My wife had a 2005 Chrysler 300 limited that hit a young girl's Nissan Sentra going through an intersection last week. My wife is fine and doing well BTW. She had the green light but the girl cut in front of her coming the other way. She was doing about 40mph when the air bag went off in the 300. Front grill damage of course, bumper messed up and minor sheet metal damage to fender and hood. The kicker is that on Chrysler cars, if the air bag goes off, the entire steering column must be replaced as an assembly. @$2,000-3,500 for that assembly I was quoted not including body work. It has 171,000 miles on it and otherwise looked good but had a generally dirty interior. She is guessing on $5,000 for the insurance payment to apply towards another vehicle. She was thinking of leasing a 2014 Fiat 500L. Has anyone here ever driven one before? I was thinking of a used 2010 Accord, but nothing is really solid yet. I am partial to Chevy, but also drive an older Toyota as well. She could really care less. She is 50 years old and the youngest child is a grown 22 years old. A 30 mile one way commute to work in mixed city/country driving. Any ideas for used cars?
Wife's car got totalled. Any ideas? (wrong forum?)
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JHZR2
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Skip the lease. Buy what you can afford. The 2010 accord was still the "large car" version, and I thought it doesnt get quite as good marks as the latest model.
What does she want?
Glad she is OK. Hope the insurance doesnt rake you over the coals. Be ready to fight.
If they total it for $5k due to a $3500 repair, and assuming they cut you a check for $5k, you may be able to buy the car back and replace the steering column with a good used one, do some repairs and be running again.
Given the interior space, I wonder if a used cruze would do well for her.
What does she want?
Glad she is OK. Hope the insurance doesnt rake you over the coals. Be ready to fight.
If they total it for $5k due to a $3500 repair, and assuming they cut you a check for $5k, you may be able to buy the car back and replace the steering column with a good used one, do some repairs and be running again.
Given the interior space, I wonder if a used cruze would do well for her.
Seeing that your in Buffalo, NY and probably see lots of snow, maybe a Subaru? If you decide to go w/ the Fiat 500L, keep us posted on how you guys like it. They interest me, I like quirky cars and kinda like them myself. I will say this, they really messed up the parking brake handle design, but I could get over that I think. I sat in one at the PA auto show this year and found it to be very roomy, lots of headroom, and I'm 6'5". I think they can be had with all wheel drive as well, but I might be wrong. Also, the new Jeep Cherokees are nice, some of the most comfortable seets I've sat in, but again, I like quirky, and their looks aren't for everyone. The sliding rear seat is a nice feature.
Glad she's OK. Can't go wrong with the Accord. I'd do some shopping and see if you can swing a new one or maybe a salesman's '13-'14 demo. as a used car, the new Accords are THAT good, it's worth looking into. I think she'd be asking for trouble with the Fiat. Is the dealer close by if it needs service? Just thinking, if you took an Accord and a Fiat and squished the two together into one car you might end up with a new Mazda 3.
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Glad everyone is alright. I personally would not go for a used Honda and the Fiat's crash-worthiness with large vehicles is suspect in my option.
The only reason for not going with a used Honda is that the "used" value just is not there as demand drive the cost up more than what a used car should be (in my opinion). There are better deals and I would go new over used with any Honda for as long as it is 5 years old or younger. The other thing is that the mid-sized new market is so competitive right now, you should be able to find a decent deal.
The only reason for not going with a used Honda is that the "used" value just is not there as demand drive the cost up more than what a used car should be (in my opinion). There are better deals and I would go new over used with any Honda for as long as it is 5 years old or younger. The other thing is that the mid-sized new market is so competitive right now, you should be able to find a decent deal.
1) Glad she's OK
2) Skip the lease
3) Skip the Fiat
An Accord is a nice, solid car. Honda 4 cylinders are outstanding with great mileage and reliability.
2) Skip the lease
3) Skip the Fiat
An Accord is a nice, solid car. Honda 4 cylinders are outstanding with great mileage and reliability.
Definitely go for the accord.
You'll own it (or at least not have to return it in 3 years) and it's a proven reliable car.
You'll own it (or at least not have to return it in 3 years) and it's a proven reliable car.
Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
The only reason for not going with a used Honda is that the "used" value just is not there as demand drive the cost up more than what a used car should be (in my opinion). There are better deals and I would go new over used with any Honda for as long as it is 5 years old or younger. The other thing is that the mid-sized new market is so competitive right now, you should be able to find a decent deal.
I disagree. Last summer, I purchased a 2010 CPO Honda Accord LX with 33k on the odometer. I paid $14,000 for it. That car was $19-20k new. I'll take my $5k in savings for a car that's hardly broken in, with a 7 year, 100k mile Honda Care bumper-to-bumper warranty thrown in for an extra $650.
Yeah, the used car values are higher than ever, but there are still deals to be found. Buying new is still throwing away a lot of $$$$$$, unless you drive it for 10 years.
The only reason for not going with a used Honda is that the "used" value just is not there as demand drive the cost up more than what a used car should be (in my opinion). There are better deals and I would go new over used with any Honda for as long as it is 5 years old or younger. The other thing is that the mid-sized new market is so competitive right now, you should be able to find a decent deal.
I disagree. Last summer, I purchased a 2010 CPO Honda Accord LX with 33k on the odometer. I paid $14,000 for it. That car was $19-20k new. I'll take my $5k in savings for a car that's hardly broken in, with a 7 year, 100k mile Honda Care bumper-to-bumper warranty thrown in for an extra $650.
Yeah, the used car values are higher than ever, but there are still deals to be found. Buying new is still throwing away a lot of $$$$$$, unless you drive it for 10 years.
First and most importantly, glad she is ok.
I may be a little biased but take a look at the Mazda6. I love mine rides great, maybe a little stiff for some, and gets decent highway mileage for a midsize. This past weekend I had a 80 mile round trip and the info center gave me a 30+mpg reading. If something smaller would work maybe a Mazda3.
The Fiat idea, I would skip it. Looked at one before I ended up with the 6, just because it intrigued me. Not a fun car to drive, very tight inside and if you need to haul more then a gallon of milk forget it.
Just my .02
I may be a little biased but take a look at the Mazda6. I love mine rides great, maybe a little stiff for some, and gets decent highway mileage for a midsize. This past weekend I had a 80 mile round trip and the info center gave me a 30+mpg reading. If something smaller would work maybe a Mazda3.
The Fiat idea, I would skip it. Looked at one before I ended up with the 6, just because it intrigued me. Not a fun car to drive, very tight inside and if you need to haul more then a gallon of milk forget it.
Just my .02
Obligatory woman driver comment. Wreck pics please!
What used cars are available in your area for around $5000?
The whole need to replace the steering column when the air bag goes off needs to be researched. That doesn't sound right, and I am not finding references to that on the internet.
What used cars are available in your area for around $5000?
The whole need to replace the steering column when the air bag goes off needs to be researched. That doesn't sound right, and I am not finding references to that on the internet.
My vote goes for a new or used Hyundai Elantra. If new comes with a 10 year 100,000 mile power train warranty and 5 year 60,000 mile warranty on most all other stuff.
Fuel prices are heading upward and they get good mileage too.
Fuel prices are heading upward and they get good mileage too.
Accord.
They are great cars. Sure, some complain on how the 8th Gen Accord wasn't as good as previous models or as the new ones, but different strokes for different folks. The cars are great. Proven and reliable K24 (or J35).
I have an '09 4cyl stick Sedan that gets Blizzaks every winter and it does good, even through our blizzards. AWD may help you get going, but AWD/4WD doesn't help you stop or steer any quicker.
Traction, traction, traction... brought to you by, winter tires.
They are great cars. Sure, some complain on how the 8th Gen Accord wasn't as good as previous models or as the new ones, but different strokes for different folks. The cars are great. Proven and reliable K24 (or J35).
I have an '09 4cyl stick Sedan that gets Blizzaks every winter and it does good, even through our blizzards. AWD may help you get going, but AWD/4WD doesn't help you stop or steer any quicker.
Traction, traction, traction... brought to you by, winter tires.
I have driven the Fiat and was not impressed. I had it as a rental, and with only 6,000 miles on the clock the horn didn't work and the door hinge was screwed up. It was also horribly slow and noisy above 40mph.
I suppose if you just drive around town occasionally and at low speeds, it might be okay.
I suppose if you just drive around town occasionally and at low speeds, it might be okay.
The '05 Chrysler 300 is a good-sized car, and the heft of it may have contributed to your wife not being hurt. Maybe she'd like another good-sized car instead of a tiny one?
Oh, wait; she's the one who wants the Fiat. Never mind. (But you could suggest a bigger car to her.)
Oh, wait; she's the one who wants the Fiat. Never mind. (But you could suggest a bigger car to her.)
Originally Posted By: afoulk
Seeing that your in Buffalo, NY and probably see lots of snow, maybe a Subaru?
+1
Subaru + snowy climate= LOVE They are super durable and are a ton of car for the price IMHO. Even though I'm not a big fan of the CVT it does make it very good on gas as well. If the wife is accident prone (not trying to be sexist here) Subaru is tops in safety as well. We're on our sixth Scoobie. Great cars!
Seeing that your in Buffalo, NY and probably see lots of snow, maybe a Subaru?
+1
Subaru + snowy climate= LOVE They are super durable and are a ton of car for the price IMHO. Even though I'm not a big fan of the CVT it does make it very good on gas as well. If the wife is accident prone (not trying to be sexist here) Subaru is tops in safety as well. We're on our sixth Scoobie. Great cars!
As much as I find the Accord boring, if I had to choose between it and the Fiat 500, I'd go with the Accord. It's a much safer bet and should be a lot more comfortable on her 30-mile commute.
People here are confusing the small Fiat 500, with the larger Fiat 500L.
Come on people, please practice your reading comprehension before telling someone they shouldn't do something.
Anyway, my wife and I have driven both a manual and a twin clutch automatic version of the 500L. We very much liked the small suv. Huge amounts of headroom, great steering feel, and body control through twisty corners (we live here in Colorado, so that's important to us).
The interior is cavernous, but neither of us though that there were any bad blind spots around the car. I'm 6'1" and she's 5'2", so there's a huge difference between what we're comfortable with, when it comes to visibility and blindspots.
We both prefer the manual version over the twin clutch auto, but that's because we simply prefer manuals. It's easier to defeat the turbo lag from a standstill launch in the manual, than it is in the auto, was pretty much our only gripe about driving dynamics.
Suspension is a bit more firm, than say a Buick.
Should be similar in firmness to your Accord, but it has a beam rear axle, so not a true independent rear suspension. If you don't care about things like that, then it works out even better.
I would advise letter her test drive the Fiat 500L, just to see how she feels about it, since she's the one who mentioned that it might be a car she would like to own. Giving your wife a car she really wants to own is probably going to mean quite a lot to her happiness, which means a lot more to your happiness.
And try going for a purchase.
There are THOUSANDS of these sitting on dealer lots, and are not selling.
You will be able to find one, or many, Fiat Studios willing to part with these for really, really cheap.
BC.
Come on people, please practice your reading comprehension before telling someone they shouldn't do something.
Anyway, my wife and I have driven both a manual and a twin clutch automatic version of the 500L. We very much liked the small suv. Huge amounts of headroom, great steering feel, and body control through twisty corners (we live here in Colorado, so that's important to us).
The interior is cavernous, but neither of us though that there were any bad blind spots around the car. I'm 6'1" and she's 5'2", so there's a huge difference between what we're comfortable with, when it comes to visibility and blindspots.
We both prefer the manual version over the twin clutch auto, but that's because we simply prefer manuals. It's easier to defeat the turbo lag from a standstill launch in the manual, than it is in the auto, was pretty much our only gripe about driving dynamics.
Suspension is a bit more firm, than say a Buick.
Should be similar in firmness to your Accord, but it has a beam rear axle, so not a true independent rear suspension. If you don't care about things like that, then it works out even better.
I would advise letter her test drive the Fiat 500L, just to see how she feels about it, since she's the one who mentioned that it might be a car she would like to own. Giving your wife a car she really wants to own is probably going to mean quite a lot to her happiness, which means a lot more to your happiness.
And try going for a purchase.
There are THOUSANDS of these sitting on dealer lots, and are not selling.
You will be able to find one, or many, Fiat Studios willing to part with these for really, really cheap.
BC.
Originally Posted By: dparm
I have driven the Fiat and was not impressed. I had it as a rental, and with only 6,000 miles on the clock the horn didn't work and the door hinge was screwed up. It was also horribly slow and noisy above 40mph.
I suppose if you just drive around town occasionally and at low speeds, it might be okay.
You're thinking of the Fiat 500, not the Fiat 500L.
BC.
I have driven the Fiat and was not impressed. I had it as a rental, and with only 6,000 miles on the clock the horn didn't work and the door hinge was screwed up. It was also horribly slow and noisy above 40mph.
I suppose if you just drive around town occasionally and at low speeds, it might be okay.
You're thinking of the Fiat 500, not the Fiat 500L.
BC.
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