Bells and whistles or plain jane

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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: ram_man
The dart is also the only car in its class that I really like . You can get a stick in any trim level, they look nice drive nice ect. No other small car does all that in my opinion.

Golf?


The golf is nice I forgot about them but Volkswagens reliability and complexities to work on steer me away. If it wasn't for that I'd consider one.
 
And an update on the passing out they think it's blood sugar related. I am waiting on results back to see if I am diabetic but the lowest my blood sugar has been since I startee checking it was 170. Usually is around 220-260.
So hopefully that's all it is.
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: ram_man
The dart is also the only car in its class that I really like . You can get a stick in any trim level, they look nice drive nice ect. No other small car does all that in my opinion.

Golf?


The golf is nice I forgot about them but Volkswagens reliability and complexities to work on steer me away. If it wasn't for that I'd consider one.

So you think Chrysler will be more reliable?
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: ram_man
The dart is also the only car in its class that I really like . You can get a stick in any trim level, they look nice drive nice ect. No other small car does all that in my opinion.

Golf?


The golf is nice I forgot about them but Volkswagens reliability and complexities to work on steer me away. If it wasn't for that I'd consider one.

So you think Chrysler will be more reliable?


Definitely. My friend bought a 15 Jetta right before my dart and wow has that thing been a pile the camshaft broke 2 times now so it's been in the dealer more than on the road. My dart had the typical slave cylinder issue that was it.
 
I prefer options, it makes for a nicer car and adds to the value
I personally would never buy a manual transmission
 
If you're buying new, it gets pricey when you get all the options. I got a used Mercedes and it had many options that most of them didn't have. Those extra options added up to about 8k. But it was used so those options didn't even factor into the nadaguide price. They're all fun to play with and it's been somewhat reliable so far, at this age, if anything goes wrong, there are aftermarket parts for it and there's always ebay and junkyards. New car models typically don't have that option til they've been out for 3-4 years.
 
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.

On the plus side, though, they should be cheap used - like the Fiats.


This was one of the main reasons I didn't get a Dart. Saw a nice 2013 Limited 1.4T, very reasonable price range. Went to start it at the dealership and the CEL came on. I walked away.

Have a friend with a 2013 2.0L SXT that was pretty solid. Only issue was with the dash board dying randomly(it would come back on eventually). Otherwise the rest of the car worked as it should've. It was really slow though, there really isn't much punch in the 2.0 6AT. It's a good commuter car and nothing more. I hear the 2.4 and 1.4T engines tend to have more issues.

As far as base vs. loaded, a loaded will always be easier to sell down the line(atleast while the options are still popular). Probably won't make much of a difference if you keep it for a LONG time.
 
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Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Which can you buy cash with no debt?

You need to deal with a lot of other stuff right now; you dont need to be wasting money on niceties, IMO.

Two kids, fainting, possibly medical bills... Possible new job/career... You need to be saving money and minimizing outlay.

Other than headlights, I really like the darts Ive driven. But you need to look out for family first. Once youre convinced that all your situations are fully covered, then buy as nice as you like, cash.

This. Buying a new car is not a good idea for you. Since you had to use GAP insurance, I'm assuming you got zero dollars out of the Dart.

You claim to be a mechanic, so buy a cheap car with cash that you can work on. You are not in a position to take on more debt. Find an older Corolla, Fusion, or something else that you're familiar with. A 7-year loan on another new vehicle is going to put you into the red again.

It wouldn't hurt to find a finance person that can help you put a budget together. If you've got a trusted family member that's a CPA or financial planner, that's a good place to start.
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.


You know the group of dart enthusiasts I am in we really don't see a lot of issues. I do not really understand the hate for dart. I'm at the point where I think the automotive media just loves to hate Chrysler. It's the only thing I can come up with.
It's not because it's a Chrysler, it's because it's the cheapest car they make. Like the Chevy Aveo or a Mitsubishi Mirage.


Have you ever driven a dart? The outside is nice looking the interior is very nice for the class it's in. They have good driving dynamics . The only down side they have is the 2.4 fuel mileage they are about 500lbs to heavy and they only came with a 6sp automatic..... They are nice cars to drive. Perfect no not at all. But felt alot nicer than any Japanese compact I've been in. The Corolla and civic are so god awful nowadays . Finding either of them decently equipped with a stick is also impossible.


Because a CVT outperforms a stick. The Japanese makers are intelligent. There is no place for "real" manual transmissions in cars, CVT's and Autos+Manual sport modes should be what is offered.

the arrival of synchromesh gearboxes took all the skill out of driving a stick anyway.
 
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I prefer mine loaded up. Power windows and locks are a must now, RKE is pretty cool too (although I only have that on one vehicle). Power steering and brakes also, ABS I like in snow and ice. Radio and GPS.

Oh wait, that's all standard equipment these days, nevermind... I remember when that wasn't!

If buying new there is something to be said to get what you want, especially if it gets you to own it longer. Also, if you option the way most of the market options it helps retain value (sorta). I mean, if you order a car with say power steering delete (if it were possible) you'd wind up with a car that no one else would want.

But in your case I'd go with something more affordable. If it has to be new then something cheap-ish, which means lower on the option list. Options may be reliable but IMO you've got other places you need to spend (save) money than a new car, so I'm also in the used group.
 
ram_man,

I would buy a used $8000 Accord or Camry.
No need to get another new car and $25,000 loan.


What happened to your career change ?
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
And an update on the passing out they think it's blood sugar related. I am waiting on results back to see if I am diabetic but the lowest my blood sugar has been since I startee checking it was 170. Usually is around 220-260.
So hopefully that's all it is.


Dude, that's serious not "hopefully that's all it is". I'm no doctor but normal blood sugar should be less than 100. You should really be thinking about your health. That is far more important than a bran new car. It sounds like your accident was a blessing in disguise-you got to unload a substantial debt.

Do you have transportation at all? If so, hold way off on getting something new. There's plenty of time to buy new vehicle, plus they don't stay new for very long.

I paid my car(that I purchased new) off last year and lemme tell you! There is no greater feeling than driving a paid for ride!
 
Originally Posted By: maximus
Originally Posted By: ram_man
And an update on the passing out they think it's blood sugar related. I am waiting on results back to see if I am diabetic but the lowest my blood sugar has been since I startee checking it was 170. Usually is around 220-260.
So hopefully that's all it is.


Dude, that's serious not "hopefully that's all it is". I'm no doctor but normal blood sugar should be less than 100. You should really be thinking about your health. That is far more important than a bran new car. It sounds like your accident was a blessing in disguise-you got to unload a substantial debt.

Do you have transportation at all? If so, hold way off on getting something new. There's plenty of time to buy new vehicle, plus they don't stay new for very long.

I paid my car(that I purchased new) off last year and lemme tell you! There is no greater feeling than driving a paid for ride!


Not currently no that's why I need another vehicle. I have no intentions of a 25,000 loan I'm looking for less than 16,000 the bells and whistles one I can get for 14,000. Which is perfectly affordable for my situation. I can't stand the thought of owning a Camry. I want something that I'll be happy to own not miserable with. It's not like a dart is a very high end crazy expensive car to buy.
 
I don't doubt that the Dart is a nice looking car and drives nice, but on any manufacturer usually the bottom of the barrel cars aren't the most reliable.

If you can really get the bells and whistles one for $14,000 then I'd go for it. Pretty good price.
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
The dart is also the only car in its class that I really like . You can get a stick in any trim level, they look nice drive nice ect. No other small car does all that in my opinion.


Might I ask if you have checked out the Mazda line? They are kind of a dark horse, small company. With manual transmissions available and 180-ish HP, the 3 and 6 are very nice cars, fun to drive and great mpg. Mazdas have great reliability also.
 
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It sort of sounds like you have your mind made up.

I guess if you can get a new car for $14,000.00 you can't get hurt too bad, but with the way Darts hold their value you will never have any equity in it and make sure you have GAP this time too. Buy something like a Honda and don't finance it forever and you might walk away with some cash in your pocket if it gets totaled.

I'm guessing there is no way you can swing reliable wheels with available cash, in that case you just got to do the best you can I suppose.
 
I'd get a Sonic turbo manual and I've seen them advertised for around $14k. You've done the Focus thing and time to try something different.
 
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