What would you buy???

[jgcable]

I need to buy a new car. I have around 3K to put down and I am thinking about leasing (for the first time, I have always bought cars and never leased one). I only put 6K per year on my car. Here are the parameters:
4 doors
good on gas
automatic
a decent level of performance

Here are the cars I am thinking about:
They are all leftovers.
2004 Dodge Neon STX with fin in electric blue.
2004 Ford Focus ZT4 (4 dr with the 2.3 motor)
2004 Saturn Ion 2
Volkswagon Jetta 2.0
Nissan Altima 2.5
Toyota Matrix XR
Pontiac Vibe

I am leaning towards the Neon only because I have a 2000 model that I bought new and it has been a fantastic car so far.
The Saturn Ion 2 is also very nice looking and those dent resistant body panels are a really nice feature.
Any suggestions. What car?? Should I buy or lease?? I am going to buy something tomorrow. Thanks guys!!

[Accept2]

Re: What would you buy???

Wow, where is none of the above?!?
Really, buy the car you like, dont worry about what other people are doing.............

[LesPaulCustom]

Re: What would you buy???

I wouldnt lease anything...outside of the fact that a lease is a royal pain in the ass to do, it seems to be a waste of money....for example, a guy leased an 05 Pacifica, with payments of 670.00 a month for however many months it was....and when its all said and done, if he decided to buy his lease, it will cost MORE than what he could have bought it for....

Mr LPC and the ex had leased a 2000 Ranger for 3 years, and we ended up having to pay over 2000 to cover the damages and overmileage that his ex had done. I could understand the overmileage but hail damage??? Isnt that like an act of God??? Anyway, I would buy, I would never lease anything...after paying all the money every month, when its all said and done and you dont buy it outright, youve paid all that money for nothing...just my opinion

Mrs LPC

[markD]

Re: What would you buy???

buy the VW.

[guitarsjb]

Re: What would you buy???

Don't buy the Focus

[zeegler]

Re: What would you buy???

Mazda 3 isn't on the list. ?!?

I would go for the Mazda, but if I had to stick with your list, I'd go with the Neon, or the Altima.

[jgcable]

Re: What would you buy???

[ QUOTE ]
Wow, where is none of the above?!?
Really, buy the car you like, dont worry about what other people are doing.............

[/ QUOTE ]

If I bought the car I like it would be an M3 or an M5. Seriously, I like all the cars above and if I follow you advise I would go for the Neon. The only problem I have with it is the color. It is electric blue (just like the WRX/STI) and it looks kind of Fast and Furious meets 21 year old.
LPC, I tend to agree. I don't know if making monthly payments that in no way go towards the purchase of the car will sit right with me. Reading reviews sucks because everybody has their own opinion.
I almost bagged the entire "buy a new car thing" and went out and payed cash for a 1998 Neon with 79K on it. It has some scratches on it but I was tempted to buy it considering I would have no monthly payments. I would hate to buy somebody elses headache though.
What about the Jetta TDI?? Anybody have any experience with that car. Around 50 mpg sounds pretty good to me!!

[jgcable]

Re: What would you buy???

Zeeg, I didn't put the Mazda 3 on the list for 2 reasons.
1. They are a little out of my price range. A Mazda 3 with an automatic is a tad over $20K.
2. There is NO negotiating a price on these cars. They are in such high demand around here that they sell for sticker or more if you can get one.

I really like the Jetta but I have read numerous complaints about excessive oil consumption. The 2000 2.0 models had a factory statement claiming that .85 quarts per 1000 miles is an acceptable amount of oil consumption for the 2.0 motor. Thats just nutz to me.

[ChickenScratch]

Re: What would you buy???

Go with the VW man. Those are built like a tank and are as reliable as a ... Toyota, which is also on your list. But the Toyota Matrix is not nearly as nice as the Jetta.

[lerxstcat]

Re: What would you buy???

The Neon is listed as one of the most unsafe cars in a collision by Consumer Reports. It is a death trap if you get hit. Now the report I saw on TV was a couple of years ago so maybe they revamped it. It was the very worst car of all they tested in a collision.

[Spaceace]

Re: What would you buy???

Well Robin and I both have an Altima and have not had 1 and I mean not 1 problem....that is all I can add good luck [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Immortal]

Re: What would you buy???

Yeah, buy an Audi. Or Audi. Or, maybe Audi. Also, you can buy an Audi, you know.

Did I mention to buy an Audi already?

And don't buy an automatic! Gals that can handle manual transmission turn me on! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[shreddermon]

Re: What would you buy???

Of the ones you've listed, the Altima seems like the most car for the money.

If you really only put 6,000 miles per year on your car, definitely stay away from a lease. Leases are based on depreciation, which includes assumptions about how many miles people put on their cars each year. The average is about 12K / year, and this is what is usually built into lease payment structures. ...Hence, 3 yr / 36k mile warranties, and mileage "overage" charges on leases for driving more than that. With only driving 6k / year, you'd be giving the manufacturer a freebie when giving the car back and paying too much on the lease. Buying with a loan is probably the way to go for you, especially since rates are still low now.

[Accept2]

Re: What would you buy???

I have an Audi, and its automatic. They have great automatic transmissions. DSG can actually shift faster than a human with a manual. I had a Neon automatic once, and it wasnt a great transmission..........But yes, the Neon isnt exactly safe. If I ever hit my old Neon with my new Audi, I would be scraping it off my bumper..........

[shreddermon]

Re: What would you buy???

P.S.- How about a Honda Civic?