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Thread: Help me decide on a car

  1. #1
    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default Help me decide on a car

    So the mechanic say's he's 90 % sure I've got a bad head gasket and with nearly 100,000 miles on the car he told me I'd be better off getting a new one.

    So I'm looking in the $12,500 - $17,000 range, most likely a new 2007 since there are pretty good sales going on right now, but I have no idea really what the best kind of car for this price would be. I'm only looking at new, I'm absoloutely done with used cars giving me trouble. I'm thinking about a chevy cobalt since they're not only having sales but are also having a 1,700 cash back deal through december, and a very basic new one of those is about $12,500- 14,000.

    Anyone have experience with the cobalt? Know of a better car for around the same price range?

    The mechanic also said it may just be really messed up spark plugs, so he's switching those out and says if the problems continue then we know it's the gasket, so this may be a bit early, but hey, I need to start looking for good deals just in case. Thanks
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  2. #2
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    I know the Cobalt is cheap, but you get what you pay for. Chevy is not what they used to be.

    For a little more you could get a Honda Civic that will run forever. Or a Nissan Sentra. Or a Toyota Corolla. There's so many other cars I'd spend a bit more money on and get my money's worth for than a Chevy Cobalt.

    Basically, look at these in the same class:

    Subaru Impreza
    Toyota Corolla
    Scion tC
    VW Jetta or Rabbit
    Nissan Sentra
    Honda Civic

  3. #3
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    The worst investment you can ever make is buying a brand new car.

    Youd be better off getting a 2007 certified used car and negotiating a extended warranty

    Id advise Nissan, Honda or Toyota. They run forever and have a great resale value.
    Last edited by AudreyLeigh; 11-13-2007 at 05:26 PM.

  4. #4
    God/dess BalletBaby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    I agree with AudreyLeigh. Once you drive off the lot, your brand new car has already depreciated in monetary value. If you want an 07', get a slightly used one. I went from a Ford Escort to a Honda Civic and the difference is amazing! I lub lub lub my Civic. Don't get the Cobalt; it's not a good investment.

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  5. #5
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    As much as I love Chevrolets, they're not the most reliable vehicles. & The sedans and compacts are often poorly designed. For a little more, buy an import sedan and have the peace of mind that your car will start when you need it to...

    //Still luvs mi Chevys, dammit

  6. #6
    Alaska
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    The worst investment you can ever make is buying a brand new car.

    Youd be better off getting a 2007 certified used car and negotiating a extended warranty

    Id advise Nissan, Honda or Toyota. They run forever and have a great resale value.
    Yes yes yes.

  7. #7
    God/dess fancygirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    I was thinking about buying a new car but then ran into a bunch of articles on msn.com that completely nipped that in the bud.

    List of articles:


    specific article:



    personally I'd get the head gaskett and ride that car for another 45-75,000 miles AT LEAST. I've been told that the only time to buy a car instead of repairing it is if you have to replace the engine, because by that time the car is so old that other parts won't be working so good.

    I've put....oh, maybe six thousand dollars of work into my car over the past two years...maybe seven and a half.


    still cheaper than a new car, and the funny thing? My car has better gas mileage than MOST of the cars out there save hybrids or electrics.

    I'm waiting to either buy a car and convert it over to electric ($10,000 for the conversion) or waiting for an electric or alt. energy car I really want, which will take a couple more years depending on what happens with the car makers.

  8. #8
    God/dess fancygirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    also use this to get reviews on specific cars:



    p.s. I like saturns or volvos for reliability.

  9. #9
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Eh, new engine shouldn't automatically mean replacement. Mine was replaced 80,000 miles ago and now it has 185,000 miles

    Here's another great car review site by owners:

    .

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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    I say the car salesman is full of shit telling you that you need to buy a new car. Fixing a head gasket isn't THAT expensive. Don't get me wrong, it isn't cheap but it doesn't cost as much as replacing a whole engine. If you want a new car then go for it but don't let no sleazy car salesman talk you into buying something not worth it. That is a thing I can't stand. Men see women asking about cars and try and rip us off, bastards Sorry but seeing these things and being through them really pisses me off.

    Oh yea, another thing. A broken head gasket and spark plugs have nothing in common so now I know he is full of shit. Spark plugs don't make your car over heat, they make your car run like shit if they are bad and make your car have horrible gas mileage. (major thing they change during a tune up).
    Last edited by michele_b; 11-13-2007 at 07:35 PM.

  11. #11
    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Maintenance is cheaper than depreciation.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

  12. #12
    God/dess FrustratedBunny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    What kind of car do you have now and what kind of other problems do you have? I had an Audi that I spent over $10K on maintenance on over the last four years I had it. I sold it when it was 11 years old. I guess that was cheaper than buying a new Audi, but when it got to the point where the transmission was going out (among a whole slew of other things) it was time for it to GO!

    I say if you want a car that is reliable a Honda or Toyota is your best bet. I've known people with Hondas and Toyotas that don't even take good care of them and they last forever.

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Quote Originally Posted by BrunetteGoddess View Post
    I know the Cobalt is cheap, but you get what you pay for. Chevy is not what they used to be.

    For a little more you could get a Honda Civic that will run forever. Or a Nissan Sentra. Or a Toyota Corolla. There's so many other cars I'd spend a bit more money on and get my money's worth for than a Chevy Cobalt.

    Basically, look at these in the same class:

    Subaru Impreza
    Toyota Corolla
    Scion tC
    VW Jetta or Rabbit
    Nissan Sentra
    Honda Civic
    very very true!!! no cobalt. i had one as a loaner when my car was in the shop. not the same, but i still hated it. my vote is for a jetta. i miss mine i never shouldve gotten my scion, i dont like it one bit. i loved it when i test drove it though. another thing with the scion, youre paying the sticker. its no haggle pricing, no matter what.

    i'll be getting a jetta again when i get rid of this stupid car. unfortunately i just got it this summer, soo..

  14. #14
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    The new VW Rabbit is awesome too

  15. #15
    Featured Member tampadancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    I bought a Hyundai tiburon new last year, and I am really, very pleased with it. Hyundai has a 100k mile warranty, and they have come a long way It's sporty, gets great gas mileage, and has done very well in crash ratings. I think I paid right at 16k for mine.


    That's mine

    The front end of the 2007 model is a little different:

    [IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-7.jpg[/IMG]

  16. #16
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    ^ i wanted an eos but my dad said no bc it was a convertible.(he was on the title to my jetta so i couldnt get rid of it without him signing the title) i fell in LOVE with it though. kind of off topic, but just a side note on volkswagons. everyone told me not to get one, they were trouble, blah blah. yeah, when there IS a prob its super expensive to fix it. but the problems i had were few and far between. i will def be going back to a vw when i get rid of this dumb car. i just feel like my scion is.. cheap, or something. i dunno, theres just something about it.

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    hyundai has a very low resale value, though, thats why theyre so low priced.

  18. #18
    OdysseusNJ
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    The worst investment you can ever make is buying a brand new car.

    Youd be better off getting a 2007 certified used car and negotiating a extended warranty

    Id advise Nissan, Honda or Toyota. They run forever and have a great resale value.
    The Sentra's resale values is crap. I bought an 2004 sentra, 3 years and 2 engines, $5k in useless repairs and car rentals and 100 phone calls to Nissan North America customer service later, I will never deal with anything related to Nissan again. Just my 2 cents.

    Sentras really do have bad resale value though, my experience aside, like most cars commonly found in rental fleets.

  19. #19
    Alaska
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Well it's only the economy Nissan. I have a used Altima. It's the shit!

  20. #20
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Yeah, I love Altimas

    And Odysseus keep in mind, you could have had a lemon

  21. #21
    Banned ArmySGT.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Hummer H3. Own the road.

  22. #22
    Veteran Member Santos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    I'm a Honda fan. Very reliable cars IMO. I've leased or owned 6 and I've never had a problem. Judging by your post, a used Honda Civic may be the way to go.

  23. #23
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Quote Originally Posted by ArmySGT. View Post
    Hummer H3. Own the road.
    You're kidding, right???

    i'm watching this thread, too... my 525i is on its last legs w/ 173,000 mi.

    i'm thinking something japanese... i heard the honda comment- honda or toyota?

    oh... uhh, fawn- 100,000 and a new car???? REALLY????

  24. #24
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Quote Originally Posted by OdysseusNJ View Post
    The Sentra's resale values is crap. I bought an 2004 sentra, 3 years and 2 engines, $5k in useless repairs and car rentals and 100 phone calls to Nissan North America customer service later, I will never deal with anything related to Nissan again. Just my 2 cents.

    Sentras really do have bad resale value though, my experience aside, like most cars commonly found in rental fleets.
    Dunno? Ive had a few Nissans. Never had any problems and never had to pay for repairs. Then again I never had a Sentra. I had a Pathfinder and an Altima. I currently have an 04 Maxima which I LOVE. Its my favorite car ever. Fully loaded, roomy, clean and white. The only thing I dont love about it is the monthly payment....

  25. #25
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    Default Re: Help me decide on a car

    Having the head gasket repaired and keeping the car will be cheaper than trading the car in for a different one. You will get relentlessly lowballed if you try to sell a car with a bad head gasket. If you're at a dealer trying to trade it in they will only give you some ridiculously low price like $500. Dealers will use any excuse they can think of to butt rape you on a trade-in.

    If the mechanic looking at your car works at a dealership this should be a huge red flag. Of course they will want you to trade the car in for another one so they can 1) sell you a new car, 2) get your old car for a song and then 3) repair and resell your old car for a big profit. Spark plugs don't just go bad by themselves, they foul because there are other problems with the car causing it. A decent mechanic can tell you for sure what your car's problem is, and no mechanic is gonna tell you to buy another car unless there are ulterior motives, e.g. his paycheck is written by someone that buys and sells cars. He's gotta make a living too.

    With a GOOD maintenance schedule any modern car can be expected to run for at least 200,000 miles before it becomes prohibitively unreliable or expensive to repair. This is the key: with GOOD maintenance. Ask your mechanic how he knows it's the head gasket. Does it belch white smoke out the exhaust? Oil in the coolant? Coolant in the oil? Air bubbles in the radiator when the car is running? How does he know? Does he even know? The car may in fact only have a minor problem and he is trying to rip you off. Depending on his answers you may want to seek a second opinion.

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