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What new car to buy (for me) [message #248947] Fri, 09 March 2007 12:39 Go to previous message
Blazer is currently offline  Blazer
Messages: 3322
Registered: February 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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As the subject says, I'm looking for feedback on what car *I* should buy, for myself. This means you shouldn't reply with "OMG0rz get a Ferrarri!" Smile Of course only I really know what I want and won't make my decision based purely on your input, but until I buy one, I might as well have fun over-analyzing which car I should get, and you guys can help!

Before I go on, heres a quick rundown of the car I'm driving now:
* 1995 Mustang GT, w/ a few thousand $ worth of racing mods.
* Been driving this car since 2000.
*- It rides rough as hell (suspension was reworked for auto-cross).
*+ It has lots of torque and "feels" fast.
* It has a 15lb nitrous-oxide bottle in the trunk, and if used provides an extra 150+ hp (I only use this when drag racing...have not filled the bottle since I moved to Az).
*+ It has a very nice stereo system, worth around $3,000. Includes a trio of JL 10w6 subs in the trunk.
*+ Whenever I am a a gas station filling up, usually whoever is nearby will say "hey, nice car".
*- Due to being tuned for N2O usage, I have to use premium fuel. It costs me almost $40 to fill my tank.
*+ It has been paid off for several years, and my insurance is very cheap.
*- I recently had to get my tires replaced, and they are quite expensive, as they are size 275-40 Z17. Fortunately, they last a long time (assuming I don't spin out too often).

Note in the list above, "*+" means its a feaure that I like, "*-" means a feature that I didn't like. So taking only those into account, it appears that what I like in a car is:
* Power. Itdoesn't have to be tire-burning, race-winning power, but needs to at least feel fast, and be able to pass someone with ease.
* Looks/Style. While I do get compliments on my current car, it's mostly the fact that *I* like the way it looks.
* Gadgets. I love my current stereo that can blow dry your hair. A new car won't have that, but I would probably at least spring for the upgraded stereo, plus I'd like to have a nav system because I'm a n00b and don't know how to get to most places, and well I just plain like gadgets Smile

Note that things like "fuel economy", "resale value", "cargo capacity" are not in the list. While I do care about the environment, I figure that just upgrading to a new car will be a huge improvement over the gas-guzzling stang, so I don't feel compelled to buy some econo-box and throw everything else I like about a car out the window, just to save a few bucks filling up, or to contribute less to pollution. I don't really car what it's resale value is, or its "utility rating". I want something fun to drive, for ME. If I wanted a vehicle that was an investment, I would buy a Rolls, if I wanted something with Utility in mind, I would get a big fat truck with a bumper sticker that says "Yes, I WILL help you move your furniture!".

So, with all that said and done, here are some criteria for my new car:
* Max price around $30,000
* Sporty. Decent amount of power (which means no base models).
* Gadets. GPS/NAV would be nice, also bluetooth (so can use handsfree cell while driving).
* Looks. I like cars that are muscular and/or sporty looking. There are and have been plenty of cars that had all the above options, but look like total ass. For example, the Taurus SHO.

Now, on to the prospects.

2008 Dodge Avenger R/T
http://www.dodge.com/shared/2008/avenger/gallery/images/08_ext_avenger_phtgal_07.jpg

Price with options: $29,930

Quick stats:
* 235-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine
* All Wheel Drive
* Six-speed AutoStick® Transmission
* 18-inch chrome alloy wheels
* Automatic temperature control
* Steering wheel mounted audio controls
* Pearl paint
* ~26 MPG

Gadgets:
---
MyGIG™, an entertainment and navigation audio system with a 6.5-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Display with a touch-screen panel that can support 65,000 colors. The MyGIG system follows voice-activated commands and includes:
* AM/FM Radio With 6 Boston Acoustic(R) Speakers
* CD/CDR/RW/DVD/VCD playback
* A 20 gigabyte hard disc drive that includes Music Juke Box for organizing music and pictures on the hard drive
* USB based MP3 connectivity for putting WMA, MP3 and JPEG files onto the hard drive
* Gracenote® database on the hard drive, for song identification, including composer, artist and title
* Playlist creation
* Voice memo recording, using the microphone integrated into the rearview mirror
* Radio screen, which can display movies (when vehicle is not in motion)
* SIRIUS Satellite Radio
* UConnect® Hands-free Communication System (Bluetooth)
* Rear Seat Video System
---
* Heated seats
* Chill Zone™—a storage compartment in the top of the instrument panel that holds up to four standing 12 oz. beverage cans, cooled by the proximity of an air conditioning vent (when the air is on)
* A heated/cooled front cupholder that keeps cold beverages cool and hot beverages warm. The system heats to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or cools to 35 degrees Fahrenheit
* Power sunroof
* 8-way power drivers seat
* Passenger seat can fold down flat, just in case you need to carry something long that extends from the trunk. passenger seat also has a laptop holder.

2007 Volkswagon GTI
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/11232004111941.jpg

Price with options: $31,805
Quick Stats:

200HP Turbo 2.0L engine
Fuel Economy Highway: 32mpg
Recommended fuel : premium unleaded Sad
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic w/DSG & Tiptronic®

Gadgets:
* AM/FM Sound System w/Navigation/Ipod Adpt.
* 6-disc CD changer in-dash mounted, MP3 format readable, 10 speakers
* Outside temperature display
Recommended fuel : premium unleaded
6 speed manual transmission with overdrive

2007 Ford Mustang GT "Premium"
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/Ford/2007.ford.mustang.20091307-E.jpg

Price w/Options: $33,130 (would be <$30k if nav system and upgraded audio dropped)

Quick Stats:
* 300HP 4.6L V8
* 5-Speed automatic transmission
* 18" Polished Alumninum wheels
* 6-way power adjustable seats

Gadgets:
* Touch-screen NAV system
* Remote start
* Bluetooth
* Shaker 1000 Audio system, 6x in-dash CD/MP3, 10 speakers
* The industry-first, color-configurable instrument panel offers the ultimate in personalization. Mustang owners can mix and match lighting at the touch of a button to create more than 125 color backgrounds to suit their personalities, moods, outfits or whims.

Other cars under $30,000
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/new-cars-under-30000.htm
Ah hell, I just found the link above, which sure beats finding models by hand. Ah well I'm not wasting the info I already found. Bear in mind that those prices are usually on the "base" model, so if it says its 29,000, thats probably with only the few standard options it has.

[Updated on: Tue, 31 July 2007 00:53]

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