Car purchase advice - YAWCSIBT

[Jeff]

Just buy a fucking Caravan... :wink:

A T&C/Caravan has everything accept midsize and AWD that you list...but it ads the benefit of mondo room. AWDs are out there if you would go older then 05. Oh yeah, its not really fun to drive...but Jesus its a car that is utilitarian...you have a Lotus for fun.

[WRXtranceformed]

Jeff brings up a good point Evan. I mean the next step is gonna be babies for you guys right?!? Might as well get ready with the minivan! hahah

[Evan]

Mazda 3 (wagon)
02+ subaru impreza
Saab 9-2x

That's where my money would go.

interesting, considering you own a legacy. do you not like it?

[ViPER1313]

Saturn Astra? They should be giving them away at this point and they look nice IMO.

[Apoc]

Mazda 3 (wagon)
02+ subaru impreza
Saab 9-2x

That's where my money would go.

interesting, considering you own a legacy. do you not like it?

The Legacy isn't on the list because you care more about the price point than anything. I like all the creature comforts my Legacy has but I bought it as a replacement to more luxury models (M3, S4). It's a solid, "nice car" but I think the others are a better value for your money. I saw it as a compromise between affordability and luxury... and you never get what you really want with compromises. My Legacy is very functional, but it doesn't wow me and I don't think it's worth the extra cost in your situation.

I also happen to think the Legacy wagon is pretty ugly.

[Evan]

the caravan in an interesting idea but its just too big (not to mention you dont need a van until you have 3+ kids). Jeff mentioned Pacifica as another option that is a touch smaller and is a nice car for pretty cheap on the used market.

Saturn Astra is a good call, I do like them. but it looks like they are so new that I cant seem to find many on the used market for cheap.

Chris used Legacies are actually similarly priced to used Mazda3 hatches, even slightly cheaper in many cases. Im looking at a Limited Wagon w/ 50k for $12k , Thayer's dealership has a 2.5i wagon 60k for 11k (although they are both silver), and there is a GT Limited 60k on nasioc for 13k. Still slightly over my 10k ideal price point, but there arent any good mazda 3 hatches in that pricerange either. the wagon does have a fat ass, but its hard to deny the utility. would make it easy to get rid of the truck if i stop racing.

[Jeff]

Rex's sister has a Pacifica and I think she likes it quite a bit. Maybe he can comment? Its a pretty slick crossover and they are getting really cheap with good miles. Like I said I have two here, one is a corp 07' and one is a 2 owner 05'. Both pretty well equipped. If you can spend extra loot (which I'm sure would just put you in some inport pos) the 07 has the 4.0L, runs like a bat out of hell and is actually really fun to drive as far as crossovers go. Both are AWD, leather, and all that business.

[HAULN-SS]

I don't see how anybody who owns a house can not have a truck or something similar. I don't have a truck yet, and I have to borrow one all the time. Getting mulch and stuff in the back of the jeep just aint the same as going to go get a scoop of the good stuff at a yard supply store. Hauling anything longer than 6 feet is also a pain without a truck, and a big ass flatscreen won't fit in the back of a jeep either.

[Jeff]

What the fuck deersty...seriously. WTF. He owns a truck...and that is not even what this is about. Did you post in the wrong thread or something?

[CaptainHenreh]

Rex's sister has a Pacifica and I think she likes it quite a bit. Maybe he can comment?

I hate the thing but she and her husband seemed to like it ok?

[HAULN-SS]

evan made a comparison between a wagon and a truck. I have a jeep and still have to borrow a truck all the time, and I don't race anything. In other words - I wouldn't rule out sedans, and I would keep the truck, if I were him.

[REED]

The guy I carpool with has a pacifica, so I ride in one almost everyday

Obviously I've never driven it, but from a passenger standpoint

Cons:
ugly, like seriously fugly - it looks like a beached manatee or something
the plastics in it are so so
lots of wind noise, especially with the inner sunroof liner opened
his 2nd row has two captains chairs, i dont know if that is an option but its really annoying
getting into the 3rd row is hard for an adult

pros:
lots of little cubbys to hid crap
heated front and rear seats
since it has 4 captains charis they all have their own armrest which is nice
the bluetooth seems to work really well

I can ask him more about it if you are at all interested

[ViPER1313]

My final suggestion - 2006 to 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS

240hp / 3.9L V6 w/ 18/26mpg rating, hatchback, semi-aggressive looking, leather, rear sunroof, and low mileage examples (less than 45k) can be easily found in your price range. It actually got decent reviews - it's based off the Saab 9-3 chassis and supposedly the whole package goes together well. Only thing it's missing is AWD.

Clicky Pow!

[Evan]

one of anne's friend has one of those, and I dont need the SS but I am almost ashamed to admit I have considered it.
didnt know it was same platform as the saab, that gives it a little more cred. but its so farking ugly its hard to seriuosly consider.

[ViPER1313]

I think it looks better than a legacy wagon.......then again I drive a Grand Prix and an SHO. Who are you trying to impress?

[Evan]

I bought a bugeye wrx so clearly my tolerance for automotive ugly is pretty high when the rest of the car comes together well.

Id just rather not have to choke back vomit everytime I walk out to my car.

[HAULN-SS]

damn..two sunrooves!

[John]

the problem with the 3 is that its (relatively) overpriced on the used market. Any decent example of a hatchback is selling for 12k+ and I think that is too much for a 5 year old econobox .

Sellers still haven't adapted to the buyers market - you should be able to find one that you can bid on for a reasonable rate. If you want to talk overpriced, you'll get a laugh out of pickups... I decided to "price" my Titan since it's going up for sale, and the cheapest one I could find out here was $20K with high miles. LOL - it's obvious that many sellers really don't want to sell their vehicle that badly.

[Apoc]

I don't see how anybody who owns a house can not have a truck or something similar.

We have never needed anything more than my wife's Mazda3 except maybe once a year... when RJ comes in handy. Wagons are supremely versatile.

[.RJ]

except maybe once a year... when RJ comes in handy

I'm getting a handy?