Looking for a new car

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Originally Posted By: sciphi
An older 3800-equipped LeSabre or Park Ave will get 30 mpg highway easily, and have a ton of power around town. My 1999 LeSabre routinely gets >32 mpg highway at 65 mph. City mileage is about 20-22 mpg. Thank the super-tall 4th gear for that one...

If you're thinking new, I don't blame you one bit!


The LeSabre/Park Avenue is probably the one GM vehicle that I have been truly impressed with throughout the years in that it is difficult to believe that a car that size can get that kind of mileage. I have talked with several people who had them and found them to be trouble free cars. If I could find a nice used one at the right price, I wouuld strongly consider it.

I can honestly weigh in here with a vote for the Park Avenue. My '03 has just over 75K miles, rides smoothly, drives powerfully, and yet gets 30 mpg highway. During our recent cooler-than-usual winter I've seen a little lower overall mpg, about 20-21, but in that last two years I routinely saw 21-22, 80% city driving.

And it runs on regular, too. Now that mine is paid for, $4.00/gallon gas would be annoying, but not a budget-breaker.

 

[sciphi]

The LeSabre can be the definition of land yacht. It depends on what wheels and what suspension options it has. Mine with the 15" wheels and base suspension is definitely "yachty". I've been in other cars on the same platform that have driven completely differently because they had "sportier" suspension and wider tires. And there's everything in between. Just because two cars share the LeSabre name doesn't guarantee they'll drive the same.

 

[Tdbo]

I would tend to agree that from a financial perspective that used would be the way to go. During my 12 years of commuting this distance, I have gone through four automobiles, two have been purchased used and two new. I keep one nice vehicle and another one I rack the miles on. The last two I bought new and then replaced them with new cars and use the older of the two as my work vehicle. The first two vehicles that I had for this purpose were "Toyolets" (Nova/Prism.) I never again want to own that size car. I found both very uncomfortable. In regards to $4.00 a gallon gas, I can only live in the present. Should that occur, I guess I'll truck over to the VeeDub dealer for the largest TDI oil burner they have.

 

[Tdbo]

I was interested until I went to the Buick website and priced one out. The Lacrosse prices out higher than a Lucerne! I think I'd rather purchase one of the options I outlined and find something better to do with 10K savings.

 

[Tdbo]

I think the old rules of small or midsize or large have much different interior spaces for the driver are over. [/quote]

Why is that? I pass lots of large cars/SUV's every day. Not everyone wants to drive an Aveo or a Yugo. (Is there much difference between the two?)

 

[Nick R]

I would recommend you go test drive a few cars, A Fusion/milan, the Malibu, the Altima, maybe an Equinox or Escape too, to see if there is anything you prefer.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Tdbo
I think the old rules of small or midsize or large have much different interior spaces for the driver are over.


Why is that? I pass lots of large cars/SUV's every day. Not everyone wants to drive an Aveo or a Yugo. (Is there much difference between the two?) [/quote]
I meant that you might fit into a "compact" car that has a better driving position for you than a mid size SUV for example.
GM used to be the king of big looking cars with tight quarters for the passengers and I think some of the new SUV's are doing the same.

 

[Tdbo]

Good point. Due to large torso and a bad back, I haven't found a small car that I ever fit in well. When I was in college, a guy I knew owned a Lincoln/Mercury/AMC dealership. I needed a car and he said that he had a Lecar on the floor that he would sell me at cost. To sit upright in it, I had to open the moonroof and my forehead stuck out of the moonroof.
Many cars just don't fit well for me.

 

[sciphi]

The seating position in a Honda Fit Sport is very high. There's also a lot of head and leg room, even in the back seat. My fiancee's 6'2" friend sat back there and said he had plenty of room in all directions. I've done plenty of seat time in the car, and have always had to move the seat up to comfortably rest my feet on the pedals. Plus the steering wheel tilts and telescopes.

Give the Fit a look. It's a small car on the outside and a much larger car on the inside. And it will get 30 mpg in town, and ~35-37 highway.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Tdbo
I was interested until I went to the Buick website and priced one out. The Lacrosse prices out higher than a Lucerne! I think I'd rather purchase one of the options I outlined and find something better to do with 10K savings.



One's a completely new model that's in high demand, and the other has been in production for several years and is getting a bit long in the tooth.

The LaCrosse has a higher MSRP to allow dealers to take advantage of its "newness" and demand. Plus, it is one of the best cars that Buick has put on the road in decades.

 

[bigmike]

I priced the Buick Lacross at 2 Buick dealerships here in town. They act like coming off of anything other than MSRP is not going to happen. They both took about 600-900 off and that was their "negotiating price."

I don't understand this philosophy. I got the same [censored] at the local Chevy dealership as well for an Equinox.

I emailed the local Honda and Hyundai dealerships and they quoted me prices almost 4000 off the MSRP and said that's their price, period. I liked that. At least I know and can decide from there. Why doesn't everyone do this?

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
I priced the Buick Lacross at 2 Buick dealerships here in town. They act like coming off of anything other than MSRP is not going to happen. They both took about 600-900 off and that was their "negotiating price."

I don't understand this philosophy. I got the same [censored] at the local Chevy dealership as well for an Equinox.


You're trying to bargain on GM's brand new models that are hot sellers, and are in good demand.

See how far they'd come off of MSRP on something that is several model years old, like an Impala... I'd bet that they'd come down $4000 with very little struggling.

Some of these GM dealers might be having some issues with actually having some cars that are actually in good demand...

 

[Tdbo]

[
the other has been in production for several years and is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Nothing wrong with toothiness if the price is right!

 

[Tdbo]

Give it 12 or 18 months and they'll be begging. When the 2005 Mustangs came out, I looked at one--10K over sticker!
Bought a new 2008 Mustang Convertible--$4250 under Invoice.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
I priced the Buick Lacross at 2 Buick dealerships here in town. They act like coming off of anything other than MSRP is not going to happen. They both took about 600-900 off and that was their "negotiating price."

I don't understand this philosophy. I got the same [censored] at the local Chevy dealership as well for an Equinox.

I emailed the local Honda and Hyundai dealerships and they quoted me prices almost 4000 off the MSRP and said that's their price, period. I liked that. At least I know and can decide from there. Why doesn't everyone do this?


I am having the same issue, currently looking at a Terrain and a Tucson. Both new models, there aren't many on the lot so I can't really blame them for not coming down any. Sadly, these are the only two cars that really interest me. At least the Tucson comes with a decent interest rate but the Terrain has NOTHING and is $3k more the way I want it. I really do think the Terrain is worth $3k more, but when you add in the lack of a promo interest rate, it pushes me towards the Tucson.

Can't decide what to do!

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: bigmike
I priced the Buick Lacross at 2 Buick dealerships here in town. They act like coming off of anything other than MSRP is not going to happen. They both took about 600-900 off and that was their "negotiating price."

I don't understand this philosophy. I got the same [censored] at the local Chevy dealership as well for an Equinox.

I emailed the local Honda and Hyundai dealerships and they quoted me prices almost 4000 off the MSRP and said that's their price, period. I liked that. At least I know and can decide from there. Why doesn't everyone do this?


I am having the same issue, currently looking at a Terrain and a Tucson. Both new models, there aren't many on the lot so I can't really blame them for not coming down any. Sadly, these are the only two cars that really interest me. At least the Tucson comes with a decent interest rate but the Terrain has NOTHING and is $3k more the way I want it. I really do think the Terrain is worth $3k more, but when you add in the lack of a promo interest rate, it pushes me towards the Tucson.

Can't decide what to do!


Tuscon is assembled in South Korea. Terrain is assembled in Canada. That alone would make the decision for me. The Terrain is a great vehicle, and one of the highest quality GM vehicles ever made.

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: bigmike
I priced the Buick Lacross at 2 Buick dealerships here in town. They act like coming off of anything other than MSRP is not going to happen. They both took about 600-900 off and that was their "negotiating price."

I don't understand this philosophy. I got the same [censored] at the local Chevy dealership as well for an Equinox.


You're trying to bargain on GM's brand new models that are hot sellers, and are in good demand.

See how far they'd come off of MSRP on something that is several model years old, like an Impala... I'd bet that they'd come down $4000 with very little struggling.

Some of these GM dealers might be having some issues with actually having some cars that are actually in good demand...


A new Sonata is not a hot new seller as well?

I've noticed a trend on all GM dealerships I've visited. They act like MSRP should be the selling price and any discount is like twisting their arm.

It's just easier buying a Honda or Hyundai or even a Subaru here in my city. They're more than willing to give you a price that's reasonable and let you decide. I've been harassed after giving my email or phone number to any sales people "to get me in a vehicle" from my local GM dealerships. What a nightmare. Car buying should be the easiest thing to do in the world, not a painful experience. Until these places get the clue, I'd rather give my money to someone who already has one.

It's very frustrating as I like GM and I seriously want to buy a GM product, but not at the expense of my time and money.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: bigmike
I priced the Buick Lacross at 2 Buick dealerships here in town. They act like coming off of anything other than MSRP is not going to happen. They both took about 600-900 off and that was their "negotiating price."

I don't understand this philosophy. I got the same [censored] at the local Chevy dealership as well for an Equinox.


You're trying to bargain on GM's brand new models that are hot sellers, and are in good demand.

See how far they'd come off of MSRP on something that is several model years old, like an Impala... I'd bet that they'd come down $4000 with very little struggling.

Some of these GM dealers might be having some issues with actually having some cars that are actually in good demand...


A new Sonata is not a hot new seller as well?

I've noticed a trend on all GM dealerships I've visited. They act like MSRP should be the selling price and any discount is like twisting their arm.

It's just easier buying a Honda or Hyundai or even a Subaru here in my city. They're more than willing to give you a price that's reasonable and let you decide. I've been harassed after giving my email or phone number to any sales people "to get me in a vehicle" from my local GM dealerships. What a nightmare. Car buying should be the easiest thing to do in the world, not a painful experience. Until these places get the clue, I'd rather give my money to someone who already has one.

It's very frustrating as I like GM and I seriously want to buy a GM product, but not at the expense of my time and money.


Have you never tried to negotiate with toyota people? My friend last week was looking into buying a new toyota... It was a 2010 Corolla, base. No discounts or anything. They wouldn't budge on the price, not one bit. They told him if he didn't like it then he could just leave and go somewhere else. I think the whole sales pitch is usually just part of their tactics, and it often works. And to tell the truth,discounts probably are twisting their arm. After all, dealers buy the cars from GM, then sell them. If they sell the cars for not much more than they paid for them, they don't make a whole lot of money.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Originally Posted By: dishdude

I am having the same issue, currently looking at a Terrain and a Tucson. Both new models, there aren't many on the lot so I can't really blame them for not coming down any. Sadly, these are the only two cars that really interest me. At least the Tucson comes with a decent interest rate but the Terrain has NOTHING and is $3k more the way I want it. I really do think the Terrain is worth $3k more, but when you add in the lack of a promo interest rate, it pushes me towards the Tucson.

Can't decide what to do!


Tuscon is assembled in South Korea. Terrain is assembled in Canada. That alone would make the decision for me. The Terrain is a great vehicle, and one of the highest quality GM vehicles ever made.


It is always easy to say that when it is not your hard earned money.
Since I pay cars with my own money, I based my choice on the quality of the product and the best value for money ratio.

But that is a personal choice, I have just hard time understand not rationale decision, probably based on my education (engineer) and from where I come from (Country of Descartes, one of my hero).
I should probably improve my irrationality factor as I am now married, and with 3 girls: Total of 4 women, only man in the house exception of the pets.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: Pesca
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Originally Posted By: dishdude

I am having the same issue, currently looking at a Terrain and a Tucson. Both new models, there aren't many on the lot so I can't really blame them for not coming down any. Sadly, these are the only two cars that really interest me. At least the Tucson comes with a decent interest rate but the Terrain has NOTHING and is $3k more the way I want it. I really do think the Terrain is worth $3k more, but when you add in the lack of a promo interest rate, it pushes me towards the Tucson.

Can't decide what to do!


Tuscon is assembled in South Korea. Terrain is assembled in Canada. That alone would make the decision for me. The Terrain is a great vehicle, and one of the highest quality GM vehicles ever made.


It is always easy to say that when it is not your hard earned money.
Since I pay cars with my own money, I based my choice on the quality of the product and the best value for money ratio.


spot on