Family Car
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Guest, it's time once again for the massively important and exciting FoH Asshat Tournament!
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Selix
Lord Nagafen Raider
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Scion xB. It's got awesome safety ratings. It's made by Toyota. Gas mileage It's perfect for a family of four (I know we have one and it is us and two kids) and the price on it is roughly 16k-18k new.
We have had ours for 2 years now I think and other then regular oil changes we have had zero problems with it. The acceleration was surprisingly topnotch but honestly the look of it threw off my wife when she first saw it. But once I got her inside the car and had her drive it around the block it was instant love. We had also test driven several compact cars (nearly all were horrible in space even the popular models), the Versa, a couple of SUV's (price to high), Vans (but we just hated vans), and even a truck. We slept on the decision for 2 days but after she test drove it nothing else we tested could stand up.
I know some people think it looks funny but if you can bring yourself to go to a dealership and sit inside and on the backseat while thinking about driving with a family of four then I think you'll see where I'm coming from.
We have had ours for 2 years now I think and other then regular oil changes we have had zero problems with it. The acceleration was surprisingly topnotch but honestly the look of it threw off my wife when she first saw it. But once I got her inside the car and had her drive it around the block it was instant love. We had also test driven several compact cars (nearly all were horrible in space even the popular models), the Versa, a couple of SUV's (price to high), Vans (but we just hated vans), and even a truck. We slept on the decision for 2 days but after she test drove it nothing else we tested could stand up.
I know some people think it looks funny but if you can bring yourself to go to a dealership and sit inside and on the backseat while thinking about driving with a family of four then I think you'll see where I'm coming from.
Eomer
Trakanon Raider
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Girlfriend's car got "stolen" a couple weeks back, and by "stolen" I mean "parked in a back alley downtown with the passenger door unlocked and a spare key in the glove box". That aside, her car hasn't yet turned up, so she's expecting her insurance company to pay her out in a week or two. She was driving a 2005 Cavalier, so I doubt she's getting more than a couple thousand. She's got next to no money to her name, but I'd imagine her parents will help her out. I haven't really talked to her about what her budget is, and if she's stuck with going to a dealership as she'll probably need financing.
Long story short, she's probably looking at something 4-5 years old, 4 doors, cheap (5-10k) and reliable. Possibly a hatchback or wagon. Any suggestions on good makes or models in that category? I really don't follow that segment at all.
Long story short, she's probably looking at something 4-5 years old, 4 doors, cheap (5-10k) and reliable. Possibly a hatchback or wagon. Any suggestions on good makes or models in that category? I really don't follow that segment at all.
Joeboo
Molten Core Raider
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Finding cheap, reliable, low-mileage used cars at the moment is a pain in the ass, the used car market is ridiculous at the moment(at least in the US)
I'd be looking for something like a Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Kia Rio, etc. You're probably going to be pushing the top of that price range (9-10k) for any of those that are under 5 years old and under 100K miles.
I'd be looking for something like a Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Kia Rio, etc. You're probably going to be pushing the top of that price range (9-10k) for any of those that are under 5 years old and under 100K miles.
Eomer
Trakanon Raider
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Yeah, she might have to go a couple years older depending on her budget. I guess what I was wondering is that for cars in the 2006-2008 model years, is it even worth looking at domestics or Korean cars? I thought back then the only manufacturers making halfway decent cars were the Japanese, with domestics largely being garbage until they got their shit together after the bailouts, and the Koreans still working on improving quality.
Joeboo
Molten Core Raider
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I think as far as domestics go, Ford really started to increase their quality by the early to mid 2000s, whereas GMC and Chrysler/Jeep didn't step up their games until post-bailout, like you said. I wouldn't buy a GMC/Chevy/Dodge/Chrysler that is older than about 08 or 09, I'd be pretty comfortable going back 8-10 years on a Ford though. We just sold my wifes 99 Mustang with 150K miles on it, and it never had any issues(only sold it because we needed a family vehicle) and my 05 Escape is still going strong approaching 140K miles, have never done anything to it other than oil changes, new tires, and new batteries.
That being said, we went away form Ford and bought a new Hyundai, mostly for the price & longer warranty. Your girlfriend might want to look at a Kia, lots of Kias have 10 year 100K mile warranties, she might be able to get a cheap used one that still has quite a bit of manufacturers warranty left on it. All domestic companies only offer 3yr/36K mile warranties, those would be long gone on a used car.
That being said, we went away form Ford and bought a new Hyundai, mostly for the price & longer warranty. Your girlfriend might want to look at a Kia, lots of Kias have 10 year 100K mile warranties, she might be able to get a cheap used one that still has quite a bit of manufacturers warranty left on it. All domestic companies only offer 3yr/36K mile warranties, those would be long gone on a used car.
Alasliasolonik
Toilet of the Mod Elect
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Just got a volvo xc60 (suv) last friday and its pretty cool. Traded in the old car for 22k and it came out to like 410 a month. Safe as hell and heated steering wheel, can't lose.
ZyyzYzzy
RIP USA
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Ended up picking up a xc60 this week for my wife. Really like it. I tried to convince her to get a sorento at the last minute since is was a volvo/kia dealership to save money and get more features but she would have none of it. Car was 32k which was about 9k under msrp so I wasn't terribly unhappy.
Really like it so far, but I'm sure that will change in 7 years when it will need repairs. Fucking Volvo's are so expensive to maintain after a certain point.
Really like it so far, but I'm sure that will change in 7 years when it will need repairs. Fucking Volvo's are so expensive to maintain after a certain point.
Brand
Molten Core Raider
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Got off my ass and started car shopping this past weekend. We stopped at Toyota and looked at the Hybrid Camry and the Prius V...I liked The Prius V more than I thought I would. After that, we went and test drove a Ford Fusion...I was surprised how nice the pickup on it was...I was expecting it to be more sluggish. Still just starting, but in my mind the Prius V is in the lead.
The goal car is something with high fuel efficiency that will seat 2 adults and 2 kids...But still has enough trunk room to put in a stroller, or groceries. I'd love something that I only had to fill once a month. The other concern is we have a two car garage and the other car is a Pilot. I don't trust my wife to park a stroller, let alone a car, and getting a second large car would make me expect car scrapes in the garage at least once a year.
The goal car is something with high fuel efficiency that will seat 2 adults and 2 kids...But still has enough trunk room to put in a stroller, or groceries. I'd love something that I only had to fill once a month. The other concern is we have a two car garage and the other car is a Pilot. I don't trust my wife to park a stroller, let alone a car, and getting a second large car would make me expect car scrapes in the garage at least once a year.
Bought a used car last month and got financed for 60 months at 6.49.
Nationwide just refinanced for 60 months at 2.50. Pretty happy with them so far.
Nationwide just refinanced for 60 months at 2.50. Pretty happy with them so far.
Joeboo
Molten Core Raider
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Do just that, play their online departments against each other. At most dealerships, whoever oversees the online sales/leads is usually authorized to be the most agressive on pricing, since there is SO much competition. Decide which car you want, then find 2 or 3 dealers in your area with that vehicle and make them compete for your business.
krysanth
Golden Knight of the Realm
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where in chicago you live? I'm in edison park. I have a 4 and 2 year old too...another on the way. Im trading in my jeep for a honda odyssey next month /sigh
Brand
Molten Core Raider
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Bought our new Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE...
The only thing I wasn't prepared for was the Protection Coating thing...I opted out of it, but can anyone speak with any real authority as to the needful/usefulness of that type of option?
I figured there would be a DIY kit, or that I could go to alternate car type and get it a cheaper than the 899.00 that was quoted.
The only thing I wasn't prepared for was the Protection Coating thing...I opted out of it, but can anyone speak with any real authority as to the needful/usefulness of that type of option?
I figured there would be a DIY kit, or that I could go to alternate car type and get it a cheaper than the 899.00 that was quoted.
Joeboo
Molten Core Raider
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I don't have a link or anything official, but my uncle worked in a Ford plant assembling F150s for 30 years, and he always told me to NEVER buy the protection/clear coat. He said that in the last 15-20 years, the paints that they use are weather resistant and scratch resistant enough that the aftermarket clear-coat does nothing extra for you. He said to just wax your car twice a year, and that'll do more for you than a clearcoat ever will.
Soygen
The Dirty Dozen For the Price of One
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What is the 'protection coating'. Something for your paint? They come with normal paint like any other car(primer/paint/clearcoat). You don't need some magical protection coating if you take standard care of your car and its paint. I've bought several new cars and I opt out of every single additional thing the dealerships try to sell me. The only ones that are even semi-worth it, in my opinion, are the maintenance ones. I do my own maintenance, though, so I opt out of that as well.
Cars come from the factory with a clear coat. The stuff they try to sell you is a polymer sealant that you can buy and put on yourself. It can be a little more durable than wax but usually doesn't bring out the shine as well as a good wash/clay/polish/wax can.