Car talk / need inspiration to buy a new car

[nylonlover]

Hey fellow Merbites,

So my present car is over 9 yrs old, and although I love it, it is starting to have problems and I don't feel like investing in it. I want a new car, but really have no clue, as there is nothing out there that really grabs my attention. THe only one that looks amazing to my eyes is the Audi A-5, but it's over my budget. Also, I LOVE the new Subaru BRZ but it is RWD I wanna drive my car in the winter too LOL The Dodge Challenger looks amazing to me as well, but it is also a RWD.

I'm looking for AWD or FWD (no RWD). It can be a coupe or a sedan. I prefer 4 cylinder as gas prices are through the roof these days. I like to finance.

Any suggestions? Anyone know of any promotions going on? I'm looking everywhere online but nothing is catching my attention.

Most of all, I am simply in need of inspiration. Most cars out there look mundane and average to me.

thx boys (and girls?)

 

[Max15411]

I like the VW Passat. The 2012 are being financed at 0.9% for 60 months. I checked the Trendline+ TDI. Comes out to $567.34/month for 60 months (in QC).

 

[Dreamer69]

Look at the 2012 Accord, I just got one, rides like a dream.

 

[nylonlover]

I like the VW Passat. The 2012 are being financed at 0.9% for 60 months. I checked the Trendline+ TDI. Comes out to $567.34/month for 60 months (in QC).

Max, that's funny. I was just looking at the Passat. What does "TDI" stand for?

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

To Do Ist.

 

[Theodore]

VW Jetta GLI is very nice as well, (budget Audi A4) in performance and looks.

Also just read a review on the 2013 Honda accord, they say its amazing, nothing comes close and they have it in coupe or 4 door.

 

[CantSeeMrHappy]

Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Cheaper than a loaded Prius, looks better, and you'll not only save on gas (better than an Accord or Mazda 3 - plus roomier), you'll save in surprising ways.

Like no more brake pad replacements or disk replacements. Brakes for life.
Longer time between oil changes (motor works 60% of the time)
Better performance than a standard V4 model with auto trans.
No more "shaking" at stop signs or red lights.

If you can afford 32k, take a look at Lexus CT200h. Same motor train, better looks, better eye catcher than a Camry.

In my opinion, AWD w/FWD is false security, false handling. All that extra weight all the time, horrible mileage. Nothing beats high quality winter tires. AWD during the summer, you plan on going in fields or beaches? Crazy.

IF AWD is a must, get the real deal, and go with a Ford Escape, also available in hybrid. Taxis in California went 500,000 miles in four years with Escapes-H, only thing replaced/maintained were wipers, tires, oil.
Battery dying-needing replacement is a myth.

 

[evillethings]

you should consider picking something up in the US and bringing it back.
even with the taxes + fees you are likely coming out ahead relative to buying local.

i checked out the audi S5... fun, a heck of a lot of car. makes the right statement but only comes in coupe models with 2 doors (suitable for 5yrs back or 10yrs from now :lol: )
alternatively, the more pedestrian A4 mid-end quattro would be good. the V6 engines all output around 230+ HP... that's good enough to get you around and outta trouble.
a used mid-end TT with 2-4yrs on it and light-moderate use would run you 30-35K... if you dont mind a tiny car.

the Subaru lineup are AWD... perfect for QC climate... it's kinda funny how you'll never see a Subaru in Miami or SoCal.
a new outback fully loaded will run you 45K-50K. 250+ HP limited ed. no point dragging around that much car with a 2.whatever Litre engine.
but if you pick up a 2.0 or 2.5L engine, it'll likely be in the 35K-42K price range.

none of the cars above are going to be fuel efficient.

if i were looking for fuel efficiency and 4-cyl, i'd probably look at the Honda + Toyota lineups.

 

[nylonlover]

actually, come to think of it, AWD is definitely not necessary. FWD is though.

 

[Max15411]

TDI: Turbo Diesel Injection

You basically get crazy mileage per tank. You'll easily get over 1000km/tank on the highway.

 

[nylonlover]

yeah, fuel efficiency is top priority for me, as is keeping the budget under 40k, maybe max 35k.

 

[nylonlover]

I like the VW Passat. The 2012 are being financed at 0.9% for 60 months. I checked the Trendline+ TDI. Comes out to $567.34/month for 60 months (in QC).

any difference between the 2012 and 2013 Passats? Have they redesigned the car or is it basically the same...?

 

[Max15411]

Pretty much the same but the 2012 has a 0.9% interest rate and the 2013 is 5.9%. Looks wise, I can't see a difference.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/07/2013-volkswagen-passat-whats-changed.html

 

[jellydo]

I made a list of must-haves in a new vehicle:
AWD, >30mpg (cdn) highway, <38ft turning circle (home and work both have tight parkakes), must be able to carry 8' 2x4 inside (I have a reno habit). Then eliminated vehicles that didn't meet the criteria. The more criteria you have the smaller the number of vehicles that are left to choose from.

 

[Siocnarf]

you should consider picking something up in the US and bringing it back.
even with the taxes + fees you are likely coming out ahead relative to buying local.

Be careful if you do that. Make sure the car has all the certifications required to be registered over here. When I went to live in the US some years ago I had some trouble to get required papers for my car from US Customs because of that.

I was going to suggest a Ford Escort, but I realize they don't make them anymore...

 

[CaptRenault]

Nylonlover, if you like the looks of a coupe like the A5 (I agree, a beautiful car), then consider getting a Honda Accord Coupe or a Nissan Altima Coupe. Both come with base 4 cylinder engines that get good mileage but still have enough power. The prices are about the same as the 4-door versions of the same car. Neither car is as good looking as the Audi, but at least the looks are distinctive and if you get one in a nice color, they look pretty good. Plus both have good reliability records and both are much more practical than a real sports car.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I lease new cars every 3 years. I am pretty much always driving a car within warranty and never pay anything on repairs. I see all these people who think the best deal is to buy, yet once their cars are out of warranty, they spend a small fortune on repairs. When people do a cost/benefit analysis on leasing versus buying, nobody ever factors in the "repair cost rape" that goes along with buying once the car comes out of warranty. People pretend it does not exist, yet this is what keeps repair shops in business across Canada and the USA.

 

[Merlot]

Nylonlover, if you like the looks of a coupe like the A5 (I agree, a beautiful car), then consider getting a Honda Accord Coupe or a Nissan Altima Coupe.

Hmmm,

I've driven a Maxima and a friend has an Altima. Nissan is the most solid and smooth driving car I ever had with a very quick fuel injection system and still highway mpg in the middle 30s. I drove from Massachusetts to Montreal averaging near 80 mph (shhhhhhh). It felt like going 55 and I got 34 mpg.

But a good friend and successful businessman decided to lease instead of buy. I know in the past Nissan has had some very good rates for leasing, and with leasing there are never any worries about how the car performs.

Good luck,

Merlot

 

[evillethings]

Be careful if you do that. Make sure the car has all the certifications required to be registered over here. When I went to live in the US some years ago I had some trouble to get required papers for my car from US Customs because of that...

great point. thanks for the reminder as i'm also currently shopping around.
i've usually gone thru a clearing house to handle customs and all the dreaded red tape.

 

[CantSeeMrHappy]

Not the case of cars with Toyota's HSD system (including the Ford Escape-H). Repairs are practically non-existent for 8-9 years or 400,000km +. Just tires, wipers, oil, lube jobs, a set of spark plugs every 150,000km.
(HSD is a sealed unit, only gears & ratios, no transmission)

Just look at what the Taxi fleets are getting. The Prius-V is the same size & longer than the Toyota Matrix. Huge cargo space.

Golf TDI's - the blutech exhaust system doesn't last 3+ years on average, costly to replace (like over 2k$). Plus maintenance in general on the TDI is more expensive, than a Honda Accord.

The Honda Civic & Accords, along with the Camry, and the top 3 North American cars. "Cars" as in, not SUVs and not Pickups. Pickups + SUVs outnumber cars.

I lease new cars every 3 years. I am pretty much always driving a car within warranty and never pay anything on repairs. I see all these people who think the best deal is to buy, yet once their cars are out of warranty, they spend a small fortune on repairs. When people do a cost/benefit analysis on leasing versus buying, nobody ever factors in the "repair cost rape" that goes along with buying once the car comes out of warranty. People pretend it does not exist, yet this is what keeps repair shops in business across Canada and the USA.

EagerBeaver, I'm sure Montreal Auto Prix and Encan H Grégoire *love you* and similar people.