VonRichtofen From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 4434 posts, RR: 51 Posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 433 times:
Well, it's time for my mother to get a new car. Her price range is between $20,000-$33,000 or so USD. She's looking for a decent sized sedan with nothing smaller than a V6. She needs one with a good ride and good style, also it has to be RELIABLE, my mother is a realtor and puts a ridiculous number of miles on cars in a short time. Now she likes Camry's. I don't usually like Japanese cars but for my mother (who's looking for practicality with some style) I'm not going favour any make or their origon. She also likes the new Sebring Convertible. Both are nice cars, she wants to try out more though. I'm just curious on what you guys would reccommend? Any experiences you could share would be much appreciated!!
174thfwff From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 366 times:
I own a 2001 Toyota Camry V6. I am 17, and I love this car. It's such a drivers car. The radio, the heat/ac switches are so easy to get used to and so easy to change when your driving. This car has great on gas, and as long as you change oil, and rotate the tires, it's very RELIABLE! The 2002's are very nice looking, and if she wants a step up, try the Toyota Avalon.
Email me with any questions you have about the camry.
FlyBoeing From United States, joined May 2000, 865 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 319 times:
If she's a realtor and she's going to be carting people around in a car, she'd better have a nice car that portrays the very image of domesticity.
The Ford Taurus wagon is an inexpensive automobile that carries families and signs, isn't a minivan with the minivan stigma, and costs something like $20 k's. Not bad for a station wagon.
USAir_757 From United States, joined Jun 2000, 994 posts, RR: 15 Reply 21, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 298 times:
If she wants RELIABLE, domestic isn't the way to go.
If she wants new, she should get a 2002 Honda Accord V6 or 2002 Nissan Maxima SE.
If it doesn't have to be new, my recommendation would be a late '90s Volvo 850 T-5. No, it isn't quite a V6(in-line 5), but it's turbocharged @ 236HP.) That sucker can MOVE!!!...and it's reliable alright...
-Cullen Wassell @ MSL | Pentax *istDL, Sigma 28-80 AL DG Macro II, Sigma 70-300 DG Macro
Ilyushin96M From United States, joined Sep 1999, 2609 posts, RR: 19 Reply 22, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 294 times:
Depending on what your mum is looking for - how much she wants to spend in terms of yearly maintenance and gas - I'd recommend something from Honda, Nissan or Toyota. Volvos and Saabs tend to be high-dollar when it comes to replacement parts, and Volkswagens can be that way, as well. Here are some ideas:
Honda Accord EX V-6
Nissan Altima SE V-6 (6-speed manual available!!)
Toyota Camry XLE V-6
Volkswagen Passat GLX V-6
Toyotas and Hondas in particular have hardy drivetrains and hold up well in the long-haul. I've known of Camrys and Accords with over 200K on them, still running strong, with no major breakdowns. A V-6 will not give great fuel economy, but will provide good power for acceleration and passing, as well as being quieter than the typical 4 cylinder. If your mum goes Nissan, she can get something sportier and more fun to drive in the Altima - I've seen some of them that are really decked out, and might actually go for one myself, if I were in the market for a sedan!
Carmy From Singapore, joined Oct 2001, 625 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 283 times:
Well I'm somewhat biased 'cos I'm a BMW fan and my family owns two BMWs, so I'd say go get the BMW. Once you've driven a German car, you'll never want to drive anything else again. The BMW 320 is a pretty good car at your budget, relatively large, and awfully easy to drive. My family cars have been extremely smooth on the roads, and you can hardly feel the car shiver even when we're travelling at 140km/hr on expressways overseas.
I'm also of the impression that the BMW is a very safe car. I remember seeing an accident once when a Toyota hit the boot of a BMW. The Toyota's entire front engine was almost flattened, whilst there was nary a scratch on the BMW. But it wasn't a Camry though, just a small sized Corolla that hit the BMW.
Go for the BMW! To me, it's really everything they claim a BMW to be.
Superfly From United States, joined May 2000, 29918 posts, RR: 88 Reply 24, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 283 times:
There is no point in buying a 'poor mans' BMW.
If you feel the need to buy an import in this price range, go with a Toyota or Honda. If you can't afford the 7 series or M5, there is no point in buying there cheaper cars. They are way over-priced and is only for those desperate to project an image of wealth.
I am sure Mrs. VonRichtofen has good taste as does her son.
Rolex01 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 25, posted (7 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 278 times:
Dodge Durango.
26 USAir_757: >Volvos and Saabs tend to be high-dollar when it comes >to replacement parts, and Volkswagens can be that >way, as well. Only if you use the dealershi
27 FlyBoeing: My domestic Mountaineer is a reliable car. It's held together perfectly given its prescribed maintenance.
28 174thfwff: Yes, SAABs are very expensive to fix, The BMW is a awesome choice, however it's pretty small (the 3's...) and they are 30k. If she didn't need to brin
29 BH346: The Camry/Accord sounds nice. Also, she should look at the Toyota Avalon. My friends have a new one and it's awesome. Very roomy, powerful, and comfor
30 American_4275: Yeah i would say the Acura 3.2TL as well. It's a beaut
31 777YYC: Not a big three front drive... http://www.lemonaidcars.com
32 Watewate: If she doesn't mind waiting, she should stick around until new Accord hits the showrooms this fall. You'll get great deals on '02 models. Similarly, y
33 Planelover: What about a Pontiac Grand Prix? Get it with the 3800 V6. My dad has a Buick Regal (same car-different front and rear clips) and it has been a great c
34 CPDC10-30: The Nissan Altima or Maxima would be a great choice in that price range, but for a bit more the VW Passat would be even better.
35 Alessandro: Well the Toyota Prius seem to be a option for someone driving a lot, is it mainly highway or innercity driving?
36 CPDC10-30: Just a couple extra comments: 1. Mercury has been phased out in Canada, so it is the Crown Vic you'll be looking at instead of the Grand Marquis 2. Mo
37 BH346: The Altima is a cool car, but it's styling isn't professional looking in front of clients. It's mostly a car for younger folks.
38 FlyVirgin744: I have to side with BH346 and American_4275. The Acura 3.2TL is a great choice. I drive an Acura 3.2 CL type S (gotta get the type S) and its a great
39 174thfwff: Von, do you know what kind of car you looking further into? -Peace In- 174th
40 BWIrwy4: Come on, all of you are wrong. Get a Lotus Super Seven. It doesn't care if she's only 4'11". Just kidding, of course
41 VonRichtofen: Whew!! I'm offline for awhile and look at all of the replies!! Thank you all for your input. Tuesday is the big "Test Drive" day, all day we're just g
42 CPDC10-30: Hey, good to hear you've narrowed down the list...it should be a fun day on Tuesday. It is true that European cars are more expensive, a V6 Passat wil
43 VonRichtofen: Hey CP, you know what? I COMPLETELY forgot about VW! Thanks for the reminder!! I'm not sure if she likes the look of the Passat, but I know she was im
44 174thfwff: Camry is an amazing choice. Don't forget about the Avalon if she wants a "step up"...I don't know much about the Solaria Convertable. I realy do like
45 LH423: I definitely would go with the VW Passat V6. VW has an excellent track record of reliability, and even more important when it comes time to sell it, a
46 AY-MD11: Dont talk shit about Saabs being expensive to repair.If you can explain why are they expensive to maintain pls tell us?Those cars has been in the top
47 VonRichtofen: Parts for european cars in North America are way more expensive than domestic or Japanese cars. I'm not saying saabs are unreliable, I'm saying that w
48 AY-MD11: Yeah thats true American cars are cheap in North America and Canada i think so too.Actually if i would live in US now then probably i would be driving
49 Planelover: What about the new Passat with the W8 engine and 4Motion all wheel drive? That would be cool. That might be out of your price range though. What about
50 Mark2102: I would recommend a new Toyota Camry, my grandparents have a 1999 Camry LE and they love it and I would also recommend a 328i. I am not sure if that i
51 Captaingomes: Let's not forget that VonRichtofen lives in Calgary! Very cold and lots of snow. Regarding the Solara, it's a good looking car, and convertibles are l
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