New Car Search

[JayCT]

Since you keep your cars for a long time (like us), reliability should be a big concern. We rely on Consumers Report for information on the reliability, so I strongly suggest you pick up their automobile issue. You can also get it at the library. It has all of the cars available and ratings on each. Generally they rate Toyotas very high, so if you go with the Highlander, it should last you more than 10 years with very little problems. Good luck. Jay

 

[m&m's mom]

I bet the site is ConsumerReports.com and click on car reports.
I did that on the Camry I am in the process of buying. It was $12.00 and pretty detailed but bottom line- when I compare Edmunds.com it comes up the same. I am not sure I really got much for the $12.00.

 

[flaps]

Must...back...away...slowly. No...sudden....moves. Press...back...button....quietly, gently...and hopefully, my car...won't...get...hurt.


(No advice, just well-wishes for your car search. )

 

[JayCT]

m&m's mom - You got a detailed report you can get through Consumers Report that will give you information including the give-backs that the manufacturers give to the dealers. Give-backs are rebates that the manufacturers give to the dealers to sell their vehicles and vary in amount depending on how well the vehicle is selling. The slower the sales the more they give back to the dealer to get the cars sold. This helps you to know how much the dealer is really paying for the car you want, which could get you a lower price on the vehicle.

Anyway, I was not talking about a detailed report, I was talking about the magazine Consumer's Report (not to be confused with Consumer's Digest) which provides an unbiased review of all the cars on the market (CR does not have any advertising, so they do not have to watch what they say about a vehicle). It will give you an idea of what is available and how reliable it is. After you pick a vehicle, then you should consider spending $12 for the detailed report in order to help negoiate a price. Edmund's data is not as updated, particularly on give-backs. However, if the car you are buying is really hot (like the MDX we purchased two years ago), it would not be worth spending $12 since there are no give-backs to find out about. Edmunds is great too for information, only I would not trust their reviews of cars since they do accept advertising from car manufacturers. Jay

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Well, just got back from the KIA dealership - went to go look at the Sorento, but actually liked the Sedona better (the minivan). GREAT price, great warranty, fully loaded much cheaper than some others I looked at. Tomorrow I head over to Toyota.

Anyone have a Kia here?

 

[DaisyDebbie]

The Sedona is much heavier than other minivans too.

Why did you like the Sedona over the Sorrento. I'm SUV shopping myself. I'm between the Sorrento, Highlander, Envoy and Pilot. I'm leaning toward the Pilot.

 

[crz4mm2]

There is a reason they have a "great" warranty.....
I had a KIA sportage. WOuldn't touch another with a 10 foot pole.

I looked at a Honda Pilot (and would have bougth that if I had settled on a SUV) but decided on the Accord.

 

[LuvTigger]

I need to ask my friend where she got the report from and I'll get back to you guys.

Kama89, the G35 is GORGEOUS!! Funny you mentioned the Solara...my friend was going around looking for something comparable to test drive so she had some "ammunition" against the Inifiniti guys, and the Solara was one of the ones she looked at, though she felt it wasn't as sporty as the G35. She totally loves her car, and I looked at it and I am very envious!

I was really surprised how much room there was in the back seat of the G35. I think my only complaint about that car would be the trunk because the shape of the opening is kind of narrow and awkward. If I remember right, it goes pretty far in, but it was kind of shallow in depth. Other than that, I don't think I would have any complaints!

 

[Alice28]

This isn't an SUV, but it's close-----the Subaru Outback is the best car purchase decision we ever made. We are Subaru converts for life. I just saw the new 2005 Outback and Costco and was drooling........too bad mine is only 2 years old....

 

[Mr.BsMom]

We just got a Mitsubishi Endeavor in February... It's an SUV built on a car (the Galant) chassis (sp?). It drives like a car and is so roomy and comfortable inside. We drove it to WDW back in March and had a great drive. The downside to this vehicle is that 2004 is the first model year for them, so there's not much history to check into...

So far we absolutely love it and haven't had any problems or issues.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

crz4mm2 - what were the problems you had?

DaisyDebbie - I liked the design and the room you get with the minivan - also the price was about 2,000 less give or take a couple hundred. I loved the sorrento, and will still test drive it, along with the sedona. That will be the determing factor on which one to consider for me.

 

[crz4mm2]

I had an ignition problem less than 2 weeks after I bought the SUV. Couldnt' get the key out of the ignition. Ended up having to order parts and the battery would go dead because it was still drawing on the battery as the ignition would not shut off all the way. Finally got that fixed, left on vacation a couple of weeks later...... got about 100 miles from home and it happened again!!
One speed of fan wouldn't work. had problem with the overhead light. Had a bad fan blade. Leaked antifreeze. Squeaks and rattles and noises that couldn't be found or fixed. All this in a brand new car. sigh. I got rid of it. I know that you can have problems with any car, but this was just a cheaply made car (it was a cheap price too-which was part of the appeal). Test drive all of them and see how you feel.
I was glad to see it go.
LOVE my accord.

 

[Kama89]

LuvTigger,
It's great to hear some feedback concerning the G35! I love hearing that it has a decent back seat and my growing son will be glad to hear it as well. I've yet to see one (only ogled online) ... but have a feeling I'll be hooked once I set eyes on it. I would love to know the website she used! LOL... the Solara! This is funny! The reason I "chose" the G35 is because it was the closest thing in body style (but oh so much better!) to my little Solara. We were recently in a little "fender bender" that did enough damage to my car that, although it is being repaired, I'm still a little concerned about the soundness of it. I decided to start some online shopping "just in case". The new Solara is... well... IMO... ugly. I really wanted to stay with something similar in design to the body style of my 2002, and the G35 seemed to be the closest one out there. The reviews on the car have now totally piqued my interest and... sigh... I probably won't rest now until I can drive one and see for myself.

 

[LuvTigger]

Yep, I checked with my friend and she did get the report online from Consumer Reports. She thinks it was somewhere between $10-$14. Even though you have to pay for it, if you're good at wheeling and dealing, it can help you save $$$ (like my friend who got $4,000 off!).

One note about the Consumer Reports magazine, since I got that too when I was car shopping...keep in mind that sometimes the models listed in the magazine are not the most recent. Their review was on the 2003 Saturn ION (I have a 2004), but most of the things they critized on that model were "fixed" in the 2004. While I enjoy reading that magazine, I always take it with a grain of salt and also read other reviews, and if possible, try to find comments from people who have actually owned that particular car.

Kama89,
I didn't want to say anything before since I wasn't sure how you felt about your Solara (which I actually considered getting, btw), but when my friend went to Toyota to find something comparable to the G35, at first she looked at the Celica but decided it wasn't really in the right price range as the G35 to be used as a comparison. The sales guy suggested the Solara, and she said her first thought was that it looked like a car for some middle-aged, 50-something year old person, and she was looking for something really sporty! (That being said, my friend really is close to being in her 50's, but doesn't act like it! I think part of it is that she's been driving a van for 20 years because of her kids, but since they are both off to college now, she can actually be a car-person again!)

Anyhow, if you get the G35, let me know how you like it. If you are like me, you are going to fall in love with it the instant you see it and will want one!!

 

[Kama89]

LuvTigger,

LOL!! Awwww... poor lil' Solara. Actually, I've loved this little car, it's been wonderful! BUT... compared to the G35 I imagine it would look and feel pretty tame!!! It is really more or less just a Camry with a couple of doors removed, so definitely isn't in the same catagory as the G35... which by the way... I've asked my husband every day this week why he hasn't brought my Infiniti home yet. He seems to find that amusing. After 20 years in vans, your friend must be having a blast with that car!!! Tell her to take it for a little spin for me and hopefully one of these days I'll be able to return the favor! Thanks so much for the info, Luvtigger!!