55 and Looking For A New Vehicle

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Since you didn't list a budget, I'm going to assume that you're willing to spend up to mid 20k since you listed the Accord as something you're considering.

Here are what I would look at if I were to look for a car in that price range right now.
- Gently used current gen Maxima. You seem pleased with your current one. The new one looks really sleek and it has the much talked about VQ 3.5 v6.
- The new Altima
- 08 Chevy Malibu. Saw one in person today and they look great, but of course it's a new design so there might be glitches.
- Mazda6 sedan or wagon if you can find one.
- Hyundai Sonata, Elantra
- Honda Element, Crv
- Ford Fusion, Focus, Mercury Milan
- Mazda3 wagon
- Toyota Camry, Matrix, Rav4, used Prius

That's all I can think of right now. But it really depends on your needs and what you like.
 
Originally Posted By: ex_MGB
I have a '97 Maxima 5-speed and I doubt it will ever die....
Maybe I should just get some bodywork and a new paint job for the Max to make it look new. I just replaced the shocks all around with KYB's and am about to put on a new exhaust from the headers back.

That is not a bad idea. Spend a little money to fix it up, and then drive it another 100k miles or more.
 
Originally Posted By: lovcom
You won't see nearly as many complaints in Honda, Toyota such forums....by the way, I think Korean women are awesome! ;-)

Quite right. Great sound effects. That's about all I can say here. Oh yeah, my vote goes for the new Scion Xd.
 
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Originally Posted By: Steve S
Imo cars are a waste of $$$ keep the Nissan till it costs too much repair while banking the $$$ it costs you for a car payment. Don't waste the $$$ on paint or body work.

+1

In addition, I'll bet if you drove your wife's new Civic for a week, you'll wish you were back in your big, fast, nice Maxima. You could detail the interior, get some sheepskins, and update the stereo and headlamps. Or find somewhere else to spend the money (already got a plasma TV?).
 
Originally Posted By: lovcom

Amd judging from the list of cars you have, it seems you care little about quality, and/or don't read ConsumerReports, Edmunds.com and other reliable sources for car information ;-)


33.gif
I just hate it when that happens. Here I thought I was buying quality products, and now I find out CONSUMER REPORTS and Edmunds.com disagree. Woe is me, how will I ever sleep nights? What category does CR place cars in? Large appliances or outdoor power equipment?


Originally Posted By: lovcom
Did you know that more then 90% of brand new BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes car owners cannot afford their cars?


That sounds like baloney to me, where would I find the factual basis for this assertion?
 
I would think a Escape would fit you perfectly. The 2.3 will give you 28+ mpg and still be sporty enough for that mid-life crisis. It has the roof rack for whatever you want to haul and if you have a trailer hitch should haul around 1.5k with even room for the grandkids someday. I guess any suv in the class would work but I only know about the Escape's.
 
Unless you are like Jack Palance (dead or alive?) and can perform 1-handed push-ups, then, I would opt for a vehicle that you can enter and exit w/o wondering if you're goona even be able to! Think about a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CRV as many up here opt for these go anywhere type vehicles that will yield at least 25 MPG while having some fun doing it and it won't break your retirement savings.
 
I have an '07 Accord and the only thing that stopped me from buying a new CRV is that the wife has an older one already. That 1998 will be just a beater soon and maybe we will get the new CRV then. Seems great for the money. I'm somewhat biased, had a loaner RDX a few times. If you could swing $25k, a new TSX and be had with a 3yr/50k warranty. very reliable and imo, worth the money. Consider the comfort factor no matter what you get.
 
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I have an '07 Accord and the only thing that stopped me from buying a new CRV is that the wife has an older one already. That 1998 will be just a beater soon and maybe we will get the new CRV then. Seems great for the money.

There may be a turbodiesel engine for the CRV in 2009 -- much better fuel economy, and more torque, for only a little more money.
 
Originally Posted By: Win
Originally Posted By: lovcom

Amd judging from the list of cars you have, it seems you care little about quality, and/or don't read ConsumerReports, Edmunds.com and other reliable sources for car information ;-)


33.gif
I just hate it when that happens. Here I thought I was buying quality products, and now I find out CONSUMER REPORTS and Edmunds.com disagree. Woe is me, how will I ever sleep nights? What category does CR place cars in? Large appliances or outdoor power equipment?


Originally Posted By: lovcom
Did you know that more then 90% of brand new BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes car owners cannot afford their cars?


That sounds like baloney to me, where would I find the factual basis for this assertion?


If you don;t believe ConsumerReports, then go talk to 5 honest mechanics. They ALL will tell you that the domestics have MANY more problems then the Japanese models, with few exceptions. Get out of denial ;-)

http://www.autospies.com/news/Forbes-does-a-comparison-of-luxury-brand-demographics-22691/

The above site shows the demographics of luxuary car buyers. Since most of the buyers of these vehicles are heads of families, they make pitifully too little money to really justify those cars, even if they have just one dependent child. The annual salaries listed are pitifully too low for the cars that they buy. Idiots!

My girlfriend's brother sales Mercedes Benz in Orange County, Calif. He says fully 90% of all luxury car buyers buy them on credit, and up to 5+ years. These people cannot afford those cars. Many lease and have no way to write off those leases, and again these people cannot afford those cars. Idiots!

Just drive around apartment complexes (rentals) in any affluent city in the United States and you see something very sad: In the parking area you see many, many late model Lexus, Mercedes, BMW cars..RENTERS!!! Shows where their priorities are: Flash, being someone they are not...for them better to look the part then be the part.

Susie Orman, the hot shot financial guru that has her own show came up with the 90% figure. I full agree!
 
Suzie is right. When I was a child only doctors, lawyers, and semi-affluent retired people could afford up-scale vehicles. Unless your 401-k is fully funded, your Roth IRA is maxed out, your credit card debt is under $1000.00, and any off-spring you've spawned have their Education IRAs maxed out, ... you shouldn't be overpaying for that hunk of iron out in the driveway.

On second thought... disregard what I just said, I think I need someone to prop up my investments!
 
Boy this forum is really educational
Last night I was reading where I should pay a 5 dollar per gallon gas guzzler tax.
Now today I read that I can not afford my vehicles.
My banker and stock broker must be Lying to me

Instead of buying one of those boring little P.O.S. skateboards listed maybe I could just sell one of the 7 vehicles that are PAID for and that way I could afford to drive what I have instead of something that I would not give garage space to much less drive.
THANKS FOR THE LESSON IN FINANCE
 
Originally Posted By: Black Bart
Boy this forum is really educational
Last night I was reading where I should pay a 5 dollar per gallon gas guzzler tax.
Now today I read that I can not afford my vehicles.
My banker and stock broker must be Lying to me

Instead of buying one of those boring little P.O.S. skateboards listed maybe I could just sell one of the 7 vehicles that are PAID for and that way I could afford to drive what I have instead of something that I would not give garage space to much less drive.
THANKS FOR THE LESSON IN FINANCE


Are we to assume that you personally own and drive 7 vehicles? Wow, what a waste! If you liquidate them, you might have enough of a down payment on a Senior Housing Condo, and now you can start thinking about your retirement years. I made my fortune with these cheap little shiit boxes....move an elderly tenent in, they pay on time, all the notes are 15 year mortgages...over the life of each mortage I'll relized at least a 300% increase in value, but that's only if I sell....If I keep these units I get about $1,200 each every month going forward....please do tell us how your 7 cars pay you every month? And as for those "POS skateboards", well my 2007 Yaris is MUCH more dependable then any car you have, so who's driving the POS? ;-
)
Often 40-60 year old little boys destroy their ability to provide for their families because they just need the $50,000 Lexus...but hey if one's family is taken are of, their futures too, the I say go for it!

lol
 
Originally Posted By: ex_MGB
55 and Looking For A New Vehicle


Something made in Zuffenhausen or Modena sounds about right.
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: lovcom
I made my fortune with these cheap little shiit boxes....move an elderly tenent in, they pay on time, all the notes are 15 year mortgages... lol


I guess you'll be treating us to a lecture on morality next.
 
lovcom You have more balls than me.
You have admitted on a public forum that you own and drive a Yuris. ROFL
OH by the way you need not lose any sleep worryig about me and my family.
 
Originally Posted By: Black Bart
lovcom You have more balls than me.
You have admitted on a public forum that you own and drive a Yuris. ROFL
OH by the way you need not lose any sleep worryig about me and my family.


I'm very proud to have choosen the Toyota Yaris for transportation. You see, I don't need a bigger, more powerful, more expensive car to prop up my manhood, my ego, my self worth.

May the world know, that LovCom drives a Yaris.

And why would it take "balls" to admit this in a public forum? Oh wait, you are insecure with yourself, and you worry what others might think of you....gotta put on appearences, right? Ok, gotcha. lol ;-)

This thread is a discussion. Exchange of ideas, opinions. It's called discourse. We did that in college. We do that still, as middle aged men. This is okay ;-)
 
What's wrong with the Yaris? It's a darn good car. I appreciate high end cars and enjoy driving them but the Yaris does it's job well and I appreciate it for that. It's a well built, reliable, fun little runabout, much like the Honda Fit.

I understand the whole image/economics etc. arguments and I won't get into that, but as a car, the Yaris is a good one.
 
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