Help select a car

[puff_daddy_58_99]

So I've got an 07 Impala SS (although many RFD'ers argued against it), but a friend of mine from work is looking for a new car. Here are the criteria

a) 4 door sedan. No 2 doors, no hatches.
b) compact to medium size, no charger or impala size cars.
c) Price range $30k ish new. Not firm on price

Car's I have come up with: Civic, Mazda 3, Volvo S40, Subaru Legacy, BMW 3 series, A4,

Cars that have been shot down; Impreza, Lancer, any volkswagen, any mercedes, ford fusion, g35, any lexus, any acura

She is leaning towards the civic, I suggest the legacy or s40. Any suggestions of other options?

[gherikill]

Impala SS, that is a sweet ride. How is the gas consumption on that thing?

[The_Professor]

Based upon the selection of cars and $30K budget I'm going to assume that your friend is willing to buy used. Most BMW's under that range will have slightly higher mileage and trust me, owning a BMW out of warranty is not a pleasant experience.

I personally really like the S40 but it's small inside (smaller than the Mazda3 in which it is based on). It's also had some reliability issues, and there is a refreshed model coming out in a few months.

The Civic and Mazda3 are both great cars, I would certainly look at either of those. The Hyundai Sonata is another car that should get a look IMO.

[Spray]

I'd suggest a 2.5I from the USA. Can be had wayyyy within her budget, prolly around 20k USD

[VivienM]

So I've got an 07 Impala SS (although many RFD'ers argued against it), but a friend of mine from work is looking for a new car. Here are the criteria

a) 4 door sedan. No 2 doors, no hatches.
b) compact to medium size, no charger or impala size cars.
c) Price range $30k ish new. Not firm on price

Car's I have come up with: Civic, Mazda 3, Volvo S40, Subaru Legacy, BMW 3 series, A4,

Cars that have been shot down; Impreza, Lancer, any volkswagen, any mercedes, ford fusion, g35, any lexus, any acura

She is leaning towards the civic, I suggest the legacy or s40. Any suggestions of other options?

Pontiac G6? Saturn Aura? Or are those too big?

[puff_daddy_58_99]

Pontiac G6? Saturn Aura? Or are those too big?

she really doesn't want to go domestic. Kia and Hyundai are also off the list, although she says she isn't into buying a badge (ie she would rather buy a honda rather than an acura)

I didn't know the 2.5i was that cheap in the US. the 2.5i Touring is about 30 here in canada. How much would a Legacy GT be across the border?

as far gas on the SS, it isn't good, but that's what 303HP, 323 ft/lbs, and a lead foot will get you. I've only done 1150 kms and I'm itching to get it to cayuga.

[Spray]

brand new legacy gt will cost you around 33k CAD brough back with taxes.

[onecoolloser]

Car's I have come up with: Civic, Mazda 3, Volvo S40, Subaru Legacy, BMW 3 series, A4,

Cars that have been shot down; Impreza, Lancer, any volkswagen, any mercedes, ford fusion, g35, any lexus, any acura



You're dealing with a wide range here. From a 18k Civic to a 38k A4.

What about the Accord or the Camry? Great cars. Base Accord should be around 30k brand new.

[puff_daddy_58_99]

You're dealing with a wide range here. From a 18k Civic to a 38k A4.

What about the Accord or the Camry? Great cars. Base Accord should be around 30k brand new.

well she was looking at a fully spec'd out civic for around 28 (which seems high to me), she says she doesn't like the accord or camry for some reason. I can't understand that, the accord v6 is pretty good on power, looks good (the new 08 one will be better though), and is just as reliable as the civic.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Is there any rhyme or reason to her choice? If she wants a Civic so badly then just buy a Civic.

[puff_daddy_58_99]

Is there any rhyme or reason to her choice? If she wants a Civic so badly then just buy a Civic.

It just seems like a waste to pay 28k on a civic when there are so many cooler and better cars out there. If she was going entry level civic then fine, but not a fully loaded one.

[Monsieurmaggot]

You get what you pay for.

Honda is notorious for charging peanuts on base models and adding $10k to option it properly.

There are CIVICs everywhere you look. That says something.

But as Spray pointed out, a base US-bought Legacy can be had for about $18k US. A high-performance GT Spec. B with EVERY option will still come in at about $30k US. You get a car that isn't normally seen in Canada.

Thankfully the Canadian dollar has risen against the US greenback that they are actually affordable in Canada now (buying in the US). The Canadian versions are way overpriced.

For your $30k Canadian you can choose from the 2.5i or GT.

You get AWD, up to 250 HP and the #1 front and side crash rated vehicle which will reflect accordingly on insurance.

Resale on a Subaru is phenomenal.

Importing a Subaru Legacy is butt easy. I did it. You don't pay US tax either. You will pay GST and PST once you cross over.

[puff_daddy_58_99]

ok, so say she gets a civic, are they selling below MSRP? How much? I've got 3 APA quotes still remaining (used one for the impala, and another one for a lucerne I decided not to get), should I get an APA quote and try and buy it that way?

[ashhabib]

I would put it between the Legacy GT and an Aura XR

[MrDisco]

So I've got an 07 Impala SS (although many RFD'ers argued against it)

i really like the SS. i wish i could afford one. i was thinking of the LTZ but i'll probably lean towards the accord.

edit: yeah i was going to suggest the accord to your friend. personally i detest the civic. that front windshield with the ridiculous slope and game boy dashboard is too much for me. i love the mazda 3s though

edit2: don't waste your APA quote just yet! get your friend's butt behind the wheel of the civic. if she loves and doesn't want to see anything else then use it up. otherwise have her shop around other makes/models first.

[MrDisco]

I would put it between the Legacy GT and an Aura XR

an Aura XE comes to ~$31k on the road. needless to say the XR is much more.

[VivienM]

i really like the SS. i wish i could afford one. i was thinking of the LTZ but i'll probably lean towards the accord.

GM seems to be already be doing 0% for 60 months on Impalas...

[MrDisco]

GM seems to be already be doing 0% for 60 months on Impalas...

yes they just started a 0% promotion on select vehicles (Impala, Grand Prix are in it, Aura, G6, Lucerne (etc) are not). Even with 0% the SS is a pretty penny. I'm guesstimating it would cost about $670/month with nothing down, no options, etc. The LTZ is more in my price range at about $575/mo including my trade in.

[ashhabib]

an Aura XE comes to ~$31k on the road. needless to say the XR is much more.

A Basic Spec XR -Which almost comes fully loaded starts at 31K, still 10K less than an Audi A4, which they're looking at. The Aura was also named North American car Of the Year, and is just a rebadged Opel, so its not typical GM

[ashhabib]

Just Did a pricing on the Aura, a fully loaded every option XR is $35 665 with Destination

[MrDisco]

Just Did a pricing on the Aura, a fully loaded every option XR is $35 665 with Destination

yes now add tax. $40k. not worth it imo.


The Aura was also named North American car Of the Year, and is just a rebadged Opel, so its not typical GM

car awards are interesting, most mostly marketing gimmicks. did it win world car of the year? car and driver? consumer reports? AJAC? no, no, no, and no. i wouldn't buy a car based on meaningless awards. i do agree its a much nicer effort then previous gm sedans.

[Justin C]

ok, so say she gets a civic, are they selling below MSRP? How much? I've got 3 APA quotes still remaining (used one for the impala, and another one for a lucerne I decided not to get), should I get an APA quote and try and buy it that way?

How much was the APA able to knock off the MSRP on the Impala? I'm interested in an LTZ.

Thanks.

[SkiD]

A Basic Spec XR -Which almost comes fully loaded starts at 31K, still 10K less than an Audi A4, which they're looking at. The Aura was also named North American car Of the Year, and is just a rebadged Opel, so its not typical GM

The Aura's styling is inspired by the Opel Vectra and is built on a similar platform, but it is not a rebadge (there aren't really any common parts), that will not happen until 2010/11 timeframe when it is replaced with a new version.

That said, the Aura is a good car, but not a great car, there is still room for improvement.

[MrDisco]

How much was the APA able to knock off the MSRP on the Impala? I'm interested in an LTZ.

Thanks.

they knock about $2200 off

[puff_daddy_58_99]

it was a little more than $2200, closer to 4k

[Rich1]

Well based on the above, I would recommend the new Nissan Altima. Tonnes of different features, good engines, decent styling. Lots of space too - it's competing with the Maxima on that front. A 2.5 version would probably be the best bet. Or for more power a used Maxima would work (I recommend an 05/06).

[qster]

I agree, the new Altima is a sweet ride and has better handling and style then the Civic. To pay anything close to $30K for a Civic is rediculous since your insurance alone will be about 5-10% of the cost annually (Civics are up there for most stolen cars).

There is nothing wrong with the Pontiac G6, for a domestic, it handles great and has great curve lines and can be had for less than $30K new.

Again, why would you want to pay $30K for a fully optioned Civic is beyond me. Your friend is better off getting a hybrid if she's worry about fuel economy.

[ES_Revenge]

A Basic Spec XR -Which almost comes fully loaded starts at 31K, still 10K less than an Audi A4, which they're looking at. The Aura was also named North American car Of the Year, and is just a rebadged Opel, so its not typical GM

You're confused. Opel is GM and the Aura is an Epsilon car. As is the Pontiac G6, Chevy Malibu, and (in places where Opel is sold) the Opel Vectra and Signum, among others. Epsilon is managed by GM Europe but it's all GM whichever way you slice it.

An example of a "rebadged" something, would be something like the Cadillac Catera (which was indeed a rebadged Opel); or the Pontiac GTO which was a rebadged Holden Monaro. Cars that were designed on that platform intentionally/in mind from the get go, aren't really considered rebadges, they're just cars on the same platform.

Edit: The one problem I forsee with buying a brand new GM is that they do have pretty terrible resale value. If she's gonna take care of the car and keep it for a long time, then fine; but, if she's planning to get rid of it in 4-5 years time it's gonna have dismal resale value. Buying a used G6 that's 1-2 years old would be better if she plans to change cars after a few years. The poor resale helps in this case as you can see a good bit of savings as opposed to a new one.

[ES_Revenge]

You're dealing with a wide range here. From a 18k Civic to a 38k A4.
That's what I was thinking. Like how on earth does the Civic go in the same category as the A4 and 3-series? That's crazyness, LOL. It's like chalk and cheese.

well she was looking at a fully spec'd out civic for around 28 (which seems high to me), she says she doesn't like the accord or camry for some reason. I can't understand that, the accord v6 is pretty good on power, looks good (the new 08 one will be better though), and is just as reliable as the civic.
I don't understand it either, and how is the Honda Civic "allowed" on the list but not any Acuras? I mean it's the same crap, lol.

If Acura wasn't off the list I would have said TSX right away, because it's not really an Accord (it's a Euro-spec Accord) and so it's kind of a good in-betweener or alternative to someone that thinks the Civic is too low-end for them and the Accord is too generic. Not that I'm a fan of Hondas really but I would rather a TSX than an Accord.

Anyway....

Are hatches on the allowable list? LOL. If so what about the GTI or the A3? Oh wait no VW... Still, the A3 can make the list. Edit: Oops I didn't read "no hatches" :rolleyes: So scratch both...

Is there any rhyme or reason to her choice?
Doesn't seem like it eh? I mean no offence, but it sounds like she really doesn't know what she wants (with a list that has the Civic, Mazda3 and then the 3-series and A4). Honda's fine but no Acura? Audi's fine but no VW? Really strange requirements. Good luck finding her a car!

[puff_daddy_58_99]

Doesn't seem like it eh? I mean no offence, but it sounds like she really doesn't know what she wants (with a list that has the Civic, Mazda3 and then the 3-series and A4). Honda's fine but no Acura? Audi's fine but no VW? Really strange requirements. Good luck finding her a car!

Ya I know, i'm just trying to help her out since she's a good friend. She has a 2001 Jetta VR6 right now, so I'm not sure why she is leaning so heavily towards a Civic. She seems to be pretty set on it, I got the APA quote today, and their price comes to about 1k lower than the MSRP. She desperately wants leather seats (not an option AFAIK), but the dealer said he would put them in for an extra 2k. Crazy

Anyways, thanks for the advice. I think the altima or g6 or legacy are good cars too, but there's no convincing her.

[ES_Revenge]

Ya I know, i'm just trying to help her out since she's a good friend. She has a 2001 Jetta VR6 right now, so I'm not sure why she is leaning so heavily towards a Civic. She seems to be pretty set on it, I got the APA quote today, and their price comes to about 1k lower than the MSRP. She desperately wants leather seats (not an option AFAIK), but the dealer said he would put them in for an extra 2k. Crazy

From Jetta VR6 to Civic? Ugh. Unless she didn't like the Jetta and/or had problems with it?

As for the leather seats on a Civic business (that isn't an option?), it's like she's trying to make a Civic into a CSX the hard way instead of just buying a CSX LOL. Tell her to buy the CSX and then switch the Acura badging to Honda Civic badging, LOL. It'll probably end up cheaper/easier than trying to buy "mods" for the Civic from a dealer at time of purchase...