Which new car should I buy?

[LadyyRedd]

I'm in the market for a new car. I haven't bought a car since 1998 (bought my car new then and it's the same one I'm currently driving).

There are some things I know I want.

-4 door sedan, no hatchback or station wagon
-automatic transmission
-at least 6 cyl, preferably 8
-lots of trunk space
-power locks/windows
-remote entry & remote start

I think those are it.

Would love to get everyone's opinions, info, knowledge, etc. I've been thinking about Hondas and Toyotas, since I've heard such great things.

Kimya

 

[Poohnatic]

If you don't go Honda, Chrysler 300 fits your bill to a tee. I've never owned a Honda, but every time I'd had one as a rental, I loved them,

Suzanne

 

[arminnie]

My sister has an Accord ('05 I think). I think it would fit the bill but is not 8 cylinder. Big trunk, great gas mileage, super reliability and great resale.

She had an Accura (14 years) and a Civic before that. I've had an Accord and 2 Odysseys. Until I bought Honda I didn't know that you could drive a car for years and years and not have to be towed and have $600 repairs a couple of times a year.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I did forget to mention that I wanted great gas mileage, but these days that's probably a given, lol.

Is the Accord a 6 cylinder? Though I would prefer an 8, I could live just fine with a 6 if everything else fits the bill.

I'm not concerned at all with resale value though, as I will be likely to drive this one until it dies of old age (like my current car). I am not someone who gets the urge to buy a new car every few years. I actually wouldn't even currently be looking if my car weren't coming up on it's last year or so of life. To me, my car is something reliable to get me to and from and has some features that make that drive better.

Kimya

 

[Snoozan]

The Honda Accord EX comes with a 6 cylinder. Beautiful car, IMO. That's what I'll be looking at in the next year or so when I'm ready to get rid of my 2001 Accord. Knock on wood, I've not had any problem with my car nor have any of my 3 sisters-who have all driven Accords. I'm looking at the dark maroony red color-that would be my dream car! Mileage with the Honda(6 cylinder)will be probably quite a bit better than an American made car. I get around 25 mpg around town and about 32 mpg on the highway. I think the newer Accords do better than that, now.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Mazda6 is really nice. Japanese quality and American pricing.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just want to say, watch the ADS...end of the year financing is coming, along with incentives.
Make sure you ask when you look!

 

[Tracey1974]

We have a 2006 Jetta Diesel- we got it because of the ridiculously large amount of truck space and the fact that it gets over 45 mpg in both highway and city miles. It has 4 doors, is an automatic and has automatic everything. I think the only aftermarket thing to get would be remote entry. This is my fist VW and hubby's 4th- I have always had Toyota and Hondas and the Accord just didn't have the trunk space.

Good luck car shopping!

 

[N.Bailey]

Is it even possible to get great gas mileage with an 8 cylinder? IMO, you should stick with the 6 cylinder if gas is a priority. Of course, a hybrid or a 4 cylinder would be better if it was the main priority, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Having the 8 cylinder over the 6 definitely isn't a priority, just a wish. I would definitely choose the better gas mileage over having an 8 cyl vs. a 6. I currently drive a 4 cyl and don't get any better gas mileage than my sister's 6.

I've actually had a few people at work mention the new Jetta Diesel to me. Are there any negatives to owning a diesel car that I may want to consider?

Kimya

 

[Lewski709]

If you don't go Honda, Chrysler 300 fits your bill to a tee. I've never owned a Honda, but every time I'd had one as a rental, I loved them,

Suzanne

I was thinking a Sebring or 300.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Anything that starts with T and rhymes with Joyota

 

[miss missy]

Having the 8 cylinder over the 6 definitely isn't a priority, just a wish. I would definitely choose the better gas mileage over having an 8 cyl vs. a 6. I currently drive a 4 cyl and don't get any better gas mileage than my sister's 6.

I've actually had a few people at work mention the new Jetta Diesel to me. Are there any negatives to owning a diesel car that I may want to consider?

Kimya

I just went from mini van to Corolla- 4 cyl. Gas is soooo much better now! I can't believe I didn't do it before! I am into lil cars, but man, I gotta tell you the gas saving is HUGE!!! best of luck

 

[N.Bailey]

Having the 8 cylinder over the 6 definitely isn't a priority, just a wish. I would definitely choose the better gas mileage over having an 8 cyl vs. a 6. I currently drive a 4 cyl and don't get any better gas mileage than my sister's 6.

I've actually had a few people at work mention the new Jetta Diesel to me. Are there any negatives to owning a diesel car that I may want to consider?

Kimya

I've read that you can use vegetable oil to run diesel engines. LOL I don't know if I'd want to do that, but hey, with the way things are today, you never know. I'd read some get the used oil from restaurants, then strain it and run their vehicles for nothing. While not something most of us want to do, it could be tomorrow's technology to deal with our dependence on other countries.

I've also heard that diesel engines hold up for a longer period of time. I see you're saying you'd run it till it had no value. That might be a benefit for you.

 

[jsmith]

I've read that you can use vegetable oil to run diesel engines. LOL I don't know if I'd want to do that, but hey, with the way things are today, you never know. I'd read some get the used oil from restaurants, then strain it and run their vehicles for nothing. While not something most of us want to do, it could be tomorrow's technology to deal with our dependence on other countries.


Actually the process is just a hair more complicated than that-you need some addtional chemicals and heat-but it is indeed possible to create a fuel that diesel engines will run off of from used fryer oil for about 70 cents a gallon-its called bio diesel and is actually available at retail in some cities.
I have an 06 diesel VW beetle-too small for what you are looking for-but an ideal fit for what i use it for-gets close to 50 miles to the gallon in what ammounts to mostly heavy city commute traffic (i live in north metro denver and work in south metro colorado springs) i absolutely adore it-had always insisted i had to drive a chevy or a dodge before-but im educated now

 

[Marseeya]

Hyundai Sonata is a sharp looking car. Not sure about remote start, but it has all the other features you're looking for.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

How about the Toyota Avalon?

 

[of the seas]

Dodge Magnum R/T. 8 cylinders. LOVE mine!!!

 

[Poohnatic]

Kimya,

If my car in the turbo diesel, I would have purchased it. I'd tested a TDI Jetta and loved the quickness of it. I've had great success with VW's-my last one was driven from Hancock to Frederick every day-300k miles and still got over 30 miles to the gallon (4cyl gas).

Suzanne

 

[LindaG4458]

Toyota Avalon or Camry. Avalon is a standard 6-cylinder and the Camry has that option. We own both, but the Camry is a 4-cyninder. We use the Camry in NH for around-the-town and short distance trips. Avalon is better for longer trips so goes to Florida with us. Love them both.