Time for a new car....

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

My 1998 Toyota Camry has 210k miles, and its run great. Great. No major problems in the past. Few minor things like starter dying on me was probably the worst. But the check engine light came on today and I know not changing out the water pump and timing belt (since 89k) is probably gonna get me soon. My mechanic told me my water pump's making some noises on top of possible MAP sensor issues (hence the check engine light, although he needs more than the 20 min I gave him today to figure it out). Anyway, I don't think its worth it to keep maintaining this sucker, so time to move on.

I'm 25 and a grad student. Not very rich though I do have some savings when I was working full time. The limit's 30k, but I honestly would stay away from that unless I have to.

Several cars I thought of (and have test driven):

- Toyota Camry SE: I know. Lame. Probably the most conservative car here of the bunch. The new '12 really stepped it up. Nice styling. Two tone leather is nice. Practical car. Carries people and crap pretty well. Might be a bit big. My mom has a '07 Camry and it feels like a monster next to my '98. I can't imagine having to park these tanks in SF where my gf lives. Oh well, I'm sure its always doable. However, this sucker is reliable, and I know I can hit 200k easily. The downside is its slow and meh overall. I figure I can buy this car when I'm 40 with kids.

- VW Golf GTI: Man I've loved this car since 2007, and I can't keep my eyes off it. I already talked to like 3 dealers about this, and at the end of the day I can't get my mind off the reliability. I never really fixed things on my car on my own, but I'm willing to learn. However, I'm sure it'll just be minor things. If it's anything major, I am not prepared. There's Consumer Reports showing me that the ratings recently have gotten a lot better, but JD Power still gives it 2/5 circles. Then there's plenty of VW horror stories out there. But if this is the time to get a sporty car, now's the chance. If I do get a Camry and drive it for another 10 years, would I want this when I have kids? Maybe not as practical.

- Mazda 3: No not Speed3, but the new Skyactiv one. I don't really want to drive stick in the city. But this is definitely cheap yet loaded with features. However you can tell its cheap. Yeah they load it up with features, but that tiny GPS makes me frown. Really? I'd rather use my SGS2 than some tinyass screen. Also a bit slow, but sure I can deal with it. Plus is the nice mileage. But i liked this car the least on all my test drives.

- Acura TSX: This is the end of my budget. I never considered this car til my friend forced me to test drive it today after visiting VW. Man, this car has everything I want in it STANDARD. Sure Navi would be cool, but I have a good enough sense of directions, and my phone works fine enough (plus I have a Garmin too). Plus its just styled well as a car and the interior is nice. I'd have to get an equivalent VW Golf with sunroof and navi (I'll skip the autobahn trim) which is almost 29k too to match up, but the TSX feels way more refined. It's also Japanese and very reliable according to Consumer Reports. I find this a good balance.

I was freaking close to signing with VW, but I decided to wait again. The TSX got me reconsidering, but at the end of the day, I can save 4k and get a Toyota Camry SE with the V6 option if I wanted and have a balance of luxury, speed, and reliability. I'd probably be just as happy with the inline 4. Reasoning points to the Camry, but heart points to the VW. I feel like I should save, but then if I save I'll be driving conservative cars for the rest of my life likely.

 

[JCH13]

If you really don't want a Speed3 '() then I would suggest you check out a Volvo S40/S60/S60R. Particularly the S60R, it can be had for less than 20k used, is plenty fast, and quite luxurious.

Nissan has a couple good offerings. I recently rented a Nissan Altima with a 2.5L 4-banger and CVT. I was quite impressed with the CVT's performance, it made that 2.5L feel like it was quite larger. Throttle response felt awesome too.

 

[Doppel]

It probably is worth it to keep maintaining it. I don't think you want a new car because it's economically responsible but rather just because you want one. That's fine, it's why many of us get new cars

Further to the last post, if you shop around you can get an Altima V6 (270 horsepower) for ~$23,000. Just throwing it out there...0-60 in mid or low 6's and should be more reliable than the VW.

 

[Demo24]

If you really don't want a Speed3 '() then I would suggest you check out a Volvo S40/S60/S60R. Particularly the S60R, it can be had for less than 20k used, is plenty fast, and quite luxurious.

.

Not a great idea for someone needing a rather reliable vehicle, or one cheap to fix.

G8 gt?

 

[JCH13]

Not a great idea for someone needing a rather reliable vehicle, or one cheap to fix.

G8 gt?

Average road life in North America for a Volvo is around 19 years. Independent Volvo mechanics make them reasonable to upkeep.

It'll be hard or impossible for OP to get luxury, speed, and reliability for any price, let's be honest!

 

[jlee]

Average road life in North America for a Volvo is around 19 years. Independent Volvo mechanics make them reasonable to upkeep.

It'll be hard or impossible for OP to get luxury, speed, and reliability for any price, let's be honest!

CTS-V! He'll just have none of the fuel economy :awe:

 

[SearchMaster]

Please don't spend $30K because your car needs $700 of work. Please.

Keep it until you have a good job, debts paid off, etc. It will probably last you that long if you get these normal maintenance items taken care of.

 

[SandEagle]

Not a great idea for someone needing a rather reliable vehicle, or one cheap to fix.

G8 gt?

he's a grad student. he knows better.

OP, go with the Camry or TSX. will last you 200,000+ miles

 

[PhoKingGuy]

My GTI and Jetta had no problems in the time I had them. Take care of them and it'll take care of you.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

It'll be hard or impossible for OP to get luxury, speed, and reliability for any price, let's be honest!

Lexus IS250 or IS350

Luxury car - tons of gizmos and creature comforts
350 is quick - 300+ hp in the V6, and I average about 29 mpgs
Reliability - its basically a Toyota which you should feel comfotable with.

I picked up a used IS250 awd for 16k... ended up trading it for an IS350 though.... awesome car, looks beautiful, great ride, and turns a lot of heads (at least around po-dunk Wisconsin)


Honestly I would stick with Acura/Lexus/Infiniti for your hit list of items

 

[AstroManLuca]

Please don't spend $30K because your car needs $700 of work. Please.

Keep it until you have a good job, debts paid off, etc. It will probably last you that long if you get these normal maintenance items taken care of.

This. Try to get in the habit of properly servicing your car before you get a new one. This is what happens when you don't change your oil, for instance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC-SxrsgEwo

 

[NutBucket]

Please don't spend $30K because your car needs $700 of work. Please.

Keep it until you have a good job, debts paid off, etc. It will probably last you that long if you get these normal maintenance items taken care of.

This.

I'm 25 and a grad student. Not very rich though I do have some savings when I was working full time

And this definitely means buying new car isn't your best option given your car is still in reasonable working condition.

 

[exar333]

A low-miles '05 or '06 Camry would be a great option. Affordable and would last you another 100-150k most likely. It's not a boat like the '07+.

 

[TheUnk]

Every time something goes wrong with my 98 Jeep I tell myself I need a new one. Every time I have changed my mind.

It's simply my want of a new car trying to disguise itself as a need!

Until you get to the point of having to spend more than a new car payment each month for repairs, or have the cost of a repair more than the value of the car before it needed the repair, it's not time for a new car.

 

[ViviTheMage]

It's not fun driving a beater...not everyone's reason is purely 100% economical when it comes to buying a car.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Lexus IS250 or IS350

Luxury car - tons of gizmos and creature comforts
350 is quick - 300+ hp in the V6, and I average about 29 mpgs
Reliability - its basically a Toyota which you should feel comfotable with.

I picked up a used IS250 awd for 16k... ended up trading it for an IS350 though.... awesome car, looks beautiful, great ride, and turns a lot of heads (at least around po-dunk Wisconsin)


Honestly I would stick with Acura/Lexus/Infiniti for your hit list of items

Hey look its LOUISSSSSS back again.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

When it comes to something like a car where you'll be dropping a large amount of money on it at any rate it is important, imo, to remember that you should only buy something that you'll know YOU will be happy with. This is especially true if you enjoy driving to any extent and view cars as something more than an appliance but you should know that if it was the case.

If the price difference between the cars you're looking at are within a reasonable amount I would say just go for the one you want. Don't settle for something that you will enjoy less because you'll end up wondering why you saved (2-3k) but still spent 20K+ on something you have no strong feelings about. Also you could have easily just spent much less if you were just going to get a car that you just needed to get the job done.

If you're going to drop a chunk of change might as well make it worth while. If not then you might as well just get another beater until you can buy something you're more interested in.

/2cents

 

[NutBucket]

It's not fun driving a beater...not everyone's reason is purely 100% economical when it comes to buying a car.

But the OP's justification is that his current car needs some regular maintenance and has a CEL. Doesn't sound like he's complaining about the car otherwise.

 

[AstroManLuca]

But the OP's justification is that his current car needs some regular maintenance and has a CEL. Doesn't sound like he's complaining about the car otherwise.

Yeah and the other thing is that gen of Camry is a really great car. Really good. I've test driven a couple over the past week because I'm searching for a very cheap car. It's not really a "driver's car," but it's remarkably comfortable and quiet for being so old.

With over 200,000 miles on the clock and issues that need to be fixed, there's no way you can get more than about two grand for it. Since the car is nigh-on worthless already, why not just keep it and drive it until it dies? Or at least until it develops serious enough issues that it is no longer useful?

If it was a rickety bucket of bolts with a bunch of stuff that no longer works, I'd understand.

 

[T2urtle]

My 1998 Toyota Camry has 210k miles, and its run great. Great. No major problems in the past. Few minor things like starter dying on me was probably the worst. But the check engine light came on today and I know not changing out the water pump and timing belt (since 89k) is probably gonna get me soon. My mechanic told me my water pump's making some noises on top of possible MAP sensor issues (hence the check engine light, although he needs more than the 20 min I gave him today to figure it out). Anyway, I don't think its worth it to keep maintaining this sucker, so time to move on.


I never really fixed things on my car on my own, but I'm willing to learn. However, I'm sure it'll just be minor things. If it's anything major, I am not prepared.

perfect time to learn. Your CEL is tnot triggered by the waterpump. Most likely your MAF/MAP sensor is going out i guess since you have that fault. Its a VERY easily replacement. Should be easily accessibly on both the 4 cylinder and v6, i've only been around the 4cylinder. That motor is more or less bulletproof. You can drive it till the timing belt breaks and then replace it (most places want $500 or so). A belt and pump might be over some people's head. But straight forward work as well.

The problems you have are very minor and cheap to fix. Dont get new car fever unless you really want a new car. The MAF/MAP repair is $150 in parts MAX, autozone has it for $60

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...hZ9gsm7?filterByKeyWord=map&fromString=search

Should be very easily to do, the timing belt well thats up to you. But with the CEL taken care of you would be back to how you was before the CEL.

 

[krunchykrome]

Get the TSX; you wont regret it. We have a 2004 TSX, purchased new. It has 127k miles on it now, and it hasn't had one problem to date. It'll probably last another 100k. There's not much out there that can compare in terms of price, luxury, fun-to-drive factor, and reliability.

 

[chin311]

I'd vote for TSX but if it was me personally I'd get a used 08 or so before they redesigned but still nice cars!

 

[mvbighead]

Guess I am with the crowd of getting your current car fixed. If you're still in school, I can't see why you'd want the added expense.

Get it fixed, drive it for a month and see how it is. If all is good, keep on going. If not, trade it in and move on. But selling a car with what sounds like a fairly simple problem isn't going to net you much as a trade in or via private party. You really don't have much to lose in terms of just exploring the option of getting it fixed.

 

[exdeath]

Camry SE isn't exactly slow with the 3.5L 2GR engine.

Sounds like the GTI is your car though.

I'd say keep the 98 in working order as a beater and get whatever sporty car you want to go with it. Two cars is always better than one when you are going with something sporty, modded, less reliable, etc. Fix whatever is wrong with the Camry and you know you won't have to mess with that going out again for another 200k. Water pump is a periodic wear item like tires, nothing to be concerned with, and MAP sensor if it is bad is easy to get to and shouldn't cost much at all (literally takes 30 seconds to replace, including opening the hood).

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Why not look at the Ford Fusion? There's a whole new body style coming out for 2013 so they're probably willing to wheel and deal on 2012's. They're comfortable, dependable, I think they look great for a 4-door. You can get the basic S model for $21K before haggling, or a decked out AWD for $30k, and plenty of options in the middle.