Question on which type of car I should look at...

[Ant]

So, as some of you may know, I had to give up my 2010 Camaro because I couldn't afford it anymore with school and all. Dumb decision, and I've learned from my mistakes.

I ended up getting a 2010 Honda Civic coupe. I like the car, it's sporty, and gets good gas mileage. I know it's no Camaro, but I guess it's enough for me (I'm 19 and in college). The only problem is, it's kind of small for me. I'm a pretty big kid, not huge, but I'm just not comfortable in the car. I'd also like something with 4 doors, since I'm always having friends and family in the car, and the 2-door is kind of a pain with that.

If I sell my Civic, I will have about $2500 to put down on another car. I was considering the 2010 Mazda3. It's a sedan, but it's pretty sporty, isn't too expensive, and I feel like you get a lot for your money.

I really can't afford a payment of over $270 a month.

Do you think the new Mazda3 is a good choice, or can you suggest something else? Keep in mind, I also need it to be reliable, as this will likely be my car for the next 5-6 years.

[zebra]

if money's one of the big issues, buy a used car. not necessarily this one


but one that's a couple years old - like a lease return will typically still be under warranty & cost thousands less than something brand new

[Ant]

Originally Posted by zebra

if money's one of the big issues, buy a used car. not necessarily this one


but one that's a couple years old - like a lease return will typically still be under warranty & cost thousands less than something brand new

Yeah, it's the money I guess, but like I said I have $2500 to put down. So I just need to decide what kind of car...right now it's between a new Mazda3 or maybe a Nissan Altima (I'm sure I could get a lease return one of these).

["prima"Donna]

Sorry to hear that...you are young enough to get another chance to own a Camaro...I'm sure of it...

[JJ#48Racing]

Sounds like you need to have a serious talk with yourself and figure out what kind of car you really need. Because you're loosing your ass every time you buy a brand new car and trade it for something else. I think you should buy a used car, once, and keep it until you're out of college and have a decent job. Sorry if I sound harsh, but after playing musical cars you probably could have just kept the Camaro.

[FenwickHockey65]

Cruze is due later this year.

[kjd15]

Originally Posted by JJ#48Racing

Sounds like you need to have a serious talk with yourself and figure out what kind of car you really need. Because you're loosing your ass every time you buy a brand new car and trade it for something else. I think you should buy a used car, once, and keep it until you're out of college and have a decent job. Sorry if I sound harsh, but after playing musical cars you probably could have just kept the Camaro.

I agree with this.
Nothing wrong with a good used car that someone has already taken the depreciation hit on.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Ant

So, as some of you may know, I had to give up my 2010 Camaro because I couldn't afford it anymore with school and all. Dumb decision, and I've learned from my mistakes.

I ended up getting a 2010 Honda Civic coupe. I like the car, it's sporty, and gets good gas mileage. I know it's no Camaro, but I guess it's enough for me (I'm 19 and in college). The only problem is, it's kind of small for me. I'm a pretty big kid, not huge, but I'm just not comfortable in the car. I'd also like something with 4 doors, since I'm always having friends and family in the car, and the 2-door is kind of a pain with that.

If I sell my Civic, I will have about $2500 to put down on another car. I was considering the 2010 Mazda3. It's a sedan, but it's pretty sporty, isn't too expensive, and I feel like you get a lot for your money.

I really can't afford a payment of over $270 a month.

Do you think the new Mazda3 is a good choice, or can you suggest something else? Keep in mind, I also need it to be reliable, as this will likely be my car for the next 5-6 years.

Get a couple year old car that is still under warranty, and then also purchase an extended warranty.. Remember if you get a 2007 or newer GM car you get the remainder of the 5 year 100K drivetrain warranty. Something very important to consider...

[2000v6]

Hm...

I wouldn't go for a mazda, but that's just my opinion. That doesn't mean that you can't take the model(s) that you like into opinion.

Cars that you could get are - rl, tl, tsx, accord, altima, maxima, g37, m37, the new sonata, genesis, forte, optima, kizashi, mazda3, mazda6, impreza, wrx, legacy, jetta, passat, cc, a4, a6, 3 series, 5 series, c class, e class, the new cruze that will be coming out, cobalt, impala, malibu, camaro, g8, g6, lacrosse, lucerne, regal, cts, focus, fusion, taurus, fiesta, mks, mkz, milan, s40, s60, s80, 300, pt cruiser, sebring, avenger, challenger, charger

But honestly, coming from one college student to another - don't get a new car. Get something that is two or three years old. It's not like anyone is going to look down on you, if it's a nice car. And if you want one that is loaded with options, it will be cheaper. Also, maintainance will be a cheaper issue as well. And when you graduate, you can buy a new car then. I don't think that I included any cars that have only two doors, but I might have missed two or three and listed them.

[Ant]

Originally Posted by JJ#48Racing

Sounds like you need to have a serious talk with yourself and figure out what kind of car you really need. Because you're loosing your ass every time you buy a brand new car and trade it for something else. I think you should buy a used car, once, and keep it until you're out of college and have a decent job. Sorry if I sound harsh, but after playing musical cars you probably could have just kept the Camaro.

Maybe you're right...but what kind of used car can I get for $3000 that will last me at least 4-5 years?

[zebra]

dude, i bought a 91 explorer in 2003 for $1400 & drove it for over 3 years (most of college) just fine and nobody thought less of me because it wasn't new. it did everything i needed it to and the only reason i got rid of it was because i found a great deal on a truck like i originally wanted.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by Ant

Maybe you're right...but what kind of used car can I get for $3000 that will last me at least 4-5 years?

Dude $3000 could get me used cars that would last 20 years. My past 2 $500 cars lasted 2.5 years each. That leaves you up $2k! Now admittedly they were nasty but I'm sure you get my drift. You need to find a car thats $2k-$3k because its old and not valueable, and not so cheap because its a newer car thats a basket case. ex a late 90's early 00's Altima...

[Brokinarrow]

Just take out a small loan and use that with the $2500 to get a decent used car. Trust me, if I had actually thought things through I could have kept my Camaro and gotten it's payments down pretty close to what I am paying for my tC now. Kicked myself in the @$$ for a while for it (still do every time I see a Camaro on the road), but I'm considering it a lesson learned the hard way: NEVER trade in a car that you can't at least break even on.

[chrisinlittlerock]

Originally Posted by Ant

So, as some of you may know, I had to give up my 2010 Camaro because I couldn't afford it anymore with school and all. Dumb decision, and I've learned from my mistakes.

I ended up getting a 2010 Honda Civic coupe. I like the car, it's sporty, and gets good gas mileage. I know it's no Camaro, but I guess it's enough for me (I'm 19 and in college). The only problem is, it's kind of small for me. I'm a pretty big kid, not huge, but I'm just not comfortable in the car. I'd also like something with 4 doors, since I'm always having friends and family in the car, and the 2-door is kind of a pain with that.

If I sell my Civic, I will have about $2500 to put down on another car. I was considering the 2010 Mazda3. It's a sedan, but it's pretty sporty, isn't too expensive, and I feel like you get a lot for your money.

I really can't afford a payment of over $270 a month.

Do you think the new Mazda3 is a good choice, or can you suggest something else? Keep in mind, I also need it to be reliable, as this will likely be my car for the next 5-6 years.

I had a Mazda3 and it was a total hunk of crap. My niece has one and its the same way so I would have to say DON'T get one of those. Just my opinion of course.