Reliable New Car

[Threehz]

I know these threads have been made a million times, but there's always new models coming out and more to learn, so let's keep it fresh.

The girlfriend and I have been wanting to replace the '99 Tahoe for a while because of gas mileage, and she simply doesn't feel it fits her at all. Now with a baby on the way, although a Tahoe may seem like a good family vehicle, it's not for us. So we're looking for something very reliable with great gas mileage. We've been thinking and looking around for used Rav4's (first gen) and used Civic's as well.

Lately however, I've been thinking, if we are going to spend 5k-6k on a good used vehicle with upwards of 100k miles, maybe it will be worth the extra money to buy a cheap new car. This came to mind seeing the Nissan Versa starts at around $11,000. Although she wants an automatic which bumps it up to around $13,000, that is still a reasonable price.

I'm still very hesitant about buying a new car though. I guess I'd just like to hear some more opinions to help sway me, or give me some ideas that I haven't thought about.

Thanks

[nando]

if you got a baby on the way, you're going to want something much bigger than a versa.. trust me!

I'd wait until after the baby is born, then see how much space you really need, then shop for a family car. I wouldn't want anything smaller than a 5-series wagon, personally.

[z31maniac]

Run the numbers of money spent on gas vs money spent on gas/payments/insurance and see if it's really worth it.

[Holland]

Nissan Versa is a dreadful car. You would be much better off buying something a few years old.

[Threehz]

Nando, what do you need so much space for? Five seats + a trunk fits a car-seat, baby, baby bag(s), and still has lots of room.

I'm very against new cars in general and the cost will end up being a lot, because there is title, registration, insurance, it all adds up quickly.

What do you dislike about the Versa Holland? My girlfriend's mom has the sedan and it seems pretty straight-forward and simple. Obviously not going to be a joy to drive.

Well what are some suggestions for good used cars?

Rav4 (1st gen) and Civic have been on my radar.

Anyone have experience with Camry's, Corolla's, or Accord's?

[slammin.e28]

Rover.





That is all.

[RUFFLZ]

Meh the new accords, camrys, and corollas are hideous.
I say buy an old civic. An ef perhaps. Drop, wheels, and is' lip and you'll be trilla :giggle:

[ak-]

The versa feels like a tin can. I didn't feel safe in it when I had to rent one last month.
The versa is also the first car I've been in an accident in. This was overseas though in '09 when it wasn't released in America. Also a rental, a truck sideswiped me on the highway and the impact didn't feel bad inside the car but when I took a look after pulling over.. my god it was bent and trashed. The doors wouldn't open or anything.

Idk man. I just don't like the car. And I'm not saying this because it's slow or stupid looking. I just wouldn't feel comfy with a baby on board.

[KenC]

I sold my e39 wagon last month and bought a *gulp* 2012 Kia Forte 5-Door.

I wanted a cheap new car, which sounds like what you're looking for. Definitely check Kia out. As recently as five years ago, they were total pieces of shit and thus still have negative feelings associated with their name. To combat this, they've had to offer better cars at lower price points with long warranties. I did a ton of research and looked at the Corolla, Yaris, Fiesta, Focus, and the Sonic. Nothing in the price range was as well equipped or had a similar warranty. Kia's new lead designer used to work at Audi and was behind the A3 and A4. His first project was the new Optima, which is a damn good looking car.
The Forte had a ton of incentives on it also. Kia was (maybe they still are) offering $1000 customer cash plus another $500 for financing through Kia (read: re-fi with a CU after 90d and keep the cash).
Mine is the 5-Door Hatch in Titanium silver. The EX trim has auto tranny, remote start, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Enough gadgets that it doesn't feel like a rental car haha.
I ended up signing at $16,800 on it after an hour of "negotiating" with three different sales managers LOL. I got it for almost a grand under invoice and had nothing to do that day so it was worth the extra time.
I put the $7k that I got from the wagon down on the car and have very low payments.

A warranty was the main reason I did it. Expanding the drivetrain 10yr/100k to a bumper-to-bumper warranty was only an extra $1400.
I'm moving to TN in about two months for medical school and didn't want the headache of worrying about fixing a car if it broke down since I'll be short on discretionary income and even shorter on time.
It's not as nice to drive as the e39 wagon nor has any woman ever said the words "Hey, whose Kia Forte is that?", but it gets good gas mileage, and has plenty of room. Even though the car is a certified Game-Killer, the piece of mind knowing I won't have to worry about a car all through med school and residency makes me happy with the purchase.

[KenC]

The versa feels like a tin can. I didn't feel safe in it when I had to rent one last month.
The versa is also the first car I've been in an accident in. This was overseas though in '09 when it wasn't released in America. Also a rental, a truck sideswiped me on the highway and the impact didn't feel bad inside the car but when I took a look after pulling over.. my god it was bent and trashed. The doors wouldn't open or anything.

Idk man. I just don't like the car. And I'm not saying this because it's slow or stupid looking. I just wouldn't feel comfy with a baby on board.

It's supposed to crumple like that. It's how they diffuse the kinetic energy of the impact over time to decrease the impulse on the occupants. Ever see a LeMans car hit a wall? It looks like an explosion... same "technology."

[e30e]

Love my moms/versa for what it is. A big little car that gets good mpg, it has 4
Star crash ratings and it's been really realiable.

[immajackuup]

honda pilot or crv

[KenC]

honda pilot or crv

OP mentions spending 11-13k on a Versa and you suggest two cars that are double that?

[Threehz]

KenC, good suggestion, I just wrote an article about the new KIA Forte last month, they have definitely stepped up their game recently.

Yeah Honda Pilot is definitely a no, the CRV is a good car, the new ones are too big as are most new cars, and I feel like the CRV was one of Honda's more lackluster vehicles.

If I was going crossover, it'd be a 1st gen Rav4, or a Nissan Juke (however that is out of our price range)

The more I think about new cars, the more I want to get an older used vehicle. If only I could find a nice four-door '91 318i...

How reliable are E36's? To me they've always looked really cheap and flimsy. They are cheap as shit though and I wouldn't mind a little E36 318i.

[z31maniac]

As cheap as they are, it might be worth it to find a clean one, then use what you save to get it up to snuff.