically reliable cars. Ive driven them and know folks who own and swear by them.

consider a certified used one. the price is better and you can get a very decent car for somewhat less than "new" premium pricing. accords and hondas in general also seem to retain their resale value better than many cars on the market currently

its also the end of a model year, so you may be able to find some good deals while they try to sweep things clear for next years model.

Get a Mini!

Got to fit 5 in the car :)

I love my Mazda3. The 6 is beautiful too but may be cramped for 5.

Try their SUV. American pricing with Japanese quality.

I second Capt Jack. Consider a used one, let someone else pay the depreciation, you'll save money and get a good car.

CJ's used car idea is a great one. Look for one with low miles and you really can't go wrong. Honda makes a great car. I've had 2 civics, my neighbor put 220k miles on his before getting a new one (and it still runs). Chris has a CRV with 130k miles and very few problems. The accord is a great car, the CRV is another option to look into. I would also consider the Toyota Camry as well.

Paging Nirvanaman. Is there a Nirvanaman in the house?

I went with him to the LA Car Show last week. The man's knowledge of everyday cars is actually amazing. Hopefully he posts his €0.02 worth.
_______

Sure you can - if you use a chainsaw.

There's room in the hatchback area for a small child....

That might be true if you tend to trade out your car every few years but if you tend to keep your car to the bitter end then starting out new and keeping up with routine maintenance can yield a better deal in the long run.

Honda makes excellent vehicles. Pity they became popular with the racing crowd and the prices went up. But very reliable cars.

This is a very good reminder.

I had a Toyota Camry that I leased new and eventually purchased. I put 212,000 miles on that car and really didn't have to spend a lot on it. When I did have to pay for repairs (above and beyond tires, brakes and oil changes), they really weren't all that unexpected. The car ran great, gave me good service and I was able to still get $3,000 for it when I sold it.

When I sold the Camry, I purchased a used Lexus ES 300 (for those who don't know, Lexus is built by Toyota). I wanted a "nicer" car, and thought this would be a safe way to go.

Unfortunately, I have had more problems than desired with the Lexus. I have spent a fair amount of money on repairs in the 50,000 miles I have had the car - possibly more than I spent on the Camry the whole time I had it). BTW: the Lexus had 76,000 miles on it when I bought it.

YMMV

*deep breath*

Remind myself that life works out like it is supposed to.

Phew....

Ok- got approved for financing through the dealership- but also got approved for a better rate through my employer 6% better-but not enough for the brand new car (2700 shy)-

BUT on the website at the SAME dealership I was at last night they have the SAME car, 2007, in the exact color I want for just- and I mean JUST under the amount approved through my work.

I have called and asked them to see if it is still on the lot- if it is, it is MINE baby. Payment would be $100 less, and I am sure insurance will be about the same (that's a whole other adventure)

IF this happens this is MY Christmas present- seriously.

Details WOMAN!


:p

I hope this works out Nephy - please keep us posted!

squeee!!! It's on the lot! Being held for me as we speak! I am going to call and accept the loan from my employer and then go get my car!

AWWWWWESOME!!!

So whadya get?

Huh? Huh? Huh?

well, if it goes as I hope (on phone now with financing) it's a 2007 Honda Accord with just over 13,000 miles on it. ALMOST as brand new as you can get in a used car!

cool beans!

That's great but do be cautious. Dealers can sense your "squeee".

It's important that you are willing to walk away at any point and that you take the time to carefully review everything. For example, the last time I purchased a car we talked about a four year deal that on the paperwork somehow became a five year deal. Catching that saved me a year of extra payments. Just assume the dealer is a hard core democrat watch them accordingly.

Good luck!

Oh and if it's used be sure to run a Carfax on it.

hmm, may be getting the '08 after all. The underwriter seems willing to get me more at an even LOWER rate.

I'm dyin' here!

Stay calm....whoooooo

NirvanaMan is here! This thread was made for me. And no, all the choices of cars titillates as opposed to terrifies me.

Hopefully you haven't gone too far in the process. The advice to look at a Toyota or Honda is a solid one, if you are just looking for boring reliable transportation. Honda has a solid racing history as of late with a solid investment in F1 so they are going to be a touch more fun to drive than the floaty Toyota's.

Generally, you don't want to finance through a dealer unless you are getting a subsidized rate through the OEM (in this case Honda Credit America or whatever the financial arm of their company is called. Teaser rates such as 0% are great if they are offered. However, if the dealer is financing themselves or more than likely, going through another bank, you will typically not get the best deal. These are operated at no-cost and no-effort profit centers for dealerships. They buy a low rate, tack on a couple percent, then give it to you. Bad move.

Also, the one piece of advice I always give and too many people ignore: SHOP AROUND. Test drive a lot of cars. See what you like. Never be too anxious. Dealers can smell it and a good salesman will prey on it. Don't fall in love with the first car you see. The segment it sounds like you are looking at is a commodity segment so a similar vehicle can be found and they are a dime a dozen. Don't let the dealer tell you it is the only one like it around. Not in that segment. You could always order a car as well.

The myth that the Japanese make the only good cars is slowly dying. Toyota has been riddled with recalls and bad reviews in consumer reports as of late while the American OEMs are doing much better. Overall, all companies make good cars with a few bad apples out there. At this point, I wouldn't buy the following makes for unreasonably bad quality (if quality is a primary concern): Land Rover, VW, Mercedes-Benz, some Audi's. Other than that, they are all pretty damn close. Typically, here are the top 5 makes in terms of quality: Lexus, Jaguar, Cadillac, Buick, Toyota. As I mentioned, Toyota has been slipping a lot with several of the GM and Ford brands making inroads. Generally, the Japanese do have the best quality, followed closely by the Americans with the Germans a very distant third. I know, not what the laymen would expect. But perceptions always lag reality. Especially true in the Auto industry.

If you can tell me a little bit more about what you are looking for, how you expect to use a vehicle, and rough price range I can help you better. For example, is power more important or fuel economy. Do you need the flexibility to hold large items. Are features (Navigation, blind spot sensors, reverse object detection ultrasonic sensors) important to you. Is a car a fashion statement, reflection of your personality, or just basic transportation from point A to point B. I need details. :)

(emphasis mine)

This is hilarious to read because NM drives a Land Rover :eek:

That gave me a giggle as well.

Ah yes, but quality is low on my personal priority list while shopping for a personal vehicle. And my Range Rover Sport has been basically flawless, knock on the hand-selected and hand-finished satin cherry wood veneers. My pre-production LR3 on the other hand, don't get me started. The first year with that car ::shudder::.

Oh and 80% off had something of an impact in my decision matrix. :)

Don't buy a Mercedes. Worst car I ever had.

You may remember my description of how I shop for clothes and such. Essentially whatever is closest to the store's door is fine by me.

Pretty much the same with car buying. Lani and I decided without ever seeing or driving one (or doing any real research) what we wanted. We found a dealer that had one. We said "how much?" They said "This much." We said "ok" and left with the car. I'm sure the salesman was ecstatic and I was happy that the whole ordeal took less than two hours (ignoring the eight hours of driving since we had to go to LA to get it).

I highly recommend this method of car shopping.

I love car buying. It's a game to me.

Best of luck with this whole situation, Nephy :)

We have a Honda Element( Hummer Escape Pod) and the Pilot. I have 66,000 and no problems as of yet. All the maintenance is done, so no issues at all.

The only crappy part is the Windshields on the Element, they crack at the A- frame too easily. I am on my third. Luckily for me, their was a class action lawsuit and I got the first two paid for. :cool:
No engine problems whatsoever. Get the Accord, you won't regret it Nephy!

Ok so here is how it went-

I went to the dealer- test drove the '07 and felt like a sardine. The '07 is 3.5 cubic feet smaller inside than the '08. Ok- so now I know I want the '08- now, let's talk $$.

The sales guy asked me what rate I was offered through my employer- 7.5 says I- wow, can't beat that says he. Ok, let's call them up and get the money flowing. Then in the middle of the process he asks again - if they can meet the same rate would I finance through them? Ok says I-

He came back with two offers for me- 7.5% for 60 months, payment was like $447- other offer was 8% for 72 months payment was $407. I did go with the longer term-I can pay additional amounts anytime as well. I added Honda Care- which gets me a rental when the car is in the shop, towing, etc etc- resist-all- which will scotch gard the inside of my car (with kids it makes good sense) and GAP insurance- and got a Clear Mask (clear bra) for free. (hahaha)

She's beautiful- royal blue pearl, grey interior. Roomy and just---swoon- beautiful. I'm sold on their service and sold on the product as well-

Am I freaking a new payment- yeah, a little. I have purpose behind all this-and soon it won't be freaky, it will be fine. Actually registration scares me the most :eek:

Trying to grab a picture.....yeah....

Congrats!!! I understand the car payment freakout, but it sounds like you got a good deal on a great car.:coffee:

Oh yeah- forgot that- they dropped the price $710 as well- not huge but for a brand new car?

woot!

Congrats on the new wheels - enjoy!

Ok- insurance rundown

We have AllState- home and auto. Right now we pay $229 a month for the '99 Montana (paid for) and the newer Monte Carlo (still making payments) I am 35, female, have kids and 2 speeding tickets in the past 3 years. My fiance is 25, male (heehee) and has one speeding ticket and one minor violation at a light in the last 3 years. We own our home (sort of)

My agent told me adding the Honda would add $170 to the monthly bill! $400 a MONTH for insurance????

So I went to Progressive and put in all the details- tickets, ages, etc etc- $269 a month for all three cars!

My agent must have known I was unhappy with the quote- because she is re-writing the policy and told me it would come out much better- but if they can't meet the Progressive quote then I may switch.

Besides Progressive and Geico any other suggestions?

I love my State Farm Agent. I was happy with 21st Century when I had them but when I moved my rates went up due to the zip code (no longer an issue in CA). I didn't like Mercury - but that was related to my agent.

Don't get Mercury, it's garbage insurance. You can try AAA, not that I am partial, but it did honestly give me my best rate and that's why I switched to them 3 years ago. They saved me almost a grand over what I was paying through my Ford Motor Company discounted program and as a nice bonus, I got a few hundred dollar dividend check at the end of the year. Nice.

The tickets will hurt you though.

Another vote for AAA. I've had them for years (ok since I got my learner's permit). Every year I cost compare and every year they're right in there. Plus I've never had any issues with claims or anything. Not that I've had a lot but a few fender benders etc. They were always super helpful and took care of everything. I also have them for my renters insurance so I get a break there too.

If you can get USAA, I think they're pretty great. Have to have the military connection, though.

Get fewer speeding tickets and don't let 25-year-olds drive your car.

That's all I've got. In the nearly 20 years I've been a driver I've never once been involved in my car insurance coverage decisions.

We have USAA but I have no idea if it is really any good. Doing comparisons would be shopping and that isn't going to happen.

That would be suggestions on good insurance companies- thanks

:p speeding tickets are all dropping off soon- none for a long time but still in 3 year time frame.

We are on the same policy- home and auto-and we sometimes drive each others cars. It's called "life".....though now that my car will not be in the shop all the time we may swap less often.

Besides that- his insurance is going down due to being a homeowner and turning 25.

Congrats on the new car!

USAA defended me like crazy on a case that would look to an outsider as as iffy. We won. The other driver hired more lawyers and what-not, but the case was eventually dropped.

I've had a decent situation going on with Allstate, though once I move I may switch insurances.

Good luck... wish I was a little more help...

Well- Allstate came through. Only $3 more than current-going to stay right where we are!

Woot!

Well I broke it.

oops

Last night on a aborted trip up north for a family dinner (a whole 'nother story) I popped in a CD-R- a music disc my dad had burned for me ages back. It played fine- but when I went to change the disc to a professional soundtrack CD it spit it out as a bad disc.

WTH?

So I tried several more- and all spit out as bad discs. So I called the service center at the dealership and they asked me to come in and they would check it- hopefully they could reset it.

No go- turns out the CD-R killed my CD player altogether and they have ordered a new stereo for me. Should be able to get it put in on Saturday or Monday.

Gak!

No more new toys for you, Nephy.

Nephy,

Go buy an after-market radio that plays MP3 CDs. ;)

Oh it plays MP3's- and WMA's (I think) and it has an AUX that plays my iPod- but no CD-R's

There is no technical reason that I know of why a modern CD player can't play CD-R's. CD-RW's might be a problem, but not CD-R's. Especially if the player is capable of playing MP3 disks (can you even buy a commercially produced disk with MP3's on it?).

And the disk cannot damage the player: make sure that they do not try to charge you for the new player. The only possible exception to this would be if the disk has an adhesive label added to it (I did this with disks in the past but have stopped the process).

Congrats on the new Car,Nephy. :cool: