New/Used Car Help!

[groovietwo]

How's the search going? I can repeat the Honda love.. I've had 2 Accords, a Civic, and an Acura RSX. I'm thinking of a new ride because of gas $$. Right now I'm driving a 2004 Element and I've put 115K miles on it with no problems at all. Kinda pokey and really ugly, but a great if you're hard on your car (or have dogs).

[dcGirl]

I have a 2008 Honda Fit Sport and I love it. Getting rid of it soon just because it makes no sense for me to have a car in DC and I will be extremely sad to see it go. The mileage is amazing. Also the Fits look small but everyone who gets in it says its much bigger inside than they thought.

[RachaelBachael]

Originally Posted by groovietwo

How's the search going?

The search is still going. I've test driven 2 more Volvos and loved them and I've looked at Camrys, Corollas, and Accords.

Today a co-worker of my mom let me test drive his BMW, which he has for sale. I started to learn how to drive stick (I liked it!) and I'm considering getting it.

Anyone have any experience with BMWs? It's a 2000 with 118,000 miles on it for a ridiculously low price. New tires, battery, the guy treated it like gold. I had never been in one before today.

[marina]

Originally Posted by RachaelBachael

The search is still going. I've test driven 2 more Volvos and loved them and I've looked at Camrys, Corollas, and Accords.

Today a co-worker of my mom let me test drive his BMW, which he has for sale. I started to learn how to drive stick (I liked it!) and I'm considering getting it.

Anyone have any experience with BMWs? It's a 2000 with 118,000 miles on it for a ridiculously low price. New tires, battery, the guy treated it like gold. I had never been in one before today.

In my limited experience. BMWs drive great until a certain age, which is sooner than you'd think, and then every. single. thing. goes to shit. I don't have an exact number on the age or mileage, but I feel like it's around 150k

[lews_therin]

Since Rachael is obviously a UK fan and I live in Ky, I feel obligated to reply.

About a year ago I was on the prowl for a new car, so I narrowed down the make/model of cars I would like and a price range that was appropriate to me. For about 2 months I scanned the various auto dealer websites, craigslist, ebay, etc, until finally, I found the car I wanted on Ebay.

An army officer had purchased a 2006 mazda rx8 for his wife as a "toy", and he randomly got recalled to service and was forced to sell the car. Although booking for 13k+, he only wanted what he had purchased it for, and I was able to get it for about 9k.

Thus my advice is to narrow what you would like to have and be patient. ^^

[DudeEMETIB]

I drive a 2004 Saturn Vue, I got it really cheap back in '07 for like $7,000. It had 80,000 miles on it. I've never had any problem with it. It runs perfectly, it's a V4 so it gets pretty awesome gas mileage for an SUV. Very roomy. Now it has almost 130,000 miles on it. Still perfect.


There was this one time I accidentally left a tub of ice cream that melted into the carpet in there...and the smell took forever to remove...but that was me...not Saturn.

[Pintman]

Hondas are generally good values, but Accords from the early 2000s have serious transmission problems. I just paid $1,600 for a new one in my 2002 with 140k miles. Out of warranty, naturally. Otherwise, it's been a reliable workhorse.

[RachaelBachael]

Thanks for all of the help guys!

After going on way too many test drives, I've gotten my new (old car).

In the end, I went with the BMW. Got it from a family acquaintance so I was able to snag a great deal and put a few thousand left over from the insurance pay out into my savings account. Now I'm learning to drive stick and I'm pretty pumped.

Thanks again for all of the help!
-Rachael

[marina]

Originally Posted by RachaelBachael

Thanks for all of the help guys!

After going on way too many test drives, I've gotten my new (old car).

In the end, I went with the BMW. Got it from a family acquaintance so I was able to snag a great deal and put a few thousand left over from the insurance pay out into my savings account. Now I'm learning to drive stick and I'm pretty pumped.

Thanks again for all of the help!
-Rachael

Post pics!

[benda]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Very important to make certain that you get one you can afford to maintain when it breaks. Gas Mileage isn't everything, especially when a bumper on a Cadillac costs $1000 even if you did only give a grand for it!