time for a new car....

[attgig]

so...i got this 2001 jeep grand cherokee, and it seems like it constantly is giving me some sort of issue. my rear window wiper motor just died. and i still gotta get my emissions fixed.

anyways...

not only that, i'm driving from baltimore-philly once a week, and the gas prices are killing me. 120 miles. 3 bucks a gallon. 50+ (after tolls) per trip.


SO...

I'm looking for something cheap. close to 10k as possible. i did look at some used cars and was looking around for that....
but, lately, the hyundai elantra GT caught my eye.

any opinions?

it's the 5 door hatchback. 35mpg highway. seems like it has decent power for the weight. PLUS, one of the local dealers is selling one for 12800 (msrp is 16xxx, edmunds tmv is 14xxx)


anyone have one, or know anyone that does that can provide some opinions on it?

TIA!

[speedracer120]

Go for the Smart with the GSX-R engine.

In all honesty, the Korean cars give you bang for the buck in options, but fit and finish is always somehow left wanting.

For fuel economy the new Toyota and Honda sub-compacts might do, but for a B'more-Philly commute, it might get loud and annoying fast.

[Cubsfan]

Traded in my '00 Grand Cherokee last year for the same reasons. Cars are cheaper!

[attgig]

Traded in my '00 Grand Cherokee last year for the same reasons. Cars are cheaper!

what did u get again?

[Cubsfan]

what did u get again?

I ended up with an '05 Altima. Not the best gas milage, but WAY better than my Jeep (4.0L I6) was.

[cheapie]

but isn't the hyundai korean?

[brainsmile]

I love Altimas

[speedracer120]

but isn't the hyundai korean?

As am I, as is giggers.

[attgig]

but isn't the hyundai korean?

just cuz your from michigan, don't mean you gotta hate on the foreign makers. =)

[speedracer120]

Nah, he's just hating on the Sonatas being built by rednecks.

[nhbilly]

Honda is pushing out the FIT
not bad lookin....

[attgig]

semi weary of getting a brand new car: quality issues and price.

i'm thinking elantra, cuz they ahve a new style in 07 coming out (i know, it's gonna lower my resale value, but i figure i'll keep it the 10/100000) which pushes the price on the 06 even lower.

also....not bad lookin? i dunno whatchu lookin at...but it ain't too good lookin either.

[attgig]

so, maybe you guys can help me out.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/car/159669116.html

from that advertisment, how much would you pay?

it seems like it's about a $800-$500 disparity between what edmunds says and kbb says (going by condition). if you go with fair on both, it's 3830 vs 3059. With good, it's 4340 vs 3793, and excellent: 4745 vs 4224.


she likes the kbb number and i ilke edmunds (obviously). which one do u trust more?

[ray]

Have you run a Carfax report on the VIN to make sure it's not some death trap on wheels?

[attgig]

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/FSBO.cfm?r...RB81H3VM000774

everything's guaranteed no problem.

[ray]

Carfax report is clean. Have you asked to see service records, though I can't imagine finding anything significant.

[attgig]

yes, she says she has them. there's been some random wear/tear things that she's had taken care of lately, which she says she has records for. i won't see them till i go.

[guiseppewv]

So what was the status on this car?

I saw a 96 BMW Z3 - how about that? It was only $8400 with 104000 miles.

[Agent Plissken]

Nah, he's just hating on the Sonatas being built by rednecks.

And why is this type of prejudice considered "tolerable"?

[attgig]

So what was the status on this car?

I saw a 96 BMW Z3 - how about that? It was only $8400 with 104000 miles.

haha. that would be sweet!

i don't see the car until thursday (most likely), so i'll let you all know then.

quick check on edmunds says <7500 for a 96 z3 with those miles. not that edmunds is the bible or anything, but, i'm weary of spending a grand over what they say is fair. (ok, maybe it is the bible)

also, i'm also weary of luxury cars and turbo engines cuz they're going to require the 93 octane gas. would totally defeat the purpose of changing cars.

[guiseppewv]

haha. that would be sweet!

i don't see the car until thursday (most likely), so i'll let you all know then.

quick check on edmunds says <7500 for a 96 z3 with those miles. not that edmunds is the bible or anything, but, i'm weary of spending a grand over what they say is fair. (ok, maybe it is the bible)

also, i'm also weary of luxury cars and turbo engines cuz they're going to require the 93 octane gas. would totally defeat the purpose of changing cars.

Right now the $.20/gal price difference is ~6% price increase. This car is supposed to get over 30mpg, though. C'mon you know you want a sweet ride like that. I am sure you can talk this person down to $7-7.5k . BTW - I only saw an ad for the car - it isn't mine.

[attgig]

jetta it is! drove it. feels good. settled at 3900 bucks. hopefully, i'll get good use out of it for years to come. =)