I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.

Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).

a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?

What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.

 

sentra - cheap and reliable.

 

I would go with Sentra or maybe a slightly used Camry.

 

we already have a sentra, it's good, but we don't want another one. Thought about a camry, but but don't really need a 4 door since we already have the max.

also, buying used is too much of a headache, we're almost certain to get a new one, unless the models are more expensive than we hope for.

 

2k2 3.5 altima

 

How about a Hummer H2

 

cuz thats under the 20K mark


If you want new, heres a quick list

Civic (not my first choice, but a reliable car nonetheless)
Accord
Altima
Jetta (eh, unless its the turbo)
Maxima
Corolla
Volvo S40(safest of the bunch)


Not exactly performance cars, but its for your mom...

 

Here you go:

Honda Accord 4 banger
Mazda Protege
Altima 2.5L
Mazda 6 4 banger
Sentra SE
Civic

The Accord is probably the best all around - reliable, excelent 4 cylinder, roomy and nice interiors - followed by the Altima 2.5L. If she does not need the room, the Mazda Protege or Mazda 6 followed by the Sentra SE or the Civic, IMO.

 

I forgot about the mazdas, i would go with a Mazda6 personally, i love the looks of the Mazda6S, i want it!!


Eric

 

i'd probably go for an infiniti G20 or maybe a 2.5 altima

 

a 02 Maxima
or a new Altima

 

I suggest that you get a used Volvo S70 T5, 236hp with a chip $300 chip it goes up to 290hp, or get a used Volvo S80 T6 which I believe has 268hp and with a $300 chip will be at 320hp. They are one of the safest cars out there, infact I thought that at one time the S80 was deemed the safest car in production when it first came out in 1999, very comfortable and most come fully loaded.

 

 

how much HP do you get out of a chip for a VW 1.8T

 

I drove a 2002 VR6 Jetta tonight - I was sorely disimpresed. The thottle response is shaky, the shifting is jerky, it's already making strange sounds from the front right strut....and only 9k on it....I also noticed alot of power drop at high RPM - but I'm used to driving a boosted Max, so maybe that's just me.

It also was VERY small inside....smaller than I had imagined.

I liked the feel of the steering wheel itself, and the dash decor....and that was about it.

 

Not sure what you're looking for, but if reliability matters, don't buy a Jetta. All 4 cylinder models have below average reliability in the latest auto issue of Consumer Reports.

Also, when they looked at the avg. # of probs for 3 year old 2000 model cars, VW was 2nd to last w/74 probs per 100 cars. The average was 55. Nissan got 40. The top spots were Acura: 21, Toyota and Lexus: 25, Honda: 32.

Perhaps you should try (in no particular order): 2.5L Altima, Mazda 6, Civic, Corolla, Protege. If your mom wants power but doesn't care about reliability, how about a Dodge SRT-4?

 

I think if it were my money it'd be Toyota or Honda, not VW. VW is awesome in the road feel dept., but kinda expensive to maintain. Toyota and Honda is a ridiculous joke as far as holding resale value. 2 years old and the price hasn't gone down much. And since this car doesn't sound like it's your main car, I'd recommend the Civic or Corolla. Hyundai is a price leader, safe, and has a lot of features standard, but it has no resale just like the Maxima. I've also heard people running into difficulty obtaining warranty service even though their coverage is 10yr 100k or whatever. Honda or Toyota, you can never go wrong.

 

Yea just like how Acura CL-S / TL-S gets a high reliability report but we all know thats false with the trannys. Do not trust any consumer reports. I personally don't believe them.

I know many people who have had VW's period, with no problems. The 2003+ are actually the most reliable because they fixed alot of issues they had with them in the past. The 1.8t is one of the most reliable engines as well that you can get.

The vw is the safest car out of them all...I would recommend it for that. The civic is more like a tin can.

 

Don't get the civic. Rattles like crazy and road noise is horrendous. I'd get a used Max or Camcord. Jettas are unreliable and are overpriced. Tons of electrical problems have been associated with the Jetta. Consumer reports and some of the other mags that rate reliability has given a poor score to the Jetta so if you do consider it, get the extended warranty.

 

Either get a boring Civic or Toyota, or get a Sentra or Jetta that at least looks agreesive.

 

I was surprised by the TL and CL getting good reliability transmission reliability ratings too, but I wonder what the actual # of people encountering failures is. Looking at people's posts on mesasge boards isn't always a good indication.

Generally speaking, I've found their reliability reports to be pretty accurate for the cars my parents and I have owned.

As for VWs, I've known of some people who haven't had any probs whereas others have had some probs (some major).

 

Yea but also Acura sending wararnty extensions for 7 year 100k is not good either on just the tranny.

 

woo hoo!! we ended up getting an accord lx.

We went and test drove the civic... it sucked. Tried the accord and loved it. It is sooooo smooth and comfortable, I'd ALMOST compare it to my maxima. For a 17,800 (19,200 d/o)... I can't imagine a better car.

One thing I do feel kind of screwed about is my lease agreement, $305/month 48 months, 15k miles. Does this sound like a good deal, or does it seem like I got shafted in the finance room?

 

How about a Dodge Neon SRT

 

 

volky jetta tdi + driver=40mpg

 

A used jetta 1.8t and chip it 50hp I found my wife one for 13150 with 45k and 5spd the car is crazy I sometimes want to drive it over the Max trust me you will love it jetta 1.8t

 

if you want safer car, get a bigger car. Whatever you do, dont get VW; very unreliable.

 

It all depends on what your mom's priorities are? Size, comfort, fuel economy, looks, maintenance, etc.

Another consideration is a Toyota Corolla.

 

Whoa, why was this thread bumped?! Did anyone bother checking the date when this thread was started?

 

I was about to say the same thing. This is a thread from almost 2 years ago guys.

 

Dude just get a civic, save gas

 

WTF? I just noticed the date this thread originated now that its mentioned. It appears that it was bumped by ammi with 5,862 posts. Why would anyone do this some 23 months after the fact?

 

nissan, keep it in the family, and maybe he is taking a long time to make an educated selection, lol !

 

Nah, it was bumped by someone else but his post doesn't show for some reason. Either way, this thread is dead.

 

stay away from the Jetta, unless you wanna spend more time in the repair shop than on the road

Here are some suggestions:

Mazda 3i or 6i
Altima 2.5S
Honda Accord DX/LX
Toyota Corolla or Base Camry
Sentra 1.8S

If reliability isn't your concern:

Chevy Cobalt
Pontiac G6
Dodge Neon

 

Someone cant read

 

women and big trucks?

 

Why the hell was this thread bumped from 2 years ago.

 

And why are people still posting like this person is still around?