First Ever New Car Purchase

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan


If your comfortable working on older Accord's you could look around for a real nice manual 4th or 5th gen one, as I don't think there is a single measure of performance or comfort that any new ecomony car is better at... Maybe mileage by a bit but maybe not from what others have said. New econo cars have high centres of gravity teetering around on Mac struts and torsion beams that thump into every line on the road with their huge low profile tires.


Here is my 4th gen. 5 speed LX. It is supposed to do 21/26 when new. Interiors on these don't wear out, but the body style is VERY dated.

 

[GMFan]

Originally Posted By: nfs480
Originally Posted By: GMFan
I drove in my brother's girlfriend's Honda Fit Sport the other day. I walked away being glad I drive a Saturn....


Mind elaborating a little bit? What year was it (the older Fits I don't care for as much) because I found the 2011 to be really nice to drive, but maybe I missed something.


I'm sorry if I came off harsh. Luckily you seem to be an objective person with an open mind looking to hear opinions.

I think she has a 2008 or 2009...but it is definitely the 2nd generation (latest). It has around 20k miles on it I believe.

I found the ride to be punishing. We have lots of potholes here and it felt like the car was getting chewed up by the roads. It rattled worse than my 10 yr old Saturn. I think it is pretty bad that it also gets 33mpg for such a small car (my Saturn is rated for 40mpg).

IMHO, $20k for that car is asking a lot (if you pull the trigger on the loaded model)...and I believe that is mainly due to the fact that it is a Honda. I think a Mazda3 (if you can get over its hideous front grill) is a much much better deal. The quality is excellent on those for the money and the interior is night and day compared to the Fit. I think the previous Hyundai Elantras are much nicer too compared to the Fit.

You can find much better cars in my opinion that get that mileage (or close) in a compact/sedan that ride much better. I'd take the money and buy a 2-3 yr old used vehicle. My brother has a 2009 Honda Accord 5spd Coupe and I firmly believe that is Honda's best value/quality point. That car is night and day compared to the Fit and we have gotten 33mpg on interstate trips with two passengers and blasting AC. It is amazing what an extra $6k will do for you (new) but you could probably get a slightly used one in your price range.

You have to ask yourself if you want to buy new or buy slightly used and get a nicer vehicle. Even if the gas mileage isn't as good, if you save a few grand on the cost of the vehicle that makes up for any increased gas expense.

After driving in the Fit, I found myself wondering who would pay $400 a month in car payments to drive it. I do also balance the "value" of a vehicle in relation to it's respective car payments. My Saturn is considered junk by many, but it is highly valuable to me since it is free to drive minus insurance and gas. No way would I pay $400 month to drive it!

Obviously, it is your money and you should get whatever you want but just throwing in my 2 cents.

The most value is in the used car market for sure. One of my coworkers recently bought a used but loaded 2003 BMW M3 6spd for $23k with 60,000 miles on it in mint condition and dealer maintained and had it shipped up from North Carolina (rust free). Just sayin'.

I respect your financial prowess to buy in cash... Smart move.

 

[GMFan]

I forgot to add...upgrading your current ride (a 1989 Honda) to something made in the past 5 years is sure to make you happy. I believe that many people would run away from new cars if the dealer were forced to stack the cash on the hoods of the cars that gets burned/thrown away after driving it off the lot and for the next year or two. I think it is something like 30% of its value is lost. That's a lot of hard earned green.

Like you, I am young (23 yrs old) and I've been working for a year and a half and have saved a decent bit of money by sticking with my current beater. Most girls certainly would rather a guy with his own pile of bricks (apartment or house) than flashy wheels (the decent girls anyway).

By the way, do you know how to drive stick? A manual transmission would probably make the Fit much more fun to drive and you can avoid Honda's iffy Auto transmissions. Plus, the MT would be cheaper (by a grand or so) and that is enough cheap beer money to last you through college.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: IndyIan


If your comfortable working on older Accord's you could look around for a real nice manual 4th or 5th gen one, as I don't think there is a single measure of performance or comfort that any new ecomony car is better at... Maybe mileage by a bit but maybe not from what others have said. New econo cars have high centres of gravity teetering around on Mac struts and torsion beams that thump into every line on the road with their huge low profile tires.


Here is my 4th gen. 5 speed LX. It is supposed to do 21/26 when new. Interiors on these don't wear out, but the body style is VERY dated.

Personally I like your car, its got a bit of "grit" to it and not having to worry about where you park is always nice. Don't you find the Fits motor a bit anemic compared to your car? Or is it an auto?
Anyways its your choice, for the price difference I'd always take a good example of your car over a new Fit, but maybe a used Fit would be good compromise for you, cheaper but still reliable for years to come.