Looking for a car- which would you go for?

[tedski]

My $0.02 ...

1. No car lasts forever.

2. If it's running fine, why are you looking to get rid of it?
Not enough room?
Not enough bling?
Just want something different?

3. Running good or not, you will likely get very little trade-in value on a 12 yr old Saturn. If you really want to get something different, sell your car yourself and then use the cash toward the next car.

4. Go for something newer and with less miles. Shoot for the 2004-2006 range and 60K miles or less ... maybe a lease return. Also consider buying from one of the major rental companies (Hertz, Avis, etc all sell inventory on a regular basis to bring in new models).

5. Take MPG into consideration as gas prices may never go much lower than they are now.

6. Check out Edmunds.com and Consumer Reports on quality and reliability ratings.

 

[Trumpetchris]

Good point about the trade in value. I looked at kelly- about 1500 trade in value with the accessories/condition of my car.

I'll hopefully have a "real job" in the fall, as my doctorate is nearly complete- so I'd have some more money. I just happened upon those three cars and all were from $8500-9500 and look fantastic. I have about 2000 for a down payment, so the finance was going to have payments under 200 bucks for 36 months.

My plan all along was to run this car into the ground, but was wondering what others tend to do. Looks like the Saturn will go till it has more than a $1000 repair on it.

Thanks for the advice. I can't wait to be out of grad school.

 

[njsarge]

I had a 97 saturn sl2 that I put 180k on and now I am driving my wife's old 98saturn with 156k. You can get more mileage out of that car. I am planning to go with a 4 cyl toyota camry or honda accord with 20k-30k when my saturn kicks the bucket. You can find these at dealers, one owner off lease, there are quite a few around. The camry is basically the same car as the es300, just without the luxury. I don't know much about mercedes but they are hardly ever in consumer reports recommended vehicles. Most mechanics in my area will not work on these cars which will require you to go the dealer.

 

[TBone]

flip a coin because all those cars w/that mileage is going to cost you big money in the end.

 

[cvm4]

I'd go with less car and less miles. But the cheap bastard in me would drive the Saturn until something very expensive broke.

 

[CWS]

The MBZ is beyond prime. All electronics that will break and cost bucks. Lexus.

 

[jmatkins]

if the saturn is paid off, drive it for another 2 years,,, then buy a new car! or not.... might want to think about fuel economy too!!

Yep, drive it into the ground, and save the monthly payments for the next car.