Finding a car

[Kaitlyn]

Okay, so I am looking to get a new car in the very near future.

- Brand new car
- Probably a 2006 model? (cheaper?)
- $20K - $25K
- Mid-sized, 4-door car (currently have Buick Century - want something smaller but still big enough to be 'safe')

Can anyone help me go about finding some cars from which I can start narrowing down?

EDIT: I should also mention some things I wish to add if not already standard:

- Heated (driver) seat
- MAYBE a sunroof
- Climate control (Set temperature at 21 degrees)
- Ideally an aux input for my mp3 player

[new_vr]

Okay, so I am looking to get a new car in the very near future.

- Brand new car
- Probably a 2006 model? (cheaper?)
- $20K - $25K
- Mid-sized, 4-door car (currently have Buick Century - want something smaller but still big enough to be 'safe')

Can anyone help me go about finding some cars from which I can start narrowing down?

Get a Corolla. It's actually pretty roomy inside, and fairly safe. Don't let size make you think it's safer. Check crash test results instead. http://www.safercar.gov/

[frogger]

Unfortunately generally bigger is safer all else being equal, thats the reason they show crash test results by product category. If they compared midsizers to compacts, the compacts wouldn't do all that well. Make sure you get side and curtain airbags where available.

I find the Corolla overrated. Drove one on a rough road and the rattling and general amount of flex of the chasis was surprising. The engine was pretty weak though it does get good fuel economy.

Make sure you test drive whatever vehicles you consider on a variety of surfaces and different speeds.

$25K + or $25K all in taxes etc?

[Kaitlyn]

Unfortunately generally bigger is safer all else being equal, thats the reason they show crash test results by product category. If they compared midsizers to compacts, the compacts wouldn't do all that well. Make sure you get side and curtain airbags where available.

I find the Corolla overrated. Drove one on a rough road and the rattling and general amount of flex of the chasis was surprising. The engine was pretty weak though it does get good fuel economy.

Make sure you test drive whatever vehicles you consider on a variety of surfaces and different speeds.

$25K + or $25K all in taxes etc?

Mom is helping me pay and its not like a $26,000 car is completely out of question. As well, I am likely going to pay above and beyond that range to get some things I just WANT... like heated seats perhaps, but am not putting that into the cost restriction.

[frogger]

The Saturn Aura XE is in your budget and won car of the year, you might want to try that as well as test out an Accord and Camry 4 cylinder models. I suggest the Saturn because their dealerships won't pressure you or ignore you if you say you're not sure what car you want yet and you are early in the process.

If you want to consider compact cars, see about testing a Corolla, Civic, and/or Mazda 3. I think after driving one compact and one midside, you will know whether you want a compact or midsize for sure.

[VivienM]

- Probably a 2006 model? (cheaper?)

You're probably not going to find any 2006s left...

Saturn Aura is one possibility. You could add Pontiac G6, too...

[Kaitlyn]

I should also mention some things I wish to add if not already standard:

- Heated (driver) seat
- MAYBE a sunroof
- Climate control (Set temperature at 21 degrees)
- Ideally an aux input for my mp3 player

I was looking at the Aura and the climate control is only available on the XR which starts at $31,xxx....

[VivienM]

You could look into a Chevy Malibu - with the incentives they must now be offering, the LTZ model might squeeze into your budget. (Be careful about relying on MSRP when it comes to a GM product, as you often end up paying less)

Also, consider a Pontiac Grand Prix. They're offering decent incentives on those, and you can get everything except perhaps the AUX input (but you may be able to get a CD changer iPod connector instead, which would be a lot better).

Otherwise, I doubt you'll be able to find much with heated seats and climate control for $25K. You can probably get both in a 4 cyl. Nissan Altima for about $29K, and Honda/Toyota fans will let you know if Accord/Camry can give you those for the same price.

BTW, your criteria rule out all compact cars that I know of, as I don't think any have auto climate control... someone else may correct me if I'm wrong.

Have you considered going used? If you liked your Century, say, you could consider something like the 03-04 Buick Regal, which has everything on your list except the aux input, but that you could buy used for $13-14K (maybe a bit more if you want an optimum certified one), which leaves plenty of money for a replacement audio head unit or one of those iPod CD changer cables.

[VivienM]

I was looking at the Aura and the climate control is only available on the XR which starts at $31,xxx....

There were some incentives available on the Aura a few weeks ago that would have lowered that a bit... however, now that it won that fancy award in the US, I'm guessing GM isn't going to need to lower price to get buyers to notice the Aura...

[frogger]

Auto Climate Control is going to be tough to find in your price range on a brand new car. Lots of options used like a 2003 Acura TL or similar.

[Kaitlyn]

You could look into a Chevy Malibu - with the incentives they must now be offering, the LTZ model might squeeze into your budget. (Be careful about relying on MSRP when it comes to a GM product, as you often end up paying less)

Also, consider a Pontiac Grand Prix. They're offering decent incentives on those, and you can get everything except perhaps the AUX input (but you may be able to get a CD changer iPod connector instead, which would be a lot better).

Otherwise, I doubt you'll be able to find much with heated seats and climate control for $25K. You can probably get both in a 4 cyl. Nissan Altima for about $29K, and Honda/Toyota fans will let you know if Accord/Camry can give you those for the same price.

BTW, your criteria rule out all compact cars that I know of, as I don't think any have auto climate control... someone else may correct me if I'm wrong.

Have you considered going used? If you liked your Century, say, you could consider something like the 03-04 Buick Regal, which has everything on your list except the aux input, but that you could buy used for $13-14K (maybe a bit more if you want an optimum certified one), which leaves plenty of money for a replacement audio head unit or one of those iPod CD changer cables.

I'm not looking to fit those extras into the budget, but when a car that is capable of the upgrades is $31,000 starting... then it doesn't quite work out...

None of the xtras are a MUST but mainly heated seats/climate control would be really nice to add in...

[VivienM]

I'm not looking to fit those extras into the budget, but when a car that is capable of the upgrades is $31,000 starting... then it doesn't quite work out...

None of the xtras are a MUST but mainly heated seats/climate control would be really nice to add in...

Beware of the MSRP trap - often, some automakers compete on financing rates, and 1-2% financing vs 7% will make a HUGE difference in your total costs.

Also, have you considered leasing?

[Kaitlyn]

So I've compiled a list of some cars that I like that are within budget. Obviously I can get a price below the MSRP, so all prices would end up in budget:

Make ------ Model ---------- MSRP
Saturn ---- Aura XE -------- $24,990
Toyota ---- Corolla LE ------ $21,900
Toyota ---- Camry LE ------ $25,800
Honda ---- Accord DX-G ---- $26,000
Hyundai --- Elantra GLS ---- $23,095
Hyundai --- Sonata GL V6 --- $26,295

Does anyone have ANY input on the above? Some other car you recommend I add to the list (I am not done looking...)

[Elektronauts]

So I've compiled a list of some cars that I like that are within budget. Obviously I can get a price below the MSRP, so all prices would end up in budget:

Make ------ Model ---------- MSRP
Saturn ---- Aura XE -------- $24,990
Toyota ---- Corolla LE ------ $21,900
Toyota ---- Camry LE ------ $25,800
Honda ---- Accord DX-G ---- $26,000
Hyundai --- Elantra GLS ---- $23,095
Hyundai --- Sonata GL V6 --- $26,295

Does anyone have ANY input on the above? Some other car you recommend I add to the list (I am not done looking...)

Have you looked at the suzuki SX4. I purchased one recently and took advantage of their 0% for 3yrs. You could get the top of the line JLX for $22,595 MSRP. AWD, 6 airbags, climate, cruise, 4discs, ABS...etc (www.sx4.ca). Its fun to drive with the higher seating position and handles really well, the downside is that it's not very powerful and has bad mileage compared to civic/corrolla/versa/fit.

[VivienM]

Some other car you recommend I add to the list (I am not done looking...)

F*rd Fusion
Mazda 6
Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac G6
Chevy Malibu
Chrysler Sebring
Buick Allure (hey, you're driving a Buick now...)

There's probably more, too...