Starting to shop for new car

[duccarlos]

Actually, my neighbors spend more time with loaner cars from the BMW dealership than their own cars. That's one of the reasons I'm shying away from beemers. I'm not going to pay a premium for a smaller car when I see my neighbors suffering with them. I'll try look at the European brands, but in general you are paying a premium for them.

[zooom]

why not look for something like an '05 S60R or V70R?

comfortable, reasonable, stealthy, interesting, and still not a boot in the ass in general. Cops don't give em a 2nd look, and they can be reliable and give you the ooomph when you want.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I think mentioning various cars we've had that were trouble free or nothing but trouble is a bit counter productive-the sample size is too small. I mean, opposite from Raux, had good luck with Honda stuff, only bmw we had was more trouble than it was worth.

From Carlos's reviews, I would say just another little Honda.

[duccarlos]

To tell you the truth, Volvo was not even on my radar. I'll add it to the list at least for fun's sake.

[lethe]

To tell you the truth, Volvo was not even on my radar. I'll add it to the list at least for fun's sake.

Yes, please support Volvo's Chinese overlords. 

[duccarlos]

I actually like to hear you guys' advice. My wife is enamored with the Honda and she loves the fuel economy. I actually like to diversify. I was originally looking at a 5 series, until I noticed my neighbors having issues with their cars. The Benz is slightly over what I would expect to pay, but I'll test drive one anyway. I will eventually try the Audi. I was really hoping I would like the CTS better than I did. I really like the looks, but can't get passed the heavy feel of it.

[lethe]

Even though I just got rid of my Mazda 3, I got 250,000 pretty much trouble free miles out of it. That is smaller than you want but the Mazda 6 seems to share a lot of the same DNA so that probably would be just as reliable. also, one that I rented seemed to handle just about as well as my 3.
Might be worth a look.

[duccarlos]

I had a Mazda and unfortunately it had its issues.

[badgalbetty]

purchasing a used luxury car that is a year or two old is a good idea.In 1993 my Jaguar 12 cylinder fully loaded new was $73k and change. I bought it 6 years old in 1999 with 60k on the clock, FSH for 12k.The original owner took a 61k beating on it. It was a lovely car. I took 2nd in class at the Jaguar Owners Club of North America with a 99.6 in the Concours D' Elegance. It was a lovely car to drive, and would smoke the tires if you gave it some wellie . Big car, tons of power,drove like it was on rails. Yum!
Now I drive a 1992 Honda Civic. Gutless worn out beater. Gets 35 mpg and I love it. Its a base model. It does however come with a windshield and paint that mostly matches. I love this car!
If you buy new you will lose 20% the second you drive it off the lot. Ebay may be your friend.Something a year old should still have warranty and get a carfax.
Good luck in your search and if this is for your wife, she is a lucky girl. Thank you for being nice to her.
BGB.

[GAAN]

I think mentioning various cars we've had that were trouble free or nothing but trouble is a bit counter productive-the sample size is too small. I mean, opposite from Raux, had good luck with Honda stuff, only bmw we had was more trouble than it was worth.

From Carlos's reviews, I would say just another little Honda.

that and none of the mileages on those vehicles is anything close to stellar

my current jeep ran the stock clutch to 100k

my CJ-7 had 350,000+ on the motor

these newer cars should be error free to 300k

and the sky is green in my world

[Raux]

that and none of the mileages on those vehicles is anything close to stellar

my current jeep ran the stock clutch to 100k

my CJ-7 had 350,000+ on the motor

these newer cars should be error free to 300k

and the sky is green in my world

true they aren't... but comparable to my Acura they had no issues at the same or higher mileage
like i said this is my last Honda product

[lethe]

that and none of the mileages on those vehicles is anything close to stellar

my current jeep ran the stock clutch to 100k

my CJ-7 had 350,000+ on the motor

these newer cars should be error free to 300k

and the sky is green in my world

My Mazda still ran very well at 250k, outhandled most cars too.
It's predecessor, a 2002 Corolla failed at 210k or so. I still have it's engine in the garage and will one of these days pull the head off to see what exactly killed the one cylinder.

[victor441]

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.

from what I've read running regular in many modern cars car designed for premium will cause the ECU to retard timing (due to pinging picked up by the knock sensors) and that will cause substantially worse mileage, enough to negate any possible savings...and in a years time running super might cost maybe $100 extra for a typical driver

[duccarlos]

The gas question will also be weighed in the decision. My wife will be driving it the most and at least 50 miles a day. Payin for premium gas will most certainly not be appreciated.

[DucofWestwood]

Dude I'm telling you look at the genesis. All hyundais run on regular unleaded.