I'm about to graduate and am shopping for a daily driver. I prefer to buy new, but would consider anything <2 years old. Through work I get preferred pricing from anybody related to Ford, GM, Chrysler, or Nissan. I also am eligible for an owner loyalty incentive from Suzuki, so I'd prefer to stick to any of the brands related to those companies instead of paying full price for something like a Honda. My intention is to also buy an older dedicated off road/towing vehicle for <5K, so this will be a commuter car only.

Features important to me:
Gas Milage
Manual Transmission
Reasonable power (I'll be living in the mountains and like to change lanes occasionally)
Power everything/cruise control
Good resale value
Low insurance
Solidly built vehicle that won't be a pain in the ass to maintain
Prefer sedan, but would consider a wagon

I've started looking around, and I'm eying the Mazda 3 at S-Plan pricing as my first choice. My second choice at the moment is the Suzuki Aerio, but although it would be a cheap and reliable car, it doesn't meet my resale value requirement. Any suggestions of other cars I should be looking at, or does anybody have an early 90's Wrangler to sell me on the side?

3/30/2006 11:39:45 AM

unless you car is about to die i would suggest waiting at least a year after graduation before you get a new car.

3/30/2006 11:45:53 AM

^ My car has 115K, front-end damage, and 95hp. It is worth about $500, and is about to need a bunch of service. It won't last a year in the mountains. Besides, my parents are going to help me with the down payment.

3/30/2006 11:57:24 AM

nissan altima 2.5

3/30/2006 12:23:34 PM

as much as I hate to reccomend it, go with an SRT-4

3/30/2006 12:58:32 PM

honda/toyota

a nice TL or accord

or

solora/avalon


USED OF COURSE

3/30/2006 1:11:36 PM

WRX sedan or wagon (Used)

[Edited on March 30, 2006 at 1:21 PM. Reason : It fits most of the requirements..]

3/30/2006 1:19:39 PM

Chevy Colorado Extended cab

That's what I got once I graduated. I got the manual transmission. I also had the dealer (Sir Walter Chevrolet) add power locks/power windows/keyless entry. I paid 16,500 for it. Talk to Paul Gandhi and let him know what you're looking for. He went all the way to Washington, DC to find my truck and I absolutely love it!

I know it's a truck, but it's really fun to drive and you can seat 4 normal sized people in it, with the capability of carrying 5 in a pinch.

[Edited on March 30, 2006 at 1:23 PM. Reason : ]

3/30/2006 1:22:24 PM

new cars are a rip get one 1-2 years old

3/30/2006 1:26:03 PM

get 4x4 STI

3/30/2006 1:45:58 PM

i've got an 03 GTI for sale...

3/30/2006 1:56:00 PM

i actually have a suggestion that fits your brand guidelines

nissan sentra se-r spec-v, although ive heard mixed reviews of reliability so research that. my roommate just got one a little while ago and it rides really nicely

3/30/2006 2:32:19 PM

Quote :

"honda/toyota a nice TL or accord or solora/avalon USED OF COURSE"

3/30/2006 2:35:55 PM

Quote :

"so I'd prefer to stick to any of the brands related to those companies instead of paying full price for something like a Honda."

3/30/2006 2:44:01 PM

Quote :

"so I'd prefer to stick to any of the brands related to those companies instead of paying full price for something like a Honda. "

i understand that but if i were you, i'd prefer to pay full price for something reliable and that would end up costing less over the life of the car

for reliability, solid build, gas mileage, and good resale, get a honda. i'd bet you could get an 03/04 honda ex that has leather and power everything, every airbag available, manual, with the 240ish hp v6 for less than 20k.

but anyway. fords and chevys are going to be tough on resale. they tend to plumet once bought. maybe look at a fusion or the altima (tho several people i know have had less than average reliability out of theirs.

looked at kbb and it would appear that a 2004 cadillac cts 3.2, manual could be had for less than $20k as well. but then your GM corporate discount probably only applies to new (mine does anyway).

[Edited on March 30, 2006 at 5:14 PM. Reason : er]

3/30/2006 5:13:41 PM

An 06 Honda Accord goes for just under 20K but that is the EX verison...i believe. they are really nice my sister got one in dec.

3/30/2006 5:18:55 PM

Get the new Honda Civic. Those look nice.

3/30/2006 5:25:06 PM

Quote :

"as much as I hate to reccomend it, go with an SRT-4"

Quote :

"Power everything/cruise control Good resale value Low insurance"

no cruise, depending on the buyer, can be really low or almost new price, insurance isn't that cheap.


but it fits everything else perfectly. I get 30mpg on the highway, 24-27 in the city, very nice power, no squeeks or rattles even with coilovers after about 30k miles, great room inside.

3/30/2006 6:39:31 PM