new year, time for a new car?

[psbfan9]

Pricing (does not include TTL):
Accord LX $21,167
Accord Sport $22,726.72
2dr Golf DSG w/conv pkg $20,139
2dr Golf TDI DSG $24,824
Jetta TDI DSG $23,674

I agree with what has already been posted concerning new cars. As soon you drive off the lot, devaluation is a b!tch. You may be better off looking at last years models. Maybe you can find something with 5 to 10,000 miles, that would be $5 - $8,000.00 cheaper than new. Don't forget to check insurance rates. A coupe may be more to insure because it's considered a 'sports' model.

Why does a chicken coop only have two doors?

Because if it had 4 doors, it wood be a chicken sedan.

 

[jostenmeat]

I agree with what has already been posted concerning new cars. As soon you drive off the lot, devaluation is a b!tch. You may be better off looking at last years models. Maybe you can find something with 5 to 10,000 miles, that would be $5 - $8,000.00 cheaper than new. Don't forget to check insurance rates. A coupe may be more to insure because it's considered a 'sports' model.

That is something to definitely consider, but I think perhaps the main pitfall to beware of for many people is that sometimes the financing on a used car might just totally eat up most or all of the original savings, of course depending on how good the available financing is on a new model. If it ends up being a lot closer than what one might originally guess, it may be worth the little extra for being 1st owner, the full warranty, etc. That new car smell. I've never bought new, but I have a friend who probably should have on his last ride, though he's had it for quite a long time now.

 

[j_garcia]

Pricing (does not include TTL):
Accord LX $21,167
Accord Sport $22,726.72
2dr Golf DSG w/conv pkg $20,139
2dr Golf TDI DSG $24,824
Jetta TDI DSG $23,674

Do you need 4 doors? Of those, I'd probably say Golf TDI DSG A coworker has a TDI Jetta wagon and that thing is pretty nice.

I was a Honda guy for probably half my life, but I just don't like what they are doing these days.

 

[its phillip]

I don't have to have 4 doors, but it would be convenient for whenever I have passengers

I wasn't a big fan of civics or accords for the last few years, but the 2013s are nice.

I did a fuel comparo with the Golf TDI and Accord and the mileage increase with the diesel actually doesn't make enough of a difference to compensate for the increased fuel cost.

I have looked at used examples of various cars, and unfortunately the savings just isn't there. Just a couple grand here and there, even on higher mileage ones. Plus, like jostenmeat said, financing costs more for a used car.

Still haven't heard back from USAA, but Hyundai did contact me today and they want to do an investigation. I'm not sure how that's going to work out though. I'm really not expecting anything from them because they'd have to prove a part under warranty failed and lead to a fire, and I'm not sure how they are going to do that.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't have to have 4 doors, but it would be convenient for whenever I have passengers

Both our cars and the truck have 4 doors even though we don't use them all the time

I did a fuel comparo with the Golf TDI and Accord and the mileage increase with the diesel actually doesn't make enough of a difference to compensate for the increased fuel cost.

That's sort of what I was getting at earlier. The cost of diesel sort of offsets the mileage benefit when comparing to a highly efficient regular gas car.

Still haven't heard back from USAA, but Hyundai did contact me today and they want to do an investigation. I'm not sure how that's going to work out though. I'm really not expecting anything from them because they'd have to prove a part under warranty failed and lead to a fire, and I'm not sure how they are going to do that.

They don't want bad press, especially if it isn't an isolated event. They can probably determine what it was, but it won't be a fast process since it isn't a brand new car. They just don't suddenly want a bunch of fires going mainstream if it is a defect on their part, because it would hurt their sales.

 

[its phillip]

I'm not sure how they'll even get to the car to do an investigation since I'm sure USAA will be totaling it and I'll be sending them the title. The car is currently at an insurance auto auction holding facility on the far side of Dallas :/

 

[j_garcia]

I'm not sure how they'll even get to the car to do an investigation since I'm sure USAA will be totaling it and I'll be sending them the title. The car is currently at an insurance auto auction holding facility on the far side of Dallas :/

That's their problem then, but I doubt they would come back and say "Hey, we'll give you a new car because it was our fault" anyway. Don't those cars come with a 10yr warranty (powertrain only?) ?

 

[its phillip]

Haha, I definitely wasn't expecting them to give me a new car. Again, I wasn't expecting anything from Hyundai, I just thought it would be nice to get something from them because there is a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain.

Anyway, getting some quotes on the mazda3 as well. Not the s though, just the i. Going from the i to s would gain me 12 hp, 20 lb-ft of torque, but go from a 6sp to a 5sp and from 28/39 to 22/29 mpg.

 

[its phillip]

Quoted $18958 for a[FONT=verdana,geneva] 2012 mazda 3 i touring hatchback[FONT=verdana,geneva] [/FONT][/FONT]

 

[its phillip]

I'm so indecisive. I'm really looking at the 2013 Civic EX now lol. Got word from my insurance company today - the car is totaled (obviously). Getting a decent settlement - over the KBB private party value.

Was also contacted by Hyundai, and they want to do an investigation. I gave them contact info for my insurance so they can go inspect the car. They said the process will take several weeks though. Asked me what sort of compensation I was looking for and I didn't really know how to answer that because I don't know what's reasonable :/

 

[lsiberian]

Don't get the i IMO get the s. The s is much more balanced. That is way too much for an i. I'd counter offer with 15k.

19k is way too much for a 3i. It's only worth 17k don't accept a penny above that.

Carmax has a red 6i for only 17k

 

[3db]

It depends on your driving habits. If most of your mileage is highway, then a diesel IS the way to go and it will hands down beat the Mazda Sky active on the highway. If you do a lot of city driving, then go hybrid but the thoughts of battery replacement down the road seems very expensive to me.

 

[its phillip]

Don't get the i IMO get the s. The s is much more balanced. That is way too much for an i. I'd counter offer with 15k.

19k is way too much for a 3i. It's only worth 17k don't accept a penny above that.

Carmax has a red 6i for only 17k

I can try haggling, even though I don't like to do it :/

The s gets terrible mileage compared to the i, for only a slight increase in power and torque. The 6 is nice but it's just as big as the accord and sonata so I'll pass. Thanks for the info though

 

[its phillip]

It depends on your driving habits. If most of your mileage is highway, then a diesel IS the way to go and it will hands down beat the Mazda Sky active on the highway. If you do a lot of city driving, then go hybrid but the thoughts of battery replacement down the road seems very expensive to me.

I plugged my fuel prices into this calculator and went 30% city/70% hwy driving, and the regular gas engines still come out on top (both the skyactiv and civic engine). The Golf TDI is only rated 3 mpg higher on the highway when compared to the mazda 3 or civic, which is not significant enough to account for the differences in fuel prices. 2 mpg higher city:

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would't get stuck on EPA estimates or fuel consumption in general, unless you drive over 20-30k miles a year
It was rightfully mentioned that new cars loose rapidly in value during first few years.
Imo some of suggestions of slightly used cars with in your budget will be much more pleasant experience to drive than brand new accord/golf
I swore off VW cars forever since one too many bad experiences. There are so many other important characteristics of car other that fuel consumption (long term reliability, performance, warranty etc..)
My opinion - as long it's under reasonable - about 25-30 mph highway - you'll be fine

For example, this Off-Lease M35X - 2007 Infiniti M35 X in Fort Worth, TX- 8787220 at carmax.com

Heck you might even find Certified Infinity/BMW with full warranty in your budget

 

[j_garcia]

It depends on your driving habits. If most of your mileage is highway, then a diesel IS the way to go and it will hands down beat the Mazda Sky active on the highway. If you do a lot of city driving, then go hybrid but the thoughts of battery replacement down the road seems very expensive to me.

This isn't such a big deal anymore. The first battery Prius models are currently about 10yrs old and a report in R&T said the batteries are lasting longer with less degradation than expected. It also said that the price of the batteries dropped from about $7K when they came out to about $3K now. $3K unfortunately still isn't cheap, but it will last another 10yrs, probably longer than the car.

The new Civic has been reported to have lost its lead as inexpensive and quality in its segment. With pressure from Hyundai and others, Honda seems to have started to cheap out on the cars in order to offer competitive pricing while still making a profit.

 

[lsiberian]

I can try haggling, even though I don't like to do it :/

The s gets terrible mileage compared to the i, for only a slight increase in power and torque. The 6 is nice but it's just as big as the accord and sonata so I'll pass. Thanks for the info though

I'll probably get another s unless I go BMW 3 series for my next car.

 

[its phillip]

This isn't such a big deal anymore. The first battery Prius models are currently about 10yrs old and a report in R&T said the batteries are lasting longer with less degradation than expected. It also said that the price of the batteries dropped from about $7K when they came out to about $3K now. $3K unfortunately still isn't cheap, but it will last another 10yrs, probably longer than the car.

The new Civic has been reported to have lost its lead as inexpensive and quality in its segment. With pressure from Hyundai and others, Honda seems to have started to cheap out on the cars in order to offer competitive pricing while still making a profit.

They fixed all that with the 2013 civic

Honda debuts the 2013 Civic that will fix everything

 

[lsiberian]

They fixed all that with the 2013 civic

Honda debuts the 2013 Civic that will fix everything

People are such trolls on the internet. Just read the comments apparently someone is fighting over headlights lol.

If you do end up with the S be sure to get replace your tires when the time comes with Kuhmo's. I've found the summer tires an excellent match for my 3s in Fort Worth.

 

[j_garcia]

I am a bridgestone guy. I've tried a lot; Dunlop, BFG, Michellin, Pirelli, Yoko, Falcon, and the Bridgestones are what I'm still running. Always summer tire on the WRX here