$20K for new car, what to buy?
07-15-2006, 06:04 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
$20K for new car, what to buy?
Requirements:
1) No Trucks or SUVs of any type.
2) Must run on gasoline
3) Must be reliable (whatever that means to you)
4) Must run "OK" on 87 Octane
5) Must be nothing larger than a typical mid-sized family sedan
6) Fuel economy must be reasonable for its size/configuration. In other words, 30MPG from a VW Rabbit is unreasonable, at least in my book.
7) Must be less than $20,000 total, including TTL.
8) Must be Automatic, preferably 5-spd Automatic
9) Must be new
Currently on the list, in no particular order:
1) 2007 Hyundai Sonata SE 3.3L V6 w/Moonroof
2) 2007 Honda Civic EX 5AT
3) 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4-cyl w/Moonroof (price will drop next year as popularity fades)
4) 2007 Scion tC Auto (Maybe, as fuel economy sucks considering its size)
PS- I won't be the only driver of this vehicle. It will be a family car as well. My parents do not mind spending a few thousand dollars more for something a bit "nicer." My mother cannot handle huge cars, either, so a mid-sized sedan is already pushing it.
TIA.
1) No Trucks or SUVs of any type.
2) Must run on gasoline
3) Must be reliable (whatever that means to you)
4) Must run "OK" on 87 Octane
5) Must be nothing larger than a typical mid-sized family sedan
6) Fuel economy must be reasonable for its size/configuration. In other words, 30MPG from a VW Rabbit is unreasonable, at least in my book.
7) Must be less than $20,000 total, including TTL.
8) Must be Automatic, preferably 5-spd Automatic
9) Must be new
Currently on the list, in no particular order:
1) 2007 Hyundai Sonata SE 3.3L V6 w/Moonroof
2) 2007 Honda Civic EX 5AT
3) 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4-cyl w/Moonroof (price will drop next year as popularity fades)
4) 2007 Scion tC Auto (Maybe, as fuel economy sucks considering its size)
PS- I won't be the only driver of this vehicle. It will be a family car as well. My parents do not mind spending a few thousand dollars more for something a bit "nicer." My mother cannot handle huge cars, either, so a mid-sized sedan is already pushing it.
TIA.
07-15-2006, 06:38 PM
#4
Moderator
Thread Starter
Hmm...
Does anyone know when the Accord or Corolla will be redesigned? I'd rather not buy anything that's near the end of its current generation's lifespan.
Does anyone know when the Accord or Corolla will be redesigned? I'd rather not buy anything that's near the end of its current generation's lifespan.
07-15-2006, 07:18 PM
#7
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Teh Jatt
redesigned accord is coming as 2008 and corolla probably 2007
Corolla should be 07, as Toyota likes to keep up with the civic..https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...hlight=corolla
Accord still has another year...
http://vtec.net/modelmatrix/
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07-15-2006, 08:52 PM
#8
Got da Internet Goin Nutz
Still cracks me up how people insist on new cars.
Keep in mind you can save thousands on an '05 with less than 10 thousand miles.
A car is not like underwear, slightly used is just fine.
Keep in mind you can save thousands on an '05 with less than 10 thousand miles.
A car is not like underwear, slightly used is just fine.
07-16-2006, 01:37 AM
#13
If you get a Hyundai I will have to block you...
On that list I would say get the civic. We have 4cyl camrys in drivers ed, you can pin the accelerator and nothing happens.
I have to agree on the why the hell would you buy new? You can buy new when you are 22 and you want to get yourself your first nice car, no reason now.
I'd say get a used CLS TLS, or RSX Type S. Even a nice old 911 targa.
Mike
On that list I would say get the civic. We have 4cyl camrys in drivers ed, you can pin the accelerator and nothing happens.
I have to agree on the why the hell would you buy new? You can buy new when you are 22 and you want to get yourself your first nice car, no reason now.
I'd say get a used CLS TLS, or RSX Type S. Even a nice old 911 targa.
Mike
07-16-2006, 02:55 AM
#15
hail to the victors
if you are a family man, go with sonata. you just can't beat sonata's price and value. you can get lx v6(leather) without the roof below 19k easily
it's worry free, not to mention it's one of the most reliable car out there. if size is not the issue, i would go with mazda 3.
civic EX is out of your question because you can't get ex for less than 20k(including TTL). you will have to settle for LX.
it's worry free, not to mention it's one of the most reliable car out there. if size is not the issue, i would go with mazda 3.
civic EX is out of your question because you can't get ex for less than 20k(including TTL). you will have to settle for LX.
07-16-2006, 03:03 AM
#16
hail to the victors
Originally Posted by crazymjb
If you get a Hyundai I will have to block you...
On that list I would say get the civic. We have 4cyl camrys in drivers ed, you can pin the accelerator and nothing happens.
I have to agree on the why the hell would you buy new? You can buy new when you are 22 and you want to get yourself your first nice car, no reason now.
I'd say get a used CLS TLS, or RSX Type S. Even a nice old 911 targa.
Mike
On that list I would say get the civic. We have 4cyl camrys in drivers ed, you can pin the accelerator and nothing happens.
I have to agree on the why the hell would you buy new? You can buy new when you are 22 and you want to get yourself your first nice car, no reason now.
I'd say get a used CLS TLS, or RSX Type S. Even a nice old 911 targa.
Mike
07-16-2006, 10:52 AM
#17
givin the business
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i'd NEVER buy a new, fresh out the plastic car...it just doesn't make sense. you lose way too much as soon as you pull off the lot. if you open your search to something a year old or so you'd get a bigger bang for your buck...but all that has been said a million times already.
but if you just had to have one of those off the list the sonata stands out, because of the warranty
but if you just had to have one of those off the list the sonata stands out, because of the warranty
07-16-2006, 03:16 PM
#18
Originally Posted by chungkopi
what's wrong with hyundai?
That aside. For 20K you can get some low mileage Acuras. There is nothing wrong with buying a new car, but if 20K is your maximum amount and you can't finance, it makes more sense to get something much nicer slightly used.
Mike
07-16-2006, 03:26 PM
#19
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Considering that CR rates the '06 Accord OVER the '07 Camry, i'd try to negotiate an LX Accord 
07-16-2006, 06:09 PM
#22
go like hell
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i wouldn't buy a used car from anyone other than immediate family(like eventally i'm gonna maybe buy my sister's 06 RL, i bought my 94 Accord and 00 Odyseey from my momma) i run the piss out of them if i know i'm gonna sell them. 
07-16-2006, 06:35 PM
#23
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I've been driving my car for over 5+ years now. Yes, it's getting old, but so am I.
And more importantly, I know everything about the car. If only I kept track of the number of times I've farted on it ...
Used cars are for poor people, or people who can't quite afford a new Chrysler.
And more importantly, I know everything about the car. If only I kept track of the number of times I've farted on it ...
Used cars are for poor people, or people who can't quite afford a new Chrysler.
07-16-2006, 07:28 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by sbuswell
tc, customized for 20k easily. CAI and spacers will improve MPG and power some and won't cost much, they are also very reliable mods.
I'd rather check out a Hyundai Sonata.
07-16-2006, 07:47 PM
#27
I feel the need...
Originally Posted by GreenMonster
Corolla should be 07, as Toyota likes to keep up with the civic..Greenie, looks like Toyota will release the new Corolla in '08 - they're going back to the drawing board after seeing the all-new civic.
07-17-2006, 03:53 AM
#28
hail to the victors
Originally Posted by crazymjb
I will NEVER trust korea to make cars... Plus I don't like the whole "look how cheap our cars are" stigma that comes with it. BTW, I have already seen a handful of the new sonatas on the side of the road.
That aside. For 20K you can get some low mileage Acuras. There is nothing wrong with buying a new car, but if 20K is your maximum amount and you can't finance, it makes more sense to get something much nicer slightly used.
Mike
That aside. For 20K you can get some low mileage Acuras. There is nothing wrong with buying a new car, but if 20K is your maximum amount and you can't finance, it makes more sense to get something much nicer slightly used.
Mike
you are 16 and so 1996. oh snap you were only 6 back in 1996.
"I have already seen a handful of the new sonatas on the side of the road."
LOL. sonata's been one of the most reliable car for last 4 years. do some research before you post that kinda ignorant remarks. people in here might not like hyundai like you do, but they know it's reliable.
anyway, it's something called 'value'. you don't like acura because it's cheaper than the germans? LOL also hyundai isn't so cheap any more. loaded 07 santa fe, and entourage both goes over 30k. not to mention azera at around 27k.
also what part about hyundai that you don't trust? they give you 10/100 warranty you know? also didn't they just won bunch of JD awards? for like 4 years in a row? no wonder toyota fears hyundai more than any other companies.
hey kid, hyundai hating stops in year 2011. i'll give you 5 more years to hate. after that, it's the expiration date man. no more hatin because that's just wrong. and by then hyundai will most likely surpass nissan in u.s sales.
also check this article on new santa fe 2007 which will be my mom's new car very soon. better than any other similarly priced competitors if you ask me.
http://suvs.about.com/od/hyundai/fr/ag_07HSantaFe.htm
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...ours_2006.html
-won the top suv award in UK!
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...ndex+page_news
Last edited by chungkopi; 07-17-2006 at 03:56 AM.
07-17-2006, 04:05 AM
#29
hail to the victors
07-17-2006, 04:18 AM
#30
hail to the victors
also, this would be a very nice option for under 16-17k. light years better than the current elantra, and it should be out in october.
2007 elantra commercial
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rMRSVyfhNOE&search=hyundai
2007 elantra commercial
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rMRSVyfhNOE&search=hyundai
07-17-2006, 06:48 AM
#31
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by PistonFan
Greenie, looks like Toyota will release the new Corolla in '08 - they're going back to the drawing board after seeing the all-new civic.
Makes sense... The corolla pics I saw weren't that nice...
07-17-2006, 10:09 AM
#34
teh Senior Instigator
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Originally Posted by crazymjb
I will NEVER trust korea to make cars... Plus I don't like the whole "look how cheap our cars are" stigma that comes with it. BTW, I have already seen a handful of the new sonatas on the side of the road.
That aside. For 20K you can get some low mileage Acuras. There is nothing wrong with buying a new car, but if 20K is your maximum amount and you can't finance, it makes more sense to get something much nicer slightly used.
Mike
That aside. For 20K you can get some low mileage Acuras. There is nothing wrong with buying a new car, but if 20K is your maximum amount and you can't finance, it makes more sense to get something much nicer slightly used.
Mike
The Koreans have advanced HUGELY the last few years, I hate to say it, but I like the new hyundais! Great package for the money.
07-17-2006, 10:34 AM
#35
I had a tC, and I found it to be the best car for the value. The back seat is very spacious and there is a lot of leg room. Plus the fact that its a hatchback helps, as you can fold the rear seats and put a lot of stuff in the compartment. Its a 4 speed auto, with adequate power. The only downside is that it may be too small if you're planning to constantly use it for 4 people. I drive alot, and many times I had to carry 4 people, after a while it got tiring, and i couldn't be more happier having a 4 door acura. good forum - www.scionlife.com/forums
07-22-2006, 11:31 PM
#36
Originally Posted by bl^5
Still cracks me up how people insist on new cars.
Keep in mind you can save thousands on an '05 with less than 10 thousand miles.
A car is not like underwear, slightly used is just fine.
Keep in mind you can save thousands on an '05 with less than 10 thousand miles.
A car is not like underwear, slightly used is just fine.
Welllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Tell me this, if no one buys NEW CARS anymore, how the heck are you going to expect USED ones hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
07-23-2006, 12:11 AM
#37
Burning Brakes
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sodaluvr,
How 'bout the new '07 Nissan Sentra? It's a great improvment over th ecurrent ('06) sentra, and gets 29 and 36 mpg and can be loaded with intelligent key, bluetooth hands-free, and leather for under 20 grand.
Here the link to check it out http://www.nissanusa.com/sentra07/
How 'bout the new '07 Nissan Sentra? It's a great improvment over th ecurrent ('06) sentra, and gets 29 and 36 mpg and can be loaded with intelligent key, bluetooth hands-free, and leather for under 20 grand.
Here the link to check it out http://www.nissanusa.com/sentra07/
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