Need some car buying advice

[ew2x4]

My wife and I just got married and have moved to Colorado. She drives an old '94 Saturn and we feel it's on its last leg. Even if it still has life in it, I'd like something that is a bit safer for her, and can handle the hills and snow/ice out here. We're looking to spend around $10k. We'd love for it to last several years with limited problems. We're looking at either a small SUV or a no bigger than medium sized sedan.

I have browsed through some classifieds and picked out some vehicles that we'd be interested in. Please let me know what you think of them, and if you have any recommendations, please let me know.

2005 Hyundai Tuscon - $9,900 - 28,800 miles

2005 Nissan Altima - $10,599 - 52,800 miles

2003 Toyota Corolla - $8,999 - 34,500 miles

2002 Jeep Liberty - $9,499 - 48,900 miles

Thanks!

[MR_Candyman]

honestly, out of those I'd go for the altima. It's a higher class than the rest, good on gas, while still being powerful. They are more stable than the others listed as well.

[ncoday]

I would go for the Hyundai Tucson, very affordable and will have the storage needs, especially handy if you are planning on kids

[MightyJordan]

I'd go for the Corolla. It's the cheapest of the four, and it's still got plenty of miles left in it.

[ew2x4]

What do you guys know about the Jeep Liberty? I found another one. 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport - $10,400 - 42,500 miles- bumper to bumper warranty to 80,000 miles.

Also, the Tuscon has a warranty to 60,000 miles.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Keep 'em coming!

[chconline Veteran]

I would get the Altima. It's higher grade than the rest as previously mentioned, and it drives a lot better than, say, the Corolla. Don't get the Hyundai.

[MR_Candyman]

What do you guys know about the Jeep Liberty? I found another one. 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport - $10,400 - 42,500 miles- bumper to bumper warranty to 80,000 miles.

Also, the Tuscon has a warranty to 60,000 miles.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Keep 'em coming!

liberty's ok, but it's a gas hog and is a lot tippier than the others. You said you wanted her to be safe, and it's the least safe in the list. It'll be the best on snow and ice, but I still wouldn't choose it.

[kombolcha]

Altima! i drive a 2005 Altima and i'm coming up on 76,000 miles this week. All i have ever done was oil changes and recently spent $300 to replace all the engine mounts.. wasn't necessary, but i baby my car.

I would think you'd be better off in an AWD car since you have snow, but i don't think you'll find it in the price range.

If you get the Altima make sure the recall service was done, the recall was only for east coast/places where it snows a lot, they just have to replace a metal piece in the rear suspension that's susceptible to rust.

[ew2x4]

Let's say I go fo rthe Altima, what do you guys think I should end up paying if the asking price is $10,6?

[rathefeare]

I'll dissent and say go with the Jeep. If you lived almost anywhere else I would have said Altima, but in Colorado you will see deep snow. I lived in Idaho for a while and the ground clearance provided by a "truck" was often the deciding factor more so than traction. I would think the Jeep or a similar SUV with 4x4 would serve you better in Colorado than a car.

Now the other option is some kind of beater 4x4 for the really deep nasty snow and another nice car for the rest of the days. Also consider your commute. Do you live in the sticks or are you in city and expecting promptly plowed roads? Remember in the Rockies their standard of what constitutes "promtly" and "plowed" is a bit different. It is always wonderful to leave your house, realize the road is plowed, but there is now a 3 foot high berm of snow and ice at the end of your driveway.

[MR_Candyman]

I'll dissent and say go with the Jeep. If you lived almost anywhere else I would have said Altima, but in Colorado you will see deep snow. I lived in Idaho for a while and the ground clearance provided by a "truck" was often the deciding factor more so than traction. I would think the Jeep or a similar SUV with 4x4 would serve you better in Colorado than a car.

Now the other option is some kind of beater 4x4 for the really deep nasty snow and another nice car for the rest of the days. Also consider your commute. Do you live in the sticks or are you in city and expecting promptly plowed roads? Remember in the Rockies their standard of what constitutes "promtly" and "plowed" is a bit different. It is always wonderful to leave your house, realize the road is plowed, but there is now a 3 foot high berm of snow and ice at the end of your driveway.

The thing is though that the liberty has a short wheelbase and is quite tall. This does not bode well for stability, and trust me I've seen many of these flipped in the ditch.

[rathefeare]

The thing is though that the liberty has a short wheelbase and is quite tall. This does not bode well for stability, and trust me I've seen many of these flipped in the ditch.

Okay and I hear you. I too distrust the short wheelbase. I still do think it is worth considering something with some more ground clearance for Colorado in the winter than the cars on the list. Maybe not the liberty, but maybe another "SUV" or "truck". I lived in Idaho over 15 years ago so the cars are going to be different now. I got through winter with a 88 s-10 4x4 blazer probably not ideal and again a short wheelbase. The roommates had a 80's daytona and an escort. They did not drive for most of the winter. How about a Subaru Outback as a compromise between car and truck? Their ground clearance is supposed to be decent.

[ew2x4]

We looked at the Outbacks, but they are a bit harder to find here. Also, the price is a bit high.

It's good to see this many different opinions, but it does make our decision a bit harder. The Liberty is sounding pretty good for around here, mainly for the warranty and the flexibility. We'll hopefully decide in a week or two. Keep the advice coming!

[kombolcha]

Jeep

Pros:

ground clearance

space

Cons:

horribly cheap interior and parts

gas mileage

value

Nissan

Pros:

styling

value

gas mileage

VQ engine

Cons:

may not be suitable for your winter conditions

i've been in a jeep plenty of times and i hate it every time, i can't stand it.. and i own an Altima :)

[rathefeare]

We looked at the Outbacks, but they are a bit harder to find here. Also, the price is a bit high.

It's good to see this many different opinions, but it does make our decision a bit harder. The Liberty is sounding pretty good for around here, mainly for the warranty and the flexibility. We'll hopefully decide in a week or two. Keep the advice coming!

Possibly the Outbacks' cousin the Forester. If the wheelbase is the problem with the Liberty, maybe an older Grand Cherokee or Cherokee. There are the various Blazers/Jimmys from Chevy and Ford and Chrysler's comparative line. I'm out of date a bit on trucks and SUV's. I have an International Scout II that is my dedicated trail vehicle/blizzard/zombie outbreak, but that isn't exactly what you are looking for in a daily driver. Are you leaning more towards "car" or "truck"?

[ew2x4]

We'd definitely lean towards a sedan. The versitility and functionality of a smaller SUV just caught our eye and the price and looks seem right. An Altima, Corolla, etc. would all be welcome. I'm not so sure about a larger Jeep or other SUV.

We mainly want a vehicle to ride higher than her current car for various reasons (comfort, drive, etc.). We want something that is functional, reliable, and preferably pretty nice looking.

[MR_Candyman]

keep in mind that the higher the vehicle, the worse it will corner. They are usually more comfortable to most people though (I personally prefer a low car with adjustable back sport seats though)

[ew2x4]

We're really leaning towards the smaller SUV type now. Mainly due to 4x4, clearance, and all round versatility. Do you guys think the Jeep Liberty is the right way to go, or do you guys recommend something else in this size? Thanks!

[kombolcha]

We're really leaning towards the smaller SUV type now. Mainly due to 4x4, clearance, and all round versatility. Do you guys think the Jeep Liberty is the right way to go, or do you guys recommend something else in this size? Thanks!

i really dislike the Liberty... if you're going with small SUV i would rather go with a RAV4, maybe CRV. Much better value and the RAV4 is very roomy and nice to drive.

The Ford Escape is not a bad choice either if value is not a big issue for you, they're pretty decent.

[MR_Candyman]

ya, overall I like the liberty but if it came to buying something I'd go for the Rav4, Rogue, Xterra, or CRV.

[ew2x4]

So we went test driving some small SUV's. We're going to test drive a VUE tonight, but besides that, the Liberty seemed to be the one the wife liked the most. The only other one in our price range was an Escape, but the interior felt cheap and didn't really offer much more than the Jeep.

The Jeep we are looking at is a 2007 Liberty Sport. It has 39,000 on it. After we test drive the VUE, we will go run numbers for the Liberty. I was wondering if you guys could help me get a feel for how much I should probably pay for in the end, and how much I should expect in fees and whatever other crap they tack on. We got preapproved for an $11,000 loan, but we have a few thousand we're able to get to if/when needed. We also want an extended warranty with it.

So overall, how much do you guys think I can get them down to, and how much should I expect to pay for after fees and such?

[MR_Candyman]

If it's used there should be no extra fees AT ALL. Be sure to talk them down some too as used vehicles are always marked up a lot more than new ones. How much it's worth depends on where you're from, what model it is, options, ect.

[rathefeare]

Yeah, I'm not sure I can help with specific pricing. Take a look at the Kelly Blue Book for a starting guideline and go from there. Just make sure you are looking at the right category (dealer, buyer and private seller I seem to recall all having their own recommended price) and keep in mind that excellent means showroom quality and good means, damn good and no mechanical defects. Defects get deducted from the starting price. Also keep in mind your location. Cars in general out your way should be cheaper since cost of living is low, but I would imagine Jeeps carry a certain premium in your local economy.

Also I'm sure that there is a Jeep specific forum out there. Surf on over there. Those guys can probably hook you up with a lot more specific info than we can here.

[ew2x4]

You guys have been a lot of help. From what I've seen locally, $11,300 is a great deal for an '07 with under 40k on it. Thanks again!

Off to look for a Jeep forum...

[David Johnson]

Hi,

It is good to see so many people taking initiative and giving us a good info on 'Car Buying Advice'... Thanks a lot. .. :)