looking for some suggestions for new (to me) car...

[purbeast0]

my wife and i are about to have our first kid in 3 weeks. as she is going to be out of work for a while with no income, we're thinking about getting rid of her current car.

she has a 2008 infiniti g35x and the payments on it right now are $475/mo. there's only 2 years left on the payments.

however, we're thinking of getting rid of it and getting something that would put payments closer to the $200/mo range.

i'm looking for something that would be a sedan in that same physical size range, probably around like the $15k price range i'm guessing, and we will probably put down like $5k on it and finance the rest

i haven't car shopped in a while and am kind of at a loss as to where to start as far as finding out what were good cars in the previous years, probably around like 2011 or 2012.

my dad always had mazda's as i grew up and had good luck with them so that was one direction we were thinking. i was also thinking just going honda since my wife has had those in the past and had good luck. but as far as other brands, any specific models that people recommend?

definitely need the backseat to be big enough for a baby seat, so that is probably the flat out only requirement. wouldn't mind going a crossover route or even maybe an suv, but i'd rather go with a sedan. also prefer japanese cars in general and will not even think about getting a euro car again after owning 2 VW's.

EDIT:

oh i think another pretty important thing would be that the car is decent in the snow. her current car has all wheel drive and is pretty good in the snow, and since my car is complete ass in the snow, we at least want one that could get us somewhere in the snow if we had to be there.

 

[vi edit]

The only real advice I can tell you is to take the infant carrier and the base (please tell me you got carriers with the bases you keep in the cars!) to a couple different dealers and see which ones fit your seats the best.

If you already have a rear facing seat once the purebeastlet outgrows the carrier take that and try it. You'll be using the carrier for 4-9 months (or maybe more) depending on how fast they grow. Then you are in rear facing hell for until they are at least 2 years old.

Oh, and probably said it once...but congrats on the upcoming delivery! Your life is going to get flipped upside real quick

 

[dbk]

Camry/Accord...

 

[purbeast0]

The only real advice I can tell you is to take the infant carrier and the base (please tell me you got carriers with the bases you keep in the cars!) to a couple different dealers and see which ones fit your seats the best.

If you already have a rear facing seat once the purebeastlet outgrows the carrier take that and try it. You'll be using the carrier for 4-9 months (or maybe more) depending on how fast they grow. Then you are in rear facing hell for until they are at least 2 years old.

Oh, and probably said it once...but congrats on the upcoming delivery! Your life is going to get flipped upside real quick

yeah it's the kind with the base that stays buckled into the car. i still have yet to see if i can fit it in my car (2008 g37s) and i'm scared that it won't fit

i really really don't want to have to get rid of my car, i love it. but i've also been thinking about getting rid of it just to also have a lower payment.

and thanks!

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Congrats and good luck with the new babbie!

Take a look at CPO chevy impala 2012-2013. I've seen plenty of them for less than $15k. Plenty of sheet metal around you and your loved ones. Plush ride, warranty, quiet. Not sporty.

Mazdas are a great choice too, fair prices, very zoom zoom. Probably going to be a looking at 2011-2012 ish for $15k average mileage cars.

Honda is going to cost but alot of people think they are worth it. Adjust year range back to 2010-2011 ish and a few more miles to fit the budget.

 

[Vdubchaos]

however, we're thinking of getting rid of it and getting something that would put payments closer to the $200/mo range.

Don't EVER say that to a sales person.

i'm looking for something that would be a sedan in that same physical size range, probably around like the $15k price range i'm guessing, and we will probably put down like $5k on it and finance the rest

Go with Mazda 3 or 6 (6 is more car for the money)

Both great cars (mostly due to the fact that Mazda almost went down under and it forced them to innovate/come up with great products). There is a LONG history of automakers going thru that.

I would NOT recommend Honda or Toyota for that reason. They are stuck in their own ways and just making cars to make cars/make money.

I would also recommend Hyundai Sonata (or smaller one if it fits you).

PS. we have 2 Mazda's, both 15 years old, and over 250k Mlies between both. They have been very reliable.

 

[vi edit]

I'd want nothing to do with a rear facing seat in a Mazda3. FWIW, I love my 2012 Camry SE. It's got one of the most comfortable seating I've been in. Seats are very well sculpted, an enourmously wide armrest that actually slides to a comfortable position, and the steering wheel doesn't bang into my knees. There's also a good amount of space in the back seat.

My lease is going up on mine. It was a base SE with the power seat. 3 year, 36,000 mile lease. I think capital cost was around $21,000 for it. Residual is $14,400. Gives you an idea what to look at for a used price.

We can get about 35MPG on the highway and high 20's in town with it. The 4 cylinder is plenty spunky and the trunk is huge. Oh and it's been an absolute trooper in the winter. It's plowed through stuff that I've watched small FWD SUV's get stuck in

My only complaint is how wide the rear doors are. They take up a ton of space to open due to how they are designed.

 

[halik]

Don't EVER say that to a sales person.



Go with Mazda 3 or 6 (6 is more car for the money)

Both great cars (mostly due to the fact that Mazda almost went down under and it forced them to innovate/come up with great products). There is a LONG history of automakers going thru that.

I would NOT recommend Honda or Toyota for that reason. They are stuck in their own ways and just making cars to make cars/make money.

I would also recommend Hyundai Sonata (or smaller one if it fits you).

PS. we have 2 Mazda's, both 15 years old, and over 250k Mlies between both. They have been very reliable.

Highlighted for absolute truth. Serious if you say that, you'll get totally f#@$@d

 

[purbeast0]

yeah i know not to say that. i know they will try their 6yr financing thing to try and tell you it's "cheaper". math is my strong suit heh.

 

[gregulator]

For good in the snow, you can't go wrong with Subaru. The used market for them is terrible though since they hold value pretty well.

 

[Jimzz]

Look at the Hyundai elantra 2011+, Hyundai Sonata 2010+, Chevy impala 2006+, and Chevy Malibu 2008+.
Reliable cars but also decently cheap for what you get. They are all FWD and as long as you have good tires will be fine for snow.

 

[vi edit]

Also look at the Toyota Venza. It's been discontinued so they may be marking them down heavily.

 

[Yuriman]

So no hatches?

 

[Herr Kutz]

yeah i know not to say that. i know they will try their 6yr financing thing to try and tell you it's "cheaper". math is my strong suit heh.

I think 2015 camrys have 0% for 60 mo. if you qualify.

 

[Tuanies]

Mazda 5's are dirt cheap used and very reliable. Just get a set of winter tires

 

[NutBucket]

Honestly, with 2 years left on the loan to go I would just keep what you've got unless it REALLY doesn't work with the kid seat.

 

[michal1980]

Honestly, with 2 years left on the loan to go I would just keep what you've got unless it REALLY doesn't work with the kid seat.

this.

The amount left on the loan (if its really 2 years ie 24 months) is 11400.

 

[purbeast0]

this.

The amount left on the loan (if its really 2 years ie 24 months) is 11400.

yeah last night we did some checking. there is about $10,100 left on her car. it will be paid off 1/17 according to the docs. we aren't 100% getting other cars yet, but we are still debating because when she isn't working we still want to be able to save and go on vacations and stuff, but with car payments for both of us combined totalling $850, we don't know if we will be able to swing that.

i was even debating possibly selling both of our cars and we would probably have about $10 - $12k after paying off the loans, and we could each get a car for $15k and not have to worry about taking money out of savings, and still have payments around $400 total for 2 cars.

so we're still just trying to figure it out, but i do appreciate the suggestions.

 

[dbp1901]

any thoughts on which car would you buy and why?

 

[Jumpem]

Sell both cars and get a single Subaru to commute together with.

 

[imported_Irse]

After having two kids, SUVs are a little easier than sedans. A little higher up so easier to get the kids out. Rav4 maybe good. We just got a 2015 Subaru Forester but it looks out of your price range. One thing about the new vehicles is that most of them come with rear view cameras. Going to come in handy when you have kids around. Of course you can always install after market ones. I got one for my 2001 Taco and love it.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Check out the Acura TSX. I bought one last fall and I love it. I live in NH and it is decent in the snow (with the right tires) and will have some zip while still being a family car. A low mileage 2011 or moderate mileage 2011 should be in your price range.

It is definitely on the smaller side, so if you need more space check out an Accord.

 

[Vdubchaos]

yeah i know not to say that. i know they will try their 6yr financing thing to try and tell you it's "cheaper". math is my strong suit heh.

No, they won't do that.....they will set whatever interest rates, # of months, price and just about anything else they want.....to meet your "monthly budget goal".

You will end up with what the payment you want, but they will bend you over quite severely.

And I'm sure you will pay close attention to % rates, prices, listed items, # months.

Best thing to do is to get a loan on your own and just work out the price......unless they are offering 0% or something your bank can't do.