OT: Mid-sized sedans, $25-35,000

[RUBand]

Why not a Chrysler 200?

There's still about six month's worth of inventory at most dealers, in spite of the car being discontinued in December. That and they're going for as low as $15k in some markets, now.

Bad cars, poor crash test rating

 

[RU4Real]

I've found that new cars can be just as bad as are older ones,regardless of anyone's rating.I had a 1975 Mustang that was voted Car of the Year by Car and Driver.They were right.It lasted exactly one year,going on fire twice before I had to practically give it back to the dealer.

I also had a 1987 Omni that would shut off if you went above 50 mph.

Congrats - you bought two of the worst cars ever made. Three, if you count your aged Cavalier.

Also, the 1975 Mustang was never "Car of the Year" as awarded by C&D. C&D doesn't name a "car of the year". There was a comparison test in 1975 between the Mustang and the Chevy Monza (both equipped with V8 engines, to eek out whatever Detroit was defining as "performance" in those days). The Monza won, although they were careful to point out that it was a "lesser of two evils" scenario, as both cars were basically ****.

For those who enjoy performance numbers, the 1975 Mustang V8 ran the quarter mile in 17.9 seconds at 77 mph.

There is, quite literally, no car sold in America today that is that slow.

 

[mal359]

17.9

Wow. I'm pretty sure that my Plymouth Breeze can smoke that, even. Amazing how far cars have come.

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

if you go to the domestic vs foreign argument

Chrysler is owner by Fiat (Italian company)
Many toyota's and honda's are assembled in the USA
Many of the parts in GM and Ford vehicles come from other countries.
Many Chevy Cruz's are assembled in Mexico.
Ford is planning to build a Mexican factory.

The only thing 100% American with GM and Ford is that their Headquarters is in the US.

Ford already has a Mexican Factory which builds the Fusion. they cancelled build of another mexican factory due to poor sales.

 

[SHUSource]

Did the OP buy a car yet? if so, which one? There were a lot of President's Day salesthis past weekend.

Once he / she posts then we can retire this thread that started with 25-35k cars and somehow went to BMW's, Audis, Lexus's, and Porsche's that are out of the range.

No, but I very well might this weekend. There was lots to think about presented here, and my focus has been altered. This thread, combined with the one on deer-resistant landscape, made me think it might be best to give my landscape a valuable edge against predatory deer, so I'm leaning toward this beauty:

Plus, it's American-made!

 

[RU4Real]

17.9

Wow. I'm pretty sure that my Plymouth Breeze can smoke that, even. Amazing how far cars have come.

Even more interesting is the fact that most of the "muscle cars" of the lat3 60s and early 70s would get smoked by any of today's moderately priced performance cars.

And all those wonderful cars of the 50s that the old folks are so nostalgic about? Slooooooooooooow....

 

[yesrutgers01]

So, here is the reality of buying a car too...everything you here about getting your best deal at the end of the month....is absolutely true. A busy Saturday at the EOM will be a zoo but worth it if you know what you want, price you want it at(in current inventory) and willing to be spotted that day.

 

[FanuSanu52]

No, but I very well might this weekend. There was lots to think about presented here, and my focus has been altered. This thread, combined with the one on deer-resistant landscape, made me think it might be best to give my landscape a valuable edge against predatory deer, so I'm leaning toward this beauty:

Plus, it's American-made!

Just get a wolf to pee on it .. and you're set. Maybe have him stick around just in case.

 

[RU4Real]

Just get a wolf to pee on it .. and you're set. Maybe have him stick around just in case.

Because the wolf pee is only good for 30 gays, right?

 

[yesrutgers01]

Because the wolf pee is only good for 30 gays, right?

The great thing for the 30 gays is that they will have no fear of dear but really should worry about the other wolves that are attracted by pee.

 

[RU4Real]

The great thing for the 30 gays is that they will have no fear of dear but really should worry about the other wolves that are attracted by pee.

Well, now that this thread has gotten here...

 

[miketd1]

 

[RUsojo]

The great thing for the 30 gays is that they will have no fear of dear but really should worry about the other wolves that are attracted by pee.

Not that there's anything wrong with that....

 

[RU2055]

Not that there's anything wrong with that....

Let's try to bring it back on track slowly.

 

[RU4Real]

Let's try to bring it back on track slowly.

LOLPrius

 

[SHUSource]

So, here is the reality of buying a car too...everything you here about getting your best deal at the end of the month....is absolutely true. A busy Saturday at the EOM will be a zoo but worth it if you know what you want, price you want it at(in current inventory) and willing to be spotted that day.

This is true, and I think we leveraged it to great effect. It came down to the Mazda 6 and the Acura TLX, and after a vigorous debate at home, we went with the TLX. Got a great price, and more for my trade (an '08 Civic) than I would've imagined. They clearly wanted to do the deal, and I was happy to oblige.

Thanks, folks, for all your insights. They were very helpful.

 

[yesrutgers01]

This is true, and I think we leveraged it to great effect. It came down to the Mazda 6 and the Acura TLX, and after a vigorous debate at home, we went with the TLX. Got a great price, and more for my trade (an '08 Civic) than I would've imagined. They clearly wanted to do the deal, and I was happy to oblige.

Thanks, folks, for all your insights. They were very helpful.

Glad to hear it worked out. Last days of the month are when dealerships are looking to hit their numbers. They still won't make stupid deals but they will make great deals.

 

[RUenvsci]

Volkswagen has greatly improved their quality. I think you'd have a much different experience now if you were to get the Passat or a Jetta. I used to have a Honda Civic and replaced it with a VW Golf.... Best decision I ever made. The VW is much more fun to drive, and you get a quality interior and better driver experience compared with any of the Japanese or Korean models you're considering.

 

[knightru]

Bringing this thread back to life.
-
Does anyone here own either the current accord hybrid or the current mazda6 and if so what are your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[Legendary Irish_rivals]

Wife drove an Optima for two weeks while the Sonata was in the shop (branch smashed the hood and windshield during Sandy), and we liked it a lot. Nice surprise! It looks like you have to spend $35 K before you get the nicer options, and that's a lot for a Kia.

Not true. I have two optimas. Loaded for 26,000. 38-40 mpg on trips. Navigation heated seats power everything and the panaramic roof. Go on TruCar and build the car you want and it will give you 3 dealers in your area with a price you should pay. Go into the dealer and show them the TruCar price and they have to give it to you for that price. Takes less than an hour at the dealership. I paid an extra $900 for a factory wrap warranty which covers anything and everything on the vehicle for 10'years or 100,000 miles. Bought mine at Newton Kia. My wife's is 3 years old and mine is 4 months old. I paid 26,000

 

[RU4Real]

Not true. I have two optimas. Loaded for 26,000. 38-40 mpg on trips. Navigation heated seats power everything and the panaramic roof. Go on TruCar and build the car you want and it will give you 3 dealers in your area with a price you should pay. Go into the dealer and show them the TruCar price and they have to give it to you for that price. Takes less than an hour at the dealership. I paid an extra $900 for a factory wrap warranty which covers anything and everything on the vehicle for 10'years or 100,000 miles. Bought mine at Newton Kia. My wife's is 3 years old and mine is 4 months old. I paid 26,000

Define "loaded".

 

[Retired711]

Or you could be even more local and go Subaru who has their HQ in NJ (Cherry Hill). Mine was assembled in TN in a plant that is being expanded to produce their new SUV.

Subaru is moving to Camden - thanks to the Norcrosses, they got a big tax benefit by doing that.

 

[RU31trap]

I'm happy with my 2017 Nisssn Rogue. A negative is that it takes 10 minutes to really heat up on days under 30 degrees. It gets decent gas mileage 23-26 mpg. A tough car to clean, and I like keeping my car clean.

I suggest using Weather Tech plastic mats between October and April and the regular mats between May and September.

 

[knightru]

Anyone test drive the sonata hybrid? Not a bad looking car with all the options.

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

This is true, and I think we leveraged it to great effect. It came down to the Mazda 6 and the Acura TLX, and after a vigorous debate at home, we went with the TLX. Got a great price, and more for my trade (an '08 Civic) than I would've imagined. They clearly wanted to do the deal, and I was happy to oblige.

Thanks, folks, for all your insights. They were very helpful.

So you got the Honda Accord's sportier corporate cousin. That will work.
My previous Acura Integra would have lasted forever, had it not been rear ended by a tourist in a rental jaguar. Was like an appliance. change the oil once in a while, gas it up, and go.

Great Cars, good luck.

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

Anyone test drive the sonata hybrid? Not a bad looking car with all the options.

I rented it in Florida. Very impressive. Hyundai has come a long, long way.

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

Not true. I have two optimas. Loaded for 26,000. 38-40 mpg on trips. Navigation heated seats power everything and the panaramic roof. Go on TruCar and build the car you want and it will give you 3 dealers in your area with a price you should pay. Go into the dealer and show them the TruCar price and they have to give it to you for that price. Takes less than an hour at the dealership. I paid an extra $900 for a factory wrap warranty which covers anything and everything on the vehicle for 10'years or 100,000 miles. Bought mine at Newton Kia. My wife's is 3 years old and mine is 4 months old. I paid 26,000

you're giving up your negotiating advantage by going into the dealer. you can make the deal from the comfort of your home. edmunds has a request for quote function, which will allow you to solicit quotes from nearby dealers. Obviously, you need to know exactly what you what. some dealers won't play ball. Focus on one's that do. All you want is their best offer.

Once they provide their offer, then you can use the truecar price to crosscheck. this method allows you to possibly do better than the truecar price. once you nail down the details, then you can go to the dealership and sign the paperwork.

 

[SHUSource]

Not true. I have two optimas. Loaded for 26,000. 38-40 mpg on trips.

That was not my impression, but that's good to hear. I think it's a terrific car. Like I said, we were really impressed by it those couple weeks we had the Optima rental.

 

[SHUSource]

So you got the Honda Accord's sportier corporate cousin. That will work.
My previous Acura Integra would have lasted forever, had it not been rear ended by a tourist in a rental jaguar. Was like an appliance. change the oil once in a while, gas it up, and go.

Great Cars, good luck.

Thanks - yeah, so far, so good! And like I said, I'd love to get ten years out of it, so I'll be good to it.

 

[knightru]

Tear drove the sonata plug in hybrid today. Have to say I was impressed.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Missed out on the discussion - the Chevy Equinox LT and LTZ models are worth a look.

I know most here are anti American on autos - but these are nice cars with great power and a lot of comfort features.

 

[RU4Real]

Missed out on the discussion - the Chevy Equinox LT and LTZ models are worth a look.

I know most here are anti American on autos - but these are nice cars with great power and a lot of comfort features.

And yet, oddly, not sedans. lol

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

This is true, and I think we leveraged it to great effect. It came down to the Mazda 6 and the Acura TLX, and after a vigorous debate at home, we went with the TLX. Got a great price, and more for my trade (an '08 Civic) than I would've imagined. They clearly wanted to do the deal, and I was happy to oblige.

Thanks, folks, for all your insights. They were very helpful.

So you went with the repackaged Honda Accord

People always end up with that car around here.

 

[theRU]

Missed out on the discussion - the Chevy Equinox LT and LTZ models are worth a look.

I know most here are anti American on autos - but these are nice cars with great power and a lot of comfort features.

Redesigns coming out on the 18 for both the terrain and the equinox. Look nice from what they're showing. Biggest impact will be that they are now offering diesels on them. Its a shame they dont offer diesel on the new Acadia, i'd totally go for it.

 

[gmay8]

Does anyone own an Acadia? I'm in the market for a 3rd Row SUV, and I've narrowed my search to Acadia, and MDX. Similar price range for the 17's

 

[RUBigFrank]

Had the Saturn Outlook a few years back - which was the sister model to the Acadia. Nice wide body car with a lot comfort features.

 

[theRU]

Does anyone own an Acadia? I'm in the market for a 3rd Row SUV, and I've narrowed my search to Acadia, and MDX. Similar price range for the 17's

New Acadia is slightly smaller than previous acadia. The Traverse/Acadia family has usually been the same size but now the new traverse will be larger while the new acadia is slightly smaller. Check both out depending on what you need.

I personally thought the last Traverse and Acadia were too big for my needs so the new 2017 resized acadia might make more sense. Denali trim is pretty nice but they're not luxury models.

 

[dollarbill]

Redesigns coming out on the 18 for both the terrain and the equinox. Look nice from what they're showing. Biggest impact will be that they are now offering diesels on them. Its a shame they dont offer diesel on the new Acadia, i'd totally go for it.

Redesigns also coming out on the Accord and Camry. I can stop shopping right there. $$$$

 

[theRU]

Redesigns also coming out on the Accord and Camry. I can stop shopping right there. $$$$

? not sure why you are replying to me about accords and camrys.

 

[SHUSource]

So you went with the repackaged Honda Accord

People always end up with that car around here.

There is one backstory to that: In late 2001, when there were all those great deals on cars post-9/11, I bought an '01 Passat, and the choice came down to that or the Acura TL Coupe (no longer made).

The Passat wound up being the worst car I ever owned, in terms of reliability, and I could go on here for hours about the experience. Among the highlights were that I actually did not have the car for 11 months while we battled it out over who would pay for the engine sludge repairs that were rampant among the line. I won, but wore out a lot of shoes for that 11 months! I always regretted not buying the TL, and I decided I wouldn't risk it again.

I would've been much more inclined to pick the Accord, but I know the total redesign is right around the corner. I like the Accord Sport, though.