re: Buying a new car - where to start

In all honesty, I'd go for last year's model rather than the newest thing, or a car they've been using for test drives, or one that's been used only for a year or so.
Buying a new car is one of the least economical things to do, as they lose SO much value as soon as you've driven it off of the forecourt.
I'm sure that's an unpopular opinion cos it feels great to have a brand spanking new car, but I thought I'd throw that out there! Haha.

Quoting You're not my demographic:" It looks nice from what I see on the website. I am a little weary of buying newer cars though that haven't ... [snip!] ... out for a lot of model years. They tend to have issues in the first couple of years. How long have you had yours? Any issues?"

We've only had ours for like 3 weeks haha! But no issues so far. It also came with a year of xm radio and onstar for free

Quoting Sofia's Mummy♥:" In all honesty, I'd go for last year's model rather than the newest thing, or a car they've been using ... [snip!] ... that's an unpopular opinion cos it feels great to have a brand spanking new car, but I thought I'd throw that out there! Haha. "

Yeah I'm not above buying used, the way I see it is that it will be new to me. I've never had a "new" car.

Nissons are great cars. I loved my maxima I got 350,000 miles on it before it broke down

Quoting Sofia's Mummy♥:" In all honesty, I'd go for last year's model rather than the newest thing, or a car they've been using ... [snip!] ... that's an unpopular opinion cos it feels great to have a brand spanking new car, but I thought I'd throw that out there! Haha. "

I am SO with you on this! But, my husband was in a car accident and his car was totaled. The car we just bought brand new, is only $15 more per month, so we were like, meh why not

Quoting You're not my demographic:" Yeah I'm not above buying used, the way I see it is that it will be new to me. I've never had a "new" car."

That's how I see it too  
I don't think I'll ever buy new unless we are really well of and can buy it outright!

Quoting EasyComeEasyGo:" I am SO with you on this! But, my husband was in a car accident and his car was totaled. The car we just bought brand new, is only $15 more per month, so we were like, meh why not"

I think it's awesome if you can afford to do it comfortably. I am pretty miserly so I can't imagine spending so much money on a car, I would never do without just to get a 'better' car, kwim? I don't have one right now at all, I'd gladly do without some luxuries just to HAVE one, but I wouldn't get anything flashy or beyond my means. I'd be happy with a bit of a clunker now haha!

Quoting Misty Walls:" Nissons are great cars. I loved my maxima I got 350,000 miles on it before it broke down"

Wow! Good to know!

I just traded in my Volvo xc90 for a Honda Pilot a few weeks ago...I absolutely LOVE both of them and would recommend either. But, they're SUVs...not sure if you're looking for a vehicle that size!?

Quoting .chele.:" I just traded in my Volvo xc90 for a Honda Pilot a few weeks ago...I absolutely LOVE both of them and would recommend either. But, they're SUVs...not sure if you're looking for a vehicle that size!?"

I would be open to one, haven't found a whole lot in my price range that I like though! Mainly because of the mileage on the used ones  

Quoting You're not my demographic:" I would be open to one, haven't found a whole lot in my price range that I like though! Mainly because of the mileage on the used ones  "

We got really lucky when we bought my Volvo xc90 in Jan. '09. It was an '06 w/under 36k miles for $14,999 cash! DH still has his '06 s40...I miss having matching cars, but the new Honda Pilot is AWESOME.

I know its out of your price range but both my sister and I have a Mazda CX7 and love it. I got mine Dec. 2010 in the low 20k my month payments are 356 a month im happy with it =) im a single mom so prefect for me and the is great and i do alot of driving to and from work every day

I have a Kia and I hate it but I have the Sedona (minivan) and I've already had to put work into it.  

After this experience, I think I'm going to forever stick with Dodge. I've run those damn cars into the ground while all the others fell apart.