its new car time, again....
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
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its new car time, again....
i'm so pissed. seems as though the auto tranny in my car is messed up. first it wasn't going into second, then, if it did go into second, it would slip back to first, so i took it to the dealer. they looked at it, and agreed, "it needs to be replaced". hmmm...did i mention that my car has 10,500 miles??? well, i was upset, and my dad is pissed, he's trying to get the dealer to buy the car from him, which i doubt they do. i spent 2 hours taking all of my car audio out of it, i'm dropping it off tonight, so they can replace the tranny. i'll most likely end up selling it in the classifieds or something.
anyways, that leads to the topic, new car time. i checked out a few cars today, and ended up with 2003 altima se and 2003 accord lx v6 as my 2 choices, both autos. i can either one, with spoiler and tint, for about $22,000, i dont think that is a bad price for either car.
altima advantages:
17" alloys, powerful and torquey (yet quiet) engine, handles great for a large sedan
disadvantages:
no abs standard, plasticy interior
accord advantages:
standard abs, 5 speed auto vs. 4 speed in altima, 6 disc changer (which would be replaced with my mp3 player anyways).
disadvantages:
no alloys, engine is not as powerful as altimas
i like both cars, and its hard to choose one over the other. i think it would be easier to add my current audio equipment to the alty, but thats a pretty dumb reason to buy a car.
those are the only two cars i'm consider (unless i can't afford the V6 models, in which case, i will go for the 4cyl instead).
which would you guys get?
insurance is also the same, so thats not an issue.
anyways, that leads to the topic, new car time. i checked out a few cars today, and ended up with 2003 altima se and 2003 accord lx v6 as my 2 choices, both autos. i can either one, with spoiler and tint, for about $22,000, i dont think that is a bad price for either car.
altima advantages:
17" alloys, powerful and torquey (yet quiet) engine, handles great for a large sedan
disadvantages:
no abs standard, plasticy interior
accord advantages:
standard abs, 5 speed auto vs. 4 speed in altima, 6 disc changer (which would be replaced with my mp3 player anyways).
disadvantages:
no alloys, engine is not as powerful as altimas
i like both cars, and its hard to choose one over the other. i think it would be easier to add my current audio equipment to the alty, but thats a pretty dumb reason to buy a car.
those are the only two cars i'm consider (unless i can't afford the V6 models, in which case, i will go for the 4cyl instead).
which would you guys get?
insurance is also the same, so thats not an issue.
I sure wish my car was newer
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Louis, Mo
Rep Power: 365 I assume you are talking about the four door Accord since you're mentioning the Altima.
If I decided I liked the rear of the Accords, I would go with that. Big deal about the rims, I'd change those anyway. I'll do my own engine stuff, too (bolt-ons.) I just plain would not buy a car with a plastic-like interior after seeing some cars and the way they hold up. *cough*GM*cough* I've had no problem with Honda, and considering the number of people I know who own/have owned them, I think you're the minority with the problem. That's just me though.
If I decided I liked the rear of the Accords, I would go with that. Big deal about the rims, I'd change those anyway. I'll do my own engine stuff, too (bolt-ons.) I just plain would not buy a car with a plastic-like interior after seeing some cars and the way they hold up. *cough*GM*cough* I've had no problem with Honda, and considering the number of people I know who own/have owned them, I think you're the minority with the problem. That's just me though.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 actually, i was looking at the 2 door accord, i think the 4 door rear end is funky. i know that the 2 door accord and alty dont really compare, but other than the Z, nissan doesn't offer a 2 door to compete with the accord coupe.
[sarcasm/] thanks for the advice trick000 [/sarcasm]
[sarcasm/] thanks for the advice trick000 [/sarcasm]
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From: SF, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Take 'em both for a test drive, but the 5- sp tranny on the accord sounds like better efficiency as far as fuel/ performance goes.
ABS is better if you know how to use it as well.
I think the interior is much better too.
The accord has a better chasis, though
Ultimately it's your decision; they are both good cars (pick the accord!!)
ABS is better if you know how to use it as well.
I think the interior is much better too.
The accord has a better chasis, though
Ultimately it's your decision; they are both good cars (pick the accord!!)
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 hmmm, buy the honda huh? i bit biased are we, lol, just playing.
i was thinking about the accord a lot to, the interior is nothing short of fantastic, but i dunno what it is about that alty that still makes it a contender. ultimately, it might be down to who offers the best rate for financing, nissan dealer is advertising 0.9% - 3.5%. i'm assuming that its just low now, and that the accord financing should be just as low, right? i mean if its going to be 7.9% or something for the accord, an alty will be in my driveway.
i was thinking about the accord a lot to, the interior is nothing short of fantastic, but i dunno what it is about that alty that still makes it a contender. ultimately, it might be down to who offers the best rate for financing, nissan dealer is advertising 0.9% - 3.5%. i'm assuming that its just low now, and that the accord financing should be just as low, right? i mean if its going to be 7.9% or something for the accord, an alty will be in my driveway.
Altima = Nissan girl car; Maxima = Nissan guy car (well at least that's what I've noticed from my friends who own a Nissan and while driving on the road). Sentra is the in-betweener
Accord for the looks ('03 coupe of course), but since it's going to be the family's car, you better go with an Altima for practicality
Accord for the looks ('03 coupe of course), but since it's going to be the family's car, you better go with an Altima for practicality
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From: Lake George, New York, US
Rep Power: 0 you mean they are still not offering hondas w/ alloys? I know that I got my civic in 02 and it came w/ lovely hubcaps. Anyway, I am a loyal honda person and have you driven the accord? It is really nice inside and out- I like to think that it is a good take on the same type of style as the vic.
Oh and consider the TSX, they are a bad car but I think more than what you said you were willing to pay
Oh and consider the TSX, they are a bad car but I think more than what you said you were willing to pay
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 yea, the TSX is too expensive, and i'd rather have a 240hp or 245hp V6 than a 200hp 4 cyl. after driving both the 4cyl and V6 versions of the alty and accord, its quite apparent how much smoother the V6's on both run compared to the 4cyl versions. the 4cyl's sent too much vibrations into the cabin (the accord was worse in my opinion).
yea, honda still gives you hubs with models other than the EX. i was looking at the LX V6 coupe since its the cheapest V6 they had.
wrx, i wish, too much on the insurance side.
yea, honda still gives you hubs with models other than the EX. i was looking at the LX V6 coupe since its the cheapest V6 they had.
wrx, i wish, too much on the insurance side.
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From: Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Rep Power: 0 Are you sure the altima's v6 has more power than the accord's? Oh, it has a whole 5 more hp.
I can't stand the interior of the altima. I mean, it looks cheaper than a harlem hooker. The accord's interior is just flat out awesome imo. I like the looks over the altima as well. It will also have higher resale when compared to the altima.
I don't know about the financing. They don't exactly have a real hard time selling the accords. I would expect honda to be slightly higher on the interest rate. I can't imagine an interest rate making your purchase decision.
Personally, I love honda and would have a very hard time buying anything else. Plus, come on, the accord's interior is sAwheat.
I can't stand the interior of the altima. I mean, it looks cheaper than a harlem hooker. The accord's interior is just flat out awesome imo. I like the looks over the altima as well. It will also have higher resale when compared to the altima.
I don't know about the financing. They don't exactly have a real hard time selling the accords. I would expect honda to be slightly higher on the interest rate. I can't imagine an interest rate making your purchase decision.
Personally, I love honda and would have a very hard time buying anything else. Plus, come on, the accord's interior is sAwheat.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 well, i dont think its the 5 extra horses that makes the alty more powerful, i think its the 246lb ft or torque, trust me, drive both, and you'll agree right away which is faster.
but i have to face, the accord interior is hard to beat. i mean for the price, thats an incredible interior, its awesome.
now, if nissan offered 2.9% and honda offered 3.9%, there is no difference there, but if it was 2.9% for nissan and 7.9% for honda, you dont think that makes a difference?
regardless, after doing some more research, i found some more things that puts the accord ahead of the alty, like how it takes 87 octane while the alty, because of the VQ engine, needs 91.
i think i'll go back tomorrow, gonna try and do a side by side comparison, but i think most of you will be glad to know that the accord is ahead, and unless there is an unusual circumstance, i'll end up with that.
but i have to face, the accord interior is hard to beat. i mean for the price, thats an incredible interior, its awesome.
now, if nissan offered 2.9% and honda offered 3.9%, there is no difference there, but if it was 2.9% for nissan and 7.9% for honda, you dont think that makes a difference?
regardless, after doing some more research, i found some more things that puts the accord ahead of the alty, like how it takes 87 octane while the alty, because of the VQ engine, needs 91.
i think i'll go back tomorrow, gonna try and do a side by side comparison, but i think most of you will be glad to know that the accord is ahead, and unless there is an unusual circumstance, i'll end up with that.
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From: Ann Arbor, Michigan/Eugene, Oregon, US
Rep Power: 0 I'd also vote for the Accord. Think of it this way, you're gonna be spending most of your time inside the car... so you may as well get the car with the better interior, right? Just my 2 cents.
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From: Oregon
Rep Power: 0 Have you actually checked into this? I had a WRX wagon before selling it to buy my beater Civic (01 LX coupe, auto -- I do far too much city driving in rush hour and the WRX wasnt the best tranny/clutch).
My WRX wagon cost me 367 bucks for full coverage. The Honda cost me 425. This is for 6mos of coverage (I'm over 25, clean record for lots of years, etc). The agent told me that my Civic was costing more in part for its higher theft rate, and in part for no ABS... I wonder if the ricer image is also playing a part. You know, people who buy a Civic because they think its fast and then they total it by driving like morons -- you know the type. Oh well, atleast the gas mileage is MUCH better and upkeep costs are cheap, so it offsets the higher insurance.
Now, just gotta find a job after graduation
My WRX wagon cost me 367 bucks for full coverage. The Honda cost me 425. This is for 6mos of coverage (I'm over 25, clean record for lots of years, etc). The agent told me that my Civic was costing more in part for its higher theft rate, and in part for no ABS... I wonder if the ricer image is also playing a part. You know, people who buy a Civic because they think its fast and then they total it by driving like morons -- you know the type. Oh well, atleast the gas mileage is MUCH better and upkeep costs are cheap, so it offsets the higher insurance.
Now, just gotta find a job after graduation
Originally posted by slick
wrx, i wish, too much on the insurance side.
wrx, i wish, too much on the insurance side.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 Originally posted by MMILX
Have you actually checked into this? I had a WRX wagon before selling it to buy my beater Civic (01 LX coupe, auto -- I do far too much city driving in rush hour and the WRX wasnt the best tranny/clutch).
My WRX wagon cost me 367 bucks for full coverage. The Honda cost me 425. This is for 6mos of coverage (I'm over 25, clean record for lots of years, etc). The agent told me that my Civic was costing more in part for its higher theft rate, and in part for no ABS... I wonder if the ricer image is also playing a part. You know, people who buy a Civic because they think its fast and then they total it by driving like morons -- you know the type. Oh well, atleast the gas mileage is MUCH better and upkeep costs are cheap, so it offsets the higher insurance.
Now, just gotta find a job after graduation
Have you actually checked into this? I had a WRX wagon before selling it to buy my beater Civic (01 LX coupe, auto -- I do far too much city driving in rush hour and the WRX wasnt the best tranny/clutch).
My WRX wagon cost me 367 bucks for full coverage. The Honda cost me 425. This is for 6mos of coverage (I'm over 25, clean record for lots of years, etc). The agent told me that my Civic was costing more in part for its higher theft rate, and in part for no ABS... I wonder if the ricer image is also playing a part. You know, people who buy a Civic because they think its fast and then they total it by driving like morons -- you know the type. Oh well, atleast the gas mileage is MUCH better and upkeep costs are cheap, so it offsets the higher insurance.
Now, just gotta find a job after graduation
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From: Oregon
Rep Power: 0 Yeah. the sedans generally seem to be a bit higher. I know the sedans were supposed to be more popular, so they started off with fewer wagons.
Honestly, its not like I need to carry people around, but the WRX has such a small interior and no folding rear seat, so getting a wagon was basically the best option for me. Carried some large objects (mountain bikes, etc) in the back of the wagon.
I think its because most old farts get the wagon, so its a bit cheaper to insure. My insurance card only said Impreza L wagon AWD for the whole 18 months I owned the car.
As for performance, 80lbs is nothing... It was also fun blowing people's doors off in a wagon 
Price wise, check around... some volume dealers out there are doing ~invoice pricing...
Honestly, its not like I need to carry people around, but the WRX has such a small interior and no folding rear seat, so getting a wagon was basically the best option for me. Carried some large objects (mountain bikes, etc) in the back of the wagon.
I think its because most old farts get the wagon, so its a bit cheaper to insure. My insurance card only said Impreza L wagon AWD for the whole 18 months I owned the car.
As for performance, 80lbs is nothing...
It was also fun blowing people's doors off in a wagon Price wise, check around... some volume dealers out there are doing ~invoice pricing... Originally posted by slick
actaully, its about $100 more a month for the sedan WRX (i dont like the wagon, wouldn't want to buy it). maybe thats not a lot, but the WRX is about $25k, thats $3k more than i am willing to spend. i really just need a good daily driver, the accord should do that just as well as a WRX.
actaully, its about $100 more a month for the sedan WRX (i dont like the wagon, wouldn't want to buy it). maybe thats not a lot, but the WRX is about $25k, thats $3k more than i am willing to spend. i really just need a good daily driver, the accord should do that just as well as a WRX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 i dont know of any subaru dealers in OKC, there was one in norman, Travis Subaru or something ( they also sold chryslers i believe ) but they dumped subaru now, so i have no idea where to buy a WRX close by.
i'm going tomorrow to the honda dealer to see what we can do on the accord, my dad's coming along this time, he's the final decision maker. i'll let you guys know what happens tomorrow evening. ( hopefully i report back with a new car, but i can live without a car for a while since school is over ).
i'm going tomorrow to the honda dealer to see what we can do on the accord, my dad's coming along this time, he's the final decision maker. i'll let you guys know what happens tomorrow evening. ( hopefully i report back with a new car, but i can live without a car for a while since school is over ).
Supreme Member!
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Rep Power: 0 what the hell? if ur lookin for a nice coupe or sedan style car other than honda than y not a VR6? they come 4door and they are pretty good cars... u can never go wrong w/ a supercharger or turbo stock in a car. besides, from what i hear, volkswagon arent that hard to mod and u get very good performance gains. other than that, have a S15 imported. they usually go for around 20gs. stock turbo also and its right hand drive!!!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 sorry, i'm not going through the hassle of importing a car, i dont even want to waste my day at the dealer looking at cars on the lot. i know that most people here are into modding and stuff, but i guess i'm not. i really dont care what car has potential and what not, i want my car to drive the way i want it to from the dealer lot, not after money invested in it with aftermarket parts.
also, i want an auto, easier to drive for me.
plus, my dad is buying the car, not me, it might be easy to persaude me into buying a turbo'd car, but it wont with my dad, if he doesn't like driving it, he wont buy it ( thats one of the perks of getting a free car, take it or leave it )
also, i want an auto, easier to drive for me.
plus, my dad is buying the car, not me, it might be easy to persaude me into buying a turbo'd car, but it wont with my dad, if he doesn't like driving it, he wont buy it ( thats one of the perks of getting a free car, take it or leave it )
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 ok, today totally sucked. i went with my dad to the honda stealer, the one i got my civic from. after my dad looked at the accord, we went inside to talk numbers, thats when it got upseting. the sales guy said he NEVER told me they could $22k for the car, he said best he could was $23k. my dad and i found this to be disturbing, since we got a great deal on the civic. my dad was upset, but he didn't want to start anything, so we left. we tried another dealer, but they said the same thing, $23k. my dad was comtemplating whether he should spend $22k on another car, so adding a $1k was out of the question.
we then went to the nissan dealer, was going to look at the altima, but the base V6 was sold, all they had left were 4 cyls or loaded V6's. in anycase, my dad didn't like it. he thought the interior sucked since it was all plastic (hell, even our civics have a vinyl dash), and simple things like not having ABS standard (which will help save on insurance i believe). so i thought the whole day was a waste. while at the nissan dealer, i looked at some used maxima's. they had a few 2002 SE's, cloth seats, 17" wheels, all had low miles (20k or less) and all for about $20k or less. we looked at those for a bit, but my dad didn't want to buy used, since they are always hard to shop for, and you really dont know how the previous owner treated the car.
this just sucks, i have a broken car, and i'm getting a headache looking for another one.
what should i do? keep the civic? get the 02 maxima? look for other used cars? what would you do in my situation?
we then went to the nissan dealer, was going to look at the altima, but the base V6 was sold, all they had left were 4 cyls or loaded V6's. in anycase, my dad didn't like it. he thought the interior sucked since it was all plastic (hell, even our civics have a vinyl dash), and simple things like not having ABS standard (which will help save on insurance i believe). so i thought the whole day was a waste. while at the nissan dealer, i looked at some used maxima's. they had a few 2002 SE's, cloth seats, 17" wheels, all had low miles (20k or less) and all for about $20k or less. we looked at those for a bit, but my dad didn't want to buy used, since they are always hard to shop for, and you really dont know how the previous owner treated the car.
this just sucks, i have a broken car, and i'm getting a headache looking for another one.
what should i do? keep the civic? get the 02 maxima? look for other used cars? what would you do in my situation?
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From: Oregon
Rep Power: 0 Not sure what kind of $ you would get for your Civic at this point, being its only a year old. Probably take a big hit. If it were me, I'd ask dad to hold onto the money for a couple more years and maybe put it towards something even nicer. I mean your Civic's depreciation is going to lessen as time goes on (based on %)... The first 2 years are usually the worst. Maybe keep it until the warranty is almost up and then look at getting rid of it.
I got a decent price on an extended warranty on my 01 LX. I bought it used with 24k so I didn't have a lot of the Honda factory warranty left, and hearing all the stories online made me feel that 800 bucks was a good investment for 7/100k. Besides, it will help in selling the car in the future...
I got a decent price on an extended warranty on my 01 LX. I bought it used with 24k so I didn't have a lot of the Honda factory warranty left, and hearing all the stories online made me feel that 800 bucks was a good investment for 7/100k. Besides, it will help in selling the car in the future...
Originally posted by slick
ok, today totally sucked. i went with my dad to the honda stealer, the one i got my civic from. after my dad looked at the accord, we went inside to talk numbers, thats when it got upseting. the sales guy said he NEVER told me they could $22k for the car, he said best he could was $23k. my dad and i found this to be disturbing, since we got a great deal on the civic. my dad was upset, but he didn't want to start anything, so we left. we tried another dealer, but they said the same thing, $23k. my dad was comtemplating whether he should spend $22k on another car, so adding a $1k was out of the question.
we then went to the nissan dealer, was going to look at the altima, but the base V6 was sold, all they had left were 4 cyls or loaded V6's. in anycase, my dad didn't like it. he thought the interior sucked since it was all plastic (hell, even our civics have a vinyl dash), and simple things like not having ABS standard (which will help save on insurance i believe). so i thought the whole day was a waste. while at the nissan dealer, i looked at some used maxima's. they had a few 2002 SE's, cloth seats, 17" wheels, all had low miles (20k or less) and all for about $20k or less. we looked at those for a bit, but my dad didn't want to buy used, since they are always hard to shop for, and you really dont know how the previous owner treated the car.
this just sucks, i have a broken car, and i'm getting a headache looking for another one.
what should i do? keep the civic? get the 02 maxima? look for other used cars? what would you do in my situation?
ok, today totally sucked. i went with my dad to the honda stealer, the one i got my civic from. after my dad looked at the accord, we went inside to talk numbers, thats when it got upseting. the sales guy said he NEVER told me they could $22k for the car, he said best he could was $23k. my dad and i found this to be disturbing, since we got a great deal on the civic. my dad was upset, but he didn't want to start anything, so we left. we tried another dealer, but they said the same thing, $23k. my dad was comtemplating whether he should spend $22k on another car, so adding a $1k was out of the question.
we then went to the nissan dealer, was going to look at the altima, but the base V6 was sold, all they had left were 4 cyls or loaded V6's. in anycase, my dad didn't like it. he thought the interior sucked since it was all plastic (hell, even our civics have a vinyl dash), and simple things like not having ABS standard (which will help save on insurance i believe). so i thought the whole day was a waste. while at the nissan dealer, i looked at some used maxima's. they had a few 2002 SE's, cloth seats, 17" wheels, all had low miles (20k or less) and all for about $20k or less. we looked at those for a bit, but my dad didn't want to buy used, since they are always hard to shop for, and you really dont know how the previous owner treated the car.
this just sucks, i have a broken car, and i'm getting a headache looking for another one.
what should i do? keep the civic? get the 02 maxima? look for other used cars? what would you do in my situation?
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 317 my dad is thinking about giving me his maxima, and he will take the civic and decide what to do with it. but he doesn't want to say yes right away, cause as soon as he does, my car audio is going right into the maxima, lol. he might use the civic and trade it in for an SUV, but he is going to think about it a little more.
i love my civic, but why is the damned thing cursed with so many problems? thats what pisses me off, having to take it to the dealer for work, its so frustrating.
maybe i need a good luck charm to help rid the curse?
i love my civic, but why is the damned thing cursed with so many problems? thats what pisses me off, having to take it to the dealer for work, its so frustrating.
maybe i need a good luck charm to help rid the curse?
