New Car suggestions

[John Zuber]

Been looking for a new car for our 17 year old--he's been an excellent driver, very responsible. He's currently driving my 92 Navajo and will soon be driving longer distances when he starts college. I'm leaning toward a new vehicle for three reasons--wanting side curtain air bags, good gas mileage and wanting something that will be reliable. I was somewhat sold on the Toyota Corolla but every Toyota that I looked at has a $699 charge for "paint sealant, interior guard, etch glass w/VIN---I thought that this was an old dealer scam. What's up with this manufacture charge-anyone familiar with this mandatory charge.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

Those are optional, not mandatory and BS in my opinion. If they say it's a must I'd go to another dealer.

 

[nick caceres]

can't beat civic and corolla's as far as commuting lol, but if your a car person at all (like me and i'm 18) i wouldn't want one..

 

[EddieS'04]

Buy any American brand you like....

 

[Jeff C]

Focus hatchback. American, Ford, and if he wants to mess around with it, he can call Wayne.

 

[nick caceres]

thats true, the focus is small, economical, A FORD! lol, just make sure he doesn't rice it out

 

[user 62394]

If you want to stick American, I would suggest a Focus or a Pontiac Vibe (the Vibe is more wagon like, and may not be that cool, though).



Outside of the US, a Mazda 3 (Psuedo-American), Toyota Matrix or Corolla (both same platform as the Vibe), or the Honda Civic.

 

[Wes Davis]

Hyundai Tuscon SUV more air bags than you can count.

 

[Deleted deleted]

My wife and I test drove the Kia Sportage. Nice vehicle, little lacking in power, but dealer was unwilling to deal and wanted $699 for a 'paint protection package'. Definitely a scam for extra dealer profit.



Ended up buying a '06 Ford Escape XLT V6 on A-Plan. Ford dealer had the 'VIN etching' but only wanted $100 for it. After reading the details, figured it would be worth it for that.

 

[Travis Munday]

A Mazda 6 is a great little car...a 3 is smaller, and cheaper, but I don't like it as much.



BTW, The Focus is a European designed, and intended car, built in Mexico, and the Vibe is largely Toyota sourced, and is sold as the Voltz in Japan. "American" indeed.

 

[Deleted deleted]

That's right Tiger. The Vibe and Matrix are the same vehicle... the only difference is the Matrix is assembled in Ontario, Canada, and the Vibe is assembled in California. Well, you do get the ugly Pontiac 'cladding' on the Vibe.



What sold me on the Matrix was resale value. Even if a Matrix is the same as a Vibe, it's worth more money at resale time due to its Toyota nameplate.

 

[Barry Collyer 2]

I will sell you my 2002 ST for $8900......

 

[Rose Medlin]

Mazda3 Hatchback, I have parked the Expedition (only getting 14 - 15 miles per gallon) vs (33 miles per gallon on the Mazda).

 

[Tom Schindler]

A Focus is Built In Hermisillo, Mexico (ZX3) and the 4 door Focus are built in Wayne, Indiana.



Gotta get the facts straight.



A Chevrolet Cobalt is built in Lordstown, Ohio.



Both are nice cars, though I feel the quality on the Focus is much better then the Cobalt. The Focus has more of a solid feel to it compared to the old technology used in the Cobalt. Hello GM, ever hear of a fully independent suspension?





Tom

 

[walter clark]

What about a small pickup (4 cyl)

Ranger

S-10

Tacoma

Fronter



Something a little diffrent than the usal econo box but with some praticality (hauling his stuff to and from school and moveing when he get older). Everyone needs a truck some time or another.

 

[Travis Munday]

Right, right, my bad...Ford only builds the F-650, F-750, Super Duty, FreeStar, Crown Vic, Fusion, Monterey, Grand Marquis, Zephyr and Milan outside the US...Focus production moved to Michigan to make room for the Fusion.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Hmm...so the non-union workers in Mexico build a better quality vehicle than the union workers in Ohio. Just making sure I get my facts straight! :lol:

 

[Tom Schindler]

Nelson,



Did I specify that the Focus built in Mexico was better or did I say the FORD Focus was better quality then the CHEVY Cobalt? The Focus made in Mexico and the Focus made in the USA should be the same quality because the same parts are used between the two. I did not say the Focus built in Mexico ius screwed together better then the one in the USA.



Just to clarify.



The Super Duty is built in numerous plants. The USA happens to have a plant too. How do I know? My cousin has one. Built in the USA.





Tom

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Tom, if I could buy a sense of humor, I would give it to you.

 

[walter clark]

Explorer rexpess has them for $4.99 plus shipping. While supplies last.