First time car buyer/leaser. Looking for advice.

[FearoftheNight]

Hello guys. I plan to be buying/leasing a car in the near future. In the past I've only driven hand me downs from the family and this will be my first go at this. I'm totally overwhelmed at the options available and would like some help narrowing it down. So far I think I'm looking for a vehicle that matches the following criteria:

1) Mid Size. Not looking for a sub compact or something huge. Not sure how the categories work but something along of the size of the current Honda Accord and Civic.
2) Decent MPG. Mid 20s combined city/highway.
3) Modestly Priced 12-23k. (At the lower end of this range would be better.
4) Reliable/Low Maintenance. Available third party parts and easy service would be nice.
5) Not a super sports car ie Mustang/STI/Porsche but not super slow and boring ie Corolla/Camry.
6) Decent not super cheap looking interior.
7) Decent Ride (Will be driving this to school and to activities.)

So basically what I'm getting at is I'm searching for a decent well rounded car without breaking the bank.

So far I'm sort of musing the following:
1) 2013 Ford Fusion
2) 2012 Nissan Altima
3) 4-5 year old Lexis IS/Audio A4/Infiniti G25.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[Doppel]

You can't lease old cars so the Lexis and Audio are out.

If you want the best price on a lease car you never select the car you want and look for the lease. Instead, you identify the general category of vehicle (e.g. fusion, altima, camry) and shop around local dealerships (go onto their websites and see what their weekly ads are giving for deals at the time) and get whatever is the best deal. Even though you can find a new fusion at $24k, for example, and a new altima at the same price, you may find that when it comes to the lease payments all things equal the fusion is $350/month and the altima is only $250/month. Assuming that monthly payment is important, this is a huge difference. The difference is due to residual values and other incentives from the factory (e.g. money factor--which is equivalent to interest rate, or dealer hold backs and things of this nature).

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Also the accord is a bit bigger than the civic. The civic is essentially a compact and the Accord is a mid-full size sedan.

A friend of mine bought a '10 Mazda 6 for about 10-12k with about 44k miles on it. Size is probably in between that of a Accord and a Civic. Has about 170 hp. Gas usage is slightly worse than an Accord but more fun to drive. Suspension is a little bit firmer but totally livable.

 

[Zivic]

You can't lease old cars so the Lexis and Audio are out.

If you want the best price on a lease car you never select the car you want and look for the lease. Instead, you identify the general category of vehicle (e.g. fusion, altima, camry) and shop around local dealerships (go onto their websites and see what their weekly ads are giving for deals at the time) and get whatever is the best deal. Even though you can find a new fusion at $24k, for example, and a new altima at the same price, you may find that when it comes to the lease payments all things equal the fusion is $350/month and the altima is only $250/month. Assuming that monthly payment is important, this is a huge difference. The difference is due to residual values and other incentives from the factory (e.g. money factor--which is equivalent to interest rate, or dealer hold backs and things of this nature).

FWIW you can lease used cars.

 

[Doppel]

FWIW you can lease used cars.

And pigs can fly with rockets attached but generally speaking they don't and I doubt you know anybody who's ever leased a used car

 

[Zivic]

And pigs can fly with rockets attached but generally speaking they don't and I doubt you know anybody who's ever leased a used car

if he went to a used car lot, I would bet he has the ability to. I knew a guy that would do it all the time. not saying it is the thing to do, or what he should do, just saying it is an option and to say it can't be done is not true

technically speaking you are correct that one can't lease an Audio

I wish I had a "super sports" car like a mustang

 

[vi edit]

My wife grabbed a Camry SE this spring and I'm really quite impressed with the car. We got it for right around 21k + Tax, title, license (TTL). It's a very well optioned car for the money. Touch screen radio controls and excellent blue tooth phone integration. The front seats are excellent and have one of the nicest fake leather trim accents I've seen in a car. Interior is well laid out with a decent back seat and roomy trunk.

Driving wise the 2.5L in it is comfortable in about every situation and over 5000 miles has returned a lifetime average of over 32MPG. Close to 80% of the driving is at interstate speeds. That's not bad, there are others that might get better (new altima for example). The suspension is firm without being abusive. It's also quiet in the cabin.

It's got just enough extra trim on the outside to spice it up a bit without looking overly boy-racer but still not totally boring.

It's worth a look and certainly going to a bit more interesting than the basic Altimas in your price range. Toyota hit one down the middle on the pricing and packaging of the SE models for the latest refresh. They are a great value and a nice all around fun, yet functional car.

 

[SandEagle]

Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Nissan Altima

 

[unokitty]

Hello guys. I plan to be buying/leasing a car in the near future. In the past I've only driven hand me downs from the family and this will be my first go at this. I'm totally overwhelmed at the options available and would like some help narrowing it down. So far I think I'm looking for a vehicle that matches the following criteria:

1) Mid Size. Not looking for a sub compact or something huge. Not sure how the categories work but something along of the size of the current Honda Accord and Civic.
2) Decent MPG. Mid 20s combined city/highway.
3) Modestly Priced 12-23k. (At the lower end of this range would be better.
4) Reliable/Low Maintenance. Available third party parts and easy service would be nice.
5) Not a super sports car ie Mustang/STI/Porsche but not super slow and boring ie Corolla/Camry.
6) Decent not super cheap looking interior.
7) Decent Ride (Will be driving this to school and to activities.)

So basically what I'm getting at is I'm searching for a decent well rounded car without breaking the bank.

So far I'm sort of musing the following:
1) 2013 Ford Fusion
2) 2012 Nissan Altima
3) 4-5 year old Lexis IS/Audio A4/Infiniti G25.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

If you do your research and are patient, you should have a good experience.

Getting a car is easy.

More difficult is figuring out what you want.

One question to ask yourself is what is a warranty worth to you?

Other questions include are you going to pay cash or finance? If you are going to finance, you may want to visit a credit union first to gather more information.

Another question concerns you insurance. Will you be adding this car to an exiting policy, or will you be getting a new policy?

Lots of good cars out there. But first, I would suggest that you research what is the best type of car for you.

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[FearoftheNight]

Also the accord is a bit bigger than the civic. The civic is essentially a compact and the Accord is a mid-full size sedan.

A friend of mine bought a '10 Mazda 6 for about 10-12k with about 44k miles on it. Size is probably in between that of a Accord and a Civic. Has about 170 hp. Gas usage is slightly worse than an Accord but more fun to drive. Suspension is a little bit firmer but totally livable.

I was thinking that too. Saw some used Mazda6s from Hertz for about 12-13k for a 2011 with 40k miles. Then realized I could get the outgoing 2012 with 0 miles for about 16-7k. Am leaning that 3-4 k is worth the small improvements with the year along with full warranty.

Also for used cars....any thoughts on a 2007ish Audi A4 vs VW GTI?

 

[vi edit]

Also for used cars....any thoughts on a 2007ish Audi A4 vs VW GTI?

Cool cars, but high insurance and even higher maintenance costs. Parts and labor are pricey and they are just more prone to whacky electrical issues that can cost *A LOT* to repair. Better plan to have a couple grand stashed away for when an oddball thing flakes out.

 

[DAGTA]

Do not lease. Almost always a horrible deal.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Cool cars, but high insurance and even higher maintenance costs. Parts and labor are pricey and they are just more prone to whacky electrical issues that can cost *A LOT* to repair. Better plan to have a couple grand stashed away for when an oddball thing flakes out.

Thanks for the heads up. What about a 2012 VW GTI? Did they improve upon this issue?

Gah...I'm really like this one after seeing it. My pocketbook isn't so excited...

 

[WilliamM2]

5) Not a super sports car ie Mustang/STI/Porsche but not super slow and boring ie Corolla/Camry.

Just so you know, the Camry has faster 0-60 times than both the Fusion and the Altima, slightly better mileage too, unless you are talking hybrid. But these are all family sedans, not sports cars.

I do like the look of the new Fusion, and the interior is the best of the three to me. I test drove a 2012 Fusion this summer, and it was a nice car, although I ended up going for a Camry for the nicer ride, the roads around here are very rough. 2013 Fusion wasn't available yet to compare.

My boss has a brand new 2012 Altima 2.5 SL, that may be the most boring car I have ever driven. And even though the interior is leather, it seems more like vinyl. In fact the armrests on the doors and center console are vinyl, has kind of a cheap feel.

 

[angry hampster]

Check out the new Kia Optima.

 

[Ferzerp]

No advice here on *what* to buy, but test drive *everything* you're interested in enough to get a feel of each one. If you've only ever had worn out vehicles, anything will feel great, but you won't know what you like best unless you try many of them.

 

[vi edit]

Thanks for the heads up. What about a 2012 VW GTI? Did they improve upon this issue?

Gah...I'm really like this one after seeing it. My pocketbook isn't so excited...

It's still German and will carry with it German risks & costs. It's turbo, uses a DSG transmission and a load of electrical sensors and gizmos. Those are just high dollar items to fix should something go wrong with them.

The GTI is a wonderful car offering an excellent blend of comfort, luxury, sport, function, and economy. There are very few cars like it. Those just come at a premium of high cost maintenance and riskier reliability.

If you want something somewhat similar and with a longer warranty check out the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. The GTI is going to be more refined, faster, and more functional. But the Hyundai will likely be cheaper to own over the long haul.

 

[FearoftheNight]

It's still German and will carry with it German risks & costs. It's turbo, uses a DSG transmission and a load of electrical sensors and gizmos. Those are just high dollar items to fix should something go wrong with them.

The GTI is a wonderful car offering an excellent blend of comfort, luxury, sport, function, and economy. There are very few cars like it. Those just come at a premium of high cost maintenance and riskier reliability.

If you want something somewhat similar and with a longer warranty check out the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. The GTI is going to be more refined, faster, and more functional. But the Hyundai will likely be cheaper to own over the long haul.

Any idea on what kind of ballpark the repairs will be? I think I might be able to cut a reasonable price for a 09/10 GTI (ie 17000 or so for a 09 w/ 25k miles... From the reports the MKVI edition is a bit more reliable than the MKV.