Autos

[Rook]

Getting ready to buy my 1st new car. I want a smaller car under 20K. Any suggestions? I'm temped to get a Saturn (Opel) Astra. Has anyone ever driven one? It has a sticker price of 18K but with my GM card and discounts I could get it for 14K.

Also thinking of a Mazda 3 wagon (but they are 19-22K I think) and a Honda Fit.

 

[Goat]

Jesus Christ, for your 1st car i would buy a banger. Cos ur gonna prang it all over the shop.

And 20k for a car? Theres a credit crunch on you know!!

 

[Rook]

Jesus Christ, for your 1st car i would buy a banger. Cos ur gonna prang it all over the shop.

And 20k for a car? Theres a credit crunch on you know!!

Well my first car I didn't buy off my dad.

I have a banger. A 1998 Chevy Malibu with 150K (280,000km) on it. The windshield is cracked, you have to bang on the tail light for it to come on and the side mirror is smashed. However it runs pretty good. Well I just got a new job as an RN and I saved some money because I knew I had to buy one soon anyway. GM is selling off cars at 3-8K discounts in with their IT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE WERE GOING UNDER, uh I mean red tag sale and I just got approved for 4.9% interest on a 14K loan. So I figure now is the best time.

I looked at some used cars but the ones I looked at were like 8K-11K with interest rates in the 7-9% range. So I wouldn't be saving much.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

you should pimp it. is it in worse condition than this guys ?
Google Image Result for http://www.mtv.com/onair/pimp_my_ride/flipbooks/season5_flipbook/ep_401/ep_501_03.jpg
tell xibit you want everton to be your theme, although no he'll put something in front of your seat to obscure your view.

 

[Dylan]

Get a Honda Fit.

Great little car and much better than an Astra.

 

[Rook]

Get a Honda Fit.

Great little car and much better than an Astra.

Looking at it. I love the Fit. I emialed the dealership to see if they will give me a good offer. Honda has 0% financing so if they could knock off 1000 of the sticker price I might get it instead.

I looked at the Nissan Versa but its made in Mexico so I won't buy it. I have a rule that if I pay over 10,000 for anything then at least someone involved in the assembly of that item better be making for than $1.50/hr.

I like the Mazda 3, 2.3L wagons the best but too expensive 21K.

 

[sotnas]

Get a Honda Fit.

Great little car and much better than an Astra.

No it's not Dylan. The Astra is a class above the Fit. And it is european built. Handles better and still has a good mileage.

But why not a second hand BMW?

 

[McBain]

The new focus looks schmick

but Im not sure you have these models in the States?

 

[Dylan]

No it's not Dylan. The Astra is a class above the Fit. And it is european built. Handles better and still has a good mileage.

But why not a second hand BMW?

Astra's are boring. You can't honestly say the Astra's handle better than a fit!?!?!? Even when you go to the top of the line Astra, the VX version, the ride is terrible and suffers from ridiculous Torque steer.

No, steer clear of the GM's and get the Fit or a Mazda 3. And the Astra he would be getting will be US/Mexico/Canada built, not European.

For the record, I love cars, most cars I want are either European in origin or Japanese, although that doesn't mean European built means a quality car.

 

[Rook]

Astra's are boring. You can't honestly say the Astra's handle better than a fit!?!?!? Even when you go to the top of the line Astra, the VX version, the ride is terrible and suffers from ridiculous Torque steer.

No, steer clear of the GM's and get the Fit or a Mazda 3. And the Astra he would be getting will be US/Mexico/Canada built, not European.

For the record, I love cars, most cars I want are either European in origin or Japanese, although that doesn't mean European built means a quality car.

Mazda 3 wagon is out. I tried to get them down to say 17,500 and they told me to kiss my ass and offered me one for $19,500.

The Astra is built in the land of Fellani, in Antwerp. I thought it was made in America too. Its down to a Fit and an Astra. Honda isn't playing ball though except with fiancing. I like them both. So its probably down to pricing. I'm going to get a quote for a 18K Fit Monday. If they could come down to 17K I'll consider it. The Fit has the advantage in performance but the Astra has ABS and traction control standard, so insurance is only $700/yr.

The subcompact market in the US is [Poor language removed]. Ford doesn't even offer one and I'm not too keen on the new Focus (at least not one for 21K with the options I'd want). I love Ford's European cars but of course they would sell so they aren't available here. VWs are a piece of [Poor language removed], and about as relaible as a Pontiac Fiero, made in Mexico and expensive. Chevy has the crap Aveo and the crappier Cobalt. Even white trash won't buy Pontiacs and Dodges anymore. No wonder the big 3 are going under.

 

[Rook]

The new focus looks schmick

but Im not sure you have these models in the States?

It looks cool so no.

 

[TsarDiniyar]

We talking pounds or dollars here?

For £20k i'd be straight in the market for a Volvo c70, stunning piece of work

 

[Rook]

Dollars, would never pay $37,000US for a car. That volvo is pretty cool though.