Well it's time to look at a new car. I just turned 16 about 2 weeks ago and our car (92 cavalier) is nearing the end of its life. Bald tires, faulty ABS, high mileage, too small, and just plain slow are the main reasons we're getting rid of it. My mom and I want a 2000+ midsize sedan around the $7-12k mark (CDN). Our deal is that if I can cover my insurance, maintenance, and gas whenever I use it, i get to take the car to university. Not bad IMO.

SO, some of the cars we've been looking at are:

Nissan Maxima/Altima
BMW 3-series
and possibly the Acura TL

Some of the things we want/need in our next car are:
Size
Power
Decent fuel economy
reliability

Anyone on here that has had experience with these cars? Obviously plenty of TL owners, but i'm reluctant to get a 2g TL because of that damn transmission. But the Maxima and 3series is what I'm really interested in. I know you can get amazing fuel economy out of BMWs if you try, and the Maxima is fairly big and looks gorgeous.

Help?

 

i would say out of those the nissan is your best bet. i wouldnt touch a TL with a 10 foot pole, and a BMW that cheap is a nightmare waiting to happen. ESPECIALLY if you are handling the maint.

 

Nissan.

 

Maxima.

 

im with the wagon here

 

Why not something from Honda? The Accord is worth a look!

 

Maxima is my choice. They are nice cars that will run for quite a while.

 

I vote maxima. Had a 2001 3-Series... maintenance and shit going wrong with it raped me. 2G TL ... If you can find one that'll still have warranty coverage on the transmission...

 

for that price, you can get a decent mileage 5.5g maxima. that's what i'd vote for.

it certainly meets all of your requirements.

 

:ibwaterssaysc63:

ok i know its getting old sorry

but go with the nissan i have never heard anything bad about the early 2000's generation

 

actually after looking at the C63 in person today in person i was kind of disappointed. it was to small for my taste seriously the interior smaller than a Si.
now about the question the orginal poster put up: I'd rock the Maxima

 

If you're going with the Nissan get the 2002-03 and up only, the years prior to 2002 only offered a 3.0L motor.

I'd say the Civic Si Hatchback (2002~2004) is a decent car to pick up. It's as fast as a base RSX, but it's much cheaper. They offer the K20A3 motor, which is 160hp 141tq.

 

got a 5g maxima w/ no problems after 8 years and 60k

consider an es300 also

 

nissan bro.. beemers are too expensive to keep up.

 

02+ Maxima SE

 

I35

 

from your list nissan, tl isn't worth it unless its a 3rd gen... 2nd gen... get real. anything honda, must get manual.

 

nisssan

 

or toyota camry, toyota is awesome, we've had our van since new back in 01.. 158,000 kms later, its still running like a champ with original parts other then the timing belt and accessory drive belts!

 

So far, highest on the list is indeed the Maxima. I've never heard of any major problems with them, and i still see plenty of pre-1990s running around, which means that they can probably run for a good while.

I was actually interested in getting an Accord, but i'm not really a fan of how the pre 2003 model looks, and I can't find a 2003+ for $7k.

I doubt a Civic would be enough, because I do alot of carpooling, and I need the backseat space, as well as a large trunk.

Yeah, i've heard BMWs are unbelievable on the maintenance, but RWD would be a nice touch.

Toyota (Camry) just seems too blah for my tastes. sort of a point a to point B car. I want to have fun driving around.

What about the Mazda Millenia? looks great IMO, even if it is just a tad down on power.

Subaru Legacy sedan? Maybe an old S4? What do you guys think about those cars?

 

My dad had a '95 Millenia S. AWESOME car, still one of the best stock audio systems I've heard in a car for it's time (better than his current '05 TL's IMO) but the supercharger went on it. Apparently it was a very common problem with the Milennia. The newer ones, I'm not so sure. However, I would recommend looking at the non S. The engines were much more reliable given there was no supercharger and if it wasn't for the blown supercharger on my dad's, he would still have it.

And if you do get an S, it is a quick car. Very smooth and comfortable, yet sporty enough to get your heart racing a bit.

Out of all of your choices, though, I'd pick the Maxima in a heartbeat. AWESOME AWESOME car. My aunt had one, I wanted it REAL bad but got the TSX instead because it was slower and my parents were more comfortable with that.

 

hahaha

 

The turning radius on those cars are terrible....other than that it's a nice ride. I'd check out the Millenia; I've heard very good things about those cars...and you can scoop one up pretty cheap.
LOL

 

lol i hate big turning circles. I can barely drive out of my parking space without having to resort to reverse. its effing annoying when trying to park.

If I were to get a millenia, it would probably be the latest generation. Looks amazing IMO.

I'm not looking for anything that moves. I'm a car enthusiast, just like all you guys. I'm willing to spend an extra buck or two on maintenance for better performance. I'm open to any suggestions people.

 

bump.

 

If you just turned 16 a few weeks ago (I know you'll be sharing the car with your mom), I wouldn't go the extra mile to get anything fancy or that requires "spending an extra buck or two for better performance." This will be your first car OF MANY, and seeing as how you're in T.O., you're still under graduated licensing for quite a ways yet. Get something easy to maneuver, something good on gas, something reliable, and something that won't break the bank.

At 16, even if you're working, I'm guessing you're more likely to want to spend money on going out with friends, hitting the movies, putting some away, etc. than having to save up (forever) for costly maintenance and repair bills. Your friends (and you) will simply enjoy the fact that you're able to get around a little more independently (after G1), regardless of if you're riding in a Civic, Corolla, or BMW....it's the freedom that you'll all enjoy.

 

I know what you're saying, I really do. But most of my male friends are fairly tall (5'11+)and it gets pretty cramped in a cavalier. More space is a must. And when I say better performance, i mean something that can get me up a decent incline without having to resort to full-throttle and still be doing only 35 km/h. I take comfort knowing that my car's limits are well above what would be necessary in everday driving, in case an emergency may come up.

Keep in mind my mom will be using this car too. She'll be using it to do grocery runs, and she's really big into volunteering with our parish, so she'll be doing a lot of errands for them too, moving around a LOT of stuff and people. We both spend a lot of time behind the wheel, and she looks for comfort, space, and a decent-looking car, while I look for something that can get me and a friend or two around without the wheeziness of our current piece of crap.

I'm a very gentle driver, so fuel economy shouldn't be THAT much of a problem. I can hypermile when I want to, and fuel prices are coming down, slowly but surely. Hopefully maintenance won't be much more than changing oil and filter, which I can do myself.

Yeah, I go out a fair bit, and it does take a nice chunk of money, but I'm far from broke, and this year going out will be minimal (Grade 11 is hell).

 

04 gallardo

 

hey, if you've got one for around 7 grand, im all ears lol

 

I wasn't implying that you hang onto the Cavalier. I was only reminding you that if you get a car like BMW, in order for it to fit into your price range, you'll need something with higher miles than if you went with a lower-end brand (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc.). The parts alone for BMW will cost quite a bit. A model with higher miles, means you're more likely to be replacing and repairing a lot more parts than if you were able to get a "newer" car that was well-maintained, and that generally wasn't as expensive to send to the shop. That's why I was thinking that you and your friends will be enjoying the freedom of having a car, regardless of what it is. Plus, if you plan on taking the car to university, the hassle alone of having an unreliable car that you were constantly taking to be serviced would suck in and of itself. Anyway, this is all

 

Yeah, i know maintenance on BMWs are a bitch. I guess the 3series, or any BMW for that matter, is out of the question for now. That's why I've been looking a lot at the maxima, because i know they can go on for miles and miles. Yeah, I'm taking the car to university if I follow the agreement, but my mom's paying for the car. That leaves me with gas, insurance, and maintenance. 20 bucks of regular into the cavalier is good for school and back for 2 weeks. I'm hoping that the Maxima will at least get me to school and back on 20 bucks for a week, which is good enough.

and I don't think i would be satisfied with just any car. If I were, I'd just grab an old Civic or Corolla or even keep this car through university. I wouldn't want to buy a car i'd regret later because I don't enjoy getting into it every day. The Cavalier's plenty reliable, but it's just an A to B sort of car. I want something that I enjoy driving, can fit all my friends, yet doesn't come close to breaking the bank. I'm banking on a scholarship for university, and if that works out, i at least want something that wouldn't put me into debt.

 

5.5g maxima

 

As much as I love the B5 S4 (which is what I assume the one post was asking about), unless you can afford $4k worth of new turbos then I would avoid it. The car is amazing with some work, but expensive as hell.

 

if its a manual. although they are high in theft rate though

 

Jw, what are your friends driving?

 

TacoBellSause: That is the EXACT style/generation I want. Assuming it's your car, what are the pros and con behind the wheel? any regrets?

I'm hoping to get a manual. We can both drive stick, and I enjoy the intimacy that you get with the car. Not to mention it's cheaper.

 

so your trying to buy a bigger car so you can taxi all your friends around?? lol.... nice..

 

i say that you take it easy on your self and your mom... get a civic coupe with a manual trans.. you cant go wrong!

 

My mom's going to be using it to "taxi all her friends around" more than me.

Not trying to be rude, but unless you're raising a family at 22, I don't see what you do with the backseat in your TL. Why such a big car? that's just a litle bit hypocritical.

We may not be rich, but we sure as hell aren't poor. My mom can afford these cars, it's just which car to get. I guess you missed the whole "bigger car" thing too.

 

There have been many times where my back seat has come in very handy...