Help me buy my first car.

[DESS]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

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.

I know. That's the joke because refrigerators aren't fun to drive.

[STeeLy]

LOL, I miss read your post... I left out the "as much"... so technically I read As reliable as a refrigerator and fun to drive... LOL..

My bad

[DESS]

lol no prob dude.

[John Doe]

I would look at a Ford Focus if I were you. They are not as sexy as the Japanese cars, but they are fairly reliable and you can get a lower milage, late model Focus' for a reasonable price.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by John Doe

I would look at a Ford Focus if I were you. They are not as sexy as the Japanese cars, but they are fairly reliable and you can get a lower milage, late model Focus' for a reasonable price.

I was definatly thinking about that. I had one for a business trip I had to make in Edmonton (yuck) and the gas milage was amazing. I am not 100% sure about how reliable they actually are and I arnt quite sure I really like how it looks.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

I was definatly thinking about that. I had one for a business trip I had to make in Edmonton (yuck) and the gas milage was amazing. I am not 100% sure about how reliable they actually are and I arnt quite sure I really like how it looks.

It all depends when you want to pay. American cars break down more but are cheaper to fix. Japanese cars tend to break down less, but are more expensive to fix when they do. Then there are those select German cars that break down often, and are expensive to fix.

[STeeLy]

The later model Fords have been much more reliable than their previous stuff... If you look at something like 2005 and up, they're not that bad.

[Winsor_Pilates]

A Pontiac G5 might be a good idea. My first 2 cars were Pontiacs, and they treated me very well. You can get a much newer car for the same $$ as an older import. Plus, now they're collectors items.

[alltherage]

I recommend the Corolla Sample00 has for sale. You can sell it 4 years from now for $200 less hahaha. Gotta love Toyotas.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by alltherage

I recommend the Corolla Sample00 has for sale. You can sell it 4 years from now for $200 less hahaha. Gotta love Toyotas.

Yea I am leaning towards the Corolla. Sample00 and I are talking and pending a few reports/test drive this one might be the one.

[Nufy]

There's a great Jeep for sale in the F/S section.....

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by 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?

I got one. '06

I am a student as well, and my lease ends in December, but I will probably buy it out.

The car has been mostly hit, with a few misses (minor). The engine is great, has a lot to give, the ride is comfortable.

I see your looking at a Corolla. Can't go wrong there, Toyota is about the most reliable a car can get. And the insurance shouldn't be too bad. My insurance is ridiculously high.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I got one. '06

I am a student as well, and my lease ends in December, but I will probably buy it out.

The car has been mostly hit, with a few misses (minor). The engine is great, has a lot to give, the ride is comfortable.

I see your looking at a Corolla. Can't go wrong there, Toyota is about the most reliable a car can get. And the insurance shouldn't be too bad. My insurance is ridiculously high.

I just got a quote for the Corolla... I will be paying about 150 a month for 3rd party. Does that seem about right for a Male, 21 yrs old?

[tvp2003]

I was recently in the market for a used car -- I was considering a Toyota Corolla (we already have a 1996 that will probably run forever), but ended up going with a Ford Focus ZXW instead (I wanted a wagon, so my options were a little more limited).

Corolla is a solid car and a great choice for reliability and fuel economy. Also, the 2003 (9th generation) you are considering got good reviews: http://www.canadiandriver.com/2006/0...-2003-2006.htm

Contrast this with 1998 to 2002 models (8th generation), which I've heard have some problems (although still pretty darn reliable): http://www.canadiandriver.com/2008/0...998-2002-2.htm

As an FYI, I've heard 1997 Corolla's are not good -- we got lucky with a 1996, which has as much bang for your buck as any comparable car IMO.

However, if you want to save a few bucks, a Ford Focus is a good bet for a domestic. They come in different body styles (from 2-door hatchback to 4-door sedan to 5-door sport hatch to wagon), and you can often find newer ones south of $10K. Just be sure to get one 2005 or newer; the older models (especially 2000 and 2001) had a number of problems that have been resolved in the newer releases. http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/0...-2000-2007.htm

[DESS]

Originally Posted by John Doe

I would look at a Ford Focus if I were you. They are not as sexy as the Japanese cars, but they are fairly reliable and you can get a lower milage, late model Focus' for a reasonable price.

I believe those have been recalled for being dangerously uncool.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I'm not sure the exact years but the reason VW Jetta's don't have the reputation they used to (around 00 and 01) is because instead of being made in Germany, they were made in Mexico. I'd stay away from those because they are very expensive to repair.

A cheaper alternative for a Toyota Corolla is a Pontiac Vibe. Toyota powertrain, Corolla engine, and you save when you buy used because of the Pontiac name. I have a Vibe GT (Celica engine), love it.

for example: http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ125013142

I have a friend that has a Ford Focus ZX5, she absolulety loves it. Being a guy i'd buy the 4 door SE though. Looks pretty good with mags and a spoiler.

[DESS]

Yeah I'd drive a vibe/matrix over a corolla any day.

[STeeLy]

Vibe/Matrix has a much sportier feel than a Corolla... I'll say that... The vibe is basically the Matrix... rebranded with a slightly different chasis.

[evilcougar]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Get your insurance from Meloche Monnex

These guys are super cheap, great service, no random premium hikes and they offer discounts for several things such as working for certain companies or being an alumni from certain college's universities etc...just ask they will tell you. But they are by far and away the best insurance company i've ever gone thru.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I'm not sure the exact years but the reason VW Jetta's don't have the reputation they used to (around 00 and 01) is because instead of being made in Germany, they were made in Mexico. I'd stay away from those because they are very expensive to repair.

A cheaper alternative for a Toyota Corolla is a Pontiac Vibe. Toyota powertrain, Corolla engine, and you save when you buy used because of the Pontiac name. I have a Vibe GT (Celica engine), love it.

for example: http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ125013142

I have a friend that has a Ford Focus ZX5, she absolulety loves it. Being a guy i'd buy the 4 door SE though. Looks pretty good with mags and a spoiler.

Some good info here. Nothing wrong with a 5 door though. You'll never realized how great the hatchbacks are until you drive one. I ended up with one (although a Mazda 3) due to impatience, and now I'm glad that I got it rather than the sedan.

The Vibe/Matrix tip is excellent. The Vibe likely has "a lower re-sale value" read "they're a better deal used". That's right. I said used, not pre-owned. Due to the badge, you'll probably find Vibes for less money than identical metrage (that's right...I said metrage.....ok, I have to stop this) Matrixes....Matrices? As far as the chassis, are they different STeely? As far as I know, they're made in the same factory (the one that used to produce the Corolla and the Geo+Chevy Prizm for the Americans). I could be off though, but to my knowledge, the only differences are the sheetmetal and interior, along with the dealerships you'll typically find them at. It makes the Vibe a really good buy. Also, since Pontiac is getting axed, people will likely lose faith in their warranties (even though I'm sure GM will honour them until they're out...or GM vanishes which I doubt) which would drive the value down further.