New car purchase - rav4 or saturn vue?

[michaeljames]

Ok, I've been doing my research and I've gone and looked at the vue and the rav4. I'm leaning towards the vue because I can get more for my money. I'm trying to keep it under 25K. I will be trading in my 97 dodge intrepid with 67,000 miles and I have about 23K to play with.

So, my opinion is that with a toyota you are paying for the name. The rav4 is nice, don't get me wrong. They have definitely improved this years model, but it still kinda looks like a roller skate. It just isn't a manly car. And when you start to tack on things like a v6 engine, 4wd, and sunroof it starts to creep towards the edge of what I want to spend.

On the other hand the Saturn Vue is flashy. It's got a very refined, masculine look to it. The black with the chrome package is very nice. I can get a v6, with sunroof, leather seats, comfort package, onstar, etc.. for around 24K.

So, I think I've made my decision. But my question is, How much wiggle room do I have since I'm paying in cash. I've always heard that when you skip the financing, you can get a better deal. But after talking to a few dealerships, they seem to act like you only get discounts by financing.

So are they just toying with me since i'm a guillible kid, or is it true that nowadays people who pay in full don't really get a better deal.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge tomorrow or saturday. i'm devoting my whole weekend to getting this done.

thanks!

 

[iamwiz82]

The Vue is a piece of dung of a car.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

You think the Vue is "refined" and "masculine"? Christ.

I'd normally play the fanboy and tell you to get it because of the Honda V6 under the hood, but goddamnit.

Get the V6 RAV4.

- M4H

 

[michaeljames]

thanks for that incredible insight.

 

[michaeljames]

Ok, what about the question i asked on cash discount?

Is there wiggle room when paying in full?

 

[Ryan]

The Vue is HIDEOUS. I wouldn't even consider it, since it got even UGLIER this year. Yeah, it's manly, manly like a wrench that must smashed it's face in.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: michaeljames
thanks for that incredible insight.

Have you not driven one? It's buzzy, rattles like beans in a coffee can, has poor room for all passengers, and offers nothing to a potential buyer. I've been in them enough to have this view of them.

 

[Ryan]

Saturn dealerships also deal with pure pricing - that means no haggling, you pay what the sticker says.

 

[Cattlegod]

none of the above - get a Ford Edge.

http://www.globalautoindex.com/images/news/1307/norm_0_orig.jpg

 

[JDrake]

I'd go with the RAV4

 

[michaeljames]

thanks for the replies. the rav4 just seems like the trendy thing to buy and that makes me not want to buy it.

 

[michaeljames]

thanks cattlegod, i'll look into the ford edge.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: michaeljames
thanks for the replies. the rav4 just seems like the trendy thing to buy and that makes me not want to buy it.

There are lots of other good cars. Are you looking for an SUV only?

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: michaeljames
thanks for the replies. the rav4 just seems like the trendy thing to buy and that makes me not want to buy it.

You're the type of person who would have bought a Chevy Cavalier, aren't you?

 

[iluvtruenos]

Ford Escape?

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: michaeljames
thanks cattlegod, i'll look into the ford edge.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/futurevehicles/2007edge/

make sure you check one out with the moon roof at the top we call it the BAMR (sounded out like "bam er") short for Big Ass Moon Roof.

 

[michaeljames]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: michaeljames
thanks for the replies. the rav4 just seems like the trendy thing to buy and that makes me not want to buy it.

There are lots of other good cars. Are you looking for an SUV only?

gimme some ideas. like i said, this is my first car purchase. the intrepid was a gift. i really want something cool, but it has to be under 26K...

 

[Dr. Detroit]

X-Terra - Seriously, have a test drive. They have large discounts currently and you may be able to find a left-over '05 on the lots.

Jeep Liberty -


I'm with you, the Rav-4 is Soccer Mom in training to the T. Masculine it is not!

 

[Tbirdkid]

sedan. sedan. sedan.

I will tell ya, i hated the altimas from 04 and before. I went and drove a 05 se with the 6 and the manual transmission. This car moves, and pulls hard. Not to mention, it gets between 22 and 29 miles per gallon. I got rid of my gas guzzler for this baby. Then again, i do have a yukon to haul the family if its not just around town.

 

[iamwiz82]

If I were to get a new(er) vehicle today, I'd be looking at the Toyota FJ, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota MR-Spyder, and Pontiac Solstice. Kind of a motley crew

 

[raildogg]

Audi A3 - one of the most fun and among the the best entry luxury cars. It gets really pricey with options

Volkswagenn Jetta - much better than the previous model. Maybe better than the other sedans

Mazda Tribute - nice SUV, might also want to check out the similar Ford Escape. but are very fine SUVs

Subaru Forrestor - one of the better small SUVs around. very quick and from what I heard, fun to drive

Mazda 3 - among the better small sedans out there. there is also a hatchback

Nisssan Xterra - as Fmr128 said - very nicely priced and great performance

Consider these vehicles. the more options the better

 

[mugs]

There will be no cash discount for the Saturn. No haggling at all. With the Toyota - well they make money on financing, so they'd probably rather have you finance it than pay cash (if that's the case, finance it and just pay it off... or if the rate is really low, put your money in ING Direct.

A few suggestions:
1. Buy used.
2. Read this: http://www.fool.com/car/car.htm
3. Look at carsdirect.com
4. Costco can get you special member-only pricing too

 

[Strk]

The Rav4 comes with more standard options (especially in regards to safety), better build quality and it is slightly more powerful engine.

A used Ford Escape wouldn't be a bad option either. As for the Ford Edge, it's not even for sale yet.

 

[WT]

I am looking at the Rav4 as well, and lemme tell ya, I consider ANY Saturn to be a chick car. Sorry, but its my impression and I won't change that based on some goofy AT poll (even tho the AT crowd will agree with me on this). The V6 Rav4 with 269 hp, maybe it looks cute-ute to you, but it'll blow those Saturn doors off, as well as most of the other SUVs out there.

 

[michaeljames]

i can't find a single v6 rav4 in the whole state of missouri. so, if i want to get one this weekend, i'm out of luck. i guess i could order one.