So my girlfriend is looking for an affordable car and wanted me to help her out.

Apparently the car has to be "new" and "American"

I do not know much about US marks beyond the news of them going down the shitter. Thought TWW might have some insight.

6/2/2009 8:23:18 PM

poncho g-whatever with the cute ass

6/2/2009 9:13:55 PM

ford is gonna be the only thing you need. Its the only company you dont need to worry about.

its the only company to support. beacuse well, all the others are going under and being bought by other over seas companys

6/2/2009 9:45:43 PM

How "cheap" are we talking?

The Ford Fusion has gotten high marks for reliability and is pretty safe. It's based on the proven Mazda 6 so it's also pretty fun to drive. It also does not look like a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry so you can find it in a parking lot. You could probably get a rather low mileage Fusion with decent features for cheap, assuming you are willing to not be too picky about the features (it has to have this this and this and nothing else and it has to be this color).

[Edited on June 2, 2009 at 11:17 PM. Reason : Pontiac Vibe is a reliable hatch wagon, a joint Toyota-Pontiac venture. Cheap, reliable.]

6/2/2009 11:15:48 PM

I test drove a Fusion recently. It looks ugly, but drives nicely. Interior is drab, exterior is uninspired. Everything looks cheaply put together. Almost like they hired the same engineer that designed mechanical parts to do the aesthetic design. Very boxy and symmetric.

But the drive is very smooth and suspension is right on for a daily driver. Drove down Hillsborough street by cup-a-joes and barely felt the road. I was impressed at how quiet it was in the cabin. I drove the V6 version. Plenty of power and fairly smooth transmission. Overall first impressions were positive.

6/2/2009 11:24:06 PM

Just curious...but why does she insist on American? She could easily buy a "foreign" car that was made by American workers. Pretty much all the big foreign companies build tons of shit over here now.

I'd much rather be supporting American workers at the foreign car manufacturers b/c they're usually not unionized. Oh and 2 out of the 3 big domestic manufacturers (if we still count Chrysler as domestic) are now having to leech off the American taxpayers b/c the unions have dragged them into the shitter...at least, thats how I see it.

Edit: But my issues about what it means to be American made aside, Ford is definitely the one you want to be looking at if it has to be an American company. Not at all b/c of warranty and service issues dealing with Chrysler and GM but b/c Ford has improved their quality significantly the last few years. Even the Ford Focus has been rated well (although its a fucking eyesore IMO).

[Edited on June 2, 2009 at 11:46 PM. Reason : .]

6/2/2009 11:42:06 PM

Quote :

"why does she insist on American"

Apparently her dad thinks that something must be wrong with any car that someone trades in; hence why it has to be no. Also, he only likes American cars. This would all be good in fine except that she is the one fucking PAYing for it.

If it was not for the co-sign than i'm sure she'd get something else.

6/3/2009 12:04:40 AM

the non rental car fusions are a lot nicer than the ones a lot of you garagers have driven

6/3/2009 12:37:42 AM

Quote :

"Apparently her dad thinks that something must be wrong with any car that someone trades in; hence why it has to be no. Also, he only likes American cars. This would all be good in fine except that she is the one fucking PAYing for it. If it was not for the co-sign than i'm sure she'd get something else."

This is the kind of ignorance that puts a black mark on folks in my book. But...I can bitch and complain all day long and not accomplish shit here.

Oh...and it's a perfect example of parents trying to be overly influential (and insisting that they are really making a difference) by tying strings to their generosity.

All that shit shoveled...I'd likely buy a Ford or a GM. Malibu would top my list for a chick's daily driver. I think the Fusion is uglier 'n the crack of Sasquatch's ass...but it's a Ford, and they are the only one of the big three that aren't relying on a car payment (without the car, mind you) from John Q. Taxpayer. And Ford's come a long way.

6/3/2009 1:20:43 AM

Well, technically if you really want to support "American", you'd want to buy a GM product that was built in America. GM receiving so much government help means, if they don't sell enough cars, our tax dollars will have gone to waste.

I don't think it's sensical to "buy American", ie: avoid Toyota/Honda to be patriotic, as like mentioned above, they make plenty of cars in the U.S. by American workers. Anyway, I'd say there are quite a few offerings from Ford and GM that are worth a look currently. Ford's bringing over the Fiesta, which I think is a fantastic car for the segment they're aiming for.

6/3/2009 2:24:54 AM

I'm of the same buy Ford only sentiment. GM was making a ton of money on Tahoes/Escalades/Denalis and Hummers, which all shared mostly the same platform. Where'd the money go?

6/3/2009 8:17:13 AM

^^

They employ Americans but their profits go back to OMGJDM. GMs profits remain in the US. All negative 50 billion.

6/3/2009 8:42:03 AM

Gas hit $4+/gallon and then suddenly it was hip to be green and drive a shitbox.

Consumer hypocrisy is what happened, along with the fact that people realized that they had been marketed into buying inefficient boxes that don't handle well and are way-the-fuck more capable than what they really needed.

6/3/2009 8:44:45 AM

NEW MALIBU

6/3/2009 8:45:18 AM

Yeah I really think the new malibu looks good. I think any car produced with good intentions will be reliable. Go malibu!!!!!!!11

6/3/2009 8:47:55 AM

Quote :

"Malibu would top my list for a chick's daily driver"

i know its not cheap....but.....I have a sweet spot in my twisted soul for the new 4-door Cobalt SS...turbo, no-lift shifting, 100mph trap in the 1/4 stock.


beats the fuck out of my civic



[Edited on June 3, 2009 at 9:25 AM. Reason : -]

6/3/2009 9:23:23 AM

Malibu. The LTZ V6 with 252 HP and the slick two-tone interior is the fun choice, but the 4 cylinder models are still good cars (169 HP gets the job done) and will fall closer to your target. Though you haven't told us what "cheap" means to you. The refreshed Fusions are also good cars. Pontiac G6 isn't bad but I'd put it behind the other two. Chrysler's midsize entries aren't even worth mentioning.

If those are too expensive, go Focus. It's better than a Cobalt or a Caliber, though it's not much to look at. I would say that the Saturn Astra might not be a bad choice, even with the possibility of the brand's demise. However there is not a 2009 model because it sold slowly (evidently consumers weren't too fond if it being hatchback-only) but there are still "new" 2008 models on the lots, which you could probably get for a song.

6/3/2009 1:42:33 PM

Malibu is a very well built car for GM. Although I have to agree with zxappeal that the car having to be new and having to be american is more ignorant than even Ragged on his bad days.

6/3/2009 2:10:52 PM

Malibu is a very well built car for GM. Although I have to agree with zxappeal that the car having to be new and having to be american is more ignorant than even Ragged on his bad days.

6/3/2009 2:10:52 PM

Malibu is a very well built car for GM. Although I have to agree with zxappeal that the car having to be new and having to be american is more ignorant than even Ragged on his bad days.

6/3/2009 2:10:52 PM

Malibu is a very well built car for GM. Although I have to agree with zxappeal that the car having to be new and having to be american is more ignorant than even Ragged on his bad days.

6/3/2009 2:10:52 PM

its a great time to buy american

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/02/dealership.closing/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

6/3/2009 2:53:55 PM

If she's getting a sedan I'd say Malibu.

If she's open to a coupe, I'd say new Camaro. $23,000 for the base model gets you a whole lot of car. The V6 is a DOHC Direct Injection V6 with 304hp. It handles well, is pretty refined, is sporty, looks fantastic, and gets 30mpg on the highway.

6/3/2009 3:04:51 PM

Umm, Pontiac G8?

6/3/2009 3:35:57 PM

Great car, but I'm assuming its too big.

6/3/2009 3:47:22 PM

buying new is retarded

and there is not really any such thing these days as a "foreign" or "domestic" make of cars.

6/3/2009 3:50:18 PM

it kinda blows me away that she HAS to use her EARNED money for New car; otherwise her father will not co-sign. I do not think i have ever heard of a parent who even recommends their college kid to finance a new car while in college.

As a co-signer you would think your only concern was getting your money back; and if it was your kid that to ensure they did not get swindled or get something to expensive.

she found a 09 Malibu with 12,000 miles she liked for $16,500 that someone apparently drove less than a year than traded in........ but obviously this car must be about to fall apart otherwise it would not have been traded in

[Edited on June 3, 2009 at 6:11 PM. Reason : l]

6/3/2009 6:07:39 PM

She's gonna be the one driving it, and she's gonna be the one paying for it. She should get what she wants, regardless of what her father tries to impose.

Buying new is stupid, just generally. Financing a new car while in college is not smart, either.

How much does she have to spend in terms of cash in hand plus whatever she could sell her car for (private party sale)?

6/3/2009 6:18:20 PM

Think around $8500 which could really get a pretty decent used car. I paid $5700 from my civic that lasted all 5 years of college and countless road trips.


She took a look at a Colbalt today and liked it a lot better than the focus.

[Edited on June 3, 2009 at 6:54 PM. Reason : k]

6/3/2009 6:40:21 PM

tell her to take her $8500 and get a good used "foreign" car and not tie herself up in a car payment.

she'll be very glad she did in the long run.


p.s. my girlfriend's dad is even worse. he won't buy anything except ford products and will only get his parts from the dealership. only thing that goes on his cars that isn't from the dealership is tires and that's only because he works for bridgestone/firestone.

[Edited on June 3, 2009 at 7:14 PM. Reason : the same man who changed springs on a F250 powerstroke because it was <1/2" unlevel ]

6/3/2009 7:12:18 PM

malibu? heh

when I think of "cheap cars" i think of chevy aveo and hyundai accent levels of cars

6/3/2009 7:13:42 PM

Quote :

"tell her to take her $8500 and get a good used "foreign" car and not tie herself up in a car payment. "

yeah.. paid $4500 for my 5 series. you could easily get a little newer one with a lot less miles than mine that'd last forever

but i'm sure one of dem dab blame german engineared cars is way out of his mental capacity

6/3/2009 8:10:06 PM

Quote :

"engineared "

6/3/2009 8:52:24 PM

Quote :

"Think around $8500 "

Oh wow, she shouldn't even be thinking about a new car. Tell her to take that $8500, or hell, $4000-5000 of it, and get a good used car.

6/3/2009 9:04:05 PM

^ yeah that'd be the smart/practical thing. She still half way through school and think just "scared" to snip the strings from dad. Apparently he is some ex-jarhead douche (no offense Duke) who tries to run the family like his own personnal military unit. Things are his way or no way.

6/3/2009 9:26:12 PM

Quote :

"Things are his way or no way"

i know all too well how that goes. gf's dad is the same way. been dealing with his dumb ass for 4 yrs now. i fought it at first, but i learned real quick after 20 yrs of it, she ain't gonna cut those strings that easy.

i just grin and bear it

6/3/2009 10:38:53 PM

Quote :

"Good American Cheap"

She needs to settle for one or two out of three.

6/4/2009 7:41:59 AM

Quote :

"engineared "

that was on purpose to further imitate the stupidity of the 'dad'

6/4/2009 8:24:08 AM

Quote :

"useless point quoted"

7/5/2009 6:17:59 PM

I read recently that the car which was the most "american" (assembled in America, parts from America etc.) was the Toyota Camry. Hell, some fords are Mexican.

7/5/2009 6:26:44 PM

The Cars.com American-Made Index

1. Toyota Camry – Georgetown, Ky.; Lafayette, Ind.
2. Ford F-150 – Dearborn, Mich.; Claycomo, Mo.
3. Chevrolet Malibu – Kansas City, Kan.
4. Honda Odyssey – Lincoln, Ala.
5. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – Fort Wayne, Ind.
6. Toyota Sienna – Princeton, Ind.
7. Toyota Tundra – San Antonio, TX
8. GMC Sierra 1500 – Fort Wayne, Ind.
9. Ford Taurus – Chicago
10. Toyota Venza – Georgetown, Ky.

7/5/2009 6:31:44 PM

Who cares bout what cars have tha most "amurican" parts and the biggest % assemblage in the US. A true patriot amurican cares more about helping out the GM stockholders than some rice eaters in Asia collecting the profit; AM I RITE!
Git-er-dun!

7/6/2009 8:19:45 PM

dey tuk ur jerbs

7/8/2009 7:35:19 AM

Anyone know how to find out which dealerships are closing? Best bet is to find one of those GM/Chrysler dealerships to shop first (if there are any around here).

They'll likely be selling at wholesale prices to get cars off their lot. A lot of them have a certain deadline of when they have to sell all their inventory by.

I searched google but it looks like they aren't releasing exactly which dealerships are slated to close to the public.

7/8/2009 10:00:23 AM

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090710/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_gm_bankruptcy_ebay

?

7/12/2009 1:26:54 PM

no, they will send their cars to another franchise

7/14/2009 7:02:56 PM