Buying a New Car

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Well, the time has come. My current bright red, 1991 Volkswagon Jetta with 130,000 miles is no longer in perfect running condition. Its getting a little tired, and my wife is going to be driving to Gary, IN to finish school.

Yesterday we took the plunge and started walking through car lots, discerning which will be the next loyal steed for my family.

Right now the front runner is to get another Volkswagon. The 2003 Jetta (either the Wolfsburg Edition, or the GLI 6-Speed) looks real good.

We were toying with the idea of a Volvo or Saab, but the newer body-models don't appeal to my wife.

The only SUV-type car she likes is the Ford Escape, but I don't think that's really an option.

Do any of you have any experience with the above cars? I hate making un-informed decisions (like getting advice from the SP Peanut Gallary makes it an educated one )

 

None whatsoever. But I did buy a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer in October...and I LOVE IT!

Volvo's are pretty safe, and a good choice for hauling around mom and the munchkin!

I test drove a Saab, I think it was an s90?!? Very nice!

Volkswagens? I always feel cramped in them.

 

In my experience, that is what I know from friends, is that Volvos are excellent cars. They pretty much last forever. If a family car is one of your considerations, you can't go too much wrong here. My uncle's Saab was kind of a lemon, and I haven't really heard too many good things about them. But that's just my experience.

As far as where you're buying, I know this sounds wierd - but have you considered going through a rental dealership, like Hertz or Enterprise? At first you wouldn't think buying an ex-rental car would be a good thing, but my experience was a great one. I got a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am that only had 26k miles on it for $10,500. Not a scratch on it, great car, and (this is the best part) a highly detailed car history that documented every service and every problem the car had ever had. No way I would find out the car was flooded and "fixed up" to be resold later (very common in Texas). Since the dealers don't work on commition, and since they don't really NEED to sell the cars, there was no haggling, no unfair prices, no sleazy car dealer bullsh*t. They usually have a pretty good selection, too.

Think about it. It is, at the very least, worth looking into - especially for "informed decision" makers like yourself.

 

Wow, people are talking about Swedish cars! I feel honoured!
For you Math I would recommend a Volvo, as has been said they last forever, they can roll thousands upon thousands of miles without any bigger problems. Get a 740 or 940 as they were the last Volvo models of the old school (ie working cars made for driving alot and often). The newer models are geared more and more towards luxury cars and I dont know if that is what you are interested in if you have had a Jetta and are thinking of a new one. Might be hard to get hold of a 940 or 740 Volvo though as atleast here the people that have them are not very keen on getting rid of them.
When it comes to Saab I dont think it is the car for you. The new models do seem pretty nice but they too are leaning a bit too much towards the luxury department. Saab also lack the durability of Volvo's.

 

Volkswagon's are decent cars I hear, and allso I'm pretty sure that they are safe too.

 

Maybe you should consider this before buying any of the newer models. Cheap, efficient, and enviroment-friendly. ´course, this would be my choise if I had the money.

So, yeah; buy the Wolksvagen.

 

Volvo's are very decent cars. You won't feel sorry after buying one.

Volkswagen is also very good. The VW Golf for example, It keeps going and going. Best choice for an occasion. Very good choice when bought new.

Who am I trying to fool? This is about as much as I know about cars...

 

I don't have any experience with the vehicles you mentioned. I do have one comment, however. If this vehicle is meant to transport children, DON'T BUY AN SUV!!!! I work in the claims department of an insurance company, and most child deaths from accidents I've dealt with have been in SUV's. They are the single most dangerous type of vehicle for the occupants.

 

You are a very smart man! I would personally go with a Passat GLX with a W8 engine...but that is a little pricy.

 

Save the enviroment and by an electric car. I wont get a driver's licence because I wont buy a gas car and then its no deal in getting a licence.

I say: Screw the cars and take the bus or train.

 

Have you ever considered Suzuki Vitara?

 

Why do people take buying a car so seriosly?
I have never been able to see how people can just go on and on about them.

 

Because you live on an island...There's fewer places to drive!

 

Besides, cars are very expensive; isn´t it a lot better to think it through before buying than consider what went wrong afterwards?

 

You looking for reliability Math?, go for a Merc. You feel the quality around you. It'll run forever and keeps it's value well.

If you're leaning towards a VW, I've always like the Passat's, but I'm sure you guys get different models to us Europeans, so it's hard to advise on some of the motors you get over there.

As far as Volvos go, well if you want to drive a tank / Bus, go ahead. I've always considered them an old peoples car. Safety first and all that. When I got my last one, my GF just said: "Anything but a Volvo!"

 

Even the convertible coupe, Viking? I think the C70 is a real head-turner! Not like the new Thunderbirds, or the Nissan 350Z, or the BMW Z4, or the Boxster, but it's still darn cute.

Math, I'm sure you've considered how the new car will be used. If it's mostly an over-the-highway commuter vehicle, skip the SUV and maximize your mileage. If you need some cargo capacity, why not consider the Passat wagon? We test-drove one before we bought Sonja, and I loved it, even more than the Volvo and Audi wagons available at the time.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. A few comments ...

If I had $20-$30K to blow casually, I wouldn't. Since I don't ... I'd rather make a good choice. (Unlike the time I bought my wife a Jeep Wrangler and she sold it within 6 months!)

When we lived in Chicago, we didn't own a car. Bus, trains or cabs were used when it was beyond the 2 mile range. Else we walked. Electric cars are still rolling out, there is a waiting list and right now they are SMALL. At 6'3" 225 lbs (yes, thats down 15lbs from last post about weight) I don't fit in a hybrid. NEXT car (in 2005 time frame Lord Willing) will be a hybrid.

No, but looking at it, its nice. I'll bounce it off the wife (not literally ... though that could be fun too!)

Lots of props for the Passat. My wife leans towards the Jetta because its smaller. Our current Jetta has plenty of passenger and cargo room (our family is 1 baby, 1 dog, 1 spammer and the BOSS). We still have the Chicago habit of thinking that you can't park a bigger car easily. When we go for the Jetta test drive, we'll check that out.

Thanks again for the advice. I'll keep you in the loop!

 

Hey Mat!
Go with the Passat. Consumer Reports gives them a big thumbs up. You may also want to check out edmunds to find out the right amount to pay in your area. Since I started following the procedure that they recommend, I haven't payed full price for a new car.

 

Maybe I should have my bro-in-law fly out there and haggle the price down for you.

When he bought his last car from a dealer he was able to get the price lowered a couple thousand dollars, 4 new tires, and a custom shift knob. And a few years ago when he bought his Mercedes he got it for a thousand dollars under the Kelley Blue Book price (he bought it on Sep. 20th, 2001) I guess the Benz dealer really needed a sale.

 

If you are looking for cargo space Matt,my wife and I just bought a Saturn vue.Very nice looking,plenty of space,and got fives across the board on the safety test,except I think it got a 4 on rollover.
Gas milage is better than I expected at 23 city 28 highway.
However the cars you are looking at seem good as well.Solid companys with good reputations.
I love our new saturn though.Good luck.