Hey all, My work beater is just about dead, so i'm going car shopping today. A couple cars have caught my eye, but i'm having trouble deciding. So far, i've looked at: 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2002 Toyota Prius Anyone have any expirience with these vehicles, or other vehicles that they'd like to recommend? Any I should avoid? Only restriction, is that I need to be able to fit 5 people in it. Matt
Kia's are very bad. I recommend not getting one. My friend has a Sonata and he likes it a lot. 10 yr. warranty, drives well, hasn't had a problem with it.
I had a Kia once(Spectra). I wasn't very impressed with it. It ran fine, but it wasn't put together very well. I had the stitching come out of the seats, trim panels fall off, and the rubber seal around the doors fell off within a month of buying it(I bought it brand new).
I had a 2006 Scion tC, already got rid of it. Didn't like it, no room for 5 people definitely. I'd check out Nissan and Toyota as well, Nissan Sentra has a $2500 rebate on a brand new one. You could get a fully loaded one for $15-16k. I've sold cars for 8 years so I've been around the block a bit. The Prius is a nice car, a little expensive right now, even for used ones because of gas prices. Check out the cheaper alternative if you want a Hybrid---the Honda Insight. About 3-4000 less on a used one and they are more readily available.
it's a shame you have to get one nowish because the new camrys are fantastic, but they're not available just yet.
If you have to fit 5, why not look into more of a Sport Wagon. Looks good, but can still haul plenty. Since it seems your checking used, I would say the Mazda Protege 5. Toyota Matrix would fall into that. Could also add pretty much any Subaru Hatchback model. I would name more, but I pretty sure a late early 2000 model BMW 5 Series Wagon is out, or the newer Mazda 5/Mazda 6 Wagon.
Looks like i've got some research to do. I'd like to stick with a 4 door. Due to Wisconsin's new booster seat law, 3 of my 4 kids have to ride in booster seats.
New Civic has had 3 recalls already. Stay far away. Plus some have failing trannys and Honda doesn't want to support their warranty. The Mazda 6 looks really sharp and the new Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan which are built on the Mazda 6 platfrom.
Can't wait to pull that out on the Honda people at the auto show tomorrow. "Nice car, what's this about not wanting to follow warranty?" Seating 5 huh? Try a Chevy malibu. My family has owned 4 since their introduction in 97 and each has been a great car. Also good luck on the Prius. I hear they are extremely popular so much so that some dealerships have waiting lists and the resale value on one is more than original sticker price.
I bought a 2000 Malibu for the wife once. Had too many problems with it. I hear ya on the Prius's. I checked out some today, and there wasn't a whole lot of difference in price between new and used.
I have a 2006 Scion TC and love it, though thats not exactly what youre looking for since youre a family man. I say check out the Subaru Tribeca. My girlfriend's parents just bought one back in December and its real spacious and even more comfy
