[Undertaker989]

I drive alot for my job (IT consulting/technician) and my current car is tapping out. I am thinking about something preferably under or right around 20 new. Honda, Mazda, Voltswagen, or any other import comes to mind.

I want a quality car that will have good resale value and wont be in the fucking shop all the time.

The Civics, Accords, and Mazda 6's look nice, but I'd prefer the mazdas the least since I'm currently driving a 626 and want to try a different brand for kicks.


What is the best/most efficient bang for my buck in the new car market right now?

[Cartman]

I'd deff say check consumer reports right off the bat

[Jackalope]

new civic is nice, maybe a used is300?

[Undertaker989]

u know Jackalope, I'm looking at Autos.msn right now and the New Civic Si 6-Spd 2.0L 197 hp I4 looks to be the best bang for the buck in the price range. 20 Grand.

My mom was talking with me about the subject and she said the Hondas looked like a good option but were expensive. She is also looking for a new car, but she said the Hondas looked too "sporty" for her.

I like the Civic so far b/c it seems like it will have the most pickup/speed in the pricerange.


edit: the stock 0-60 time is better than the other ones in the pricerange.

edit2: I'm also liking the 6 speed manual trans (I want to drive a stick again).

[Jackalope]

new Si is an awesome car, with alot of bang for the buck.

my advice is to not buy a brand new car, but one that has been lightly used (maybe a few grand on the odo)

buying a brand new car is one of the worst investments you can make, you lose way too much money in depreciation.

[superman]

pshh i like the satisfaction of buying a new car, and yeah the civic si is a great choice

[Undertaker989]

The thing is, I don't want to get a car that will have problems. I want a fresh car that won't be in the damn shop for stupid shit all the time and that I will be able to sell for a good amount of money before the problems start occuring.

Also, where am I going to find the exact model of car that I want w/ just the right amount of milage on it in a used car lot? It sounds like it will be slim to none.

Another thing: the new model...when you get a new model it stays new looking for a few years untill they come out with the next design, whereas if you buy a used car (or even a new one in this example) close to the time where the maker redesigns the car, the car looks old b/c it has the older frame.

Are you sure you lose too much in depreciation? What about used cars? They depreceate too as well and you have to take into account the fact that the previous owner having to make his profit off of the sale.

[Drakkon]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

buying a brand new car is one of the worst investments you can make, you lose way too much money in depreciation.

if you know how to bargain, after dealer incentives and trade in you can make the dealer take that depreciation hit. I got my truck brand new for what it would cost "used" with 10K miles (16K) on it after the tradin on my car which wasnt worth 2K (98 taurus /w 100K miles had to have engine replaced - dealer gave me 5K for it) :P

also NEW civics dont depreciate that much, neither do mazdas that much. Frankly buying a year old car may save you some $$$ but unless your getting one that was in a garage that was only driven by an old lady once a month your getting a car thats been abused in some way. I'm much rather spend the extra 1-2K and get the brand new one. After my first new car buying experience i'd only ever buy a used car again if i needed a beater or wanted something classic.

[Jackalope]

I said lightly used.

I mean, think of the 04 gto. it came out 35K. less than a year went by, and the resale value is low 20's, even for one with low mileage. so now, the people who rushed out and bought a brand spanking new one are 10k+ upside down on it.

whereas, they could have waited justa bit, and had one for alot less money, and not too many miles.

for example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6k-Mi...QQcmdZViewItem

6K miles, 20,000 dollars.

[superman]

because that's a pontiac

[Jackalope]

eh good point.

not to mention the 05 had a much stronger engine. prize of 03 z06 plummeted after the 400hp z06 came out as well.

[superman]

i still don't know why they titled the car a pontiac gto when it's a damn holden monaro

[Jackalope]

nostalgia sells cars.

besides, the monaro is a kickass car, and apparently alot of people thought it would do well here. (it probably would too, if it wasnt labelled pontiac, or gto, and maybe came in different packages)