We are in the process of buying a new car. We test drove a 2004 Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Matrix tonite. Wednesday we're looking at a Grand Am and something else... any suggestions? Looking under $20,000 and something that has a good reputation (Honda, Toyota, Pontiac, etc)
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Hondas- the body will fall apart but the engine never dies. Excellent value for a depreciating asset such as a car. Do not buy Mazda! (sorry to those who like Mazda..) Anybody who knows me has sworn off of Mazda due to the problems I had with my 1996 626. They are finicky cars and the parts are expensive!
I'm sooo jealous, hopefully in 2 or 3 years I can get one used :)
Loving my Vibe - I've had it almost a year and can't believe the amount of stuff I can lug home from a furniture store or home depot!! The Pontiac version (still made by Toyota) is slightly more expensive, but GM gave better financing - like 0%! :) K
...I wouldn't buy another (sorry Smoodgie). They are good cars but they do not hold their value. I have a 2001 Protege - the top model for that year, and bought it for approx. $20k.
A couple of months ago for fun I went to test drive a new car and got an estimate on my trade in value....$8,000!!!
I almost fell off my chair!
I'd always had Hondas before, and they retained their value much more significantly.
with either ! I bought a 96 camry 5 years ago and not a hitch! Had an accord before that - same thing. Prefer the toyota though. Have heard the honda civics are not great in the snow. Are you planning on buying brand new or second hand?
I have had 4 Hondas. They are great cars.
I now drive a Subaru because of the all wheel drive since I now live in snow country.
I bought a 2 yr. old used Corolla and had it for 10 yrs. Now I have another used 2 yr. old Corolla. I had a Civic yrs. ago too. Was pleased with all of them. Good resale value and little problems.
I love the new Mazda3 5-door. I believe it's gotten good reviews and won an award for Car of the Year in Canada. The Mazda6 is nice too, but it's more expensive.
I've driven a Mazda for the last 14 years -- 7 with my little 323, and then 7 with my MX6. We retired it last week after almost 12 total years of service (and a fair bit of abuse!!) -- *sniff, sniff*. Although I suppose it'll live on in my hubby's MX6 -- he took all the good parts off mine and put them on his MX6!!
My FIL drove a pontiac for 20+ years. With that in mind, I bought a used Pontiac in 1986, and it still goes. At the time I said my plan was to follow FIL's lead, and keep my car long enough so that it would be an embarassment to my children!
Well, it turns 22 years old this year, and my goal has been reached. Truthfully, I have not put a lot of money into it over the years either. Nobody keeps cars that long these days, and I'm sure they make them differently now, but I felt the need to put in a good word for the people at Pontiac. In all the time I've had it, my DH has gone through a Honda, 2 Suzuki Jeeps (one got rear-ended and blew up, so he bought another one, LOL), one Volvo, one Isuzu....and the Chrysler he has now is beginning to go on him.
Yes, and Car and Driver magazine, and the Lemon Guide and ... oh it's endless.... I'd love to own a lexus convertible... but monthly payment is $1500 a month... that's two mortgage payments! LOL
In laws are a Honda family - DH, Sisters, MIL - all love them! My Dad, uncles, brother aunt all have Toyotas. Great resale down the road - they hold their value - and very reliable. Don't know the Matrix but the Corolla is great. I have a Pontiac minivan for work - lots of problems. Glad I don't have to pay for them. Have you looked at Consumer Reports?