What kind of car woud you recommend?

[Tgo01]

Since I'm in need of a new car I'm just curious what kind of car everyone here would recommend? Anything but a Dodge.

[Androidpk]

What is your price range?

[AnticorRifling]

Dodge Charger.

[Warriorbird]

Price range and type matters a bunch.

[SpiffyJr]

I just bought a full decked Ford Fusion and it's pretty badass. Was 29k MSRP and got it for 22.5k as a certified pre-owned vehicle with 2k miles. It was basically brand new and since it's certified we get an even better warranty than a new one. Great safety ratings (for the new kid coming), > 30 mph, and a pretty smooth ride. I previously had two Ford Focus' and both were great cars. Still have the one Focus - decade old, 110k or so miles, haven't done anything to it but standard maintenance. Can't really beat Sync, either.

[Warriorbird]

I'd drive a Taurus before I would a Fusion or a Focus (Barring the European RS.)

[SpiffyJr]

Taurus is a nice vehicle but way too large for our needs. Our priority was safety and gas mileage - the Fusion does pretty damn well in both categories.

[Tgo01]

What is your price range?

That would have been a good thing to include. Probably 25kish.

[AnticorRifling]

Taurus is a nice vehicle but way too large for our needs. Our priority was safety and gas mileage - the Fusion does pretty damn well in both categories.

Enjoy it for a few more years then the kids require "stuff" and then you need hauling space.

[Back]

American cars are pretty damn good again. Since the bailout they got smart and started building good cars like they used to.

When searching for cars I like using http://autos.yahoo.com/. I check out Carmax too. Never bought from them but always curious to see if what I am looking for is around my area in perhaps an earlier model at a cheaper price.

[Androidpk]

Fusion gets my vote as well.

[Buckwheet]

Enjoy it for a few more years then the kids require "stuff" and then you need hauling space.

Just found that shit out. I just drove a Toureg because I so far still refuse the idea of a mini-van, and Tahoe sized vehicles are too rough on the mileage. This is an upgrade from a standard sized SUV, the Lexus RX.

[AnticorRifling]

Wife drives a GMC Acadia it's big enough unless you're going bradey bunch the toe-a-hoe full sized SUVs are just too big. Once the boys are out of car/booster seats I'm thinking the charger gets traded in for a challenger.

[Buckwheet]

Wife drives a GMC Acadia it's big enough unless you're going bradey bunch the toe-a-hoe full sized SUVs are just too big. Once the boys are out of car/booster seats I'm thinking the charger gets traded in for a challenger.

We just have the one kid, but when you put the stroller in the back of the Lexus it takes up the entire cargo space. So a trip to the park and the Costco or whatever just can't happen. We thought "we will for sure have enough room" when we bought this SUV. But nope not even close. I want to be able to go away to the cabin for a weekend without the kid taking a suitcase to the face if I have to turn a bit hard.

[AnticorRifling]

Get something that has third row seating that collapses. It's perfect. Acadia is 2 rows of buckets 3rd row bench that folds down. Shit ton of room.


On topic for 25k what style you looking for man 4 door, coupeeeeeee, sports car, truck?!

[WRoss]

Once you go Subaru, you never go back.

[Back]

Once you go Subaru, you never go back.

That is actually a serious contender for my next purchase. Manual of course.

[AnticorRifling]

Only if it's Subaru Impreza WRX STi or something close the rest of the subaru family screams comfy shoes and pride marches.

[Tgo01]

On topic for 25k what style you looking for man 4 door, coupeeeeeee, sports car, truck?!

4 door.

[AnticorRifling]

If you don't want new you could, in your price range, hit a pretty nice Caddy CTS. Pimp like a pimp son, pimp like a pimp.

[Drew]

Ford Fusion or Kia Optima.

[Jarvan]

American cars are pretty damn good again. Since the bailout they got smart and started building good cars like they used to.

When searching for cars I like using http://autos.yahoo.com/. I check out Carmax too. Never bought from them but always curious to see if what I am looking for is around my area in perhaps an earlier model at a cheaper price.

May want to edit that to point out Ford has good cars again.

[4a6c1]

I drive a Dodge Stratus.

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS:

I really really recommend a Ducati Streetfighter. 1) Purchase all leather safety clothing. 2) Ducktape child to helmet - good to gooooooo.

http://uncrate.com/p/2008/11/ducati-streetfighter.jpg

(No. I have not been dreaming about motobikes at night. In the night. When the night has come. Just stand by me.)

[Jarvan]

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS:

I really really recommend a Ducati Streetfighter. 1) Purchase all leather safety clothing. 2) Ducktape child to helmet - good to gooooooo.

http://uncrate.com/p/2008/11/ducati-streetfighter.jpg


(No. I have not been dreaming about motobikes at night. In the night. When the night has come. Just stand by me.)

Very sweet looking bike. It would kill me.. yeah.. I would die if I tried to ride it..

in which case, I expect a number of posters here to now take up a collection to buy me one.

[everan]

That Ducati is sweet, but I'm more of a Lincoln MKZ type. I bought the hybrid because I'm an environmental whacko, but I love it. Basically the same car as the Fusion, so go that route if budget is a concern.

[4a6c1]

Very sweet looking bike. It would kill me.. yeah.. I would die if I tried to ride it..

in which case, I expect a number of posters here to now take up a collection to buy rojo one.

Jarvan just said he was going to buy me a Ducati Streetfighter. You're all witness.

[Androidpk]

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS:

I really really recommend a Ducati Streetfighter.

http://uncrate.com/p/2008/11/ducati-streetfighter.jpg



I think I love you.


I'm not sure what I would want more the streetfighter or the new 1199.


http://i46.tinypic.com/2eq7xid.jpg

[Latrinsorm]

Did something happen to your old one?

[Archigeek]

Probably too small for you, but I ran into a guy who has one of those Chevy Volts, and they are crazy-efficient. If I was half the size I am, I'd probably get one as a commuter. I asked him how much he spends on gas, and the answer was he buys mybe a dozen gallons a year. So I asked him how much the charging up's his electric bill. Answer: about 10 bucks a month. I drive a Toyota FJ, and get about 19 miles to the gallon. I probably drive 1000 miles a month these days. I probably spend as much on fuel as he spends on car payments. Also, the batteries have a 100,000 mile warranty, and the cockpit feel is fairly stylish and not bad. I will probably try to test drive one just for fun, but will never buy one because they are just a hair too small for my 6'-7" tall self.

[Suppressed Poet]

I'm a Ford guy. I have a 2009 Lincoln Towncar I just bought in January as my daily driver. Had 13k miles and bought it dirt cheap from some grandma that couldn't drive anymore. Absolutely love it. Smooth ride, lots of space, looks nice for the office, and great for hauling around the kids. I also have a 1995 Ford F150 ext cab with 5.0. The truck is a great utility vehicle and I drive it often..155k miles and still chugging fine. Last, I have a 1999 Mustang GT convertible 35th aniversary special edition. I rarely drive that one, but it's a nice fair weather fun car. I was going to sell it, but really don't need the cash and can't bring myself to get rid of it.

As for a recomendation, my only advice would be do not buy brand new from the dealership. You are just throwing money away because they depreciate so fast. Get a certified preowned, or better just buy from a low mileage late model from a private owner. Just do your research, know what to look for, and get a carfax.

[WRoss]

Only if it's Subaru Impreza WRX STi or something close the rest of the subaru family screams comfy shoes and pride marches.

I had an Outback and drove it to almost 400,000 miles. They are very versatile and amazing in the snow. Also, the engine is incredibly easy to work on and cheap when you need to use mechanics.

[AbnInfamy]

If I had as much money as I want, I would buy another volkswagen or a subaru. We jad a Jetta with the turbo and we loved it. It hurt to get the timing belt replaced though.

Right now I drive a toyota and it's pretty reliable. I beat the shit out of it, I think it gets an oil change every 9k miles or so. It's a 2006.

[Warriorbird]

Used Jetta TDI would be a pretty solid choice. Lot of nice things you could get into used. My Aunt got an Audi A8 for around that territory.

[Androidpk]

Audi makes me drool but maintenance costs for them can be quite high.

[Archigeek]

I will say that my Toyota FJ is rediculously fun to drive in the snow. 10" blizzard? Time to go for a drive while the streets are empty. Handles great and the 4 wheel low is as smooth as silk when you need it. It's also a great towing vehicle, with a solid 260 horse engine that's geared well, and a short turning radius for when you're trying to back the boat up to the ramp.

[Bobmuhthol]

Nissan Leaf.

Ford Focus.

Something with a diesel engine.

[Buckwheet]

I have a 09 Jetta TDI and I love it. 41ish mpg on the highway all day long at 70mph.

[msconstrew]

I don't know where you live, but I have a Subaru and love it. Very useful up here in the Great White Nort'. It has never needed a serious repair, is incredible on snow and ice, good safety features, longevity (they apparently go forever) and you can get sportier ones if that's what you want. I have a Forester, but a few friends have other models and we basically all love them. Highly recommend the cold weather package!

[gs4-PauperSid]

Guess I'll shamelessly plug Mazda. Perhaps a mazda 3 hatch, preferably manual transmission.

Loved my wagon (2003 Mazda Protege5), and currently loving my 99 miata. Obviously a miata doesnt fit everyone's situation. If a mazda 3 hatch isnt big enough the new skyactive CX-5 may be worth a look, (with all the caveats of depreciation, buying new cars vs. used.)

Carmax is just neat place to test drive cars because they have so many different makes and models all on one lot to get a feel for.


-j

[BriarFox]

Subarus are built to last. The Legacy GT models and the WRX are sporty, too. I've had a Corrolla, a Camry, a Jetta, and now an Audi A4. I love the A4 the most, but the Toyotas were much cheaper to repair and had fewer issues. If I wanted a car for a family, I might do a Rav4.

[Androidpk]

Rav4 is fucking horrible, avoid at all cost. Stick with the Audi, especially for a family car. Hard to beat quattro.

[Some Rogue]

Yo what up fools none of you low-middle class tools can hold a prayer to my awesome ass fucking RX-7 I cant even begin to count how much ass I get in this sweet ride because Im so fucking awesome the rest of your cars suck cause mine is the shit just like me



I think that says it all...

[Tgo01]

A few people here recommended a Ford Fusion but I'm reading reviews from different sites that people are having transmission problems. Anyone here have any sort of transmission problems with their Fusion? The way these people are describing the problem it's almost as if Ford is well aware of the problem too.

Same with the Ford Focus, people claiming they were told by the dealership that they had to "break in" the transmission so it would work right and some people even claiming it did work right after "breaking in" the transmission. Not sure I like the idea of buying a car that has such well documented transmission problems...

[Fallen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHya8HGuNSk

Seemed highly recommended in the video.

[Parkbandit]

Honda Accord.

http://static2.consumerreportscdn.org/cro/cdn-resources/content/cars/images/models/large/2012/honda/accord-sedan-ex-l-v6.jpeg

[Keller]

This thread is relevant to my interests. Need to buy a car within a week or two.

Wife will be driving commuting 100 miles total/day. She wants the Prius c. Talk me out of it.

[Reliel]

Four words.

Thunder Cougar Falcon Bird.

[Tgo01]

I read good things about the Hyundai Sonata and I test drove one today and I liked it, nice looking car and handled great. Anyone have any experiences with Hyundai or Sonatas?

[Aylien]

I own a Subaru Forester. I love it. That is all.

[Warriorbird]

This thread is relevant to my interests. Need to buy a car within a week or two.

Wife will be driving commuting 100 miles total/day. She wants the Prius c. Talk me out of it.

Similar battery replacement time to a laptop, MUCH more expensive battery.

If it's about efficiency you could do better with a 40+ mpg gas/diesel car considering the excess cost.

They're not fun to drive. Their biggest benefit comes from city driving instead of highway driving.

[Allereli]

They're not fun to drive. Their biggest benefit comes from city driving instead of highway driving.

agreed. I test drove one a few years ago, it was total shit. Has anyone driven the Civic hybrid?

[SHAFT]

I have a 2009 Infiniti g37 I love it. Definitely think about infiniti's

[BriarFox]

Just sold a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Ltd with a 2.5T for my parents. Awesome car. Sad to see it go, though why they bought it in the first place is a bit of a face-palm fail.