New car question

[Eagle]

I currently have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, 6cyl, approaching 70k miles. It seems to be running ok but it's starting to show its age and is suffering a few minor problems (fuel efficency isn't what it used to be, then there are some electrical issues: dome lite works sporadically, the cig lighter recently blew a fuse for no good reason, and now the horn has stopped working-THAT fuse is good). So I'm concerned that reliability might soon become an issue. I typically drive 200-300 miles a week, and if I get this new job I'm hoping for, that number will skyrocket in the short term.

So I'm thinking of getting a new car, maybe a Chevy HHR (probably not due to the sticker price/fuel econ) or a Pontiac Vibe. Mind you I know both of those pack only a 4cyl engine, and I wonder as to the reliability of such a package.

On the other hand, my current car isn't quite paid off. It will be near the end of the year (November I think). So I find myself wondering if I should just wait until I have it paid off and hope for the best, run my current wheels into the ground, and save until it finally dies.

Any thoughts?


On another note, back to my current car, the horn issue: last week in the middle of the night the horn started going off for no apparent reason, as the car just sat. I tried hitting buttons on the remote, no good. I went out, tapped the horn/steering wheel and it stopped. The next day I discovered that it didn't work at all. I pulled the fuse, it was good, but when I reinstalled it, I could hear a relay or something click when I did so. Any thoughts?

[teufelhunden]

Now's the time to buy, especially American cars. Two co-workers of mine recently got new cars; one got a Chrysler Town & Country for around $24k w/ 0% for 48 months - van is loaded, think he was it was a 36k car. Another bought a Wrangler for 16 or 17, believe he said sticker was 22, and they took his leased VW Golf that he was going to have to buy for 8-9k. Think he got 4.9% for 60 or 72 months. So, either way, deals are there. If you think you're going to be looking for a car in the next year, go for it now. I think a lot of people are holding off on getting new cars cuz of their economic situations and that when things start to pick back up for the middle class, car sales will rebound extremely quickly (combination of our love for cars, people needing to replace their cars, and the wonderful pricing available [for consumers, at least]), closing the window for a deal quickly.

[snoopay700]

One thing i will say is stay away from chryslers, their wiring harnesses are notorious for going bad. If you're looking for a new car and want american i would look at chevy, they're my favorite as far as american cars go.

[thecavemankevin]

wait till the GA is paid off. November will be here before you know it.

I'm thrilled with my Mazda Speed3.

The HHR is nicer than i would have thought, but it's still kind of boxy. Go with the toyota matrix instead of the vibe since it is the same thing. but at least toyota will still be here in a year.....doubt pontiac will be.


And for god sake, please let me help this time.

[kevdupuis]

One thing i will say is stay away from chryslers, their wiring harnesses are notorious for going bad. If you're looking for a new car and want american i would look at chevy, they're my favorite as far as american cars go.

How so? Please elaborate.
Aside from a venture into a GM van all of my vehicles have been Chrysler and I've never had one strand me yet that was not driver caused. Currently I own a 05 Dodge Magnum that now has over 80k on it and the only warranty problem I had was with the air conditioning which was a manufacturer issue.

[skife]

One thing i will say is stay away from chryslers, their wiring harnesses are notorious for going bad. If you're looking for a new car and want american i would look at chevy, they're my favorite as far as american cars go.

so he shouldn't buy a chrysler because their stuff from the 90's has issues and he should buy a chevy because they are your favorite?





now is a very good time to buy a new car, everything can be had pretty cheap.

I recently saw NEW '09 cobalts 5speed for 12k
Chrysler is offering amazing deals
Ford is a bit more pricey on their focus but its still a good car.

I've been used car shopping lately, i'm really looking into buying a mazda3.

[Lohman446]

This thread is full of amusement

I seldom buy myself a personal car with less than 100K - and aside from one (which incidentally only had 30K on it when I bought it) always drive them past 200K

[Chris]

Wow, there's some horrible advice in here.

As far as buying a Matrix instead of a Vibe "because Toyota will be here next year, but Pontiac wont"... they are essentially the same car. Get whichever one YOU like based on styling and pricing. That being said, you will get a better deal on the Pontiac since the idiot masses think that Pontiac shutting its doors means you won't get any service next year. Pontiac is part of GM. Take your car into ANY GM dealer and they will work on it.

Also, dont worry about past reliability problems with any of the auto makers. The vehicles that are being made are generally very good quality. I'm no longer holding the chevette against GM...although the Cimarron is a different story.

If you are worried about fuel economy, do a little maintenance on your current car; change the air filter and spark plugs. Honestly, basic maintenance can make a huge difference IF you haven't been keeping up on it. One more thing, watch how you drive. I learned a lot in the year I drove my civic hybrid, and many of the habits carry over to other cars. I regularly get 17mpg out of my suburban, and 28 out of my S2k...I don't baby them, and I usually drive 75-80 on the highway. Contrast that to my wife, who drives very similarly to me, and she only gets 13 in the truck. I guess my point is that it's more important HOW you drive than WHAT you drive.

If you like your current car, you'll be better served by keeping it than getting a new car. That being said, this is really a good time for the buyer. There are some great deals out there, on both vehicles and financing. You won't get much on your trade-in, but you may be able to sell it privately.

With all that being said, looking back I wish I hadn't purchased a new car right out of school. If I had to do it all over again, I'd spend 5k on a decent used car instead of 20k on a nice new one.

Regarding the OP's electrical gremlins, good luck chasing them down.

[Lohman446]

The horn issue sounds like classic clockspring problems, though not common in GM. It would not surprise me if you had an air bag light on. The only common electrical problem in that body style GM (I beleive those had the ignition switch in the dash) was a fault of the ignition switch and PASS key system, though none of the problems described are consistant with that type of issue.

Generally speaking known issues are gone by the time they are known. That being said I would stay away from the Chrysler 2.7L and avoid anyone who tried to tell you a constantly variable transmission is a good idea in a car.

A Grand Am driven reasonably with a V6 should bring you pretty close to 30MPG - and frankly the cars that get better are far too small for my taste - remember crash tests ratings are compared to similiar cars, and don't take into fact the distracted parent in the diesel Excursion coming towards the stop sign in front of you.

The only issue I see approaching you given the miles on the car would be replacement of the intake gaskets. If you don't know what you are doing let someone else handle them. I have seen enough people with some knowledge cause problems by getting the push rods in the wrong spot on reassembly. You might do a hub assembly or two at some point, as well as the earlier mentioned ignition switch.

[stonersr26]

If you are asking what the smart thing to do with your money is, pay off your car and drive it into the ground while saving each month what you would be paying out anyway. Average car payment is $350-450. So once you pay off your current car keep setting aside that money into an account and drive the piss out of your car until it either dies or needs such an expensive repair that you will spend more than the car is worth. My guess is that if you payed off the car and then drove it for another year you will have about $5000 in the bank and then you can sell your car personally and walk into any dealer with around $7000-9000 in cash and get a pretty decent car. I have learned that buying new is about the dumbest thing you can do because as soon as you drive it off the lot your vehicle drops 20% in value. Buying a used vehicle allows you to do some research to see which vehicles are inherently crappy. Once you do that research you can go searching and usually find a great deal especially when you start waving cash in someones face, just make sure you are either big enough to handle yourself or get a concealed carry permit

On a side note I have had 2 Vibes, an 05 and an 06 and both were great cars. Handle well, reseanably fun to drive, good fuel economy, and really went through accidents well. Our first one my wife was driving and a girl ran a stop sign in her Explorer and clipped off the front end of the Vibe. My wife didn't feel a thing and it flipped the Explorer The next Vibe sadly ended its life this past Friday when a kid decided to turn left in front of me at 60mph. Here is a picture of my car after a 60 mph frontal.

[Lohman446]

. Once you do that research you can go searching and usually find a great deal especially when you start waving cash in someones face, just make sure you are either big enough to handle yourself or get a concealed carry permit

As a dealer I will tell you I couldn't care less where the money is coming from, as long as I am getting paid. The people who want a cash price are not getting any better price than the people bringing me a check from the bank they deal with.

[MANN]

As a dealer I will tell you I couldn't care less where the money is coming from, as long as I am getting paid. The people who want a cash price are not getting any better price than the people bringing me a check from the bank they deal with.

Yes and no. When you have cash (or a casheirs check) with you able to purchase the vehicle outright right now they may be more motivated to lower the price more than normal to make the sale. I know last year when I was looking for a truck I was able to get alot more done with cash in hand. Some dealers look at the beat up jalopie that I drove in, and I am sure thought that I could not afford anything on their lot. When they see that you are serious then they get a little more serious.

As for the OP and the horn problem. My 96 blazer does the same thing. I just pulled the fuse. The horn doesnt work, but it does not affect my driving. I lost a light under my footpannel, and the cig plug, but no big deal there. The reason it kept blowing the fuse is because the cig lighter socket had a short in it. I just never was motivated enough to change it.

[KC]

If you are asking what the smart thing to do with your money is, pay off your car and drive it into the ground while saving each month what you would be paying out anyway. Average car payment is $350-450. So once you pay off your current car keep setting aside that money into an account and drive the piss out of your car until it either dies or needs such an expensive repair that you will spend more than the car is worth. My guess is that if you payed off the car and then drove it for another year you will have about $5000 in the bank and then you can sell your car personally and walk into any dealer with around $7000-9000 in cash and get a pretty decent car. I have learned that buying new is about the dumbest thing you can do because as soon as you drive it off the lot your vehicle drops 20% in value. Buying a used vehicle allows you to do some research to see which vehicles are inherently crappy. Once you do that research you can go searching and usually find a great deal especially when you start waving cash in someones face, just make sure you are either big enough to handle yourself or get a concealed carry permit

QFT.

[Lohman446]

Yes and no. When you have cash (or a casheirs check) with you able to purchase the vehicle outright right now they may be more motivated to lower the price more than normal to make the sale. I know last year when I was looking for a truck I was able to get alot more done with cash in hand. Some dealers look at the beat up jalopie that I drove in, and I am sure thought that I could not afford anything on their lot. When they see that you are serious then they get a little more serious.

The part about being serious I will give you. If they beleive you have the means to purchase you will generally get a salesman willing to do more work to make the sale.

[stonersr26]

As a dealer I will tell you I couldn't care less where the money is coming from, as long as I am getting paid. The people who want a cash price are not getting any better price than the people bringing me a check from the bank they deal with.

Any time I have walked into a dealer with my dad, myself, or a friend if you wave cash it is kind of funny to watch the reaction. It has been proven through several studies that we as a society have gotten used to swiping the card or signing on the line. You show cash and people's pulse and blood pressure increase and they are much more willing to deal. I've seen my dad walk away from a lot with $5000 dollar cars numerous times only paying in the $3000-3500 range cash. People are just more motivated when it is cash.
As for you giving a better deal to someone who has the cash in hand or a check from the bank, that is the buyer not really knowing what they are doing. A buyer should never reveal what there budget is, how they plan to pay, whether or not they have a trade in, or basically anything until they have settled on a price for whatever car they are buying; then you pull out your aces and work a great deal... Boy, I spend way too much time thinking about this crap