Need some input

[Melizerd]

Okay Our car is toast. It would be another $400 for parts alone and it's got over 200k miles on it. I'm ready for something "new".

So DH and I are going to use some of the tax return for a "new" car. We've got it narrowed down I think. We'll put $2500 down on it and finance the rest to keep our payments low, we're going to try for a 60 month loan. That way we can keep $2000 in the bank for almost a full year (or more) worth of payments and then next year with tax return we'll pay off another big chunk so we can pay it off long before the terms.

We were considering the Aveo but I've been reading and I don't want a Daewoo even under the Chevy name so it's out. I could get a real brand spanking new one for 11,000 which was why it was a little tempting ;)

So I have two other cars I'm interested on my list:

A 2007 PT Cruiser Touring edition with with 37,770 miles on it for $7,900. My FIL has one and we love it so I'm familiar with the car. Though I haven't tried to put my Regent in the back seat.

But I figure with some elbow grease I can get it in because of this thread:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=25565&highlight=Crusier


Or there is a 2004 Malibu with 18,000 miles on it for $8900 and DH used to drive one of these (a 2001) when we dated so we like driving it. I'm sure I can get a Regent in that thing ;)

We're looking to stay in a 2004 or newer car and the less miles the better. It has to be a 4 door as well. I'm not emotionally tied to anything really specific though so I'd be open to other suggestions.

So would you take a car that's 3 years newer with 20,000 miles on it for $1000 less? I feel like the difference between 18,000 and 37,000 isn't that big of a deal. I do have links for both cars if someone wants to really look at them. They're both through dealers. I'm going to have to get my financing through the dealer because we have crummy credit because of medical bills and my mom would co-sign for us no problem.

[brightredmtn]

I wouldn't do an American car since they suck in reliability. I would get a used Hyundai Sonata if I were you. Top ratings in safety (standard stability control, side airbags etc...), nice and big, and excellent reliability ratings! The five year bumper to bumper warranty would even transfer to you.

This is what I would have done last year had it not been for the wonky middle seat belt not allowing me to get a good RF install of our seats.

You know you may even be able to get one new for not too much more than $11,000. I found a Hyundai forum last year and they knew about all the great incentives.

[Melizerd]

I have one to add

A 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT. It's listed at $8900 with 27,000 miles on it.

I like American cars and haven't had anything other then the standard maintenance problems on them. I'd prefer to stick with "American made" cars

ETA: 10,000 is REALLY the top of the budget and that would be a stretch so I'd like to not even hit that if we can avoid it.

[Jeanum]

The Caliber rings a bell about vehicle headrests interfering some with installing carseats FF and it's something to consider before possibly buying one. Hang on, let me see if I can find a previous thread to link to about the headrests. Here you go:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=53321 I also would be a bit leery of warranty coverage, just from a standpoint of whether Chrysler will continue to operate long term. Sad to say it's not a given due to the economy. :(

[BW1426]

Have you looked at Cobalts? The Cobalt has three full sets of LATCH.

Auto Trader Listings (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=200&address=54301&marketZipError=false&style_flag=2&make=CHEV&model=COBALT&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2010&min_price=&max_price=9000&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&x=37&y=15&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=&rdm=1231691811741) within 200 miles of Green Bay. I searched for under $9000.

Also, what about the Focus?
Auto Trader Listings (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=200&address=54301&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=FORD&model=FOCUS&make2=&start_year=2006&end_year=2010&min_price=&max_price=8000&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=45000&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&x=59&y=8&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=&rdm=1231692035601) Within 200 miles of Green Bay and less than $8000.

Are you going to trade in your other vehicle?

[Melizerd]

Well it's not a Chrysler dealer per say that's selling it, it's a used car lot so they would be offering the warranty not Chrysler itself.

I will definitely be trying my Regent out before I buy it and I have a friend with one who will let me play in it too. Hmm things to think about.

[Melizerd]

Have you looked at Cobalts?

The Cobalt is out of our price range :( They are between 10-11k starting for used ones with low mileage. Otherwise I'd really consider it.

[BW1426]

The Cobalt is out of our price range :( They are between 10-11k starting for used ones with low mileage. Otherwise I'd really consider it.

Check out my post. I edited with Auto Trader Listings.

[brightredmtn]

I'd prefer to stick with "American made" cars.

My Corolla was made in Southern California. If you research, there are lots of foreign car companies with cars that are made in the USA.

[BW1426]

My Corolla was made in Southern California. If you research, there are lots of foreign car companies with cars that are made in the USA.

I assume that's why she had American Made in quotation marks ;)

[brightredmtn]

I assume that's why she had American Made in quotation marks ;)

Right but she poo-pooed a car I suggest that is made in Montgomery Alabama.

http://www.hmmausa.com/

[Jeanum]

Well it's not a Chrysler dealer per say that's selling it, it's a used car lot so they would be offering the warranty not Chrysler itself.

I will definitely be trying my Regent out before I buy it and I have a friend with one who will let me play in it too. Hmm things to think about.

Definitely a good idea to test install before you buy a car. :thumbsup: I believe the original Chrysler or other manufacturer's new vehicle warranty is likely transferrable to you if you purchase a used car while the original warranty period and mileage criteria remain in effect, no matter where the used car is purchased, be it from any dealership or from a private party. :twocents: Some used car dealers will try to sell you an extended warranty whether or not the original warranty is in effect and transferrable. The thing would be to make sure the original warranty is transferrable to a second owner before you make the purchase, and also factor in the possibility of the car manufacturer's longer term prospects to remain in business to honor the original warranty. Hard to do without a crystal ball, I know, but an important consideration for such a major purchase. :twocents:

[Melizerd]

Right but she poo-pooed a car I suggest that is made in Montgomery Alabama.

http://www.hmmausa.com/

I knew where it was made and that's why my American made was in quotes.

Mostly it has to do with parts and mechanics in my area. I LOVED my Ford and I'm interested in a Chrysler a Dodge and a Chevy.

[BW1426]

The Cobalt is out of our price range :( They are between 10-11k starting for used ones with low mileage. Otherwise I'd really consider it.

I see tons and tons for under $9000 with under 45,000 miles on them in WI. Are you needing to buy from a specific dealer for financing purposes?

Also, looking at minimum trade ins could be a good way to get your old car off your hands and save a little bit of money.

I really like the Cobalt when I looked at it. I just need a bit more room.

[Melizerd]

Well we do have to buy from a big dealer for the financing but I looked at the ones that were linked and I didn't find those before so it was good info :thumbsup:

We've also considered the Ford Focus too. There are just too many choices (lol). We'll be able to actually go look and buy (if we find something) Saturday.

[safeinthecar]

My Corolla was made in Southern California.

That's hilarious. I live in, and the car was bought, in CA, but my Corolla was made in Canada.