Labor Day Weekend Sales

[Sid59]

Any car hunting this weekend to take advantage of the sales / promos? What are you guys looking at?

I have my financing ready but i haven't really heartily decided what i want to get. I currently drive 89 Mitsubishi Mirage with 94K miles but i'm thinking of giving it to my parents to drive around and it's time for me to upgrade.

My budget is 25K but i'm looking to spend waaay under that amount. What do you guys have in mind? I'm looking for something FUN to drive, daily driver, reliable. Educate me on some American car equivalents.

I'm heavily swaying towards the Mazda3 5door or 4 door.

Help me out!

 

[xanis]

Have you looked at the Chevy Malibu? They seem to be well-equipped for the price and I've heard a lot of good things about them.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

2009 Hyundai Sonata - one of the best interiors

great mpg, 32MPG hwy for the 4cyl

Roomy interior & big trunk

Great warranty.

Expect about $3K in discounts on a 4cyl 2009 model. 2008's have the old interior - pre redesign.

 

[radioouman]

Is anyone else tired of being pummeled by car ads? These dealers (and all retailers for that matter) come up with any excuse to have a "sale" in order to get people to come into their lots. Why do we have a Labor Day sale? Oh well, I guess I'm just so tired of hearing the ads that I am really turned off by the dealers...

didn't mean to thread crap... I promise! You have a legitimate need for a car.. Driving a 20 year old car is probably borderline more expensive to maintain than it is to buy new.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Most fun for under $25k!

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Driving a 20 year old car is probably borderline more expensive to maintain than it is to buy new.

That is highly arguable.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Is anyone else tired of being pummeled by car ads? These dealers (and all retailers for that matter) come up with any excuse to have a "sale" in order to get people to come into their lots. Why do we have a Labor Day sale? Oh well, I guess I'm just so tired of hearing the ads that I am really turned off by the dealers...

didn't mean to thread crap... I promise! You have a legitimate need for a car.. Driving a 20 year old car is probably borderline more expensive to maintain than it is to buy new.

Yeah, I get fed up too. Especially when you listen to what they say then look at the fine print at the bottom of the screen and see so much crap a lawyer couldn't figure it out.

 

[desy]

Saturn astra Hatch
Subarau
New Vibe
Suzuki SX4

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: radioouman
Driving a 20 year old car is probably borderline more expensive to maintain than it is to buy new.

That is highly arguable.

Yeah, that's true. I guess with only 94k miles on it, it could still be a decent car, especially since he lives in CA where it won't see salt.

 

[Sid59]

thanks for the replies.

i'm extending my search to:
Hyundai
Saturn Astra
and few other recommendations

My car is in nice running shape except the interior is starting to tear and has a salvage title. While my car was parked, some lady hit the drivers door and front quarter panel and progressive decided it was totaled. A family friend took the car in for inspection against the tires and axels and everything was fun except the door couldn't open and close. Bought a new door and it's ready to go. i paid 500 bucks for the car 5 years ago and the only needed to do the scheduled tune-up and oil changes. i did buy new tires when i got it because the tires were balding.

 

[Kroze]

$25k huh...I'd get the Honda Accord Coupe.

 

[Sid59]

updated - i forgot to mention it needed to fall under 25K with tax-licenses and fees.

after some haggling i came home with:
Mazda3 5 Door
GT + Moonroof, 6CD Bose + Nav System
5 Speed Manual
Metro Gray
MSRP as figured was 24,550
Dealer Invoice - 22,987

i paid 22,100 + TL - i thought i scored well. i'm a happy camper.

 

[yelo333]

Congrats, enjoy!

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: Sid59

after some haggling i came home with:
Mazda3 5 Door
GT + Moonroof, 6CD Bose + Nav System
5 Speed Manual
Metro Gray
MSRP as figured was 24,550
Dealer Invoice - 22,987

i paid 22,100 + TL - i thought i scored well. i'm a happy camper.

Good luck with your new ride.

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: Sid59
updated - i forgot to mention it needed to fall under 25K with tax-licenses and fees.

after some haggling i came home with:
Mazda3 5 Door
GT + Moonroof, 6CD Bose + Nav System
5 Speed Manual
Metro Gray
MSRP as figured was 24,550
Dealer Invoice - 22,987

i paid 22,100 + TL - i thought i scored well. i'm a happy camper.

Congrats! I have an '07 almost the same (minus the Nav and in Black).

Enjoy.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: misle

Originally posted by: Sid59
updated - i forgot to mention it needed to fall under 25K with tax-licenses and fees.

after some haggling i came home with:
Mazda3 5 Door
GT + Moonroof, 6CD Bose + Nav System
5 Speed Manual
Metro Gray
MSRP as figured was 24,550
Dealer Invoice - 22,987

i paid 22,100 + TL - i thought i scored well. i'm a happy camper.

Congrats! I have an '07 almost the same (minus the Nav and in Black).

Enjoy.

thanks. i went in with my friend and to warm up, they let us loose on a mazdaspeed3, that thing is awesome. it was an 07 they wanted to get rid of and it was about the same cost or slightly cheaper than the car i got. It was a nice ride but i'd rather have the leather and ammenities than the Sport Speed3.

 

[beyonddc]

What about 2008 or 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer? The 08+ model has just been redesigned. It looks very nice!

 

[Joony]

I have almost the same Mazda3 GT, except without nav, same color though

I paid $21983 OTD this past May. Great car!

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: Joony
I have almost the same Mazda3 GT, except without nav, same color though

I paid $21983 OTD this past May. Great car!

nice, what'd you pay before tax and licenses. Since taxes and different state charges, i'm interested on well i did.