ideas on a car

[churchonsundays]

Im looking for a new car. and i have no idea what to get. My budget is less than 20k new or used.

I really wont want a american car because of gas mileage but if any it would be a 06-07 Charger/300 (v6)

what are some some other good cars that i should be looking at?

are the 2008 honda accord (4 cylinders) a good choice?

or jettas?

i just need help pointing me into the right direction. i have no clue on what i want..

[MR_Candyman]

what do you wnat out of your vehicle aside from fuel economy? Do you want it to have decent power? Nice interior? Leather? Do you just drive city or highway as well?

[churchonsundays]

i drive mostly highway to work. i want the best bang for the buck. but i want it to look good also. i like the looks of the g35 coupe but i def cant afford that. im thinking more of a nissan altima coupe?

[MR_Candyman]

The Altima's pretty good but honestly, the Accord has better suspension. It's a bit more stable and nicer to drive on the highway. The Corolla XRS is very good as well, as is the Camry. I'd personally head for either of the 2 Toyotas (nie mix of power, good suspension, and still good fuel economy).

[Konstanov]

I think you should get one with four wheels, an engine, perhaps some seatbelts.....ooh and a steering wheel!

Seriously get a BMW 128i or a 328i Coupe or Sedan option. And if you get the 3 Series you can get it with xDrive, their intelligent AWD.

Edited September 3, 2008 by A.B.L.N.N.

[CrashG]

The Altima is a nice car, it's got decent power, fairly comfortable, handles well for a "family sedan" 4 door. My wife has a 2006 2.5L and it's ok to drive, it doesn't match my Z4M coupe (not that I expect it to) in many ways, but all things considered it's a nice car and has good gas mileage. It's a lot more comfortable on a long trip than mine (softer supension, more padding in the seats and all).

[churchonsundays]

I think you should get one with four wheels, an engine, perhaps some seatbelts.....ooh and a steering wheel!

Seriously get a BMW 128i or a 328i Coupe or Sedan option. And if you get the 3 Series you can get it with xDrive, their intelligent AWD.

haha i plan on selling my motorcycle since i barely drive it anyways.

i dont want a BMW the price for maintance i heard sucks.

the reason i picked a altima is because i have a '93 maxima and its held up really well almost has 200k miles and still kicking.

[S7un7]

2007 Subaru Impreza. If you want more power, but less mpg, you'll probably be looking at an 04 WRX for the same price. Also, if you like the looks of the G25 you can probably pick up a 03/04 350Z for less than 20k. Good luck.

[MR_Candyman]

2007 Subaru Impreza. If you want more power, but less mpg, you'll probably be looking at an 04 WRX for the same price. Also, if you like the looks of the G25 you can probably pick up a 03/04 350Z for less than 20k. Good luck.

Umm...he just said he didn't want an american car because of gas mileage (though the 3.5l v6 gets pretty good mileage) and you go and recommend cars with worse mileage?

[S7un7]

Umm...he just said he didn't want an american car because of gas mileage (though the 3.5l v6 gets pretty good mileage) and you go and recommend cars with worse mileage?

Subaru is based in Japan. Some are assembled in the US (imported parts) the others imported from Japan. MPG on a 2007 Impreza is close to 30 highway, which he said he would be mostly driving. That is 2mpg off from the Nissan Altima. Plus the Impreza is AWD which is always good to have. HE said he likes the look of the G35 which has the same engine and body style as the 350Z.

[chconline Veteran]

I would go test drive the following cars, and find your favorite:

- Honda Accord

- Honda Civic

- VW Jetta

- Nissan Altima

- Subaru Impreza

Used of the following:

- BMW 3-series

- Audi A4

- Acura TSX

- Acura TL (If you can find a good one)

Just right off my head :D

[rathefeare]

Good recommendations above. Let me add in the Mazda 3 or 6 to cover all bases. How about car size? How big of a car do you want? I saw that you were a little interested in the Charger/300, that is a pretty sizeable car.

[churchonsundays]

Good recommendations above. Let me add in the Mazda 3 or 6 to cover all bases. How about car size? How big of a car do you want? I saw that you were a little interested in the Charger/300, that is a pretty sizeable car.

it comes down more to looks than size. i think the charger/300 would be my very last bet. i perfer a coupe and then a sedan.

i wont even waste my time looking at the subaru.

but i think im going to test drive those top 3 that you recommended (chconline)

[chconline Veteran]

^ The Mazda 3 is also a good choice, I just somehow forgot that :p But yeah it's something I would look into as well.

The Mazda 3 is based of the European Ford Focus platform (The C1 I believe). Compared to the typical range of its class -- the Corolla, Civic, and Jetta -- it's likely the most fun to drive. The problem is that fuel economy suffers compared against the Civic and Corolla. I didn't recommend the Corolla, because it's simply lackluster compared to the rest. The VW Jetta , like the Mazda 3, has poor fuel economy compared to the rest, but the Jetta has a smooth I5 engine over the I4s in the others (144 degrees for for 36 degree overlap, versus 0 for the I4s @ 720/4 = 180) and really torquey. I wasn't all too impressed by the Mazda interior, so yeah. The Civic IMO strikes a good balance between them, nice interior (Although not necessarily appealing to everyone) and has great fuel economy. The downfall is interior noise compared to the Jetta but it's generally acceptable. It also handles well and excellent among its class.

Btw VW and Audi likes to promote their electromechanical steering for communicative steering in this area, but I can't really see how it's any more communicative than the hydraulics on the Civic. I *think* the Accord's new VGR steering system loses a bit of feel in this area, but I never really drove the 08 before. The TSX like many Lexus is poor in this regard, so if you're going luxury, the Audi's probably have one of the better steering feels.

[churchonsundays]

i think im going to try and get a hold of a nissan altima coupe v6 - hopefully i can find one used for a good price.

they look sick modded out.

[rathefeare]

If that is the direction that you are leaning consider the Hyundai Tiburon. Similar styling and options to the Altima. There is a bit of a stigma associated with the Hyundai nameplate, but it is largely undeserved and their 10 year 100,000 mile warranty backs up their new quality control. I don't know if it is better than the Altima just one more car to consider.

[rathefeare]

i think the altima v6 is pretty expensive and is going to be hard to find one used since they just came out in '08

Well 20k gets you into a new v6 Tiburon if that fits your goals. I have not driven one, I've driven other Hyundai's, but not a Tiburon.

[churchonsundays]

hyundai is a crappy manufacture :-x

[rathefeare]

hyundai is a crappy manufacture :-x

I'll respectfully disagree with you. They might have been at one time, but that is in the past. However it is your money and your purchase and I doubt you will be happy with a Hyndai so I will not mention one again.

So, Altima out because of price and availability. But you like the V6 and styling? Mazda6 v6 24k or accord v6 sedan 26k. The Jetta, Corolla and Civic don't offer a v6. There must be a car I am missing. I doubt like Mitsubishi, I almost cringe typing it. Eclipse? Just in the interest of fairness.