"New" Car

[Da6onet]

So I'm in the market for a used car. After a vigorous initial screening I have narrowed down my selection to the following model and model year ranges.

Non-Hybrid
Acura TL - 2005-2006
Volvo S80 - 2005-2006
Volkswagen Passat - 2005-2008
Saab 9-5 Aero - 2005-2007
Toyota Camry - 2005-2008
Honda Accord - 2005-2008
Nissan Altima - 2005-2009
Nissan Maxima - 2005-2007
Infiniti G35 - 2005-2006

Hybrid
Nissan Altima Hybrid - 2007
Honda Accord Hybrid - 2005-2006

If anyone has any particular knowledge, good or bad, about any of the car/model years listed above I'd appreciate the input. For example, I have heard bad things about the QR25DE engine in the Altimas. I've also noticed the Nissans and Toyotas have lower dashboards in general and thus my knee hits them uncomfortably, but I haven't tried those particular models listed.

[Ash]

There's a list they put out each year that has the top 10 most stolen cars.  I'd look and see what's listed and then NOT buy any of the top 5.

[Broin]

Infiniti always makes a good car.

[Da6onet]

There's a list they put out each year that has the top 10 most stolen cars.  I'd look and see what's listed and then NOT buy any of the top 5.

I think I'm safe until car thieves in DC figure out that a 2008 Honda Accord is much better looking than a 1996 Accord :-p

According the NICB
MSA Name: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Statistical Area
CBSA: 47900
2008 Rank: 66
2008 Thefts: 21,039
2008 Rate: 392.66

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in DC for 2008
1. 2000 Dodge Caravan
2. 1996 Honda Accord
3. 1999 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
4. 1990 Toyota Camry
5. 1999 Ford Taurus
6. 1999 Ford Crown Victoria
7. 2000 Dodge Intrepid
8. 1999 Plymouth Voyager
9. 2000 Honda Civic
10. 2004 Dodge Stratus

Methodology

[Da6onet]

Infiniti always makes a good car.

I agree, that's why I was willing to make an exception for the G35 as it technically didn't meet my requirement for 25mpg highway fuel efficiency.

[Lithium]

Pick something not foreign.

[Tbone]

Go for a hybrid. Fuel efficiency = win. I don't have a hybrid, but I have a Toyota Echo. It gets really good gas mileage. With my job, I drive A LOT. With my Echo, I pay maybe $25/wk for gas. My car has been in the shop for the past week or two, so I've been driving the company's Trail Blazer. I spent $80 in gas for the week. Try to find something with at least 30 mpg! I mean, unless you're just looking for style...

[Pirus]

Well I own a 2007 infiniti G35  It is a great car and is the fastest of the cars on your list there.  My car of course is a coupe which I personally think is better looking but everyone's opion is different.  The sedan is just basically as fast and still is a very sharp looking car.  I dont have one complaint about the car, and I get around 23 mpg running back and forth from work which isn't too bad.  It does somewhat erk me that my old vette would get 26 mpg doing the same thing but atleast I have a back seat now  If you like luxury, speed, and overall a well built car you cant go wrong with the infiniti.  The only one that would be close on your list would be the Acura TL.  Now I dont konw how much luxory youre looking for but if you get it fully optioned out it can raise the price to 30k or so for a 2006.  Where as you can get an accord for much cheaper.  I guess the old saying you get what you pay for can be applied here.

[Tecknik]

Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

I bought mine in May of this year.  I love it.  I get 40+ MPG.  I bought a "base" model TDI, which comes very well equipped.  I paid just under $21k, plus tax and all that jazz.  $1300 income tax credit due to the new energy bills.  3 years/36,000-mile "Carefree" free maintenance.

They're not the fastest cars, but they are no slouch like diesel cars used to be.  140 horsepower, and 236 lb-ft of torque.  I've never had any problem maneuvering through South Florida traffic.

Very comfortable ride, and very quiet inside.  They're not loud, and don't drive rough like diesels cars used to.  The car is built solid, and crash test ratings prove that.  It's incredibly roomy inside.  I'm 6'2", and with the seat in a comfortable position, I can still fit another person my size in the rear seat.

It was also rated the "2009 Green Car of the Year", if that means anything to you. :p

I bought a sedan, but they also have the new Jetta TDI SportWagon if you need more space.

http://tdi.vw.com/
http://tdi.vw.com/clean-diesel-vehicles/
http://www.vw.com/myvw/carefree/en/us/ (Carefree Maintenance)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=25263 (6-Speed Manual)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=25262 (6-Speed Auto)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxLeanBurn.shtml (Tax Credit info)

Judging by the cars you listed, it seems like the TDI should be in your price range.

[Da6onet]

I paid just under $21k
Judging by the cars you listed, it seems like the TDI should be in your price range.

I don't know how you managed that, the base starts at 22,270 :-?

My breakdown for sorting cars is as follows:
Make: No American, No Korean
Price: 10-15k (not including tax/fees)
Size/Class: 4-Door Sedan, Mid-Size or Larger
Model Years: 2005 or newer
Fuel Efficiency: Highway 25mpg or better
Mileage: Under 60,000
Looks: Subjective (i.e. Mazda6 looks good in photos, but in person I thought it looked cheaply put together. Likewise, the Saab's aren't very photogenic, but in person they're pretty nice cars)
Fit: Comfortable enough for 14 hour road trips to the midwest. (haven't tested this one yet)

[Pirus]

wow yeah a 2005 g35 might not be an option in that 15k range not unless it has a butt load of miles and very little options.  I think you will be better off with one of the others.

[Tecknik]

I paid just under $21k
Judging by the cars you listed, it seems like the TDI should be in your price range.

I don't know how you managed that, the base starts at 22,270 :-?

My breakdown for sorting cars is as follows:
Make: No American, No Korean
Price: 10-15k (not including tax/fees)
Size/Class: 4-Door Sedan, Mid-Size or Larger
Model Years: 2005 or newer
Fuel Efficiency: Highway 25mpg or better
Mileage: Under 60,000
Looks: Subjective (I.e. Mazda6 looks good in photos, but in person I thought it looked cheaply put together. Likewise, the Saab's aren't very photogenic, but in person they're pretty nice cars)
Fit: Comfortable enough for 14 hour road trips to the midwest. (haven't tested this one yet)

MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) starts at $22,270.

Remember that we're in a "down" market, and cars are not selling.

Any intelligent dealership is willing to knock a few thousand off the MSRP to make a sale.

You just need to do you research, know what the cars are actually selling for, and work the salesman down.  It helps to go at the end of the month when they're pushing to make their quotas.


But yeah, if you're only looking to spend $10,000-$15,000, you need to go over your list again.  Like Pirus said, some of those cars are out of that price range unless they've got high mileage and/or other problems.

[Da6onet]

I double checked my list, found half a dozen G35's with varying colors/options between 50-60 range on a quick search, two of the 35X's had nav installed. To be fair I think the cheapest car I'm considering is one of the hybrids for 13,500, so the range is 13500-15000. I'm looking to buy right before or after Thanksgiving.

[Pirus]

that kind of makes me feel bad lol depreciation on these cars must be awful.  Given, my G35 is a coupe and has every option available but still.  Its hard to think that you can pay nearly 40k for a car and then 2 or 3 years down the road only get 20k for it.  Oh well thats life I guess.

[Da6onet]

that kind of makes me feel bad lol depreciation on these cars must be awful.  Given, my G35 is a coupe and has every option available but still.  Its hard to think that you can pay nearly 40k for a car and then 2 or 3 years down the road only get 20k for it.  Oh well that's life I guess.

Don't feel bad, the advantage of buying a new car is that you can get exactly what you want. Buying a used car means getting what the dealer/owner has. But yeah, losing that 5k markup plus the depreciation are what allow vultures like me to come in a few years later and snatch up those leased cars people couldn't afford in the first place. BMW's and Mercedes' retain their value the longest from what I have seen (if I wanted a 7-series I'd have to go back to 2001 models with 100k+ miles on em).

Also given that some of the listings for cars like the TL, S80, G35, 9-5, etc, have been for sale for over 18 weeks (many have "Reduced" next to them), I get the feeling that because of the recession, some dealers are just getting desperate to move inventory. Honestly, before it died I was hoping to squeak out until 2011 with my Isuzu. By then however, prices could well be higher discounting inflation. Guess timing is everything.

Depreciation estimator