Starting to shop for new car

[Popeye the Sailor]

It just didn't make much sense to me.

If they aren't worth it, then why did you buy another Mercedes?

My mom wanted one.

[duccarlos]

If you love the Accord why not go for it and save some cash.

Because I want a step up from the Accord. I can test drive another Accord and compare it apples to apples to what the TL would offer. You would need to buy the top of the line to even compare to the TL and the TL offers a tuned version of the engine with AWD for more $$$ of course.

[The Bearded Duc]

Sounds like you already know what you want then.

[muskrat]

you can easily score a C class Benz for that price, new included.  I've always been a fan of Benz and their quality over the last 10 years has gotten better, so much so we are on our third.  Go drive one.  Oh, I just got an email from them with a 1.9% financing rate being offered on new rides but I don't know what models are included.

[RAT900]

i never really considered saab a luxury car, and my scandinavian friends just laugh at 'em...

It is too a luxury car...

if you consider time lost not getting to your destination to be a luxury you can afford

[Goat_Herder]

Because I want a step up from the Accord. I can test drive another Accord and compare it apples to apples to what the TL would offer. You would need to buy the top of the line to even compare to the TL and the TL offers a tuned version of the engine with AWD for more $$$ of course.

If your Accord is 10 years old, you'd be surprised at how it has improved over the year.  Test drive a well-equipped V6 Accord and compare that to a TL.  You'd be surprised how similar they are.  IMO, you are paying a premium for the rebadging.  I guess what I am trying to say is don't count out the new Accord.

We have had a great experience with our Altima (94) that we went out and bought a 2007 Altima.  We thought about a G35 at that time but couldn't justify the $15K difference.  

[cyrus buelton]

On top of that the G maintenance is too expensive and it takes premium gas.

Ever tried running 87 in it?


I run 87 in my Lexus and experience no issues even though it recommends a higher octane.

Mileage is consistent from low to high octane.

every tank or two I'll run some injector cleaner through and be done with it.


I think the gas octane debate is a joke.

I recall a write up a long time ago from Chris Kelley about it.

Run the lowest octane you can til the motor starts "pinging"

[duccarlos]

I'll be checking out the Accord regardless. I have time until we're ready to actually buy. What I will not get is another Toyota, but not because of the reasons you would think. The nearest Toyota dealer updated their service center, which means they think they're better than what they are. I'm not even going to consider a Camry or Avalon. Even the Lexus has suffered from me being pissed with the Toyota dealer cause I know that in a pinch I could take it to either one and I refuse taking it there.

I will look it the Altima just because I can. My idea is to check all the Japanese brands, including the low and high end, except for Toyota. There's a reason I'm doing this research 6 months before buying. I might skip Mazda just because my family has had some bad experience with them. I will also try the Germans, even though I'm probably not going that route. And before people start gripping about the German cars, not only is it the quality questions raced, but also the fact that they are considerably more expensive than their Japanese counterparts. They would need to be that much more impressive to even consider them in my final decision.

I'll be narrowing it down to 3 cars and then have my wife test drive them. Once we decide on the brand, then we will check the used inventory and finally we will check the out the door prices and all the "local" dealers. That will appease all my "what ifs".

[Triple J]

I recall a write up a long time ago from Chris Kelley about it.

Run the lowest octane you can til the motor starts "pinging"

I thought about it. I don't know enough about how modern engine electronics work...but I think the engine will compensate (retard timing?) for reduced octane in order to prevent pinging (unlike our motos), so you wouldn't hear it. In a $40K car, I'll spend the extra few bucks at each fill-up to follow their recommendations.

[DucofWestwood]

if you're worried about leg-room, i personally did not find the TL to be very spacious when i rode in the back of my buddy's, but YMMV.

what i really like in the Acura line-up is the RL.  why not a CPO one of those?  i only sat in one briefly but i thought it was great-looking and really felt "luxurious".

also, i'll throw in a wildcard: Hyundai Genesis?  we bought a Hyundai XG350 about 5.5 yrs ago b/c we needed a car quickly and weren't sure what our future income was going to look like.  it is totally unremarkable in every way but (knock wood) has been problem-free and was very inexpensive.  there's a stigma attached to it (at least in my mind) here in label-conscious LA, and it's not fun pulling up in a valet line.  but on the other hand, if my 2-yr old throws up in the back-seat or my wife puts a dent in the side (both of which have happened), meh, no big deal ... it's only a hyundai.

but they seem to be making an aggressive play with their new models and i bet they're offering great deals in terms of financing, etc.  might be worth a look.

and i too would stay away from the germans.  i had an M3 and loved every minute of it, but i wouldn't do that now with kids.  the risk of expensive repairs scares me away.  i think most of the german cars you see driving around are leased, so people aren't keeping them long and aren't too concerned about long-term reliability.

[cyrus buelton]

I thought about it. I don't know enough about how modern engine electronics work...but I think the engine will compensate (retard timing?) for reduced octane in order to prevent pinging (unlike our motos), so you wouldn't hear it. In a $40K car, I'll spend the extra few bucks at each fill-up to follow their recommendations.

I don't know either. Hell, I can't even work on a lawnmower engine. That is where my ability sits.

I get the same mileage with all octanes, so I keep it the same.

But then again, my lexus wasn't 40k, so I might consider things differently in your position. Good call on that.




Carlos - why buy new???


Go certified used.


Why take the 30+% depreciation hit when you take it off the lot?


Don't forget GAP insurance (if offered in FL) if you buy new.

[duccarlos]

Carlos - why buy new???


Go certified used.

I hate quoting myself:

Once we decide on the brand, then we will check the used inventory and finally we will check the out the door prices and all the "local" dealers. That will appease all my "what ifs".

I bought my Sienna used mostly because we needed to buy it immediately. We had visited the Honda dealer and we had found a 1 year old used Odyssey that was perfect, but we didn't have the cash to buy it immediately. It was sold the next day, but we compared the price of the used Honda to a new Sienna and it was off by a few hundred dollars. I prefer buying certified used for the reasons stated above and this time around we can shop for better deals.

[cyrus buelton]

I love annoying you, what's your point?


You coming to GP?

[duccarlos]

You coming to GP?

Nope.

[cyrus buelton]

Nope.

WTF. Is anyone from the land of whacko's, sun, and oranges?