My fiance's car just kicked the bucket and we are looking for something to buy/lease...

She wants a car...2 or 4 door is fine but likes the coupe look of most models. Needs to be reasonible nice (she is an accountant...so she can fit in with her accountant buddies) and reasonable priced ($25000ish)

I open for new or used but the nicer stuff is more than $25000 new...even a nice new Accord is more than that.

Suggestions?

11/3/2005 10:54:59 AM

Cars in that range:

Audi A3
VW Jetta 2.0T
Acura TSX
SAAB 9-3

All are front wheel drive, reasonably fuel efficient, quick enough for normal driving, spacious enough to carry 4 people, and somewhat fun.

Basically, drive all of them, odds are one will stand out to you, get that one.

Oh, and if you're not worried about the badge - drive the new (2006) Hyundai Sonata - it was surprisingly great on the test drive I took with it. It's also larger and cheaper than any of the cars I listed above - and has a 10yr/100k mile warranty - which rocks.

[Edited on November 3, 2005 at 11:05 AM. Reason : asfd]

11/3/2005 11:00:37 AM

Ford 500... Unique and pretty nice, not to mention American Made. If she want's to "fit in" look at Avalons, Camrys, Accords like everybody else in the world.

And for the record before the flaming begins, I'm not trying to bash Japanese vehicles by any means!

11/3/2005 11:02:35 AM

I'd love to go American...just not sure I'd be able to convince her. I've driven American since the day I turned sixteen but that is much easier to do since I'm on my 4th SUV...if I was a car driver it may be different.

11/3/2005 11:16:52 AM

buy a one year old

Quote :

"Audi A3 VW Jetta 2.0T Acura TSX SAAB 9-3 "

or my personal suggestion, a year old G35

11/3/2005 11:17:03 AM

my woman got a 2005 4cyl manual Accord but with all the creature comforts (leather, sunroof, sat radio) for just over $21k. She played hardball with a couple of dealers out near Ashboro. Helped that she was paying cash.

(then she proceeds to drive it over the ramps and push the kickpanels in to the doors, woman driver)

11/3/2005 11:19:47 AM

Quote :

"Ford 500... Unique and pretty nice, not to mention American Made. If she want's to "fit in" look at Avalons, Camrys, Accords like everybody else in the world."

there's a reason you don't see many 500s. They're not selling for shit b/c they're outclassed by everything comparable to it.

I wouldn't go with an american model here.

Also, you're not gonna find an A3 used yet. Those cars just started showing up in the US like 5 months ago.

11/3/2005 11:20:38 AM

you should be able to get a new a3 for around $25k

if you're gonna go audi/vw:
a jetta tdi would be a good choice if she doesnt mind a diesel. the 2.0T would be cool, too.
the new passat is also very nice.

im not sure i would buy a saab, but the tsx seems like a good car. or maybe find a 1-2 year old accord.

11/3/2005 11:33:48 AM

If you really have to have an 'American' car, go with the Ford Fusion - it's a Mazda6 with worse build quality.

But then you could get pretty much any Mazda6 you want for that price anyway - add that one to the list.

As for the new Jetta - they don't have TDi versions of the 5th generation here yet, and the new Passat is too much money.

[Edited on November 3, 2005 at 1:16 PM. Reason : asdf]

11/3/2005 1:14:30 PM

Have her look at the Volvo S40. I mean Ford owns Volvo so its american right????

11/3/2005 1:23:26 PM