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  • #1

    Advice on buying a car

    So I need to buy a car. When I moved back east I sold my 88 Corolla which was given to me. I don't have a whole lot of experience buying cars, but learned a decent amount maintaining one keep the Toyota running. I've been preapproved for a $18k loan. This is my limit not the banks, I'm sure I could get higher but I can't justify to myself that big of a monthly payment. I'm more than likely going to buy used and don't want it older than 1999-2000 if possible.

    Now I've been leaning towards a Suburu Forester. I actually like the way they look but the main reasons are that I want/need:

    -4WD/AWD
    -good gas mileage (at least 28-30mpg highway)
    -room for my sculpture supplies.
    -manual transmission
    -dependability

    I don't want or need a truck while living in Boston either. Since the Forester is build on the Impreza frame it has a small footprint for what it is, is cheaper and has better mileage than the Outback. Jessterzwild is also suggesting a Nissan xterra. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
    Last edited by Claymonkey; 5 October 2005, 14:03.
    Wikipedia and Google.... the needles to my tangent habit.
    ________________________________________________

    That special feeling we get in the cockles of our hearts, Or maybe below the cockles, Maybe in the sub-cockle area, Maybe in the liver, Maybe in the kidneys, Maybe even in the colon, We don't know.
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  • #2
    My mechanic buddy says that Subarus are generally built really well. He owns the Impreza and he said he would buy it again. So take that for what it's worth.

    As far as buying a car. Do yourself a favor and print out the dealer price and all of the options that come with it before walking into the dealership. Bring a calculator with you (because they will not give you one no matter how many times you ask). Be prepeared to sit through the 4 box paper from hell. Don't lose site on the price that you want to pay for the vehicle. They will use the 4 box paper from hell to confuse you with things such as, "how much are you willing to pay each month"?. Also, go over the final agreement with a fine tooth comb as they will add hidden charges such as "washing fee", or whatever. Question them about something that doesn't look right. There job is to steal your money, trust me. The other option is, you can fax an offer to 20 dealers and see who accepts it. Much easier than walking into a dealership. Though they can trick you there too. They will agree to the offer over the fax but not know what you are talking about when you actually get to the dealership. so make sure you get them to sign the offer back to you.

    One more thing, if you think you are going to own the car for atleast 5 years, I would highly recommend the extended warranty. I always buy 5 yr/100,000 mile warranties. This is personal preference of course.

    Here is the best article I've ever read about car buying. Edmunds hired someone to work as a salesman at two dealerships to find out what goes on inside.

    http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...g.feature..3.*
    Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

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    • #3
      There's nothing wrong with the XTerra, other than the WEE back seat. A Forester is a fine idea. Of course I would personally go for the outback, but that's more money.
      The Internet - where men are men, women are men, and teenage girls are FBI agents!

      I'm the least you could do
      If only life were as easy as you
      I'm the least you could do, oh yeah
      If only life were as easy as you
      I would still get screwed

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      • #4
        Good luck finding something that has AWD/Stick and gets good gas mileage. Nearly 90% of cars sold in the states come with autos.
        Why is it called tourist season, if we can't shoot at them?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by GT98
          Good luck finding something that has AWD/Stick and gets good gas mileage. Nearly 90% of cars sold in the states come with autos.
          Yeah tell me about it. I seem to be in the minority for wanting functionality AND reasonable gas mileage.
          Wikipedia and Google.... the needles to my tangent habit.
          ________________________________________________

          That special feeling we get in the cockles of our hearts, Or maybe below the cockles, Maybe in the sub-cockle area, Maybe in the liver, Maybe in the kidneys, Maybe even in the colon, We don't know.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Gurm
            There's nothing wrong with the XTerra, other than the WEE back seat. A Forester is a fine idea. Of course I would personally go for the outback, but that's more money.
            Well I'm likely to look at the Outback as well... heck I'm going to be looking at Legacy wagons too. Personally I think it's time for a station wagon comeback. Aside from SUV's being 'roomy' the station wagon is a good all around car. I grew up being driven in many of them and they all served my family very well.
            Wikipedia and Google.... the needles to my tangent habit.
            ________________________________________________

            That special feeling we get in the cockles of our hearts, Or maybe below the cockles, Maybe in the sub-cockle area, Maybe in the liver, Maybe in the kidneys, Maybe even in the colon, We don't know.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Claymonkey
              Yeah tell me about it. I seem to be in the minority for wanting functionality AND reasonable gas mileage.
              Go off and do some real research on this point. The reality is there is bugger all difference between a 4 speed comp controlled auto and a manual these days. (Depending on how well someone drives a manual, the auto could actually be better)
              Juu nin to iro


              English doesn't borrow from other languages. It follows them down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Sasq
                Go off and do some real research on this point. The reality is there is bugger all difference between a 4 speed comp controlled auto and a manual these days. (Depending on how well someone drives a manual, the auto could actually be better)
                Just to make my point, I am currently looking at the Japanese version of the X-Trail.
                it's a 2L engine over here.
                Auto is 13.0km/L
                Manual (if you shift perfectly) is 13.2km/L
                Juu nin to iro


                English doesn't borrow from other languages. It follows them down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.

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                • #9
                  Yup , they are getting pretty good in small cars, there a even a few with continuously variable transmissions, the effeicency of those will probaly beat a manual.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Sasq
                    Go off and do some real research on this point. The reality is there is bugger all difference between a 4 speed comp controlled auto and a manual these days. (Depending on how well someone drives a manual, the auto could actually be better)
                    My wanting a manual transmission has nothing to do with the mileage wants. I just prefer to drive manual.
                    Wikipedia and Google.... the needles to my tangent habit.
                    ________________________________________________

                    That special feeling we get in the cockles of our hearts, Or maybe below the cockles, Maybe in the sub-cockle area, Maybe in the liver, Maybe in the kidneys, Maybe even in the colon, We don't know.

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                    • #11
                      Mileage, Shmileage.

                      I just want to stay in the power band - and slobbomatics, with rare exceptions, don't do that.
                      The Internet - where men are men, women are men, and teenage girls are FBI agents!

                      I'm the least you could do
                      If only life were as easy as you
                      I'm the least you could do, oh yeah
                      If only life were as easy as you
                      I would still get screwed

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Gurm
                        Mileage, Shmileage.

                        I just want to stay in the power band - and slobbomatics, with rare exceptions, don't do that.
                        this comming from the guy who drives Volvo's?
                        Juu nin to iro


                        English doesn't borrow from other languages. It follows them down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.

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                        • #13
                          Not sure why you're considering a Forrester and an Impreza, since they're eons apart.

                          Subarus are great cars. If you're looking to spend $18K and want AWD, they're your only real option.

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                          • #14
                            Has anyone here driven a tiptronic transmission? I'm just wondering how it compares to auto-manual as a driving experience..

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                            • #15
                              Exactly my kind of requirments, and I still say either a Subaru Impreza or an Audi A4 1.8T or 2.8L

                              SUV's are notorious for gas mileage so stay clear of those.

                              Regards,
                              Elie

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