getting a new car

[Saddle Bronc 124]

What about a Ford Mustang? Those new models are quite nice - and not all that pricey. In comparison to Infiniti and Lexus anyway...

I'd buy one if I were back in CA, in NJ (with roads like the surface of the moon) we're probably going to get a small-size SUV - CRV or RAV4, something with enough ground clearance to blow the shocks when it hits a pot-hole.

One of my friends has a Volvo Cross Country and it is pretty impressive. I plan on getting one for my wife (when she gets here).

Or this, since she has never drove a car.

Impressive - what's the acceleration on that?

0-60 in 30 minutes?

Actually, probably 0-60 in 9.5 seconds (assuming a 455-cid/7.5-litre V8, which was actually the COMMON engine for that size...)

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'm getting a new car in the next month or so since Neil is getting his license and I'm looking for suggestions. I have a few in mind that I like but I'd like some suggestions so I look at others too.

The ones I'm looking at now are

Lexus IS 350

Infiniti G37

Mitsubishi Eclipse SE

Mazda RX-8

The Lexus is the one I like the most but I'm up for suggestions on cheaper cars too Thanks in advance!

I love the RX-8's, BUT two words come to mind 1.) Gas and 2.) Hog! 22 Highway, 16 City:

http://www.fueleconomydb.com/specs/2008/MAZDA/MAZDA%2520RX-8

They have rotary engines which are really cool and really fast. I have had 5 RX-7's over the years and loved to drive them but they have a tendency to lose compression later in the engines life.

Felix Wankel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel

The Rotary Engine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_engine

Methinks you wanted

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine, rather than "rotary" (Wiki uses the term "rotary" for a radially-aligned engine).

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What about a Ford Mustang? Those new models are quite nice - and not all that pricey. In comparison to Infiniti and Lexus anyway...

I'd buy one if I were back in CA, in NJ (with roads like the surface of the moon) we're probably going to get a small-size SUV - CRV or RAV4, something with enough ground clearance to blow the shocks when it hits a pot-hole.

One of my friends has a Volvo Cross Country and it is pretty impressive. I plan on getting one for my wife (when she gets here).

Or this, since she has never drove a car.

Impressive - what's the acceleration on that?

0-60 in 30 minutes?

Actually, probably 0-60 in 9.5 seconds (assuming a 455-cid/7.5-litre V8, which was actually the COMMON engine for that size...)

I was joking!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Oops, a correction.

A rotary engine (as per Wiki) is a version of the radial in which the cylinders rotate about a fixed crankshaft (as opposed to the "ordinary radial", which is a conventional engine turning crankshaft, but with radial alignment).

What about a Ford Mustang? Those new models are quite nice - and not all that pricey. In comparison to Infiniti and Lexus anyway...

I'd buy one if I were back in CA, in NJ (with roads like the surface of the moon) we're probably going to get a small-size SUV - CRV or RAV4, something with enough ground clearance to blow the shocks when it hits a pot-hole.

One of my friends has a Volvo Cross Country and it is pretty impressive. I plan on getting one for my wife (when she gets here).

Or this, since she has never drove a car.

Impressive - what's the acceleration on that?

0-60 in 30 minutes?

Actually, probably 0-60 in 9.5 seconds (assuming a 455-cid/7.5-litre V8, which was actually the COMMON engine for that size...)

I was joking!

Of course that vehicle's best-case fuel economy would be in two digits (with help), city economy in single digits.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Is that the American or European model?

[Teacher Mark 53]

A thing to consider with the Eclipse is that its engine is probably DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dohc

I don't trust them since I've had 2 go bad on me (including an Eagle Talon which was basically the same car).

I drove my '98 Eclipse GSX with 70K miles on it to work this morning. I've had no major problems with it, and I've upgraded some of the parts (better clutch, brake rotors, exhaust). And I definitely do not baby it.

I had a '90 Eagle Talon TSi AWD before that, also had no major problems with it until some old woman decided to drive into it.

As for the purchase, don't go to a dealer. Make them come to you. Email the sales departments of every dealer in your area, describe the exact car you want (color, interior, options all the way down to yes/no on the cigarette lighter). Tell them you're purchasing in a week and the best price wins your business. You'll get a bunch of quotes and you can compare apples to apples. Then you pick the best price and you're done.

We did this for my wife's Mazda 6, and it was the easiest car buying experience of my life. Several dealers were pitching us the same car (it had to come down here from the Bay Area), we just picked the lowest price. Went down there on a Saturday, drove it around the block, then spent a couple hours signing the documents and handing over the cashier's check. No pressure, no "let me talk to my manager", no BS.

It's all in the timing belt. If it breaks and you try to turn it over you're engine is FUBAR.

I'm getting a new car in the next month or so since Neil is getting his license and I'm looking for suggestions. I have a few in mind that I like but I'd like some suggestions so I look at others too.

The ones I'm looking at now are

Lexus IS 350

Infiniti G37

Mitsubishi Eclipse SE

Mazda RX-8

The Lexus is the one I like the most but I'm up for suggestions on cheaper cars too Thanks in advance!

I love the RX-8's, BUT two words come to mind 1.) Gas and 2.) Hog! 22 Highway, 16 City:

http://www.fueleconomydb.com/specs/2008/MAZDA/MAZDA%2520RX-8

They have rotary engines which are really cool and really fast. I have had 5 RX-7's over the years and loved to drive them but they have a tendency to lose compression later in the engines life.

Felix Wankel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel

The Rotary Engine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_engine

Methinks you wanted

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine, rather than "rotary" (Wiki uses the term "rotary" for a radially-aligned engine).

I added that link a few posts down.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

My brother has a Subaru Impreza hatchback. It's a great car. I think the 2008 model is about 25K. It's sporty looking and has a lot of zip, but also a comfy ride w/ lots of room inside.

You don't see too many of them around, so it stands out. My bro has the silver one, but I'd go for the blue.

In terms of avoiding the dealership hassle, AAA has a car buying service that I've heard good things about. They handle the negotiating for you and can schedule test drives, etc., so you don't have to deal with some high-pressure schmuck at the dealership.

[rclouse 0]

It's all in the timing belt. If it breaks and you try to turn it over you're engine is FUBAR.

Yeah, that's true. My Talon had a recall on that, but I had heard about it before so I got it done at 50K. Then with the recall I had them reimburse me the expense.

Should think about doing that for my Eclipse soon. With another baby on the way we have to think minivan/SUV rather than new sports car for me should my car die.

[Amby 490]

platy I will look at an avalon now since I'm not sure what they look like. I'm not really into the crossover vehicles or SUVs. I also like the Cadillac CTS but I think I'm too young to be driving a caddy since I'm not a gangster wannabe

Amby,

If you want a reasonably priced car that's fun to drive, check out the new Holden Commodore (aka Pontiac G8)

It's a poor man's BMW of sorts (it has a very BMW-like MacPherson front strut layout

and multilink rear suspension), only with a lot more power than most BMW's -

pure RWD goodness.

The GT version comes with a 6.0L V8 with 361hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. It's a 6-speed

automatic, so it's not too bad on gas (the V6 has a 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway rating,

the V8 - 15/24 mpg.)

I RWD cars. I kinda like the look of it too. I think that one will make it onto my test drive list

I don't really care how much I spend but I really don't want to go over 40k. I really should be more sensible and look at cheaper cars since they go down in value so quickly but like I said before "I like stuff". I also like the idea of automatic because I have car right now that is manual and sometimes I feel like I actually have to think about changing gears because I don't drive it as often since it's a V8 and kinda guzzles gas.

What about a Ford Mustang? Those new models are quite nice - and not all that pricey. In comparison to Infiniti and Lexus anyway...

I'd buy one if I were back in CA, in NJ (with roads like the surface of the moon) we're probably going to get a small-size SUV - CRV or RAV4, something with enough ground clearance to blow the shocks when it hits a pot-hole.

my sister has a Mustang GT and I feel cramped sitting in it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so tall or what but I don't find it comfortable to drive at all

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

my sister has a Mustang GT and I feel cramped sitting in it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so tall or what but I don't find it comfortable to drive at all

Those cars are also pretty low to the ground - we rented one when we first moved out here.

You could always get a VW Beetle... Those have a lot of leg room, though unless you're a dwarf sitting in the back for any length of time is like medieval torture.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

my sister has a Mustang GT and I feel cramped sitting in it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so tall or what but I don't find it comfortable to drive at all

Those cars are also pretty low to the ground - we rented one when we first moved out here.

You could always get a VW Beetle... Those have a lot of leg room, though unless you're a dwarf sitting in the back for any length of time is like medieval torture.

"New" or "old" bug?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

my sister has a Mustang GT and I feel cramped sitting in it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so tall or what but I don't find it comfortable to drive at all

Those cars are also pretty low to the ground - we rented one when we first moved out here.

You could always get a VW Beetle... Those have a lot of leg room, though unless you're a dwarf sitting in the back for any length of time is like medieval torture.

"New" or "old" bug?

Well new...

You'd have a job finding an old one from a dealer.

[mawilson 2,133]

I RWD cars. I kinda like the look of it too. I think that one will make it onto my test drive list

I don't really care how much I spend but I really don't want to go over 40k.

You're in luck then, because the G8 starts at MSRP $27,595 (Sedan - V6) and $29,995 (GT - V8)

[mawilson 2,133]

The interior is quite nice too:

[Amby 490]

Cool!

I like the inside but I'm not so sure if I'm into the red on the seats. That feels a little too racer boy for me.