Help me buy my first car.

[Swayze11]

Hey guys,

So I am going to buy my first car but I have no idea what I want. I was leaning towards a Jetta but I checked out some insurance quotes and they are extremely high and since I am a student and wont have a steady income coming in I figured I dont want to be paying $230 a month, on top of gas, on top of tuition, etc. I still might get a Jetta depending on how much I can save from my summer job. My budget is probably $10,000 max, looking for something 2001 or newer. My goal is basically to find something VERY gas efficient (this is why I was leaning towards a Jetta), 4-door, and automatic. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

Hey guys,

So I am going to buy my first car but I have no idea what I want. I was leaning towards a Jetta but I checked out some insurance quotes and they are extremely high and since I am a student and wont have a steady income coming in I figured I dont want to be paying $230 a month, on top of gas, on top of tuition, etc. I still might get a Jetta depending on how much I can save from my summer job. My budget is probably $10,000 max, looking for something 2001 or newer. My goal is basically to find something VERY gas efficient (this is why I was leaning towards a Jetta), 4-door, and automatic. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

The Jetta might be good on gas but if it was anything like my 2000 Jetta that will quickly be offset by poor reliability and expensive parts and labour rates.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

I would stear away from VW of that vintage, they have reliability troubles. I would look at Toyota's, Honda's or Nissan's. I stil believe they give you the best bang for your buck.

PS: http://www.cartest.ca/automotive_rev...est_drives.htm

[Swayze11]

I was also thinking of a Cobalt. You can get a fairly new one for a decent price now a days. Anyone own one?

[jydk]

If your worried about your insurance premiums stay away from the Cobalt. They are primarily driven by teenagers and young drivers, and the insurance companies know that, so the rate groups assigned to the vehicle are higher then you'd think for the value of the car.

[Table 5]

You might also want to think about learning how to drive a stick if you want to save on gas....plus they are way more fun than any automatic can ever hope to be.

[STeeLy]

I'm sure if you're very interested in buying, the guys at the dealers will teach you to drive stick.

When I bought my auto, I was offered a stick lesson by the salesperson... so I could get a stick instead... being a new license and all, I wanted to get used to the road first...

[Table 5]

I probably wouldn't recommend learning stick on the car you will buy though, ha.

[STeeLy]

Let them take you out on a demo car... ahaha..

[CaptainCrunch]

Features include

4 wheels

Steering wheels

Four doors

AM - 8 trace mono radio receiver

seat covers

In bin chicken corpse storage.

[bigalspratty]

A friend of mine is selling his 2000 Civic SI... Not 2001, but very well maintained, and hes done a little work to it too.
Check it out.
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/258094/fs...e-auto-modded/

[Sample00]

if you are interested, I have three vehicles that fall into your price range.
One is a 2004 Honda Civic, 2 door. The other is a 2007 Pontiac G5, 4 door.
and the other one is a 2003 Toyota Corolla Sport, fully loaded, 4 door.

[4X4]

Get your insurance from Meloche Monnex

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Sample00

if you are interested, I have three vehicles that fall into your price range.
One is a 2004 Honda Civic, 2 door. The other is a 2007 Pontiac G5, 4 door.
and the other one is a 2003 Toyota Corolla Sport, fully loaded, 4 door.

Can't go wrong with a Corolla if you want a 4 door car.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Although I am a truck guy, I had a roommate who had a 2001 Honda Civic, and it could take all kinds of abuse and was great on gas.

[Hemi-Cuda]

don't know what their resale value is like, but if you can find a 2005 Mazda 3 you won't do much better for gas milage and reliability. bought mine brand new in '05 and haven't had a single problem with it

[STeeLy]

Mazda 3s are still fairly high priced, unless they're really high mileage, they will go for above $10,000.

A Mazda 3 mileage doesn't match that of the Civic or the Corolla, unless you do a lot of highway driving. Also, if you get do end up getting a Mazda 3, watch out for rust near the wheels on the body.

[DESS]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Can't go wrong with a Corolla if you want a 4 door car.

Yep. As reliable as a refrigerator and just as much fun to drive.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by DESS

Yep. As reliable as a refrigerator and just as much fun to drive.

I wouldn't say it's all that fun to drive. Reliable, yes, great on gas, yes... fun to drive... not as much fun as say... a Mazda 3... doesn't really have that sporty feel to it like the 3 or the lancer.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by DESS

Yep. As reliable as a refrigerator and just as much fun to drive.

You've driven refrigerators?