YSSMAN's Infinite Crisis: Blackest Night (Post #816)

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Maybe, If you absolutely, positively NEED something reliable and fuel-efficient...Try looking for a clean, mostly rust-free '85-'88 Nova. Sure, it's not got much power, not at all, and 80-series tires do not provide much grip, but it won't cost you much (Pocket change compared to that Jetta,) and it wouldn't cost much to fix ANYTHING on it.

and how does 90$ a month for insurance sound? Hm? You probably have a better record than I, too, so you'll have a lower price.

and you can keep it around after you get a better car, turn it into a 4A-GE powered project car...
 
Jim Prower
Maybe, If you absolutely, positively NEED something reliable and fuel-efficient...Try looking for a clean, mostly rust-free '85-'88 Nova. Sure, it's not got much power, not at all, and 80-series tires do not provide much grip, but it won't cost you much (Pocket change compared to that Jetta,) and it wouldn't cost much to fix ANYTHING on it.

and how does 90$ a month for insurance sound? Hm? You probably have a better record than I, too, so you'll have a lower price.

and you can keep it around after you get a better car, turn it into a 4A-GE powered project car...
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I think that's just taking a stab in the dark now. He can afford a better car, so why not?"
 
It sounds like he's going to be without a car for awhile. It's really a bandaid solution, until he can get something else...

Nevermind, it's ridiculous.
 
Jim Prower
It sounds like he's going to be without a car for awhile. It's really a bandaid solution, until he can get something else...

Nevermind, it's ridiculous.
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Well, in a bandaid situation he could have picked up a newspaper and bought the cheapest thing that runs. IIRC his family has a gran prix and a camry ( I think) for him to drive meanwhile.
 
Well, I guess that'll work.

*Feeling stupid. and left out because everyone has a nice car but him.*
 
Okay, Late to the party as usual.
I haven't read much of the above, but I plunge in anyway.
Have you considered buying a year old lease return?
The car is only a year old, with about 12-15,000 miles.
It has been maintained, and all the little stupid crap that goes wrong with new cars should have been fixed.
Most people that lease cars, because of the mileage thing don't do all that much driving.
So you have an essentially new car, with the depreciation already out of it.
 
Perfect Balance
If you're opening the possibility of leasing now, look at other things besides VW.
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Way ahead of you:

Mazda 3i
- About $230 a month for 36 mo and 12,000/year
- $500 deductible, $150-ish a month

Nissan Versa S Hatch
- About $230 a month for 36 mo and 12,000/year
- $500 deductible, about $130-ish a month

MINI Cooper
- About $250 a month for for 36 mo and 12,000/year (not solid on stripper model)
- $500 deductible, about $160-ish a month

...The key, essentially, is finding a stripper model on a lot...

One that pissed me off?

Honda Fit Sport
- About $270 a month with little flex space
 
From what I'm told Mini screws you on leases, I wouldn't look at them. The few people I've talked to might have just had a bad experience but I don't know.
 
Have you had the same experience? You're leasing, right?

Didn't realize that you could have that new car for about the same as the old one. My favorites from that list are the Mazda3 and of course the Bunny.
 
Joey D
From what I'm told Mini screws you on leases, I wouldn't look at them. The few people I've talked to might have just had a bad experience but I don't know.
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Yeah, I'm not sure either. The MINI language on the site seemed nice, but Volkswagen definitely seemed to be the "coolest" about it. I'm supposed to be getting some advice from Grandpa on the issue soon, what he says may be the deciding issue in the end.

One recalls a deal that Ford offers with $1999 down and $199 a month on a Mercury Milan Sync, which doesn't sound like a bad deal at all. Insurance that I checked on it would be about $130 a month too (oddly, its cheaper than the Fusion SE).

I'm thinking I may just end up saving up some money over the next month or so and go from there. We'll see. I hope to go to VW tomorrow and see if I can even qualify for their "Sign, Then Drive" Event.

EDIT:

Which further reminds me: I may also see what Saturn has to offer. That is, if I can even find a stripper Astra in the first place...
 
I just bought three Mazda's on three year notes that are about $100 a month more dear than Leasing any of the cars in the above post.
Well two of them are, but we put down quite a bit on the 3 and one of the 6's.
Plus, we got both cars extended warranties out to 100,000 miles as they will all be there in about 5 years.
Leasing makes me twitch. Of my wife, my two oldest boys, and myself, I put in the least "seat time" and I drive about 400 miles every week.
If I could only put on 12,000 miles a year, I'd have to park the car around October and not touch it till January.
Leasing is only practical IMHO for those who don't really need a car, or have their own car and a company car.
 
YSSMAN
Yeah, I'm not sure either. The MINI language on the site seemed nice, but Volkswagen definitely seemed to be the "coolest" about it. I'm supposed to be getting some advice from Grandpa on the issue soon, what he says may be the deciding issue in the end.

One recalls a deal that Ford offers with $1999 down and $199 a month on a Mercury Milan Sync, which doesn't sound like a bad deal at all. Insurance that I checked on it would be about $130 a month too (oddly, its cheaper than the Fusion SE).

I'm thinking I may just end up saving up some money over the next month or so and go from there. We'll see. I hope to go to VW tomorrow and see if I can even qualify for their "Sign, Then Drive" Event.

EDIT:

Which further reminds me: I may also see what Saturn has to offer. That is, if I can even find a stripper Astra in the first place...
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Mercury is seen as an older person's car for insurance companies so that's why the insurance is cheap. Same goes with the Crown Vic/Mercury Marquis. The Milan is a nice car all around, I don't prefer it over the Fusion but it is a very nice car for the money. I'd lease, if you can keep the mileage under control. Yes its not "your" car but leasing provides you a new car every 2-3 years. Keep your Jetta as your toy and use the new car as the daily driver. :D
 
So, to update:

The question in my household has become whether or not its worth it to finance used versus leasing new based largely around the idea of a warranty. Its going to cost me the same $230-250 a month to finance something 2003+ in the $10K range, so yeah, I'm weighing my options.

I also took a trip to the insurance place this afternoon, and the insurance prices I had quoted earlier were WAY off. The average insurance price is going to be $130, completely liveable, so its a matter of getting the right lease price.

I had a look at a Nissan Versa today, and I'm already writing it off. I hated it. Too cheap feeling, not very invigorating to drive, not willing to flex on prices too much. Its decent, but its just not my cup of tea.

As for the MINI thing... Our dealer won't officially open for another few months, but they said they could get me one sooner than later if I really wanted it. The good news is that so far, it has the cheapest insurance rates, so it would likely be a matter of getting the right lease down. We'll see I suppose.
 
So, after a week of sitting on my hands and not really looking at anything I've had to draw some conclusions.

1) I really do think the leasing idea is the best thing I've got going for me
2) The used car market absolutely sucks in this state, no bones about it
3) So I've gotta watch the prices, the options, and have a better look around.

The good news is, I've narrowed it down to three (main) cars with one wildcard:

The 2008 MINI Cooper
2008.mini.cooper.20179059-E.jpg


Pros:
- Cheap on gas and insurance
- Fun to drive, cult status, keeps me happy like a VW

Cons:
- Expensive
- Two month wait to get one

The 2008 Volkwagen Rabbit (Golf) S
2008.volkswagen.rabbit.20132258-E.jpg


Pros:
- Cheap base price, comes well-equipped
- Same VW feeling that I love...

Cons:
- Not a good car on gas (25 MPG combined)
- No sport suspension makes it "iffy" despite otherwise strong credentials

The 2008 Honda Fit (Jazz) Sport
2008.honda.fit.20144374-E.jpg


Pros:
- Small, spunky, the "MINI on a budget"
- Flexible interior = extra space, comfort, high quality

Cons:
- Have to deal with the Honda dealer network, really bad in Michigan
- They may not be willing to play ball with pricing

The Wildcard: The 2008 Saturn Astra XR
2008.saturn.astra.20142846-E.jpg


Pros:
- Its a GM product, and its actually a good one
- I think its good-looking, and they're nearly as rare as the MINI

Cons:
- Weak in the power department, not very refined
- May be difficult to find a stripper like I want

===

So, I'm on spring break next week and I plan on driving all of the above extensively. I may take Jackie with me to see what she thinks, but honest to God, the MINI is continuing to be the strongest one.

...I just don't want to wait for another two months...
 
Buy the Mini, I'll be in Grand Rapids this weekend if you want to see mine. I think I've already sold 2 of them, might as well try for a third. Yes it is expensive, but it's a solid car and if you get it new the service on it is free for the first 3 years/40,000 miles (i.e. oil changes, brakes, tires, headlamp bulbs, etc.). I test drove all but the Astra in the cars you are looking at and I found the Mini to be the best followed by the Fit.
 
Casio
Aren't Fits like half the price of MINIs?
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A few thousand cheaper yes, but don't old people drive Fits/Jazzes? I don't think I've seen a young person in one yet.
 
Casio
Aren't Fits like half the price of MINIs?
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The Fit Sport rings in just shy of $16,000 while the Cooper equipped to my tastes would be about $100 short of $19,000.

Oddly enough, they have about the same monthly payments. Its weird...

I'm planning on having a day where I can drive them all back-to-back-to-back. I know I can afford $250-ish a month with about $2000 as a down-payment, so its what I'm going to try to shoot for I think. I still won't be able to get anything for at least another month, but I'm enjoying poking around.
 
Astra, Astra, Astra. Come on, you know GM needs the small car sales more. Plus it's a new Astra, which is a far stronger engine than older generation models. This new one is actually really good. Plus you're looking at hatches, power is not an issue. Get the Astra :sly: 👍
 
Do you guys have the same 2.0L 140 BHP engine? I've heard its a bit short on gusto, but not many people have tested it yet. Car and Driver needs to do a comparison test to fit my needs...
 
YSSMAN
The Fit Sport rings in just shy of $16,000 while the Cooper equipped to my tastes would be about $100 short of $19,000.

Oddly enough, they have about the same monthly payments. Its weird...

I'm planning on having a day where I can drive them all back-to-back-to-back. I know I can afford $250-ish a month with about $2000 as a down-payment, so its what I'm going to try to shoot for I think. I still won't be able to get anything for at least another month, but I'm enjoying poking around.
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I'd bet they have similar monthly payments due to Honda Financing.
I went to two different dealers whilst looking for cars for my oldest two kids.
The first salesman was an ass and acted like he had better things to do than sell two cars in one day. So we went and found a more hospitable dealer.
However the best quote we got for financing (with $5000 down) on a three year note was 6.5% APR. The asshat offered 7.9% APR.
If you buy on a long note (5 or more years) you will find yourself in the 9% and up arena for financing.
Apparently, Hondas are selling so well that there are currently no incentives on them, to the point of discouraging people from buying the things.
Ford had 2.9% APR, Mazda had 1.9% APR (hence we have 3 new Mazdas)
The monthly payment on the Civic would have been about $450-$475/month for 36 months.
On the Mazda3, it's more than $100 bucks less monthly, and they were priced within $1,000 of each other. a little over $16K VS $17K.
 
Our Astras have a 1.8L 103kw engine, (similar horspower to the 2.0L) and then there's a 2.0L turbo makes 147kw. Do you guys get the diesel version? Manual diesel get 110kw and 320Nm of torque. That wouldn't lack too much.
 
Vonie
The US Astra has the same 1.8 with 138 hp.
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Oops, my mistake... I keep thinking in the same 2.0L, 2.2L and 2.4L as the rest of the GMNA lineup...
 
I sat in one a few weeks ago and I really wasn't blown away by it. I'm sure its a million times better than the Versa that I drove, but thats a pretty weak starting point anyway.

...I don't even know if they have any at the dealer with a stick...
 
The astra is average at best. My dad has a VXR and its interior is still completely bland. And not that involving a drive. Id say go the fit, ive driven one and theyre not a bad steer (better than all the astras ive driven), and the rear seat folding system is super practical and cool.
 
The Astra is lacking when compared to the other cars.
 
I like the Astras. I think 0-60mph times are somewhere around 8-9sec for the 1.8L if that's any help. I personally don't care much how an interior looks, if it has A/C and a little head room I'm all set inside.
 

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