suggestions for a car

bb00y · 08-11-05, 07:32

i just graduated and looking for a car right now. i'm considering the scion tc, civic, sentra, accord so far. i will go to the dealership and check out the car they got there (use or new).
the price range i'm looking at around $15000. i don't know that much about cars. i was wondering if you guys have any suggestions for cars to get. reliability, gas milelage, etc. i heard that it is better to buy car straight from the seller instead of dealership. if i was to test drive a car, what should i be looking for, like things i should be more aware of? what sorts of questions should i ask the dealer.
any comments are welcome.
thanks in advance.

kgb · 08-11-05, 08:49

I would go with a 2001+ Civic. I had one and really liked it. The build quality was great. If you can find an Accord for that price I say go for that first and then the Civic next though.

holland_patrick · 08-11-05, 09:26

BAJA enough said

Prometheus · 08-11-05, 09:48

Lol, did you max out the Baja's bed capacity yet patrick?

Back OT, I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda or a Toyota. I dont know about the nissan, a lot of people like them, I personally don't but that doesn't mean that you won't like it. The tc, well, I'm not sure if I would get that one yet. I believe that Scion's are actually a division of Toyota, so they *should* be decent, but the tc is still relatively new, and had several problems early on. Given your other options, I would relegate the tc towards the bottom of you options list.

scottabir · 08-11-05, 10:06

Go with a mazda! used 6s is right in your price range

of course that is biased opinion.

holland_patrick · 08-11-05, 10:48

Ya i think i hit max wieght with 1380lbs in the back of here Now if i up grade the shocks to coilovers and put some beefier coils in there you looking at one tough hauling monster truck there.

Prometheus · 08-11-05, 11:11

Don't forget the air shocks as as part of the coil over setup .... and make sure you get the 250 PSI ones.

All joking aside though, air shocks really do work well. My dad has a set on his Tempest as well as on mom's minivan that he uses to haul the trailer, they work amazingly well.

BigAl3 · 08-11-05, 02:03

i would get the scion tc (more features than the civic ex). i currently drive an 03 civic coupe and had the scion tc been available at the time, you know what i would be driving. not to mention... they have very nice body lines, thus making it easy to detail!

jchetty · 08-13-05, 12:51

i have on 03 civic....its ok....but..i would def look at the scion tc...nice car

i would buy a stripped down new car then a loaded used car....new cars come with at least a 3 years warranty...that way u will be covered thru most of school

Slick61 · 08-16-05, 03:36

before you set foot in a dealership, educate yourself first! There's plenty of online sites where you can research cars, pricing, financing, etc. I'd especially spend time at kbb.com and edmunds.com- read everything.

Don't start dealing on a particular car until you know all the costs involved- including invoice, holdback, rebates, incentives, etc. Have financing pre-arranged, then use that as a bargaining chip at the dealership.

Going through private owners can be better, provided you know what you're doing. Simply running a carfax report does not always give you the whole story. Since you've said you don't know a lot about cars, I'd be wary of going that route. I'd stick with "new" or "certified pre-owned". But again, do your homework & don't let a salesperson pressure you into buying til you are ready.

atticdog · 08-16-05, 05:19

if reliablity and mpg are big concern then id go with corrolla or civic

01bluecls · 08-16-05, 06:41

Def look at the Scion TC. My GF has one and when comparing to a similiar civic or corolla they dont compare. Scion (Toyota) has great reliability, TC has standard sunroof, ABS and 2.4l putting out 160 hp. Awesome car overall. Not to mention nationwide Scion's are no-haggle pricing.