New Car Search

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I am starting to search for a new car. We now have a mini-van (Plymouth Voyager) with over 100,000 miles on it (10 years old). I don't think I want another mini-van. My DH has a mini-van from work (company car), so room is not that important for camping trips, hauling stuff, etc b/c we use his car. I saw the Toyota Highlander and am pretty impressed. My first car was a Toyota and I loved it, but when we were looking at mini-vans back then the price was too high.

Any suggestions? I am going looking next weekend, but want to get a little handle on what to look for.

 

[minnie56]

a GMC Envoy XL..I love it...we still need the extra space it provides. I think the Highlander looks a great SUV and so many people love Toyota too! I also keep seeing a KIA SUV...cannot recall what it's called but it is very nice. Sorrento maybe?

Happy looking!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Several great reference sites............

http://www.edmunds.com/

http://www.kellybluebook.com/

http://carpoint.msn.com/

Good luck.

 

[Trinity721]

DH and I are also looking to buy a car this summer. We absolutely love the brand new Nissan Quests! The new ones look more like SUV's than a minivan,very sleek and modern. However it is a bit out of our price range. If you are looking for an SUV, a Toyota highlander is a good choice. I also really like the Toyota 4Runner. Our family has an older model, but it has always been reliable and has not needed a lot of maintenence or repairs. If you're looking into getting something smaller like a sedan, especially to save on gas, DH and I are looking to get a 2002/03 Nissan Altima. We did a lot of research on it and it seems to be a really great car. Another comparably good sedan is the Toyota Camry.

I know there are many who prefer American cars, but I am not one of those people. My dad has done a lot of work on cars and through the years has found that the most reliable cars are foreign ones. But everyone has their own preferences and experiences with their cars! Good luck!

 

[AZKathy]

I loved the Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot and the Subaru Outback over the Highlander when we were looking. We got a great deal on our new Pt Cruiser Turbo last year, so we got that instead. That little car has a lot of room inside and it drives wonderfully with the turbo. Our family of five fits comfortably in it and boy do we get a lot of thumbs up from people looking at the car.

I had to trade it with DH's vehicle currently with my back injury and the pain in my legs would not let me drive my 5 speed comfortably...now I am driving his Expedition. That is nice, also, but does not have a lot of cargo space. I can put more groceries in the PT over the Expedition!

If money was no issue, I would have gotten the Nissan Murano and DH a Toyota Sequoia. I love both vehicles!!!!!!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Thanks Dan - I'll check out those sites today.

SUV is the smallest we will go. So sedans, etc are out of the question. I just don't feel safe in "little" cars anymore after driving a larger car for so long. I looked on the web and it said the 2005 Highlander is going to be a Hybrid which we like VERY much, especially with oil prices today, but I don't know too much about those types of cars. Do they run more expensive?

Trinity721 - I'm like you - buying American Cars are not a main reason for me when looking for something new. I loved my little Toyota - far better than my Plymouth (problem wise, etc.). I want the best value for the money, reliability, etc - and if that's with a non-american car, than so be it. Like you said, there's something for everyone out there.

Any more advice out there?

 

[debster812]

I'm THRILLED with our 'new' (got it last August) Subaru Forrester. It's classified as a car, but it's really more like a mini SUV. Drives like a car. Plenty of cargo room, full time AWD, and saftey crash tests are EXCELLENT.

The Ford Escape is also going to have a hybrid model in 2005/2006 I beleive.

Good Luck

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I love the Toyota Sequoia. I wanted one so bad but was out of my price range so I bought a Nissan Pathfinder and love it. I will only buy a Nissan or a Toyota. I just love them.

 

[Spinning]

We just bought a Saturn Vue and LOVE IT! it handles so nice. It is a small SUV with all wheel drive. IT really is comfortable and holds 4 very comfy and a 5th will fit fine in the back.
Great financing too

 

[Dee & Greg]

Buick Rendezvous.. Yes, I know, I'm too young for a Buick! I wanted a cross-over vehicle... not a mini van, not a car, not a truck. The Rendezvous is built on a car chassis, and it drives like a car. Has AWD if you want it (I did). The truck version, the Ranier, is beautiful but still a truck. Also more expensive.
We're GM buyers (get a great discount) and the lease was terrific... less than $379/month for 3 years. Also, this SUV was designed inside by women.. there is a place for everything (lipstick, cell phone, purse). All leather interior too.
Other vehicles I liked:
1. Nissan Murano (styling is SO cool!)
2. Saturn Vue (but still too $$$ for a Saturn!)
3. Mazda Tribute (a truck, but handles like a Japanese car... very smooth)

I love the looks of the Lexus and Acura SUV's, but I'm cheap and refuse to pay that kind of $$$

Good Luck! Test drive a lot of vehicles, I was surprised to find ones I didn't think I would like, but did, and vice-versa.

 

[mickeyboat]

My best friend just bought a Quest. She got a great deal and she loves it! I like how its little rear end sticks up.

Denae

 

[lsyorke]

I just picked up my 2005 Chevy Equinox!!! I love it!! Its available in All wheel drive or front wheel drive, fits 5 very comfortably(back seat can be moved back 8 additional inches), great head room. Its built on a car chassis so its very easy to drive.It didn't even break the bank when it came to price(alot lower that SUV's in the same class and much roomier inside that all of them)

 

[jpd3]

I just bought a 2005 Dodge Magnum RT. It's got a 340Hp "Hemi", sunroof, leather, ABS, 6-disc changer . . . All the toys. The Hemi engine has the new Multiple Displacement System that turns off cylinders in low power situations. I just got back from a trip to Arkansas (400 miles round trip) for a family reunion and averaged almost 25 miles to the gallon.

The Magnum has seating for five and a big cargo area. It weighs 4200 lbs and has side curtain airbags. Very safe. Very intimidating. Our other car is a Chrysler Town and country. I didn't want a huge gas guzzling SUV. The Magnum is perfect for my family of five!!

 

[crz4mm2]

If you have a larger vehicle available then size would not be as big a factor. I have had SUVs for the past several years. This year, I decided I wanted a nice car instead. One that would get good mileage and be easy on the bottom and back if we take a long trip. After much research I decided on the Honda Accord. It has one of the highest safety ratings you can get. 30+ miles to the gal and had the options that were important to me. I have had if for 2400 miles now and absolutely LOVE it. I have found nothing about it that I don't love. There is plenty of trunk room for luggage and plenty of room in the back for passengers. The seats are comfy and drivers side adjusts about a thousand different ways. I got the heated leather seats for this winter
I can't say enough good things about this car.
I thought I would have a tough time getting used to sitting close to the ground (after having a 4wheel drive for so many years) but hasn't been a problem at all.

Best of luck in your quest. Go to Edmunds.com for lots of great info on all cars.

 

[momsully]

We've been looking for a new car to replace my husbands 4 runner for almost a year. We finally bought a 2003 Audi Wagon with only 1900 miles on it on Saturday. It has all wheel drive and a decent size trunk area. We got it from a wholesaler and it was cheaper than most of the cars we looked at including the Subarus and the Saturns. The car sites already mentioned are great resources. We also used the new Consumer Reports car review magazine that came out a few months ago.

I have had friends say the hybrids are expensive to maintain. I don't know much about it but thought I would mention it.

Have fun car shopping!

 

[ZachnElli]

Originally posted by Trinity721
I know there are many who prefer American cars, but I am not one of those people.

Alot of "foreign" cars are now built in America while alot of "American" cars are now built in other countries. My 2004 Toyota Sienna was built in Indiana. Just so you know!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

WOW I didn't realize how many models were out there - my head is spinnin'!! I am going to visit the sites suggested and test drive everything. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

 

[LuvTigger]

I am actually a Toyota fan because of their reliability. My family has owned several and they've all been extremely reliable and haven't had any problems.

However, I recently bought a Saturn ION (I also considered the VUE, my friends actually have TWO of them! - but decided I wanted a small car). My primary reason for buying Saturn was their "no haggle" pricing, but I also went there because of their service. One thing I hated about Toyota was the service department at the dealership I dealt with was horrible, and didn't really seem to care much about their job. I also like the dent-resistent side panels since rust is a major problem here.

I think the Highlander is a great choice though, I know someone who has one and loves it. Have you considered the Honda Pilot? I know people who love those as well. The Acura SUV is really nice too (but I suspect pricier).

One of my friends is a genius with negotiating and found a website where she paid $10 for a report about the car she wanted. It even told her about manufacturers rebates that the dealership receives that most people don't know about. Because of that report, she saved $4000 off the sticker price of an Infiniti G35 Sports Coupe.

 

[Kama89]

Originally posted by LuvTigger
One of my friends is a genius with negotiating and found a website where she paid $10 for a report about the car she wanted. It even told her about manufacturers rebates that the dealership receives that most people don't know about. Because of that report, she saved $4000 off the sticker price of an Infiniti G35 Sports Coupe.

The G35 coupe is the car I've just recently started looking into! $4000!?! Wow!! Good for her! Our current car is the Toyota Solara. It's been a wonderful car, but that G35.... oh my!!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Originally posted by LuvTigger
One of my friends is a genius with negotiating and found a website where she paid $10 for a report about the car she wanted. It even told her about manufacturers rebates that the dealership receives that most people don't know about. Because of that report, she saved $4000 off the sticker price of an Infiniti G35 Sports Coupe.

What was that website? I'ld love to check it out. I have added the Pilot to the list of cars to look at, and also the Saturn. My dh said to look at the Kia also. I think they have a 10 yr/100,000 mile warranty?