Looking into buying/leasing a car

[Boobie Miles]

Never owned a car even remotely close to new, so looking for some advice. First, lease or buy? And second, save me some time looking all this stuff up on my own and give me some suggestions on what type of cars are good bang for your buck (sarcastic suggestions are welcomed as long as they're funny)...I'm sure there are pros and cons based on your situation so let me explain mine: Won't put a ton of miles on the car going to work or to cover events, but am on the highway enough to put some miles on it. I'm just starting out in the business (read: I'm broke). I'm not necessarily looking for a brand new car or the flashiest thing, but I just want something more reliable than my current ****box. Most likely looking into a 4-door sedan. Any help, much appreciated.

 

[OTD]

We've had similar discussions before, but here's my take:

1. Don't lease, unless you have a business deal where you get a car allowance. Leasing is an expensive way to drive a car (you're just paying the interest, and get nothing out of it when it's done.)

2. Most reliable cars out there are Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics. If you can find one a couple years old with low mileage, buy it. Those suckers will last 200,000 miles easy.

 

[kokane_muthashed]

Can't go wrong with Honda. I know a lot of people that have/had them and haven't heard a bad word spoken about them.

 

[Garner]

1) Do not buy a 1976 Chrysler station wagon. A buddy of mine (lets call him Jim) had a beige one in high school, affectionately termed the "Lesbian Seagull." He even put a PA system under the hood so we could yell at people without rolling the windows down. We passed an elementary school one day and Jim started encouraging the children to drop out of school and become sandwich artists. Kids started spitting on the car and chasing after us. It was kinda scary, since the thing had a top speed of 24 mph. Once we were heading to lunch with 8 guys packed into that thing and a bee flew into the backseat. One of the guys freaked out, jumped out of the car and kicked a large foot-shaped dent in the rear panel that probably remains to this day.

2) Go with a Honda Civic. It's great on gas, you'll never have a problem with it, and the thing will run forever. Plus, it doesn't scream white trash or 16-year-old girl (unless you put a pink Roxy sticker in the rear window). When I told a buddy of mine I could fill the tank for $20 he looked at me like I had three nipples... on my face.

 

[Idaho]

Hi, Jim.

 

[Garner]

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go solve another Rockford Files mystery.

 

[OTD]

1) Do not buy a 1976 Chrysler station wagon. A buddy of mine (lets call him Jim) had a beige one in high school, affectionately termed the "Lesbian Seagull." He even put a PA system under the hood so we could yell at people without rolling the windows down. We passed an elementary school one day and Jim started encouraging the children to drop out of school and become sandwich artists. Kids started spitting on the car and chasing after us. It was kinda scary, since the thing had a top speed of 24 mph. Once we were heading to lunch with 8 guys packed into that thing and a bee flew into the backseat. One of the guys freaked out, jumped out of the car and kicked a large foot-shaped dent in the rear panel that probably remains to this day.

A '76 Chrysler? What happened to the Firebird? Ah, Jimmy did you have another accident. Why don't I get you a nice truck-driving job?

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Hondas RULE. I shall never buy another brand.

 

[Garner]

1) Do not buy a 1976 Chrysler station wagon. A buddy of mine (lets call him Jim) had a beige one in high school, affectionately termed the "Lesbian Seagull." He even put a PA system under the hood so we could yell at people without rolling the windows down. We passed an elementary school one day and Jim started encouraging the children to drop out of school and become sandwich artists. Kids started spitting on the car and chasing after us. It was kinda scary, since the thing had a top speed of 24 mph. Once we were heading to lunch with 8 guys packed into that thing and a bee flew into the backseat. One of the guys freaked out, jumped out of the car and kicked a large foot-shaped dent in the rear panel that probably remains to this day.

A '76 Chrysler? What happened to the Firebird? Ah, Jimmy did you have another accident. Why don't I get you a nice truck-driving job?

hahaha My grandfather drove a truck for 40 years and his lower-lumbar support was terrible. Plus, I think it contributed to his sleep apnea, which led to his awful snoring, which kept the neighbors across the street awake all the time. That probably explains why he could never grow a decent garden.

 

[HejiraHenry]

Why would a "broke" person even consider buying a new car?

Get the Consumer Reports 2007 Buyers Guide and look at best used car values for whatever amount of money you're willing to spend. Then do it, mon.

 

[Gomer]

I got a Mazda3 sport after my 1993 323 finally started to kick the bucket after 300,000 km (200,000 miles, I think).

Love Mazda. Love Honda. Love Toyota.

Hmm, there's a trend here but I can't quite put my finger on it.

 

[OTD]

Why would a "broke" person even consider buying a new car?

Get the Consumer Reports 2007 Buyers Guide and look at best used car values for whatever amount of money you're willing to spend. Then do it, mon.

It might be that his current "****box" isn't reliable enough to use for reporting.

 

[Garner]

Why would a "broke" person even consider buying a new car?

Get the Consumer Reports 2007 Buyers Guide and look at best used car values for whatever amount of money you're willing to spend. Then do it, mon.

It might be that his current "****box" isn't reliable enough to use for reporting.

Bahahaaha That's why they pay OTD the big bucks, in-depth reporting like that.

 

[imjustagirl2]

I drive a Sentra now. I like it OK, though it's not what I would have picked out for myself. Solid car though, enough so that I went 19 months without changing the oil and it's shown no ill effects.

 

[Gomer]

I'm sure Hyundai and Mitsubishi are good too.

Does Nintendo make cars? Get one of those if they do.

 

[OTD]

I got a Mazda3 sport after my 1993 323 finally started to kick the bucket after 300,000 km (200,000 miles, I think).

Love Mazda. Love Honda. Love Toyota.

Hmm, there's a trend here but I can't quite put my finger on it.

You forgot Nissan (my first car was a Sentra.) My vehicle now is a Toyota Tacoma.

Our trends seem to have a vague correlation. :D

I've got a Nissan now and love it. 110,000 miles in 4 years and very few problems.

Again, that strange correlation. Hmmmm.

 

[AreaMan]

I drive a Honda Civic and it's the best car I've ever had by far.

True story: A few years ago I took my Civic in for an oil change at some Podunk auto shop and the mechanic starts laughing when I tell him the make of my car. At first I thought he was one of those goofy hicks that hate foreign cars, but it turns out that he was remembering a Civic owner from years past who brought in his Civic almost 100 miles after the red oil light came on. The owner of that Civic was freaking out that he ruined his engine and the mechanic said that not only was the engine not harmed in any way, but that it probably could have gone on another 100 miles or so easily.

He says for the money, they are by far the best car you can buy.

 

[BYH]

I drive a Sentra now. I like it OK, though it's not what I would have picked out for myself. Solid car though, enough so that I went 19 months without changing the oil and it's shown no ill effects.

You have got to be making that up.

And something tells me you'll pay for that eventually. It's like a guy with festering sores who swims in a river filled with radioactive waste. Sure, the subsequent physical might reveal he's OK. But life is gonna be a ***** later.

As for cars, Pontiacs are just about indestructible. Alas, they are also now pretty much luxury cars. So forget that.

 

[Ace]

I agree with a used Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla. Should be able to get lots of miles on them.

 

[lono]

Nah, you want a 1997 Dodge Neon or Pontiac Sunfire, with a combination CD/feather/roach clip hanging from the rear-view mirror, one missing hubcap and a Clay Aiken bumper sticker.

Pure ***** wagon bliss. :-X