New Car for girlfriend time

[565]

Why don't you ask her what she wants?

Win.

My girlfriend is looking for a car.  I spent all this time suggesting stuff and looking for cars for her, but it seems like she's gonna get some shitty CRV because her dad knows someone that's selling one.  Talk about wasted time.

[Submariner]

Why don't you ask her what she wants?

Safe, relatively good on gas...that's about it.  She is leaving the decision up to me.

[ifcar]

Safe, relatively good on gas...that's about it.  She is leaving the decision up to me.

Which makes sense, as you're likely to have a better idea about cars than she is.

What's important is that you don't abuse her trust to tell her to get your preferred car over the sort of car you think she's looking for, based on her extended Camry experience and straightforward criteria.

[Submariner]

Which makes sense, as you're likely to have a better idea about cars than she is.

What's important is that you don't abuse her trust to tell her to get your preferred car over the sort of car you think she's looking for, based on her extended Camry experience and straightforward criteria.

I told you, I already tried that with a late 90's XJR 

I've always secretly wanted a WRX wagon, and actually, I can see it being a good car for her.  Instead, I found an even cheaper 9-2X

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2005-SAAB-9-2X-2-5-LINEAR-AERO-BEAUTY-1-OWNER-WARRANTY_W0QQitemZ160285004280QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160285004280&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Safe, reliable?  I know it's fun to drive and fairly roomy, but I need it fitting her criteria as well.

[ifcar]

I told you, I already tried that with a late 90's XJR 

I've always secretly wanted a WRX wagon, and actually, I can see it being a good car for her.  Instead, I found an even cheaper 9-2X

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2005-SAAB-9-2X-2-5-LINEAR-AERO-BEAUTY-1-OWNER-WARRANTY_W0QQitemZ160285004280QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160285004280&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Safe, reliable?  I know it's fun to drive and fairly roomy, but I need it fitting her criteria as well.

Are you looking for a car that you like that also happens to meet her criteria, or the best car by her criteria?

You can find newer, more fuel-efficient, and significantly roomier (for passengers at least; the Impreza has a tiny rear seat but of course a wagon will have plenty of cargo space) cars. And newer/lower mileage is an important part of reliability.

That 9-2X certainly isn't a bad choice though, if you're close enough to check it out easily.

[Submariner]

Are you looking for a car that you like that also happens to meet her criteria, or the best car by her criteria?

You can find newer, more fuel-efficient, and significantly roomier (for passengers at least; the Impreza has a tiny rear seat but of course a wagon will have plenty of cargo space) cars. And newer/lower mileage is an important part of reliability.

That 9-2X certainly isn't a bad choice though, if you're close enough to check it out easily.

10k price cap.

[ifcar]

10k price cap.

Yeah...

[2o6]

10k price cap.

Used Yaris? Used Corolla? Not the most fun, but great female oriented fuel-efficent cars. Possibly a Scion xB or xA if she's "trendy".

[Submariner]

Used Yaris? Used Corolla? Not the most fun, but great female oriented fuel-efficent cars. Possibly a Scion xB or xA if she's "trendy".

I'll dump her before I see her in a Yaris, sorry.  As for Scions...I can't say i've given them enough attention.  The Xb is (IMO) the stupidest car on the market today, but its efficent and roomy, so I may have to bite the bullet on that one.

I'm choosing for her, so I get to have a little leeway 

AWD is becoming more and more "necessary" to her than it was originally.

[ifcar]

If AWD is necessary, the Impreza/9-2X or Forester may be your best choice. They're not particularly inexpensive or fuel-efficient, but they're more so than most AWD alternatives.

[Submariner]

If AWD is necessary, the Impreza/9-2X or Forester may be your best choice. They're not particularly inexpensive or fuel-efficient, but they're more so than most AWD alternatives.

I found a 60k example going for 9.900.  Granted, I have no idea what condition the motor, suspension, etc is in (the pictures of the car look great) but I minus well give it a look.

How are they, safety wise?

[ifcar]

I found a 60k example going for 9.900.  Granted, I have no idea what condition the motor, suspension, etc is in (the pictures of the car look great) but I minus well give it a look.

How are they, safety wise?

Three/four years old with 60,000 miles isn't particularly inexpensive for an economy car when you can pick up a brand new Elantra for under $11k.

But the Subarus have top crash test scores and decent available safety equipment, and the required AWD.

[Madman]

The only three letters you need to know:  GTI

You can get a perfect 2002-03 MK IV model for around $10K.




Cheers,
Madman of the People

[nickdrinkwater]

Win.

My girlfriend is looking for a car.  I spent all this time suggesting stuff and looking for cars for her, but it seems like she's gonna get some shitty CRV because her dad knows someone that's selling one.  Talk about wasted time.

Tell her a CRX is the same thing and persuade her to get one of those

[dazzleman]

Zach, is your priority to get the newest car possible within that price range, or are youy willing to go older for a higher end car?

If it's the latter, I suggest a Volvo.  I have friends with a super old Volvo.  They've gotten far more out of that car than they've deserved given what they paid for it and how they've treated it.

[2o6]

Zach, is your priority to get the newest car possible within that price range, or are youy willing to go older for a higher end car?

If it's the latter, I suggest a Volvo.  I have friends with a super old Volvo.  They've gotten far more out of that car than they've deserved given what they paid for it and how they've treated it.

If I'm spending 10K on a car, I'm not going to be looking at an old Boxy Volvo 240 or 940.


If anything, get a S40, but the 2nd gen is the only desirable car, the 1st gens are horrible.

[CJ]

Have her get an S90/960!  Good examples can be found for under $6000. 


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/xtra-clean-service-records-warranty-i31_W0QQitemZ270275936402QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6458QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WAGON-LOADED-SERVICED-SUPER-CLEAN-MANTAINENCE-RECORDS_W0QQitemZ260290395736QQihZ016QQcategoryZ6458QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[68_427]

Where do you live??  I live in Western NY(Rochester, represent!) where you said she takes trip to occasionally and year after year we get less and less snow so RWD might not be an issue.

[Madman]

If I'm spending 10K on a car, I'm not going to be looking at an old Boxy Volvo 240 or 940.


If anything, get a S40, but the 2nd gen is the only desirable car, the 1st gens are horrible.

Horrible?  Really?  And you know this how, exactly?  I've driven plenty of 2000-04 S40/V40 cars and believe me they are far from horrible!

They may have been a bit overpriced when new, but today they are a very good bargain.  The light-pressure turbocharged 1.9 litre is a torquey little motor and the five speed auto (2001 and later) is the same as on larger Volvos.

$10K will get you a very nice example like this 2002 S40:



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=251872638&dealer_id=342967&car_year=2002&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=VOLVO&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=37221&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=13

That is NOT horrible!  In fact, it's quite good.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[2o6]

Horrible?  Really?  And you know this how, exactly?  I've driven plenty of 2000-04 S40/V40 cars and believe me they are far from horrible!

They may have been a bit overpriced when new, but today they are a very good bargain.  The light-pressure turbocharged 1.9 litre is a torquey little motor and the five speed auto (2001 and later) is the same as on larger Volvos.

$10K will get you a very nice example like this 2002 S40:



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=251872638&dealer_id=342967&car_year=2002&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=VOLVO&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=37221&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=13

That is NOT horrible!  In fact, it's quite good.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

\


He's trying to get an MT-Shift. It's auto only. Auto only and IMO was really boring........I'd rather have a 3-series or even a C-class of the same era.

[Submariner]

How about this?



60k, $9500.  I have seen various AWD models going for a similar price, just none on ebay.

[ifcar]

For maximum reliability, you want something newer and less complex. Recent Volvos are not known for the run-into-the-ground longevity of the RWD bricks of old.

[68_427]

How about something like this??  I'm sure you can find one near you that is a little cheaper.

V6, 5 speed, wagon.

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mazda-mazda6-cars136500577

[Submariner]

or...



40k for around 11.5 thousand.  I figure I could haggle something like that down a bit.

[Submariner]

How about something like this??  I'm sure you can find one near you that is a little cheaper.

V6, 5 speed, wagon.

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mazda-mazda6-cars136500577

I never thought of a Mazda 6...hmmmmmm.  The only drawback is no AWD, so Im not sure if I could get her into one, but an excellent idea non the less.

[Submariner]

For maximum reliability, you want something newer and less complex. Recent Volvos are not known for the run-into-the-ground longevity of the RWD bricks of old.

She would never go for one though.

[68_427]

Holy crap, are W8's that cheap??  I may be looking at my first car...  And does she really need AWD??  I can't see a FWD car that size being much worse at all in the winter.

[ifcar]

She would never go for one though.

Oh, I'm certainly not recommending one of those either. She has very simple criteria, which call for a simple like-new car. Not an older luxury car.

[Submariner]

Holy crap, are W8's that cheap??  I may be looking at my first car...  And does she really need AWD??  I can't see a FWD car that size being much worse at all in the winter.

Does she need it?  Probably not.  Is it ingrained in her head that she does?  Yes.

[68_427]

Don't worry I understand, since my mom bought her Outback she is the same way.