Thinking about saving for a new vehicle.

What should I get?


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nudeyorker

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I always say think about what you need the vehicle to do for you. If a truck or SUV fit the bill then lean toward that. Keep in mind gas prices though!
 

canuck_pa

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With just about every car maker trying to sell vehicles and the low loan interest rates, now is probably a very good time to buy.

If I was in a position to buy, I'd look at cars that get good gas mileage or an electric car.
For commuting I'd look at a Smart car. Their made by Mercedes Benz. In Canada they start at under $15,000

You can see reviews at: Smart Fortwo Car - Edmunds.com

For general use I would buy a Mercedes B200
 

splitface

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See, I have a problem with buying an expensive, ugly, overpowered vehicle based on it's 'manliness'. :D

Whatever you do, don't get a truck rated to tow the average mobile home if the most intensive thing you do is driving in Downtown Atlanta.

I suggest you save and wait, see what the market has to offer in 6 - 12 months.
 

nudeyorker

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One thing that I forgot to mention, I recently bought a new car, and I have always bought a car with standard transmission, I was amazed at how much better gas milage they get. This is the first time someone pointed it out to me.
 

jason_els

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We can help you more if you tell us what you need and what you want. What do you do all day? Commute at all? How far? Are you a driving enthusiast? How big is your family?
 

B_Stronzo

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If (as Jason says) your commute isn't too far may I suggest something that's worked for me?

In 2002 I bought as my second car a 1992 Volvo 740 Wagon. It had had but one owner and all the records were kept in chronological order. The woman lived north of me just over the New Hampshire line. It was my first ebay purchase. Yup, ebay.

I paid three thousand clams for it.

Well these seven years later (with 215k miles on it) it's become part of me.

It's slate gray and I have one of those Volvo-only mechanics who says "you've got another good 200K miles on this one". As nudeyorker cites a standard transmission is my preference too but this one isn't.

I don't care .... I love the foolish thing.
 

Viking_UK

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If you need something the size of a truck, go for it, but consider an LPG conversion. I drive an Explorer because I need the weight for towing. I got it converted to run on LPG as soon as I got it. It cost just under two grand for a multi-injection system, which paid for itself in under 18 months.

If you don't need a passenger carrier, consider a Smart. I used to have a two-seater cabrio. I still regret trading it in. It was a great car, good fun to drive and had more leg room than the Explorer. Good fuel economy and drove like a go-kart, especially with the wider wheels. I drove it around half of Europe, but the best drive was the single-track roads up on the west coast of Scotland. That's got me thinking about nipping round to the local dealer's now...