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I need wheels

Johnny Dickshot Feb 15 2006 04:25 PM

Looks like we're gonna turn back into car owners as well as parents in the next few months. We're searching for reliable used wheels, mainly to get to grandmas house but also maybe to haul mass quantities of groceries and diapers and bandaids and shit we'll have to also buy. We got lined up through a friend to a mechanic who does consignment buying at auto auctions and seems like a reliable & nice guy. He says for the price we have in mind (up to 7K, all inclusive), and what we want 4 doors, though we'd prefer hatches to sedans, very few exist anymore thanx to SUVs and Minivans which we won't buy, we're looking at Accords and Camrys roughly between 1997 and 2000, less than 80K miles, or if we're more adventurous, newer Malibus and Tauruses. Any opinions on 4-door sedans? On models/makes to avoid or pursue? I feel like a schlub.

sharpie Feb 15 2006 04:31 PM

I have a '95 Saturn that I really like. 4-door hatchback. Bought it in January, 2000 and have only had to make one repair all that time. Also, its never been broken into or anything since it looks like a schlubby kind of car.

KC Feb 15 2006 04:37 PM

With interest rates so low, why plop down 7K when you can get a new car loan very inexpensively? I realize where you live, insurance rates are really high on a new car - but if you don't want anything fancy and you're not going to use it for commuting, you can get a new domestic sedan with a warranty and not have to worry that you're buying someone elses four year old head- ache on wheels. A Saturn would be a great place to start looking.

ScarletKnight41 Feb 15 2006 04:39 PM

I love my Subaru Legacy. I bought a 2003 one to replace the 1993 one I had been driving. We kept the 1993 car for the kids - it has 4WD, antilock brakes, and enough dings that one or two more won't matter. The perfect car for a kid with a learner's permit.

seawolf17 Feb 15 2006 04:47 PM

Hell, you could even "lease," considering you won't be putting that many miles on it (in theory), and save some bucks that way. (I say "lease" because New York doesn't let you "lease" the way they used to, but the end result is still the same.)

metsmarathon Feb 15 2006 04:59 PM

i really like my pontiac G6, and would heartily recommend it to another consumer. sporty good looks, roomy interior, super-cool available panoramic sunroof. if you're looking for a hatch, i've always liked the malibu maxx.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 15 2006 05:14 PM

We really don't want to be walking around owing anybody money, so I think we're gonna go blow it all at once on a clean post-lease car. Our mechanic/buyer seems afraid of Subarus. My last car -- 9 years ago -- was one of those, and my family likes em. Also tuff to find Soobs without 100000+ miles in our $ range. Never even heard of the Malibu Maxx. I see now. Too pricy. Saturn? Hmmmm. I will call Mr. Mechanic and get his thoughts.

Edgy DC Feb 15 2006 07:23 PM

The thing about Saturnailia is that they were founded on customer-for-llfe quality customer service. "We sell you a Saturn, why would we want anybody else to service your fine car! Dah! Dah! Daaah!" According to my Saturn-owning friends, that lived up to it's biillng initially, but has proven to be predictably unsustainable.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 15 2006 07:45 PM

Also since they're marketed to be sold, fewer leased vehicles making their way back to market -- that seems like my guy's main source.

Nymr83 Feb 15 2006 07:54 PM

seawolf17 wrote: Hell, you could even "lease," considering you won't be putting that many miles on it (in theory), and save some bucks that way. (I say "lease" because New York doesn't let you "lease" the way they used to, but the end result is still the same.) its not New York that won't let you lease, its the car companies that won't lease in New York because, as i understand it, New York foolishly imposes additional liability on the company from which you are leasing when YOU get into an accident.

Farmer Ted Feb 16 2006 11:12 AM

Dickshot, I sent you an email at the MBTN account and to the rcn address (is that still working?). Never lease. A car should get you at least 10 years worth of use. A car loan will be paid off in 3-5 years and then you have a paid up car for 5+ years. A lease is a constant payment and you don't own it in the end. I was on the fence about the lease-buy thing myself and a friend showed me an article from Suze Orman on the subject. She was convincing in her argument. If you live in the city, buy a slightly used car that you won't get bent out-of-shape if it gets a few dings. Because it's inevitable a few dings and scratches are going to happen.

sharpie Feb 16 2006 11:17 AM

What Ted said. I've owned several city cars. The nice one I had got stolen. Used the insurance money to get the Saturn (I do remember when I bought the car finding research that showed they are rarely stolen - something to do with the availability of parts makes them unattractive for chop shops).

MFS62 Feb 16 2006 11:50 AM

With a child on the way, one thing you (and your wife) will have to check out is the height of the car and width of the doors. Getting a child into and out of the secure infant seats can be a back breaking proposition, especially if you are tall and the car is low. Also, check out whether the car comes equipped with a "lock in" spot that secures the infant seat. Those are easier to deal with than having to use standard seat belts to secure the seat. Talk to neighbors and feiends who have small kids and get their input before you buy. Later

soupcan Feb 16 2006 11:55 AM

I know you said you don't want a minivan but for practicality you can't beat 'em. We're on our third. We've had the Dodge Grand Caravan (horrible, awful, don't even look at it), the Honda Odyssey (very, very nice - Honda makes a great product - highly recommend it) and now we have a Toyota Sienna (so far, so good - only reason we didn't get another Odyssey was because the Toyota is the only one with all-wheel drive). Once the kid arrives you'll see how great these cars are for families.

Yancy Street Gang Feb 16 2006 12:00 PM

I don't think you need a minivan when you have kids, but you don't want a two-door car. It's awkward enough getting a kid into or out of a car seat (especially when they're asleep) with four doors; with only two it's very difficult. And forget about not waking the baby. With a two-door car you'll be lurching around, bouncing on your elbows. Take it from me: four doors.

soupcan Feb 16 2006 12:06 PM

Oh don't get me wrong you don't need a minivan with only one kid, it's just that the features a minivan has just makes it so much easier to be able to attend to the kid - sliding doors, lotsa headroom, several ows of seats, easy to move around in, cup holders up the ass, etc., etc. When we had one and two kids we were driving a Ford Explorer and it was fine.

sharpie Feb 16 2006 12:13 PM

Minivans don't work so well when you live in the city, though.

soupcan Feb 16 2006 12:16 PM

Why - 'cause of parking? What's the diff? Finding a parking space is finding a parking space. Minivans and SUV's really aren't that much longer than a four door sedan.

Edgy DC Feb 16 2006 12:17 PM

Families that I know with one carseater in the back seem to go disproportionately for the Subaru Outback Wagon. May be out of the price range, though.

willpie Feb 16 2006 12:55 PM

Do you have a dog? If so, you want a wagon. Actually, if you ask me, you want a wagon anyway. To me, the invention of the minivan was a godsend. Why? It de-lame-ified the wagon; in the '80s, my sister wouldn't be caught dead being seen with someone who was related to a station wagon owner. Now? She drives a Jetta wagon. For wagon people like me, this is a godsend. Now: This is tricky. Your Camrys and Accords have a well-earned reputation for longevity (though both lines stopped making a wagon around 97--actually, 96 and 97, respectively). If you can find one with relatively low miles, that might be ideal. I had an '88 Accord for a few years in the late 90s-early 2000s, and it was terrific. On the other hand, when things do break, your domestic cars are still cheaper and faster to fix. When my current car (an Olds Bravada) dumped its tranny a few months ago, it was fixed the next morning for under a grand. The tranny shop always has that particular transmission (can't remember what it's called, but it's in all the GM fleet cars, police cars, etc.) in stock because they're so common. The difference in part-availablity isn't like it used to be, but it can still be a factor. I don't imagine any of that helped. If it were me, I'd send the mechanic out looking for a 97 Accord EX wagon or a 2000ish Saturn wagon (they kept changing the names around then, but the 2000 models were LW1 and LW2; the LW2 had a V6, which you may or may not care about, and nicer trim). I'm biased about the Camry/Accord question because I ahve owned and loved an Accord,but never a Camry. I'm partial to the Saturn because I have a cousin who bought her first Saturn when Saturn was a new brand, and replaces it every 5-6 years with a fresh Saturn. She hasn't had problem 1 in all these years, which is a pretty ringing endorsement, imho.

willpie Feb 16 2006 12:58 PM

Actually, minivans can be nice in the city. The high seat position gives a terrific vantage point from which to navigate those complicated city streets. Plus, you can see over and around parked cars that would obscure most drivers' view. Alas, the Vanagon (my own personal desert island minivan) ceased production far too long ago to be relevant to this question. A used Honda Odyssey might be just the thing though. All the cool parents are driving them these days.

Edgy DC Feb 16 2006 01:04 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 16 2006 01:50 PM

willpie coming out of hiding again. Nice. God save me from cool parents, though. They write stupid books.

metsmarathon Feb 16 2006 01:45 PM

you'll prolly think i'm crazy, but check out the chevy HHR. you may think i'm recommending a lame pt cruiser ripoff, but, having driven both, there's no comparison. the HHR could be something you'd like for the purposes of increaed storage in a small package. its built off the cobalt, too, so it has decent genes. another interesting vehicle to look at may be the mazda5. its a 6-passengers-in-3-rows-of-seats compact minivan that'd be excellent in a city, i would think.

HahnSolo Feb 16 2006 02:08 PM

We have a 95 Corolla and an 01 Camry to drag our two little ones around in. You can't go wrong with a Toyota if you ask me.

DocTee Feb 16 2006 02:44 PM

I have two girls (6 months and almost five years old)-- love the Olds Alero, and since they're no longer in business you can prolly find one cheap enough (check enterprise or other car rental places, too-- for test drives and resales). Plus, parts are available (law requires GM to keep them in stock for 10 years AND the Pontiac Grand Prix is it's "twin")

seawolf17 Feb 16 2006 02:49 PM

Agree with Hahn. My 99 Corolla has 118,000 miles and is going strong, and my wife loves her 04 Camry.

KC Feb 16 2006 05:04 PM

Anyone own a Murano or know someone who does? I need a new car and will probably end up getting another Explorer (I know that probably just makes a whole bunch of you roll their eyes) but I've been noticing Muranos in the office parking lot and I kind of like them. Almost a cross between van and SUV.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 16 2006 05:15 PM

Eyewitness Traffic tells me the Murano is a huge success (see 'em everywhere these days). We wouldn't mind getting one of those but don't have the munny. We wanted a hatch because we figured to be doing a lotta home-depot-type trips but understand at least some of the midsize Japanese cars have extend-o trunkspace via fold down rear seats. This may be very common today but I don't know for sure. What's storage like? Can we get, say, some lumber to build something into it? Or are we gonna need a roof rack?

MFS62 Feb 16 2006 05:23 PM

Sorry, The article I originally posted here was edited so much that it wasn't really pertinent. Later