Cars for Noobs

[KallDrexx]

Awesome.  So I have my car for 2 days, and out of all the 20 cars parked on the street some douchebag decides to smash (not just side-swipe, but literally smash) into my car.......

I fucking hate people

Oh man, that really sucks dude.

So 3 weeks later and I finally got my Fusion back and it's good as new.  Driven it about 400 miles in the week I've had it back and I love the Fusion.  Granted, I'm coming from a 1992 honda accord, but I love the way it handles and feels, and it's quite smooth.

[MisterNoisy]

Good to hear that your car is good as new now.  :)

Ford's really turned it around as of late.  Hell - everything but their trucks and the brand-new/untested Fiesta is even on Consumer Reports' 'recommended' list, and they've been selling cars like crazy in both the US and Europe.

On top of that, the new Fiesta and Euro-Focus are coming here soon and they've even finally ditched the godawful engines that were in the 2010-earlier Mustangs - the new V6 is damn near as powerful as the outgoing V8.

[slog]

It's based on the Ford EUCD platform but they apparently juice it up for the Volvo.

Might be worth waiting until the Ford equivalent is available.

[Abagadro]

The Ford equivalent is the Mondeo which they don't sell in the US because it would compete with the Fusion. It's also not a luxury car like the S80.

[fuser]

Anyone have personal experience with Volvos they would care to share?  I'm looking at getting an S80.

I don't know if I'd purchase one due to the fact alone the brand is in the process of being spun off from Ford to Geely. I'd worry about the impact of dealerships/parts channel during this change of ownership period.

[Abagadro]

I've thought about that but am not too concerned. The platform is a Ford and the engine/transmission are actually made in Japan by Yamaha and Aisin Seiki  respectively. I can't see parts for any of those being tough to find.  My understanding is that the new ownership group is going to keep everything in place for a while regardless.

[CharlieMopps]

Wow, totally missed this topic. If the OP hasn't bought a car yet, my suggestion is a Jeep Cherokee (not a grand Cherokee)

You can get them fairly cheap, they are easy to work on, and have great 4WD.

[Abagadro]

Went and drove the S80 today. Liked it but the owner of the dealership had a big picture of Ronald Reagan on his office wall so now I'm having a dilemma. 

[NowhereMan]

If you really like the car and it's a very good deal being offered, assume the picture's ironic and don't ask about it.

[Righ]

A well appointed T6 (executive, climate, technology and multimedia packages) on the floor and discounted is probably worth ignoring the Reagan portrait for.

[Abagadro]

I went ahead and bought it.  I'm a tolerant guy.

It's a fairy loaded V8 version.  I pick it up this afternoon.

[Signe]

It's nice to see people buying cars and not giant SUVs again.  Most people I know seem to be going in that direction again, thankfully.  Not around here, though.  Oh well.  Good luck with the new cars!  If I were there, I'd throw money in them to insure your safety!

[Nebu]

I went ahead and bought it.  I'm a tolerant guy.

It's a fairy loaded V8 version.  I pick it up this afternoon.

Nice choice.  Did some reading on the turbo 6 vs the v8 and it seems the 8 is the way to go both in terms of smoothness as well as the 0-60.  Should come in handy with AWD in the mountain passes near you. 

[Abagadro]

My new baby:

[KallDrexx]

Apparently later this year Ford will be releasing a whole framework for Android and BB app developers to add voice commands into their apps.  It will be released with support out of the box for Pandora and a few other apps  

Unfortunately, they only mention it will be a downloadable update for Fiesta, though I'm hoping that's just for advertising and it can be installed on any recently purchased sync car :(

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sync-applink-to-launch-on-2011-fiesta-making-ford-first-to-deliver-voice-control-of-smartphone-apps-91569534.html


P.s. Nice car Abagadro :D

[jakonovski]

I'm plenty happy with my Nuova Cinquecento, but if they ever release this, I'm changing cars.

[Murgos]

Just test drove a new GTI (w DSG).  Soooo nice. 

[Nebu]

Just test drove a new GTI (w DSG).  Soooo nice. 

Don't get me started.  I have a 2004 and want a new one badly!

[Murgos]

It drives an easy 10 grand higher than it's price tag.

Go test drive one, it don't cost nuttin.

[Nebu]

Go test drive one, it don't cost nuttin.

If I do, I'll buy it.  That's the problem. 

It's 30 HP more than my 2004 and a slightly wider stance.  I've wanted one since the 2010 models hit the floor.  Damnit, I may need to call my insurance agent!

[jakonovski]

I can't wait until there's a performance version of this. Even though I can't really afford that shit for many years.

[Ghambit]

I'm late to this thread but if you're looking for the best buy in an AWD vehicle you pretty much cant beat a used Audi Quattro if it's well maintained (popular car in Minnesota).  Focus on dealer leasebacks that make it to auction and pay cash.  Dont worry about the miles uless it's over 100k - typically those German engines will go 250k+ miles before any major maintenance.  Try to go manual transmission if possible.

I bought a like new '01 A6 2.7T for like $12,000 (in 2005 - strong market).  Right now, you could probably get the same car for nearly half that.  Brand new it was nearly a $60,000 car after taxes.
The rule of thumb for these luxury cars is never to buy new since the price break is much higher than any maintenance you'd do on the car, unless you're a sucker. Especially in this market.  And dont forget the cost of fully insuring them since they've got a lien. (assuming you take out a loan)  Buying used with cash saves a helluva lot there also.

If you have maintenance, use the secondary market and not the dealer.  Buy your parts online and take them to a local German import tech.

My first car when I was 16 was a Saab 900.  Similar to Volvo.  Bulletproof, solid, big 4-banger with a turbo.  Also used.  Paid $400 for it and never had any issues really.

I would not recommend this route for your midline domestic cars though.  The quality isnt there, especially after years of use.  Just buy new in that case and throw away after 5 years.

[NiX]

Buying a used car soon, need some suggestions for a good car that won't hurt me on insurance (coupes, Type R/S)

[Viin]

Ford Taurus?

[NiX]

Ford Taurus?

There is no emoticon to describe me distaste. Preferably something from the last 5 years and with some semblance of nice design.

[Selby]

4 door Honda or Toyota.  Won't kill insurance and will likely be decently reliable.  Bland, but the less bland you get the more likely you are to get insurance and cost issues.

[Jimbo]

What about a Honda Civic Si ?  They are the 2 door platform with manual transmission and built for fun/performance.

[MisterNoisy]

Buying a used car soon, need some suggestions for a good car that won't hurt me on insurance (coupes, Type R/S)

It depends on the price range you're shopping in, but if you're just looking for something that's super-cheap on insurance, think about the kinds of cars that older people that don't have a shitton of money would drive - reliable, fairly boring, no sporting pretensions whatsoever and generally FWD 4-cyl 4-doors.

Low end:  Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic LX/EX 4-door, Mazda 3 sedan

Midrange:  Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu (though I'd avoid any pre-2008 Malibus on styling alone)

Near-luxury:  Lexus ES, any number of Acura sedans

[Ghambit]

Ford Taurus?

There is no emoticon to describe me distaste. Preferably something from the last 5 years and with some semblance of nice design.

You kinda forgot to say how much you want to spend.

[NiX]

$15k (CDN) is my max. Might as well take the hit on a new car beyond that point.

[Ghambit]

$15k (CDN) is my max. Might as well take the hit on a new car beyond that point.

Audi A4/S4 (2000+), manual tranny, non-quattro.  Find one pre-tuned. (chip, blow-off valve, exhaust maybe, etc.)
Porsche C2 (993?) coupe (from the 90's), normal aspiration, port, polish + chip, manual tranny.  Find one with a good prior enthusiast owner.  180mph, low maintenance, plenty of parts and support.
Mercedes CLK 320 coupe. (any year)  Auto-tranny.

Again, find a lease buyback auction car or sale by owner.  Pay cash or find a good financier ahead of time, then lay down a deposit pending finance.
For 15k you can get a nice used, well maintained luxury coupe and forgo the rice-burners or ameritrash.  You just gotta put in the legwork to find them.  You might even be able to find something around 5 yrs. old, but it'll HAVE to have ran out its warranty usually.

[NiX]

I should have been more clear. I'm trying to avoid luxury, coupe, Type R/S or GT brands. I just want a point A to B that won't inflate my insurance or gas costs.

[Ghambit]

I should have been more clear. I'm trying to avoid luxury, coupe, Type R/S or GT brands. I just want a point A to B that won't inflate my insurance or gas costs.

Ahhh!  AVOIDING luxury, coupe, r/s, etc.
Well tbh, luxury has little to do with insurance.  Matter of fact, if you count safety, usually they're cheaper.  Just set the replacement value to what you paid for it and try not to have a lien on the car.  If you're talking a sporty-type car, that's different obviously (hp and top speed will bork your insurance), but the same rules still apply.

I still recommend the A4/S4 then.  A6 even, like I said in prior posts.  15k gets you a lot.  Hell, you could probably find an A8 for that money right now.
The CLK 320 btw isnt that sporty of a car.  It's a large coupe.

For 15k why buy crap?  Get yourself something nice that you'll be happy with for at least 5 years.

[Righ]

Well tbh, luxury has little to do with insurance.

Not true - desirable cars are stolen more, rates go up. If parts or service costs are higher, rates go up. If you want cheap insurance you want a low-desirability vehicle such as an economy car or a minivan. Estate/station wagons are good, SUVs are bad. Cars that are driven by people who focus on fuel economy and/or safety are cheaper to insure than those driven by people who want to show off or have fun.

[MisterNoisy]

Audi A4/S4 (2000+), manual tranny, non-quattro.  Find one pre-tuned. (chip, blow-off valve, exhaust maybe, etc.)
Porsche C2 (993?) coupe (from the 90's), normal aspiration, port, polish + chip, manual tranny.  Find one with a good prior enthusiast owner.  180mph, low maintenance, plenty of parts and support.
Mercedes CLK 320 coupe. (any year)  Auto-tranny.

Again, find a lease buyback auction car or sale by owner.  Pay cash or find a good financier ahead of time, then lay down a deposit pending finance.
For 15k you can get a nice used, well maintained luxury coupe and forgo the rice-burners or ameritrash.  You just gotta put in the legwork to find them.  You might even be able to find something around 5 yrs. old, but it'll HAVE to have ran out its warranty usually.

This post reminded me of this.