Car Buying Advice

**Trainer** · 08-27-2012, 02:07 PM

I need to buy a car, and want to go new. I originally was eyeballing the Jetta clean diesel, but from what I read online it sounds like there is a bit more maintenence there than I originally thought. MPg and reliability are probably my top two concerns. I am wanting to stay around the 22k mark in the small 4 door car market. Any advice? Do's and don'ts?

**dmclone** · 08-27-2012, 02:14 PM

New or used? Mostly in town our highway? Do you care about performance our just care about getting from point a to b reliably and economically?

**Trainer** · 08-27-2012, 02:19 PM

New, mostly in town or highway. Performance isn't a huge deal, and reliable with good MPG. Looking at the 2013 Elantra. My two main selling points are MPG and reliability.

**Cycl1** · 08-27-2012, 02:23 PM

Dont go new.

**dmclone** · 08-27-2012, 02:24 PM

If you want new, I'd be looking at the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda 3. If you don't mind something smaller, the Honda Fit is a nice little sporty car that will hold it's value like no other.

**JWIL4CY** · 08-27-2012, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Cycl1

Dont go new.

shhh, we need people to eat the depreciation so we can have our nice used cars.

**dmclone** · 08-27-2012, 02:29 PM

I normally buy and recommend used but in this class, it's not as big of a deal. If your going to keep it a long time you may as well just buy new. You may be able to get a good deal on a 2012.

**Gonzo** · 08-27-2012, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Trainer

I need to buy a car, and want to go new. I originally was eyeballing the Jetta clean diesel, but from what I read online it sounds like there is a bit more maintenence there than I originally thought. MPg and reliability are probably my top two concerns. I am wanting to stay around the 22k mark in the small 4 door car market. Any advice? Do's and don'ts?

From what I've heard and read, Kia has made good strides and offer a pretty solid value for the price. Still not sure I'm buying it though. I've known a few people who've had Kia and it was a nightmare, but both of those were the little Sorento SUV guy.

I'd give a serious look at Hondas and Mazdas. I've had both and had zero problems.

**djcubby** · 08-27-2012, 02:39 PM

My brother in law has a 2010 Corolla that he loves. I'd either go that route or a new Civic. If reliability is one of your top concerns, you can't get much better. I'd also look at Nissan, but not sure what they have in your price range. Ford, Mazda, and Hyundai have all about the same reliability nowadays.

**Meinhardt4ISU** · 08-27-2012, 02:40 PM

I would buy a car that isnt new but fairly ne. In that 2 to 4 yr range. you will save so much more money. A Jetta is a great car for whatever driving you need.

**acoustimac** · 08-27-2012, 03:45 PM

I'm with the folks that recommend getting a 1-2 year old, low mileage car. I've always bought new in the past, but no longer. There is one compelling reason to buy new. You have to figure out total cost if you are financing. Right now you can get 0% on a new vehicle. Depending on what your interest rate is for used calculate total expense. I've usually found that 0% ends up being cheaper over the term of the loan. If you are paying cash go used. You let someone else eat the first year depreciation.

As for cars that are good...the latest model Ford Focus is excellent. So is the Ford Fusion which will give good mileage and more space. Kia isn't there yet. Honda Civic is always a good bet. Toyota Corolla is reliable, but has been rated at the bottom or near it in all comparos of small cars.

If you want to go VERY small then you could read this:
Best Small Cars: Two Great, Two Good, and Two More - Comparison Test - Car and Driver
The Honda Fit is pretty solid in this category.

In the Ford Focus category here is a 2011 comparo that the Focus wins (and also won in 2012):
11 Chevrolet Cruze and '12 Ford Focus vs. Jetta, Elantra, and Mazda 3 - Comparison Test - Car and Driver

In the next size up, the outgoing model of the Ford Fusion has been the top rated car of its class for the past 2-3 years. In 2010, the updated Fusion was the North American Car of the Year. If you want NEW the upcoming model 2013 Fusion is a major redesign and promises to be very good.

**Trainer** · 08-27-2012, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by djcubby

My brother in law has a 2010 Corolla that he loves. I'd either go that route or a new Civic. If reliability is one of your top concerns, you can't get much better. I'd also look at Nissan, but not sure what they have in your price range. Ford, Mazda, and Hyundai have all about the same reliability nowadays.

I like the Corolla, but it got some pretty low reviews. I don't know who to trust when it comes to online. I think I am going to trust the brand and then see how I feel about the car when I go to a dealership. Civic Toyotta and Hyundai are top on my list with their respective small cars. I think from there I am just going to have to visit some dealerships.

**Trainer** · 08-27-2012, 04:02 PM

There is always the option to buy used, but I don't know how I feel about it. Why is there such an advantage to buying used? I feel more comfortable buying this car new because I plan on driving it for a long while, and looking for one that has everything I want.

**djcubby** · 08-27-2012, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Trainer

Why is there such an advantage to buying used?

Mainly depreciation. Say you buy a new car for 25k. You sell it five years later for 15k. You lose 10k right off the top, not including any loan interest.

That same car 2 years older may only cost you 18k and you sell it 5 years later for 12k. You only lose 6k right off the bat.

Some people have a thing for new cars, some people could care less and are more price conscious.

**dmclone** · 08-27-2012, 04:53 PM

If it's a good small car the depreciation is very little, I'd buy new. Lets take the Honda Fit for example.

New
2012 Honda Fit sport/Auto
MSRP $18,700
Lets say you don't negotiate too hard
$18,000

Used-Using cars.com in a 250 mile radius
2012 Honda Fit Sport-9,460 miles-$18,999
2012 Honda Fit sport-3,265 miles-$18,491
2012 Honda Fit sport-Miles not listed-$17,500

2011 Honda Fit sport-2,296 miles-$19,589-Guessing it has navi
2011 Honda Fit sport-17,200 miles-$17,500
2011 Honda Fit sport-25,984 miles-$16,998
2011 Honda Fit sport-25,907 miles-$16,449
2011 Honda Fit sport-36,447 miles-$15,998
2011 Honda Fit sport-14,133 miles-$15,997
2011 Honda Fit sport-27,281 miles-$15,879

So in summary, you are not saving anything or very little by buying a 2012 used. By buying a 2011 you're saving about $2-$3k.

So lets say that you save $2,500. When you go to sell the car it's going to be worth less because it's a year older and it's going to have an additional 20-30k miles. So between those two things that's going to reduce the difference by at least $1,000. So now you're saving $1,500.

Your 2012 may have more features. They likely added something and doubtful that they took anything away.

You may not know the history of the car. Did the person that owned it before ride the brakes? Did they change the oil? Did they rotate the tires? Did they get in a little fender bender that you'll never know? Do they have a teenage son that liked to do neutral drops at the stoplight?

Everything is 20-30K miles older. The brakes, engine, trans, interior, paint, etc all have 20-30k miles of wear.

Warranty. Are they going to add a 3/36mile warranty?

If you're financing are you going to be able to get a zero rate?

Like I said, I normally buy used cars but in some circumstances I'd rather just eat the $1,500 in savings and have peace of mind. Last year I bought a 2008 G35x w/25k miles, had a warranty until 100K miles, and cost $40k new. I bought it for a little over $25k. In that situation I felt like I could give up some of the things for the $15K savings.