New Car Suggestions? - Page 5

penchief · 10-06-2007, 03:32 PM

I totaled my Honda Civic last night and need to buy a new car. Because I planned on driving my civic until it died I really don't know what's out there. I'm just now starting my research in earnest but I welcome any advice, knowledge, or experiences.

I'm looking for something inexpensive, reliable, and gets great gas mileage. I really thought that if I made my Civic last another five years that the car market would be a lot friendlier to those terms in the future but I'm stuck looking now.

**Easy 6** · 10-06-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

How many models are actually made in America??

Thats a bit of a different story, there are still a LOT of plants here in the U.S....but its true that many are made either in Canada or Mexico.

Atleast their American owned.

penchief · 10-06-2007, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckinKaeding

I got a 2000 Honda Civic too...

Did you not have insurance?

Yeah, but when I hit a deer back in the spring, they almost wanted to total it out then. I'll probably look into how much it will raise my insurance but if it is too much I'll just let it go. My problem is that I'm an avid driver. Country drives are kind of a sanctuary for me. Even though it was a 2000 I had over 170,000 miles on it. Sad part is that it still ran like the day it was new.

Deberg_1990 · 10-06-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

Even though it was a 2000 I had over 170,000 miles on it. Sad part is that it still ran like the day it was new.

I have a 2000 Accord EX with 84,000 miles on it. Runs like i bought it yesterday. Great car.

**alnorth** · 10-06-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

Yeah, but when I hit a deer back in the spring, they almost wanted to total it out then. I'll probably look into how much it will raise my insurance but if it is too much I'll just let it go. My problem is that I'm an avid driver. Country drives are kind of a sanctuary for me. Even though it was a 2000 I had over 170,000 miles on it. Sad part is that it still ran like the day it was new.

An at-fault accident lasts for 3 years. When you get the $ increase from your agent, then (assuming you have 6-month policies) take the increase, multiply it by 6, and compare to the middle blue book value minus deductible. If the 3 year increase is larger, open up your check book. If not, submit the claim and pay the rate increase.

penchief · 10-06-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

An at-fault accident lasts for 3 years. When you get the $ increase from your agent, then (assuming you have 6-month policies) take the increase, multiply it by 6, and compare to the middle blue book value minus deductible. If the 3 year increase is larger, open up your check book. If not, submit the claim and pay the rate increase.

Thanks. That's the kind of advice that will come in very useful.

**alnorth** · 10-06-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

Thanks. That's the kind of advice that will come in very useful.

I should probably clarify that 3 years is not written in stone. If an insurance company can convince the Missouri Dept. of Insurance (or whatever state you live in) to let them surcharge for 5 years, only 2 years, or whatever, then they can do whatever the state will allow. However, as a general rule of thumb most companies drop accident surcharges after 3 years. Ask your agent how long an at-fault accident would hurt your rate.

penchief · 10-06-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I should probably clarify that 3 years is not written in stone. If an insurance company can convince the Missouri Dept. of Insurance (or whatever state you live in) to let them surcharge for 5 years, only 2 years, or whatever, then they can do whatever the state will allow. However, as a general rule of thumb most companies drop accident surcharges after 3 years. Ask your agent how long an at-fault accident would hurt your rate.

Again, thanks.

recxjake · 10-06-2007, 08:17 PM

Saturn Aura Hybrid-

Great value, and great looking IMO

Built in Kansas.

http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/aura/overview.jsp

I can get you a GM supplier discount if you want too.

penchief · 10-06-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recxjake

Saturn Aura Hybrid-

Great value, and great looking IMO

Built in Kansas.

http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/aura/overview.jsp

I can get you a GM supplier discount if you want too.

Damn, that's nice of you. Let me do some research. I might take you up on that if I like what I find.

Deberg_1990 · 10-06-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recxjake

Saturn Aura Hybrid-

For a GM, thats not a bad looking vehicle...

Silock · 10-06-2007, 08:24 PM

Why not get another Civic? The new ones are great, especially the new Si.

It's got the same engine as the one I have in my car, and I get over 325 miles to the tank.

I own 3 GMs. I'll never buy another one. Resale value that drops like a rock and the reliability of marrying a porn star.

C-Mac · 10-06-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penchief

2000. Let me know now because I'm going back to the wreckers to clean out my car on Monday morning. I don't have a problem helping a brother out if I can.

Got any pics of the car as it sits?
I might just buy the whole thing from you if you want to sell it.

penchief · 10-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

Got any pics of the car as it sits?
I might just buy the whole thing from you if you want to sell it.

I can take one first thing Monday morning when the wrecker place opens up.

penchief · 10-06-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Why not get another Civic? The new ones are great, especially the new Si.

It's got the same engine as the one I have in my car, and I get over 325 miles to the tank.

I own 3 GMs. I'll never buy another one. Resale value that drops like a rock and the reliability of marrying a porn star.

My happiness with this Civic puts it at the top of my list. By I'm a type-A personality and have no choice but to shop everything. Plus, change can be refreshing. If I go with another Honda I'm going to seriously consider the hybrid.

unlurking · 10-06-2007, 09:40 PM

Just looking, haven't read the thread yet, but thought I would give my totally drunken opinion (glad Firefox has a built in spell check now).

I bought a 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara for $17,000 brand new. It is now 3 years and 3 months old. It has 119,000 miles on it. It gets 24 mpg highway (pretty much all I drive). The manufacturer recommended time between oil changes is 7500 miles, one helluva incentice. At 104,000 miles I replaced the clutch for $600 at a Suzuki dealership. It still drives the exact same way as when I took it off the lot.

I figure that over 200,000 miles (this thing is a rock, and I don't expect any more repairs before 200k), this car will have cost me 17,000 original, 600 clutch, 1400 oil changes (full synthetic); for a total of $19,000. That's $10.53 per mile + gas.

I don't know if that's good or bad, but I needed a 4 wheel drive vehicle to take me to work every day (135+ miles round trip), that was cheap.

Again, I'm not rating for or against other vehicles, just providing the experiences of my current vehicle for your review. While it has been a rock solid performer (got a free rental for the 2 days it was getting the clutch replaced), it is definitely a "cheap" vehicle. It will easily do 200,000 miles from what I can tell so far, and will be by far, the cheapest per mile vehicle I have ever owned.

DISCLAIMER: The new GV is the old XL-7 unit (2.7 liter engine), which I assume is just as durable. The new XL-7 is made with a GM engine, and I have no idea its durability, but wouldn't test with my own $$$.

Conclusion: There is probably no other vehicle cheaper than the '03 GV that could have gotten me to and from work (130+ miles) every day in snow storms.

Would I buy again: Only if I expected to put 20k+ miles a year on it. Yes it is durable and a proven performer, but I do not plan on living 65+ miles from the office again.

10-06-2007, 03:32 PM
penchief MVP Join Date: Feb 2003 Casino cash: $6315286	New Car Suggestions? I totaled my Honda Civic last night and need to buy a new car. Because I planned on driving my civic until it died I really don't know what's out there. I'm just now starting my research in earnest but I welcome any advice, knowledge, or experiences. I'm looking for something inexpensive, reliable, and gets great gas mileage. I really thought that if I made my Civic last another five years that the car market would be a lot friendlier to those terms in the future but I'm stuck looking now.
Posts: 17,034

10-06-2007, 08:17 PM	#68
recxjake MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Saturn Aura Hybrid- Great value, and great looking IMO Built in Kansas. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/aura/overview.jsp I can get you a GM supplier discount if you want too. Attached Thumbnails
Posts: 5,133

10-06-2007, 08:24 PM	#71
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Why not get another Civic? The new ones are great, especially the new Si. It's got the same engine as the one I have in my car, and I get over 325 miles to the tank. I own 3 GMs. I'll never buy another one. Resale value that drops like a rock and the reliability of marrying a porn star.
Posts: 19,908

10-06-2007, 09:40 PM	#75
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	Just looking, haven't read the thread yet, but thought I would give my totally drunken opinion (glad Firefox has a built in spell check now). I bought a 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara for $17,000 brand new. It is now 3 years and 3 months old. It has 119,000 miles on it. It gets 24 mpg highway (pretty much all I drive). The manufacturer recommended time between oil changes is 7500 miles, one helluva incentice. At 104,000 miles I replaced the clutch for $600 at a Suzuki dealership. It still drives the exact same way as when I took it off the lot. I figure that over 200,000 miles (this thing is a rock, and I don't expect any more repairs before 200k), this car will have cost me 17,000 original, 600 clutch, 1400 oil changes (full synthetic); for a total of $19,000. That's $10.53 per mile + gas. I don't know if that's good or bad, but I needed a 4 wheel drive vehicle to take me to work every day (135+ miles round trip), that was cheap. Again, I'm not rating for or against other vehicles, just providing the experiences of my current vehicle for your review. While it has been a rock solid performer (got a free rental for the 2 days it was getting the clutch replaced), it is definitely a "cheap" vehicle. It will easily do 200,000 miles from what I can tell so far, and will be by far, the cheapest per mile vehicle I have ever owned. DISCLAIMER: The new GV is the old XL-7 unit (2.7 liter engine), which I assume is just as durable. The new XL-7 is made with a GM engine, and I have no idea its durability, but wouldn't test with my own $$$. Conclusion: There is probably no other vehicle cheaper than the '03 GV that could have gotten me to and from work (130+ miles) every day in snow storms. Would I buy again: Only if I expected to put 20k+ miles a year on it. Yes it is durable and a proven performer, but I do not plan on living 65+ miles from the office again.
Posts: 10,620